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LUNA-TERRA, EPISODE ONE: "I've never betrayed anyone in my entire life."















What do you know about our reasons, computer















Sound logic.

"Let me enjoy the view of the rings."



"You really are getting old, aren't you?"

"Both me and you. I should probably listen to Control and throw you out and get a new one."

"But that doesn't seem right. You're only supposed to get one body."

"Even if I haven't been very good to you, I could never throw you out."

"We're all we've got."



In all kinds of ways.

It can do so many things. And they gave it devices for everything, because they hadn't estimated how powerful Tidal Engines would become, or what sorts of things humans would really want to do in space.

It's the first machine meant for conflict. But it's also the last machine that was meant for other things, too. A ceremonial tin soldier. Made to impress.

An impossible to use machine. Mind-machine or biofeedback interfacing is necessary to give humans control over a second body, but the Mare Crisium is done completely manually.

It makes Luna-Terra sort of a genius, and sort of an idiot, that she can't do things any other way.



"..."

"No, I love it when old things are over."

"And new things begin."

"Open the channel."

"Let's hear those standing orders."



Music - Home 1



Each day, we are given two missions to complete. But before we decide on that, there are new alerts and comms to check out. Little pieces of backstory and worldbuilding to chew on.

pre:


                                     I've never betrayed anyone in my entire life./

 Ahahahaahahahaha!

                                                                         ha... ha/

But seriously, whose side are you on right now?

Ah, it sounds so accusatory to put it like that,
you know I'm fine with you being on whoever's side you choose.

So I can destroy them and drive you back to me.

                                           That may end up being a lot of people./

What, you don't think I'm up for it?

Don't worry yourself about that part, kitten.

                         If you want me to defect back, you could always just ask./



Oh stop it, I hate it when you're modest, it's so beneath you.

Give her at least the dignity of a subtle seduction.

                                                                     I would have./

                                                       That's not what she wanted./

She really ought to think about her reputation more.

And what more is there to say about the trail of messes you leave?

But my disappointment in you both is total.

My adorable failures, what am I to do with you?

                                                         You should go easy on her./

I live to spoil her; make no mistake that
everything she deserves will be visited on you.

I wouldn't dream of not letting you have that.
You have to know by now how aware I am of what you want and deserve.

                                                 Haha. You're so good to me Europa./

                                                                I don't deserve it./

                   When I double cross you again, be sure to really let me have it./

I hope you do.

But I take no chances with loyalty.

Halimede merely hopes you will change.
I think it's charming that even you believe that might have some effect on you,
but I know much better than you, kitten.

I won't let you return no matter how much you beg,
until you have no other choice.


With not-moms like this, who needs moms? ...Let's check our mail.





Heh. Tenth time's the charm I'm sure.





Last but not least is this, the Alignment system. (Data log is just a log of previous scenes, and System is where you save/load, etc.)



This shows the current balance of power between the three factions, which will change as we do missions.

Speaking of missions, it’s time to select ours. We have to do both to advance the story, and the order doesn’t matter, so there’s not really a need to vote. I’ll go with JOYRIDE KILLJOY first, since Saturn was a close second in the pilot voting.




Music - Plastic to Plastic









"Tell those idiots to be careful what they wish for, because the mission parameters have changed."

"As you know, Celestial Mechanics has been operating a clandestine Ship-Self development lab with an experimental prototype, in violation of the terms of the Memorial Foundation Space Program decommission treaty."

"And we are on a top-secret surprise attack to take out the last operational shipyard and make sure we never have to find out what Celestial Mechanics has been planning to do with it."

"It couldn't be more obvious what happened. But go ahead and brief me anyway."

"No points for guessing. The prototype already launched, rendering most of the base inoperable. We lost contact almost instantly. Find it before it leaves Cronus's gravitational field."





















"Now."















"What a callous attitude you have. Who did you learn that from?"

"The best. Preparing to engage."





"Having fun dismantling my escorts?"











"Oh, she's a hacker, too? How amusing. There's nothing too interesting on this comm frequency."

"Aw, you flatter me."

"But hey, what did that mean, exactly? The part about the girls who can't control themselves? I REALLY want to hear more."

"It means back up that talk first."

"Or can you land a hit off the comms?"











"Good thing you don't win by looking cool."

"No mercy for newbies?"

"No."



It doesn't hurt at all. The ship's metals begin molding and reforming around the wound immediately. A ridiculous, unfair advantage. Saturn has no right to complain, but she still wants to.

But she is trying to be cool. Everyone wants to, when in the quiet gleam of that always-bleeding ship.



"Either you're fighting just for fun, because you're that reckless."

"Or you're caught in your own containment wrapper and can't escape orbit yet."

"And you'd beat me for sure if I played around."

"I'm not done yet."

That's not true; it's actually very difficult to move with a solid light bullet in your leg. But she's not going to let that stop her.

Saturn is suddenly closer than she logically could be, claws bubbling, but Luna-Terra effortlessly slips away and kicks Saturn's ship directly in the chest.

"Yeah, you're done."

"The containment wrapper is still stuck to you. So your movement's off. Doesn't seem to have stopped you that much."



"It seems cruel to take it away when you're having so much fun with it."

"Same as you, right?"

"? Do I know you?"

"Everyone knows Memorial Foundation's perfect ace."

"But do I know you?"

"..."

"So I do, don't I."

"Let me out of this thing and I'll tell you."

"Ahaha. Why should I?"



"Can you promise it'll go different?"

"I can promise it'll be more fun."

"You are asking for me to totally abandon my duty to bring you back and do that instead?"

"What, you won't?"

"The legendary pilot who defected from Memorial Foundation then double-crossed the rebels she abandoned them for can't be opposed to a little fooling around with the enemy."

"..."

"I guess you do know me."

"Want to trust each other?"

"Or is it more fun if we don't?"



Now we come to the central mechanic of the game. Each mission has two possible outcomes to choose from.



One has us remain loyal to our faction, and increases their power.



And the other has us go against them, and increases the power of the other pilot's faction.

Sometimes there are other outcomes we might want more, though.

So which of these do we really want? Just going to do voting in the thread for this one.

--

EPISODE ONE CONCLUSION



It is decided! It's more fun if Saturn and Luna-Terra trust each other... for now at least.





"It's just WEIRD. It's weirder that it DOESN'T hurt."

It's easier for Luna-Terra to cut through the malleable flesh of the String of Pearls directly than untangle her from the wrapper. The flesh reforms quickly, so she has to work patiently.

The String of Pearls might be impossible to destroy. Even if Saturn can't land a hit, Luna-Terra feels like somehow, she's the one who got lucky.



"You're very sensitive. Lucky. You'll get used to it."

"If you are serious about next time, think of yourself as something a little bigger."

"Mmmm. I like that. Being big. I'm glad I trusted you."

"Stop shaking then. Or ask me to go easier."

"...just a little easier."

"Of course."

"Do you remember me yet?"

"I thought you'd remember the name of at least some of the girls you've made out with in supply closets."



"YOUR FACE."

(Took the words right out of my mouth. Say what you will about the art in this game, but I think it nails the facial expressions.)

"Just kidding. But sorry, it was worth it."

"You weren't kidding about still being dangerous."

"Every pilot knows you."

"By both of your reputations."

"...You're definitely Saturn. Because no one hated me as much as you."

"So now I'm curious why you don't anymore."



"So save it for the next time you catch me."

"Ha. Well, I'll just have to catch you again quick."

"All free."

"Now get out before someone catches us."

--

Mission complete! The balance of power has shifted, just a little. The enemy may have escaped, but we didn't get owned by an experimental supership either.



There will be another update very soon to continue to the next mission's decision point. I just wanted to make them separate posts for clarity/organization purposes. Stay tuned!