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File 145455129736.png - (88.95KB , 600x600 , 6-1.png )
698817 No. 698817 ID: ab25fe

Chapter 1: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/573652.html
Chapter 2: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/584397.html
Chapter 3: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/595692.html
Chapter 4: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/623905.html
Chapter 5: http://www.tgchan.org/kusaba/quest/res/660548.html
Wiki: http://tgchan.org/wiki/A_Conspiracy_of_Wasps
Discussion: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/81536.html
273 posts omitted. Last 100 shown. Expand all images
>>
No. 728925 ID: 398fe1

>>728901
Tell him it would really be more productive to see a therapist. You can recommend one to him.
>>
No. 728926 ID: 8d6b62

>>728901
"you should probably try to keep squinting dude, you look like a cartoon villian right now"
then while he's processing that deck him upside the facehole
>>
No. 729199 ID: 0bf568
File 146576978440.png - (179.94KB , 600x600 , 6-81.png )
729199

Doug slowly advances on you and you find yourself backing into a corner.
"Wha- What do you mean? What're you gonna do?"

His eyes gleam crazily and he chuckles.
>"I mean is this really me? Am I a simulation just like him? If you can simulate one person, why not two, a dozen, a whollllle world?"

"You need help, Doug..."
You lunge for the chest, aiming to grapple with him and re enter your head. You pass through him with no resistance other than a mild tingle and a buzz and end up face-down on the floor.

>From you? Or maybe your therapist friend?

"Why are you doing this?! Are you just messing with me now?"

>What do you think I built this place for? Next time you see your therapist ask her what a "Skinner Box" is.
>>
No. 729214 ID: 398fe1

The hologram didn't have any ants. I was wondering why, I guess now we know. Act like you didn't figure it out. Continue progressing through the maze.

(also he's still wrong, the alien in here isn't a simulation. Simulations can't have custodians!)
>>
No. 729237 ID: dfdb1e

Since you couldn't summon imaginary objects I guess you also can't leave at any moment. but you should at least try.

At this moment we have no reason to believe this maze will lead you to either Doug or Diego. It may be worth to keep looking, if nothing else so you can learn more about Doug intentions. Either way you should try to return to the entrance: I got a hunch imaginary labyrinths don't need to follow Euclidean geometry.
>>
No. 729243 ID: 9f3729

>>729199
>continuing to not derail his big evil speech
Nate Pls
>>
No. 729244 ID: 211d83

Looks like he set up a trap for your mind.

Which does not mean there is not a way out though. Stop trying to wrestle with him and concentrate on feeling this thing out.
>>
No. 729343 ID: 9db048

>>729199
So we're trapped in a box, big deal. It's really easy to escape once we know we're in a box.

Just think outside the box.
>>
No. 729665 ID: 0bf568
File 146595241654.png - (122.84KB , 541x600 , 6-82.png )
729665

"Doug, this is insane! Who else do you have stuck in here? You bastard, have you been torturing Diego too?"

The near constant giggle that has haunted you tapers off uncertainly....
>Er..... What?

"You know, Diego? Engineer? He was with us in the woods-?"

>Right, right, your boyfriend or whatever, why do you think he'd be here?
>>
No. 729667 ID: 398fe1

...he doesn't know Diego's body is next to the machine? The wasps must have guided Diego here after escaping Doug somehow I suppose, and are keeping a low profile somehow in the maze...?

...ask him if he got your phone message. OH. Oh my god that's how we can tell if we're dealing with the drone or not. The drone hasn't been stealing phones, so we can just call people to confirm who they are.
>>
No. 729668 ID: dfdb1e

Hologram Doug doesn't know what is going on. Maybe you can use that to your advantage.
Diego is a strong guy and it is possible that the real Doug is the one in danger. We got to be careful with what information can be trusted to Hologram Doug, but we may start by telling him how you messed up Diego head and the big guy had gone after real Doug.
>>
No. 729669 ID: 350a50

"Last I checked he had a psychotic break and was coming here."
>>
No. 730080 ID: 0bf568
File 146612743333.png - (72.53KB , 600x430 , 6-83.png )
730080

"You don't know? But he was unconscious right next to the computer. I thought you brought him here.... But that would mean.."

There's a sound, barely audible and even harder to see: creaking as if a pane of glass was under torsion.

"Doug.... are you even real?"

There's a ping as something small spalls off the the wall at high speed and sails past your ear.
>>
No. 730085 ID: dfdb1e

I don't know why the structural integrity of the maze and possible the existence of hologram Doug would be affected by your believe in them.
Are you doing something special? Is it like Neo changing the Matrix? Was hologram Doug your creation? Did real Doug programed him in your mind at an earlier opportunity?
>>
No. 730087 ID: 7c0d21

>>730080
>press x to doubt
>>
No. 730090 ID: a075ba

>>730080
Roll to disbelieve the illusion.
>>
No. 730092 ID: 398fe1

>>730080
Ah, I see what's going on. We already know inner minds/subconscious minds don't have all the information outer minds do, from when we spoke to the janitor. They miss things, for whatever reason. Or maybe they have to deal with a delayed input of information. Maybe sleeping is how the inner and outer minds share memories fully? Anyway, you've been speaking to Doug's inner mind that he left behind in the maze to keep it constructed. Either intentionally or not.

If you continue to doubt his existence and cause a breakdown, you will shatter the maze (good) and possibly affect doug's conscious mind (maybe good, considering what he's been doing). This will also throw shards everywhere in here and injure your body and likely that of the alien's (bad).

Maybe instead you shouldn't press the issue, and just take advantage of the weakened maze to start kicking down walls. Heck, maybe you can get the alien out of his cell by kicking one of the walls down from the outside.
>>
No. 730095 ID: 350a50

Slowly start ignoring Doug and pretending he doesn't exist, while backtracking the way you came.
>>
No. 730100 ID: 0bf568
File 146613088323.png - (210.65KB , 600x600 , 6-84.png )
730100

"Doug....?"

>THAT BASTAAAAAAAARD
The hallway seethes and buckles, spreading millions of tiny fractures and filling the air with splinters.
>>
No. 730101 ID: 7c0d21

>>730100
fly, young buck! FLYYYYYYY
>>
No. 730102 ID: 398fe1

Cover your eyes and get down on the floor!
>>
No. 730105 ID: 350a50

Ever played Touhou?
>>
No. 730108 ID: dfdb1e

Do you want to give your mind bullshit a second chance? Some protection would be handy right now.
>>
No. 730126 ID: dfdb1e

I think I got it! Things are falling apart because hologram Doug didn't knew he was a copy.
For someone so wiling to question the authenticity of others Doug seem emotionally unable to cope with the possibility of himself been "unreal". That is very arrogant of him.
>>
No. 730168 ID: 398fe1

Um guys the hologram was a construct like the maze. The Doug talking to us isn't a hologram.
>>
No. 730179 ID: 350a50

>>730168
Doug doesn't know that.
>>
No. 730188 ID: 398fe1

>>730179
What? No, dude, the Doug we're talking to created the hologram.
>>
No. 730220 ID: cdb40d

>>730188
What if it's a hologram of a copy of Doug that a third party made without the real Doug's knowing?
>>
No. 730222 ID: 91cfcf

>>730220
What if everything is a hologram? What if a meter suddenly comes out and smashes the entire planet?
>>
No. 730230 ID: dfdb1e

We assumed this Doug was a different person because he didn't knew something real Doug should know.
>>
No. 730579 ID: 0bf568
File 146630172783.png - (179.62KB , 600x475 , 6-85.png )
730579

As the cracks spiderweb themselves through the walls and as you shift your weight the floor groans and splinters.
>>
No. 730580 ID: 0bf568
File 146630173586.png - (164.44KB , 600x600 , 6-86.png )
730580

You feel yourself pitch forward as it starts to go and your mind races; trying to summon up something to stop yourself from falling. Your hands claw at nothing and your mind grasps at straws.
>>
No. 730581 ID: 0bf568
File 146630174166.png - (241.58KB , 600x600 , 6-87.png )
730581

Your screaming decent is cut short and you feel the wind knocked out of you. You wrap your arms around the buzzing savior and manage to focus for a second.
"Hun-r?" You croak.

She yells back at you
>"YOU. HAVE GOT. A LOT. TO EXPLAIN."
>>
No. 730582 ID: 398fe1

>>730581
Tell her you'll explain when you're out. For now, direct her to the alien's cell so you can bust him out of there (and into your safe place)

See if you can notice anything interesting from below the maze. Any indication what those other noises were?
>>
No. 730585 ID: ef6709

So...I have to ask, am I the only one getting a strong Jojo's Bizzare Adventure/Psychonauts vibe from this whole quest?
>>
No. 730586 ID: 350a50

>>730582
This, if the place is collapsing his cell should be too.

>>730581
"PSYCHIC ALIENS. I WILL EXPLAIN LATER. WE NEED TO GO RESCUE ONE, THIS WAY."
>>
No. 730632 ID: dfdb1e

Congratulate Hunter on the efficient use of her insect. Your is hardly this useful and cooperative.
Whatever explanation you chose to give keep it simple. Something like: "We are in someone mind and the rest is self evident". Maybe it isn't, but it will take a long time to explain most of the weirdness and you don't have all the answers.
After you rescue you alien friend it may be worth look for your boyfriend before escaping.
>>
No. 730658 ID: 9f3729

>>730581
"Ever play psychonauts? It's that!"
>>
No. 731163 ID: 0bf568
File 146647387072.png - (156.00KB , 600x398 , 6-88.png )
731163

"I'LL EXPLAIN LATER. HAVE TO SAVE SOMEONE. UP AHEAD."

Hunter nods and gives the giant dragonfly a couple of commanding thumps. It zips forward between the drifting shards at way more Gs than you are comfortable with. It pins and twists, cracking its whole body like whip, and you struggle to hang on to the smooth plates of chitin.

"THERE! UP AHEAD!"

Poor Tch'arl is backed into a corner, trying to keep the center of gravity from tipping the drifting shard over.

>"WHO THE HELL IS THAT?"

"NEVER MIND, JUST GRAB THEM!"
>>
No. 731164 ID: 0bf568
File 146647388166.png - (128.78KB , 333x600 , 6-89.png )
731164

The dragonfly zips forward with predatory accuracy and picks the stranded alien off out of its shattered prison. The startled AI struggles to compose itself and garbles a string of nonsense language.
>>
No. 731168 ID: dfdb1e

See anyone else?
>>
No. 731173 ID: 398fe1

>>731164
Diego might be in here, look around for him. Doug might have just put him next to the computer though, like both eggs in one basket. So if you don't see him, don't worry about it. Look around for Doug too. Even if the Doug we've been talking to was a construct like the maze and the hologram, we should at least demonstrate that being "fake" doesn't make you less deserving of compassion.

If you don't see either of them anywhere, then I guess we can try to land somewhere. Is there any solid ground? Might be about time to leave if this place is just shattered nothingness. Be sure to take Tch'arl like you promised, and Hunter too if you want to show her your safe place and explain.
>>
No. 731174 ID: 358228

Dammit Nate, did you fall off?
>>
No. 731179 ID: 350a50

>>731173
This
>>
No. 731227 ID: f562b1

>The startled AI struggles to compose itself and garbles a string of nonsense language.
I wonder if he's trying to talk to the dragonfly?
>>
No. 731340 ID: 0bf568
File 146655995419.png - (161.19KB , 600x600 , 6-90.png )
731340

"WE NEED. TO SAVE. DOUG TOO!"

The buzzing still drowning out her words, Hunter stares straight ahead and urges the insect forward.
>"DOUG? YOUR BOSS? WHAT'S HE DOING HERE?"

"FREAKING OUT, I THINK. ITS COMPLICATED"

>"YEAH. NO SHIT! I THINK I SEE HIM""

The insect swings in low around the seething figure. His incandescent fury is earthing itself into the shattered boulder, tilting it crazily and arcing off into the void.

"DOUG! LET US HELP YOUUU!"

He acknowledges you with a snarl.
>FUCK OFF
>>
No. 731353 ID: 398fe1

>>731340
Tell him you can help him take revenge. (upon himself, I'm guessing)
>>
No. 731355 ID: 350a50

"Whether you're real or not, do you really want to find out what happens if you stay here?"
>>
No. 731371 ID: dfdb1e

You don't have time for his selfishness. Grab him wether he want it or not.
>>
No. 731606 ID: 0bf568
File 146673296252.png - (123.33KB , 409x600 , 6-91.png )
731606

"BE READY TO PICK US UP!"

>"WAIT- WHAT?!"

You throw yourself off of the dragonfly and land on the platform, causing it to lurch uncomfortably.

>"What the hell are you doing? I said leave, unless you'd rather I put you back in the maze? I could trap you in there for years if I wanted to."

"No, wait! I know you're angry, but if what you said is true, it doesn't matter if you're just a copy or not."

He looks at you coldly.
>"Pretty words for someone who isn't stuck in a box. That asshole.... He made me just to use me... I thought I was going to get answers: to find some kind of meaning! "
>>
No. 731607 ID: 0bf568
File 146673297596.png - (97.08KB , 397x600 , 6-92.png )
731607

Tiring of his tantrum you step up your game.
"No you found answers! You just don't like what you learned! So what are you going to do about it?"

The copy of Doug looks genuinely shocked, as if a harmless animal had suddenly bared its fangs.

"Now we could leave you here in your prison, all alone, or you could come with us and help us make sense of all this. Maybe you can even get back at the real, er other Doug, for doing this to you..."

There's a long pause as he rolls this around in his mind.
>"You'd... let me go with you? You'd trust me inside your head?"
>>
No. 731608 ID: 9f3729

>>731607
"As long as you don't start actively fucking with my head we'll probably be fine.
Just don't be a dick in there and you'll be fine."
>>
No. 731617 ID: 398fe1

>>731607
>You'd trust me inside your head?
...ask him if he thinks he's going to freak out again. With his skills you think you can give him a purpose- there is another presence in what seems to be your inner world which appears to be up to no good.

But uh, warn him that you've got a head full of space. If he's agoraphobic or something it might not be pleasant.
>>
No. 731619 ID: 350a50

"You have no reason to be loyal to Doug, or to what he made you to be. Why not? Are you going to sit here in self-pity as you fade away or are you going to decide to exist?"
>>
No. 731620 ID: dfdb1e

Better than the wasps. Your relation with Doug is complicate, but in the end he is a friend. And we could really use his help right now: there is another friend we need to find before going to space.

Will having Tch'arl and Doug mean Nathan will have a good and a bad genies? Well, genies at least, not sure good and bad would describe them well enough. But it would be nice to see those two in his shoulder wearing fake devil horn.

Also, Doug is been cute again. For some reason that makes me imagine Nate's fear and discomfort of the guy worked itself as some sort of unconscious attraction for him. Nate is a very submissive figure after all.
You don't need to validate my idea.
>>
No. 731622 ID: 211d83

Shouldn't you be the one worried about trusting me? I might decide to make you pay rent once you move in.
>>
No. 731682 ID: 91ee5f

So, am I the only one still wondering where Diego is?
>>
No. 731684 ID: 358228

>>731682
Well he's lying right there on the floor, of course. >>724780
>>
No. 731688 ID: 91ee5f

>>731684
I know that. I'm not talking about his body, I'm talking about his mind. Shouldn't it be in here with us?
>>
No. 731718 ID: 398fe1

>>731688
He could just be regular passed out, not in a trance. Or he's in a separate doug-related mind prison.
>>
No. 731818 ID: 0bf568
File 146688933126.png - (155.71KB , 600x600 , 6-93.png )
731818

"You trusted me when you came forward about your insects, so I'm... willing to trust you. We need your help Doug, and you need ours."

>"I knew I was right about you. I'm looking forward to this, Nathan."
You tentatively reach out and take his hand in yours.
>>
No. 731819 ID: 0bf568
File 146688933986.png - (236.65KB , 600x600 , 6-94.png )
731819

The shattered remains of his maze start to fade and you find yourselves standing in the infinite void.

>"Huh, I wouldn't have thought your head would be so empty."
He smirks as you gawp for a response.
>"Kidding! Lighten up, Nate. So that's the Axle I've heard so much about then? You know, according to your friend, very few people can even access it? Tch'arl had quite a lot to say about it..."
>>
No. 731833 ID: dfdb1e

Skipping a fell steps, aren't we? When things get less chaotic you got to have some lessons from Doug. Not now though, you got stuff to do.

What do we call this Doug? Nathan's Doug? Head Doug?
>>
No. 731840 ID: 3663d3

we need the other parts for our contraption. or a better tether. the main line from the hive would work better, we have anything else we could use?
>>
No. 731856 ID: 398fe1

The enemy's constellation has grown further. Tell Doug that you need parts to prevent the Axle from being used.
Get Tch'arl down here so he can contribute too.

Also you should find out what Doug learned. If Tch'arl wants to add anything this would be a good time.
>>
No. 732234 ID: 0bf568
File 146707625121.png - (74.69KB , 396x600 , 6-95.png )
732234

"What'd you learn?"

>"Welllllllll, Like I told you earlier; they found the Axle once they became aware of the 'parallel' as they call it. Its like the world is a stage and the parallel is backstage, full of weird machinery."

"Like the Axle?"

>"Its different; it seems almost like.... an edit tool or something. For moving things around, 'deleting' things. You need special devices just to get near it."

"The 'constructs'?"
You point to the glittering constellations, one of which has noticeably grown. He nods.
"You know what they're going to do with it right? Move the Earth?"

Doug is uncharacteristically quiet for a moment....
>"You know what I learned? The Parallel is so important to them, because it connects them you see, that they view anything unaware of it as.... a lesser form of life. But we're aware, right? It should be trying to preserve us. I'm.... not so sure what it wants."

"Tch'arl told me it may... be unhinged."

>"Maybe. I think you'll find some answers in that data dump we received."
>>
No. 732241 ID: 398fe1

>>732234
Hiro is still working on that, last we heard. As for the drone's motivations, we really need to speak with it.

Wonder aloud if the government is keeping the parallel under wraps. You can't be the only ones who became aware, right? ...maybe that's why the drone is acting like it is. Is it possible our government is doing some shady things with the parallel and the drone decided we deserve to die for such a blasphemous act?

Anyway, we need parts for the device. Ask everyone present if they can contribute.
>>
No. 732286 ID: dfdb1e

Since we got the opportunity to talk to someone well informed that isn't obliged to keep secrets, ask him about the company secrets. What is Cobalt? Why would an alien drone want it?
At this point it have to be either a computer from Maar or a communication mechanism connected to one of the parallel's machinery.
>>
No. 732305 ID: 350a50

>>732286
Sure, why not.
>>
No. 732397 ID: 027292

I think that Right now is a good time to explain officer Hunter about what's going on.
>>
No. 732653 ID: 0bf568
File 146724897880.png - (161.44KB , 600x600 , 6-96.png )
732653

"Well, I'm hoping Hiro can help us out there, hang on here comes officer Hunter..."

The dragonfly hovers overhead and Hunter slides off and squares off while Tch'arl cowers behind her.
>"Okay which of you is going to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on? One minute I'm in a server room standing over your passed out body, next thing I'm in some glowy maze and a giant bug is talking to me , now.... this shit, what is this?"

You run the days events through your head and realize a working summary is kind of out of your league.
"Okay, well.... basically you're inside my mind right now, we just left... I think it was that guy's mind" You indicate Tch'arl "Who's an alien by the way.... annnnnd we're trying to save the world. We think..."

>"You think? You're not sure? What's that mean?"

"We... we're still kind of in the dark here. But it has to do with that big, dark thing. Its called the Axle, and we need to build something to stop it, or control it, or... something. I was hoping that everyone here could help. We still need more parts for the machine."
>>
No. 732654 ID: 0bf568
File 146724899151.png - (169.12KB , 475x600 , 6-97.png )
732654

>"What do you mean 'parts'?"

"Basically borrowing pieces of other people's minds, I mean, with their permission of course."

Hunter stares at you with visibly increasing incredulousness.
>"Man, I don't understand a god damned thing that's happened today, and you're expecting me to help you save the world?"

"No, look, um... Doug, do you have anything we could use?"

>"I think I might, hang on...."
Doug reaches down and plants his palm against the stone, then brings it up sharply, pulling with it a white stone column.
>>
No. 732665 ID: dfdb1e

The explanation wasn't near as bad as I was expecting. Objective completed. Sort of...

Fancy statue, but what does it represent? All I can think is Doug personal taste and attraction to symbols of status. We need to visit his head later.

Check Tch'arl. They've been trough a lot and is probable disturbed by Doug presence.
>>
No. 732689 ID: 398fe1

>>732654
Well that's symbolic. Let me guess, the bust of a philosopher? Well, it's not reacting yet. Try touching it.
>>
No. 732710 ID: 350a50

Touch Doug's erect column.
>>
No. 732949 ID: 0bf568
File 146734368160.png - (84.81KB , 372x600 , 6-98.png )
732949

You wonder who the broken bust is, but aren't sure if you want to know more about what's happening in his mind.
"Huh, lets see..."
You reach out and touch the column, which vanishes in a flash of light. A moment later, a new light blinks into existence around your construct. If you had to guess, you'd say that was a "brace".
>>
No. 732950 ID: 0bf568
File 146734369038.png - (148.00KB , 466x600 , 6-99.png )
732950

You realize that you should check on Tch'arl, who is still huddling behind Hunter. You stoop down to address them.
"Hey, its okay now. Are you going to be al-?"
The alien suddenly pounces, and wraps their arms around you. You're aware of some kind of chirpy sound being emitted and that their skinny arms are shaking; although that might be you... yeah probably you.

Doug laughs.
>"Told you they were social, its like a drug to be around other people. All I really had to do was isolate em."

You gently extricate yourself from Tch'arl's embrace.
"You're fucked up, you know that, Doug?" He smirks. "Are you two going to be okay in here? I don't really know how this works..."

>[Recover(active tense)///Selfmass eager to help Nathan decode memorycascade/// Am glad to be reconnect(active tense) with parallel///
>>
No. 732952 ID: 211d83

Feel free to build a little house here. All I ask is that its somewhat space themed.

Give the alien a pat on the back. We should probably get woken back up so we can check on Diego and other Doug.
>>
No. 732966 ID: 350a50

>>732952
This
>>
No. 732986 ID: dfdb1e

"Who"? So the person been represented that is important. Must be a father figure that was challenged or discredit.

I'm sure Tch'arl will understand you have a problem with contact, you are giving them access to your mind after all, but it would be a nice gesture of consideration if in the future you menage to reciprocate his demonstrations of affect.

That has been interesting, but it is time to wake up. Next time we see those two they better be wearing fake looking horns and halo.
>>
No. 733016 ID: 398fe1

>>732950
We brought Diego's inner self in here once, but he wasn't here when we got back. Ask why. Can they freely leave, assuming they have somewhere to get back to?

Ask Tch'arl to contribute if there's any missing pieces he's attuned to. Also, tell Hunter the gist of what you're trying to do with your device and what the parts are called. Maybe she can contribute even without knowing exactly what is going on.
>>
No. 733441 ID: 0bf568
File 146758221516.png - (110.04KB , 544x600 , 6-100.png )
733441

"You're free to stay here if you want, although.... what happens to people once I've brought them here? I've brought a couple people here and haven't seen them since..."

>[Self will remain here/// Liminal form become part of extended Parallel network/// Remain connected/ allow for low level communication/ observation/// As more immersed functionality/strength grow///]

"So the more people I bring, the stronger the network? Is that how Diego knew to come rescue me earlier?"

>[Yes/ likely///Strong Parallel networks are(past tense) the foundation of Maar society/ communication///]
>>
No. 733456 ID: dfdb1e

I imagine a society that communicate telepathically would be more receptive to diversity, since knowing the same language isn't a prerequisite for communication and different viewpoints would be easily understudy.
>>
No. 733746 ID: 742b4a

>>733441
Oh, so if we bring inner selves here, then they become part of a growing network that will likely become planetary in scale, like the aliens' world. Probably a good thing, overall, and seems to be the most solid confirmed development of Nate's abilities.

Show him your hive-body (break off a piece of your ear, for example) and ask if he's ever heard of people giving up their forms to their Custodians, like you did.
>>
No. 733814 ID: 3c4a27

Does Tch'arl knows anything about what your wasps were talking about, or perhaps why are they acting like they do?
>>
No. 733887 ID: 0bf568
File 146777393313.png - (151.33KB , 582x600 , 6-101.png )
733887

You twist one of your ears it easily tears away.
"What about this? Have you ever seen anything like this before?"

Tch'arl stares at the torn chunk of flesh before taking it from you and rolling it between their fingers.
>[Curious/// Interrogative: Liminal entity responsible (past tense) for this?/// Appears counter-intuitive for liminal entity to compromise hostform/// No memoryrecord of similar event/// Supposition: Maar memorycascade contain (active tense) example///]
>>
No. 733889 ID: 0bf568
File 146777394558.png - (111.74KB , 600x600 , 6-102.png )
733889

Hunter approaches the two of you cautiously.
>"Okay, seriously, what the hell are you guys talking about? This guy sounds like an old modem in my head which makes the fact that I can understand him even weirder..."

"Yeah, sorry, this is Tcha'rl: a sentient computer program from some planet called Maar."

Tch'arl waves a strangely jointed hand.
>[Express (active tense) gratitude: Save (past tense) selfmass Tch'arl from isolation///]

>"Oh..kayyy."

"Yeah, I know, right? Anyway, apparently their world is dying, and they sent some kind of 'probe' here to swap their planet with ours."

>"The fuck?"

"Wait, it gets better: apparently the probe is what's been causing all the problems. It can somehow make itself look like other people, and has been trying to access a message we have on our computers all day."

>"So that's why Jones said he brought me home? It was this probe posing as me? This is fucking weird and as a police officer I'm pretty much the authority on weird. "
She sighs.
>"So what do we do?"

You direct her attention to the partially assembled construct.
"Before my wasps went AWOL on me, they were trying to get me to assemble some kind of device to stop the Axle. I have most of the parts now thanks to Doug, but I think I still need... an Engine and.... a Lever.... They're like, concepts: some kind of concrete idea that represents something. Put them together and they become a machine. I was hoping you might be able to help us out by lending us something."

>"You mean by going into my head?"
>>
No. 733890 ID: 350a50

Unless you can just conjure something here like Doug did, but he's had more experience at this than even I have.
>>
No. 733891 ID: 398fe1

>>733889
Maybe. Doug pulled his contribution out of thin air once he was here, maybe she can do the same? If she can't manage it then yeah we'll need to go looking around in her head for something that would work.

...it occurs to me that the music box's mechanism would have made an excellent engine. I wonder if we can get a copy of it by asking the owner? We obviously can't just steal the main one, it would cause some trauma I expect.

We could also try to get a better Tether, don't forget that. The current one is weak.
>>
No. 733912 ID: 350a50

>>733891
I think we need to get the black goop out of Zeke's head. It's adhesive, so it should work as a tether to hold everything together.
>>
No. 733931 ID: dfdb1e

Let's take a look at foxy head. It will be nice to learn something about her other than she is a police officer.
>>
No. 733934 ID: f8482c

>>733891
maybe we could just have the shaft extend into here, engine doesn't need to attach directly to the wheels of a car to make them go, you use a drive shaft to distribute power.
>>
No. 734094 ID: c43722

Maybe you don't have to jump into Hunter's head here. Ask Doug if he could explain to Hunter how he pulled that... Er... Is the term "aspect?" ...That broken bust aspect out of his mind for you. Then perhaps she could do the same, though I suspect it'll probably not be something that can be done easily with just a simple explanation.

Also point out to Tcha'rl the part of the construct you got from Zeke and tell it that you're not so sure that part will hold, given it wasn't a "core" aspect from Zeke's mind, and ask its opinion and if it can tell how strong that part is. And also tell Tcha'rl about all the malform black goo from your neighbor's mind that got pulled into Zeke's mind and his symptoms. What can you do to dispose of it before it drives him mad like it did your neighbor?

And ask Tcha'rl if there's any records of parasitic liminal entities, or even if they've been theorized. Explain that you're asking because only a short while ago you saw one of your wasps emerge from one of Diego's beetles, which you found was a husk and crumbled when you touched it. Further explain that they've been acting independently of you as well. ...And with what they did to you to make you their "hive..." If they are actually parasitic then they won't much, if any, care for the long-term well being to their current host while they further their own agenda, which makes you very concerned for obvious reasons. ...And further thinking, if they are parasitic, they it's possible they aren't even your original insects. They could have killed your original ones long ago and took their place.
>>
No. 734292 ID: 3e182c

Lester has an engine, and if we explain everything to him, especially after what we did, I bet he'll lend it to us. He'll take it as being right all along. Such wonderful Gratification.

Hunter on the other hand, we need to do some head diving. We need to find someone with a lever.
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No. 734339 ID: 7b174a

Alright then, Perhaps you should mention Diego's situation too, maybe he knows something that could help him. If not, at least we found him.
>>
No. 734384 ID: 350a50

>>734339
This, too.
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No. 734577 ID: 0bf568
File 146803751001.png - (152.84KB , 600x514 , 6-103.png )
734577

"Maybe, can you try, like, summoning something, like Doug just did?"

Hunter starts waving her hand uncertainly. Nothing happens.
>"I have no idea what I'm doing here... If you're going to get anything I think you're going have to go in. How do we do this?"

"When I bring someone into my head, I try to think of my safe space; its like my 'home'."

>"Okay, lets try this..."
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No. 734578 ID: 0bf568
File 146803752425.png - (187.60KB , 501x600 , 6-104.png )
734578

You take hunters hand and feel space change around you. The night is filled with the soft murmur of rain on concrete and the hum of neon.

END OF CHAPTER 6
>>
No. 734579 ID: 398fe1

>>734578
Cooooool.
>>
No. 734604 ID: dfdb1e

It's the first time we can explore one of those mind spaces with someone who is both aware of what is going on and capable of remembering the experience (I think).
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