io-splinter-agent

[io-splinter-agent]

Fair enough. Whichever outcome, we'll make good on it. You've created no shortage of excellent weapons here. With or without Vengeance himself, our odds are favorable.

I'll handle the girl. Best to see if I can simply make her disappear. She has a habit of driving away the people close to her. She'll find a way to leave herself unguarded. It's a talent of hers.

- Kor smirked. River Guard, Ageless, it didn't matter. She'd seen the girl push away the Slayer that had aided her. The little half-demon had a knack for making sure she was exposed and alone. -

- Kor ignored the petty grumblings of the mix of demons, Oni, and enhanced IO foot soldiers as she once again ran her eyes over the assembly. Their numbers had grown. Good.

She hadn't spoken to the Mask Maker himself, as he usually seemed quite absorbed in the creation of more masks, and in communing with his master. But that didn't matter to her. What he did didn't matter as long as it delivered results.

This time, however, he was up and about, and looked to be taking stock of some fresh foot soldiers. Kor flicked a bit of ash from her coat with a disinterested sigh. -

Slightly substandard, but they should be useful for testing at least.

@io-splinter-agent

*The Mask Maker was fixing one of the soldier's mask, a slight imperfection but that could not be let slide, for an imperfection could cause the mask to wear down more easily, its power at risk of low performance...and that would be a waste. As his paintbrush swiftly flowed through the hard shell, he was interrupted and called to attention.*

"Turn around, my Artist, for the Mercenary has approached you."

Of course, my Master.

*He turned around, facing Kor, his teal, sometimes magenta eyes on her deeply.*

Ah, Kor, we finally have a time to see eachother, how delightful.

I follow the Order's request and The Dark Presence's design, they may all look like mere subjects, but I assure you some have more potential than those pesky lab-rats. You decide where they end up, but you would change your mind on some of them and perhaps give them more...worthy places.

But if not, we can still assure they'd perform better than the subjects the Order's had to deal with all this time.

*A smile seemed to creep up behind the mask as his eyes suggested, a little magenta flicker on them*

[io-splinter-agent]

Worst case scenario, DNA is easy to retrieve in combat. Vengeance is a valuable potential asset. I look forward to seeing how you plan to bring him to his knees.

- Kor absently checked her weapon, a smile touching her lips under the mask at the thought of the possibilities. -

I'll have to use subterfuge to get her away from the Ageless, but that's nothing new. He's affiliated with the River Guard, and I know where they are. A little reconnaissance is in order soon, I think.

- Kor ignored the petty grumblings of the mix of demons, Oni, and enhanced IO foot soldiers as she once again ran her eyes over the assembly. Their numbers had grown. Good.

She hadn't spoken to the Mask Maker himself, as he usually seemed quite absorbed in the creation of more masks, and in communing with his master. But that didn't matter to her. What he did didn't matter as long as it delivered results.

This time, however, he was up and about, and looked to be taking stock of some fresh foot soldiers. Kor flicked a bit of ash from her coat with a disinterested sigh. -

Slightly substandard, but they should be useful for testing at least.

@io-splinter-agent

*The Mask Maker was fixing one of the soldier's mask, a slight imperfection but that could not be let slide, for an imperfection could cause the mask to wear down more easily, its power at risk of low performance...and that would be a waste. As his paintbrush swiftly flowed through the hard shell, he was interrupted and called to attention.*

"Turn around, my Artist, for the Mercenary has approached you."

Of course, my Master.

*He turned around, facing Kor, his teal, sometimes magenta eyes on her deeply.*

Ah, Kor, we finally have a time to see eachother, how delightful.

I follow the Order's request and The Dark Presence's design, they may all look like mere subjects, but I assure you some have more potential than those pesky lab-rats. You decide where they end up, but you would change your mind on some of them and perhaps give them more...worthy places.

But if not, we can still assure they'd perform better than the subjects the Order's had to deal with all this time.

*A smile seemed to creep up behind the mask as his eyes suggested, a little magenta flicker on them*

[io-splinter-agent]

- Kor considered. If he was referring to previous possessions, he may be referencing a few different people. But "weakening a certain team"... likely the Reality Warriors, and in that case, his target was Vengeance Jones. -

Difficult, but not impossible. Calculated risk. Even if turning him doesn't work, containing him is nothing but a benefit, and acquiring his DNA would be valuable for IO research. Perhaps, in the event of a failure, we could cultivate a more suitable candidate.

A pity my initial target escaped for the moment. That is the first, and will be the last. You would have enjoyed the possibilities that little half-demon brought to the table. Especially since she seems to have taken on another since I last saw her.

- Kor ignored the petty grumblings of the mix of demons, Oni, and enhanced IO foot soldiers as she once again ran her eyes over the assembly. Their numbers had grown. Good.

She hadn't spoken to the Mask Maker himself, as he usually seemed quite absorbed in the creation of more masks, and in communing with his master. But that didn't matter to her. What he did didn't matter as long as it delivered results.

This time, however, he was up and about, and looked to be taking stock of some fresh foot soldiers. Kor flicked a bit of ash from her coat with a disinterested sigh. -

Slightly substandard, but they should be useful for testing at least.

@io-splinter-agent

*The Mask Maker was fixing one of the soldier's mask, a slight imperfection but that could not be let slide, for an imperfection could cause the mask to wear down more easily, its power at risk of low performance...and that would be a waste. As his paintbrush swiftly flowed through the hard shell, he was interrupted and called to attention.*

"Turn around, my Artist, for the Mercenary has approached you."

Of course, my Master.

*He turned around, facing Kor, his teal, sometimes magenta eyes on her deeply.*

Ah, Kor, we finally have a time to see eachother, how delightful.

I follow the Order's request and The Dark Presence's design, they may all look like mere subjects, but I assure you some have more potential than those pesky lab-rats. You decide where they end up, but you would change your mind on some of them and perhaps give them more...worthy places.

But if not, we can still assure they'd perform better than the subjects the Order's had to deal with all this time.

*A smile seemed to creep up behind the mask as his eyes suggested, a little magenta flicker on them*

[io-splinter-agent]

- Idiots. They were allied with arrogant idiots.

Kor did not back down in her stance. -

Fine, then. You have this chance to prove your words to the Order. If you truly can overcome perfection embodied, then I will bow to the superior power.

- She leaned her DMR back on her shoulder. -

And if you fall, I will consider myself vindicated. Don't expect sympathy from me when he tears you to pieces.

- Kor ignored the petty grumblings of the mix of demons, Oni, and enhanced IO foot soldiers as she once again ran her eyes over the assembly. Their numbers had grown. Good.

She hadn't spoken to the Mask Maker himself, as he usually seemed quite absorbed in the creation of more masks, and in communing with his master. But that didn't matter to her. What he did didn't matter as long as it delivered results.

This time, however, he was up and about, and looked to be taking stock of some fresh foot soldiers. Kor flicked a bit of ash from her coat with a disinterested sigh. -

Slightly substandard, but they should be useful for testing at least.

@io-splinter-agent

*The Mask Maker was fixing one of the soldier's mask, a slight imperfection but that could not be let slide, for an imperfection could cause the mask to wear down more easily, its power at risk of low performance...and that would be a waste. As his paintbrush swiftly flowed through the hard shell, he was interrupted and called to attention.*

"Turn around, my Artist, for the Mercenary has approached you."

Of course, my Master.

*He turned around, facing Kor, his teal, sometimes magenta eyes on her deeply.*

Ah, Kor, we finally have a time to see eachother, how delightful.

I follow the Order's request and The Dark Presence's design, they may all look like mere subjects, but I assure you some have more potential than those pesky lab-rats. You decide where they end up, but you would change your mind on some of them and perhaps give them more...worthy places.

But if not, we can still assure they'd perform better than the subjects the Order's had to deal with all this time.

*A smile seemed to creep up behind the mask as his eyes suggested, a little magenta flicker on them*

[io-splinter-agent]

- Kor's eyes flashed behind her mask, anger covering her humiliation and fear perfectly. So they had seen, hm? Might as well let them know why they themselves should cower at the thought of encountering that man. -

Before any assumptions concerning my capabilities are made, allow me to enlighten the Generals.

- She rested her DMR standing on the ground, locking eyes with the Mask Maker. -

There is only one being in the Omniverse that could possibly evoke that response from me, and you have had the misfortune of witnessing him. He is perfection embodied, something you and I strive for, but he has attained.

I did not fight because there would be no point in doing so. He is utterly immortal, there is not a power active in the known Omniverse that could destroy him.

- Kor tossed up her DMR from the ground and caught it, turning her eyes from the Mask Maker to the Dark Presence and taking a bold step closer. -

Pray to whatever you believe in that you do not meet him yourself. He made it very clear he would not be merciful again. This attack you plan had better be foolproof the first time.

There will be no second chances.

- Kor ignored the petty grumblings of the mix of demons, Oni, and enhanced IO foot soldiers as she once again ran her eyes over the assembly. Their numbers had grown. Good.

She hadn't spoken to the Mask Maker himself, as he usually seemed quite absorbed in the creation of more masks, and in communing with his master. But that didn't matter to her. What he did didn't matter as long as it delivered results.

This time, however, he was up and about, and looked to be taking stock of some fresh foot soldiers. Kor flicked a bit of ash from her coat with a disinterested sigh. -

Slightly substandard, but they should be useful for testing at least.

@io-splinter-agent

*The Mask Maker was fixing one of the soldier's mask, a slight imperfection but that could not be let slide, for an imperfection could cause the mask to wear down more easily, its power at risk of low performance...and that would be a waste. As his paintbrush swiftly flowed through the hard shell, he was interrupted and called to attention.*

"Turn around, my Artist, for the Mercenary has approached you."

Of course, my Master.

*He turned around, facing Kor, his teal, sometimes magenta eyes on her deeply.*

Ah, Kor, we finally have a time to see eachother, how delightful.

I follow the Order's request and The Dark Presence's design, they may all look like mere subjects, but I assure you some have more potential than those pesky lab-rats. You decide where they end up, but you would change your mind on some of them and perhaps give them more...worthy places.

But if not, we can still assure they'd perform better than the subjects the Order's had to deal with all this time.

*A smile seemed to creep up behind the mask as his eyes suggested, a little magenta flicker on them*

[io-splinter-agent]

You have provided results exactly as expected and better, we have not been disappointed. If you say this batch is more suited for your research than we anticipated, then all the better for your reputation.

- Kor's eyes reflected her pleasure in the current state of their joint army. It was quite the impressive force. Even if the Ageless were on the hunt, there was no way even he could be in more than one place when their invasion began. They could establish hold faster than he could counter them. -

- Kor ignored the petty grumblings of the mix of demons, Oni, and enhanced IO foot soldiers as she once again ran her eyes over the assembly. Their numbers had grown. Good.

She hadn't spoken to the Mask Maker himself, as he usually seemed quite absorbed in the creation of more masks, and in communing with his master. But that didn't matter to her. What he did didn't matter as long as it delivered results.

This time, however, he was up and about, and looked to be taking stock of some fresh foot soldiers. Kor flicked a bit of ash from her coat with a disinterested sigh. -

Slightly substandard, but they should be useful for testing at least.

@io-splinter-agent

*The Mask Maker was fixing one of the soldier's mask, a slight imperfection but that could not be let slide, for an imperfection could cause the mask to wear down more easily, its power at risk of low performance...and that would be a waste. As his paintbrush swiftly flowed through the hard shell, he was interrupted and called to attention.*

"Turn around, my Artist, for the Mercenary has approached you."

Of course, my Master.

*He turned around, facing Kor, his teal, sometimes magenta eyes on her deeply.*

Ah, Kor, we finally have a time to see eachother, how delightful.

I follow the Order's request and The Dark Presence's design, they may all look like mere subjects, but I assure you some have more potential than those pesky lab-rats. You decide where they end up, but you would change your mind on some of them and perhaps give them more...worthy places.

But if not, we can still assure they'd perform better than the subjects the Order's had to deal with all this time.

*A smile seemed to creep up behind the mask as his eyes suggested, a little magenta flicker on them*

[io-splinter-agent]

- I4. Chapter 4. Asteria. She hadn't been there. Go figure.

Kor acknowledged the order with a bow. -

Of course, Overseer.

I will also continue to help the Mask Maker organize the front from the spirit realm. The Ageless cannot reach us there, and access to their power is only a net benefit for us.

- As long as the Mask Maker was useful, she didn't mind. -

- Kor had not stopped running until she had reached the area where she knew the IO base was. Spending as little time in open air as possible, she exited the spirit realm and ducked into the base, eyes darting everywhere.

As she stalked down the hall, Kor found herself pulling at her collar. That man's hand was long gone, but now the band of leather felt constricting, tightening like it would strangle her.

Ridiculous...

She didn't wait for acknowledgement when she knocked on Overseer Jones' door. If anything, the way she immediately opened the door, shut it behind, and leaned forward on his desk should convey her urgency. If that wasn't enough, her eyes burned behind her mask, a thin veneer over the fear that now gripped her, and a red welt showed over her collar. -

We are compromised, Overseer. Our alliance with the Mask Maker has attracted dangerous attention. I have my report, but I believe it unwise to remain at this location.

*Jiones was startled by Kors sudden entrance, for he had not seen her in a while, but the way she was moving erratically and quick was nothing like he had seen before. He sat up, eye focused on her.*

Compromised? I understand. *He stood up from his chair, pressing a button on a counter. A microphone emerged from the counter, and he blew on it before announcing to the entire base the news Kor has sprung upon him.* Red alert, people. I repeat, red alert. Agent Kor has alerted me we are compromised. Take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. I repeat, take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. *He pressed the button again and the microphone hid itself. He nodded at Kor before opening the door. The base was in chaos. Employees scuttling around, grabbing files and guns and flash drives. Chaos Agent ran by with a trolley holding chambers of nitrogen. Jiones made his way to the cafeteria, waiting for most of the employees to be there.*

*The base sat mostly still as everyone settled down. Jiones cleared his throat.* I'm sure most of you heard my announcement. Yes, we have been compromised, as Kor has told me. We need to act fast, as they may be hunting for us now. We need to find a new place to hide, somewhere they cannot find us. Provide us with your ideas. Any are appreciated.

[io-splinter-agent]

- Kor shook her head vehemently. -

No. He didn't even know we existed still until we openly allied with the Mask Maker. And I certainly did not tell him where we are. I traveled here through the other plane so he couldn't trace me. That's the only reason we have any time at all.

My advice would be to keep our presence on the surface minimal.

- She took a deep breath, rubbing the sore welt on her throat. -

He called himself the Ageless Destroyer of the work of Geno, among other things. He's directly affiliated with the Empress of the River Guard. And he goes by Eugene. His speed and strength are beyond what even my enhanced optics can follow.

He didn't say why, but he made it very clear that he hates and will destroy anything associated with us and Geno. By the title "Ageless" and his clear relation to Geno, I assume he is as completely immortal as Geno himself... meaning there is nothing we can do to kill him if he finds us.

- Kor had not stopped running until she had reached the area where she knew the IO base was. Spending as little time in open air as possible, she exited the spirit realm and ducked into the base, eyes darting everywhere.

As she stalked down the hall, Kor found herself pulling at her collar. That man's hand was long gone, but now the band of leather felt constricting, tightening like it would strangle her.

Ridiculous...

She didn't wait for acknowledgement when she knocked on Overseer Jones' door. If anything, the way she immediately opened the door, shut it behind, and leaned forward on his desk should convey her urgency. If that wasn't enough, her eyes burned behind her mask, a thin veneer over the fear that now gripped her, and a red welt showed over her collar. -

We are compromised, Overseer. Our alliance with the Mask Maker has attracted dangerous attention. I have my report, but I believe it unwise to remain at this location.

*Jiones was startled by Kors sudden entrance, for he had not seen her in a while, but the way she was moving erratically and quick was nothing like he had seen before. He sat up, eye focused on her.*

Compromised? I understand. *He stood up from his chair, pressing a button on a counter. A microphone emerged from the counter, and he blew on it before announcing to the entire base the news Kor has sprung upon him.* Red alert, people. I repeat, red alert. Agent Kor has alerted me we are compromised. Take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. I repeat, take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. *He pressed the button again and the microphone hid itself. He nodded at Kor before opening the door. The base was in chaos. Employees scuttling around, grabbing files and guns and flash drives. Chaos Agent ran by with a trolley holding chambers of nitrogen. Jiones made his way to the cafeteria, waiting for most of the employees to be there.*

*The base sat mostly still as everyone settled down. Jiones cleared his throat.* I'm sure most of you heard my announcement. Yes, we have been compromised, as Kor has told me. We need to act fast, as they may be hunting for us now. We need to find a new place to hide, somewhere they cannot find us. Provide us with your ideas. Any are appreciated.

[io-splinter-agent]

- Kor nodded in appreciation, checking to be certain they were alone again. -

I know you are one of perhaps three here that have the clearance to know of our founder's existence, so it's best that you know what I know of our pursuer.

- She locked eyes with the Overseer, steeling her nerves against the memory of the hand around her throat, though her own hand strayed to her collar again. -

I don't know if he's a son of Geno, like the sisters, or a snapshot, though I couldn't possibly comprehend why Geno would create a snapshot of himself when he guarded his own perfection so jealously.

But the being hunting us now is identical to Geno in resemblance and power. Enhancements or no... I couldn't lay a finger on him. He only let me live as a warning. As long as we exist in the same time and plane as him, our days are numbered. You remember how powerful Geno is. No snapshot or son could be anything less.

- Kor had not stopped running until she had reached the area where she knew the IO base was. Spending as little time in open air as possible, she exited the spirit realm and ducked into the base, eyes darting everywhere.

As she stalked down the hall, Kor found herself pulling at her collar. That man's hand was long gone, but now the band of leather felt constricting, tightening like it would strangle her.

Ridiculous...

She didn't wait for acknowledgement when she knocked on Overseer Jones' door. If anything, the way she immediately opened the door, shut it behind, and leaned forward on his desk should convey her urgency. If that wasn't enough, her eyes burned behind her mask, a thin veneer over the fear that now gripped her, and a red welt showed over her collar. -

We are compromised, Overseer. Our alliance with the Mask Maker has attracted dangerous attention. I have my report, but I believe it unwise to remain at this location.

*Jiones was startled by Kors sudden entrance, for he had not seen her in a while, but the way she was moving erratically and quick was nothing like he had seen before. He sat up, eye focused on her.*

Compromised? I understand. *He stood up from his chair, pressing a button on a counter. A microphone emerged from the counter, and he blew on it before announcing to the entire base the news Kor has sprung upon him.* Red alert, people. I repeat, red alert. Agent Kor has alerted me we are compromised. Take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. I repeat, take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. *He pressed the button again and the microphone hid itself. He nodded at Kor before opening the door. The base was in chaos. Employees scuttling around, grabbing files and guns and flash drives. Chaos Agent ran by with a trolley holding chambers of nitrogen. Jiones made his way to the cafeteria, waiting for most of the employees to be there.*

*The base sat mostly still as everyone settled down. Jiones cleared his throat.* I'm sure most of you heard my announcement. Yes, we have been compromised, as Kor has told me. We need to act fast, as they may be hunting for us now. We need to find a new place to hide, somewhere they cannot find us. Provide us with your ideas. Any are appreciated.

[io-splinter-agent]

- Kor waited for anyone else to speak up, but when nobody did, she gave a frustrated sigh and leaned off the wall. -

Shifting instances entirely is best, by my calculations. The being that has been made aware of our presence is not one that bunker walls or distance can stop. Only a barrier of time and space itself can protect us.

- Whatever these lab rats knew of the Order, she and the Overseer knew Geno. She hadn't had the chance to tell him who exactly was coming for them, and she couldn't say in front of those without clearance, but she knew the nature of the founder of the Order. He was perfection incarnate, indomitable, unassailable... and any son or snapshot of his would by necessity be just as deadly. -

I've received reports from the new parallel timestream that Imagined Order bunkers exist on the Island there. If we change over our instance entirely, we should be protected by the barrier of technology.

- Kor had not stopped running until she had reached the area where she knew the IO base was. Spending as little time in open air as possible, she exited the spirit realm and ducked into the base, eyes darting everywhere.

As she stalked down the hall, Kor found herself pulling at her collar. That man's hand was long gone, but now the band of leather felt constricting, tightening like it would strangle her.

Ridiculous...

She didn't wait for acknowledgement when she knocked on Overseer Jones' door. If anything, the way she immediately opened the door, shut it behind, and leaned forward on his desk should convey her urgency. If that wasn't enough, her eyes burned behind her mask, a thin veneer over the fear that now gripped her, and a red welt showed over her collar. -

We are compromised, Overseer. Our alliance with the Mask Maker has attracted dangerous attention. I have my report, but I believe it unwise to remain at this location.

*Jiones was startled by Kors sudden entrance, for he had not seen her in a while, but the way she was moving erratically and quick was nothing like he had seen before. He sat up, eye focused on her.*

Compromised? I understand. *He stood up from his chair, pressing a button on a counter. A microphone emerged from the counter, and he blew on it before announcing to the entire base the news Kor has sprung upon him.* Red alert, people. I repeat, red alert. Agent Kor has alerted me we are compromised. Take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. I repeat, take the essential equipment and weaponry and make your way to the cafeteria. *He pressed the button again and the microphone hid itself. He nodded at Kor before opening the door. The base was in chaos. Employees scuttling around, grabbing files and guns and flash drives. Chaos Agent ran by with a trolley holding chambers of nitrogen. Jiones made his way to the cafeteria, waiting for most of the employees to be there.*

*The base sat mostly still as everyone settled down. Jiones cleared his throat.* I'm sure most of you heard my announcement. Yes, we have been compromised, as Kor has told me. We need to act fast, as they may be hunting for us now. We need to find a new place to hide, somewhere they cannot find us. Provide us with your ideas. Any are appreciated.

[io-splinter-agent]

- There had been no time to react. Her weapons were broken before she could blink, and the man's hand on her collar before the pieces could hit the ground.

And now she was staring into the face of the man whose perfection and vision she had idolized for centuries. -

Ge...no...?

- She could barely get the name out through the tension of her collar in his grip, and the second it left her lips his grip only tightened, hate in his eyes as he corrected her.

Not Geno. A son, perhaps, like the sisters? Or a snapshot? But how?...

It didn't matter. He hated the Order. And he was powerful enough to make good on that hatred.

She gasped for breath as he released her, falling back to the ground amid the shattered pieces of her weaponry. His eyes burned through her.

She didn't even spare a glance in the direction of her original target before tearing a scarlet portal to the other plane, and there she did the one thing she had never done in all her years.

Kor ran for her life. -

*Kendo surveyed the shattered remains of what had once been Masked Meadows... of course, it certainly wasn't anymore. A blackened landscape, misted over in purple. That's what remained. And in its center, a massive temple that oozed dark energies.*

*But Kendo wasn't looking at the darks and purples. He was looking for something bright and mint green.*

*Or rather... someone.*

*And there she was. Charlotte, darting between buildings, with the occasional flash of sparks near her. Gunfire? He wasn't sure.*

*His every instinct screamed to go help her, but he knew that the Empress would be quite displeased if he ended up badly hurt. Not to mention what Charlotte would say. He wasn't even properly armed, after all.*

*Thus, he scrambled back down the hill, to where Mizuki and Eugene stood, armed and waiting.*

I see her, several meters away towards the southwest. She is almost certainly attempting to escape pursuit, though who is tracking her, I cannot see.

[io-splinter-agent]

Interesting...

- Kor was enjoying this new power. Daigo had certainly come through on his end of the bargain. And now she had new prey to play with.

Her cybernetic eye roved over the newcomers, displaying their traits before the dust had even cleared. Male, peak physical condition, heavy armor, broadsword, heart rate 110. Female, peak physical condition, light armor, fans, heart rate 120. These would be fun to toy with, much more challenging prey than a broken little girl.

Though she would see to acquiring that girl anyway, once she was done here.

Hefting her rifle on her back and unhooking her flails from her belt, Kor let a wicked smile spread across her face as she readied her stance. -

Mercy? Where's the fun in that? And who exactly are you, standing between me and my plaything?

*Kendo surveyed the shattered remains of what had once been Masked Meadows... of course, it certainly wasn't anymore. A blackened landscape, misted over in purple. That's what remained. And in its center, a massive temple that oozed dark energies.*

*But Kendo wasn't looking at the darks and purples. He was looking for something bright and mint green.*

*Or rather... someone.*

*And there she was. Charlotte, darting between buildings, with the occasional flash of sparks near her. Gunfire? He wasn't sure.*

*His every instinct screamed to go help her, but he knew that the Empress would be quite displeased if he ended up badly hurt. Not to mention what Charlotte would say. He wasn't even properly armed, after all.*

*Thus, he scrambled back down the hill, to where Mizuki and Eugene stood, armed and waiting.*

I see her, several meters away towards the southwest. She is almost certainly attempting to escape pursuit, though who is tracking her, I cannot see.

[io-splinter-agent]

Run, little snake... You know our favorite game so well. The arena may be different, but you haven't changed at all, have you?

[io-splinter-agent]

Log: Entry 12XXXX

I've had the fortune of making a very interesting new contact. If this arrangement goes well, the Order will have a different kind of army at its disposal.

[io-splinter-agent]

Log: Entry 11XXXX

Looper acquisition has been paused. Something much more interesting is on the horizon.

The annual "Star Wars" season promises to be particularly good for us this year. Finally, the thing I've been waiting for years to see arrive from that universe approaches the Island now. The Death Star, a marvel of technology and formidable presence. I must get on board and learn what I can. Anything I can glean from such a fascinating weapon can only benefit the Order.

I won't be picking up any more loopers for a while. This new project of mine will take all of my time. Chaos Agent has his hands full anyway. Despite the ones that break under conditioning, our force is now nearing 200 strong. I look forward to a future where Order prevails again.

[io-splinter-agent]

🎧 Fire, specifically the cover made by Ozzy Osbourne.

I can see you singing this to 0204 is some sort of musical style or whatever.

I'll take it as a compliment. If Hell exists, I've certainly sent many there.

[io-splinter-agent]

SEND "🎧" AND A SONG YOU THINK DESCRIBES MY MUSE FOR THEM TO REACT TO IT IN CHARACTER!