A Game of Gods: A Multiversal Challenge

"Did you also happen to install the creepy voice that comes with it?" Narumi asked Asuka.

Bolas stopped immediately as Langley had done so; ceasing forward movement made him appear as a statue would, save the gentle movements of his cloak in whatever errant breezes the hallway may carry. "Our PHI modules seemed very reluctant to give information on certain subjects. Some of these were justified, some were not." The incognito dragon paused as he sifted through his memories to relate exactly what was haphazardly avoided.

Of course, his memory was impeccable.

"There are a number of dig sites focused around the anomalous desert to the east; xenoarchaeological expeditions to uncover—uncover—uncov—unco—nothing. There is nothing in the desert." Bolas finally said, in an imitation of the PHI-bracelet's voice that improved as he modified the sound of his voice via minor magic until it was near-perfect by the end of the sentence. ""Passage to the Eastern d-dessert can b-b-beee acquired at—ired at—purchased at any chain of ice cream store in Valhalla! Easton Desserts; yyyyour kids will l-lo-lolololovvvvvvve iiiiiit, andsowillyouifyouknowwhat;sgoodforyou." This time he spoke the final, more quiet portion at normal volumes, for Langley's benefit. "My appologies, Miss Flandre; our records on the Scarlet family are incomplete, possibly due to tampering by an external entity. We have records of you and your elder sister, Lady Remilia, but beyond that there is nothing. I...am sorry. Link Windhero, archaeologist, xenoarchaelogist and self-proclaimed 'adventurer'. A colleague of Doctor Freeman, you have come to Thor for a different purpose; you have a writ of authorization permitting you to study the rui—the rui—theee rrrrrrrruuuu—you have nothing. No life, no family, no friends...not even the fairy you yearned for for so long."

Bolas then returned his voice to what was for this guise normal. "They also stated it was impossible to retrieve any information on our friend here-" Bolas indicated The Doctor- "Then all units simultaneously shifted tones into one more menacing and, as one, demanded a cessation of questions. They then deactivated themselves. They seem to have returned to operation during the elevator attack, or shortly before."

edited 19th May '11 7:49:36 PM by SOCR

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?

Quite interesting.

Spriggan looked at the crossbow. Wonder why she got this with her when she could have summoned the cops?

Rey was glancing around, muttering to himself. "Is this even our floor...?"

Easing back into life one step at a time

"My appologies, detective, but what are you on about? My crossbow doesn't have a voice."

At Bolas' words, Dr. Langley frowned. She glanced at her own Phi-module and typed a few commands into the holographic keyboard, her frown deepening as time went on.

"Scheisse," she cursed under her breath. "This is damned bizarre; the modules shouldn't be doing this, and in fact they weren't just a few hours ago. The planetary networks are designed to avoid being tampered with in this fashion, which means that something is seriously wrong."

Shaking her head, the scientist turned around and resumed marching up the stairs at a brisk pace. "Come on; we're almost at your suite, and I need to make a call."

The Danse Macabre Codex

"Not your crossbow. These." Narumi said, showing her the PHI module. "They spoke in an odd voice at one point. Is that some sort of feature you put on for nosy people?" Narumi asked.

"It might be prudent to make several calls while you have the opportunity," Jack remarked. "If there are Hive World forces on this planet, the highest authorities should be alerted. As well, you might wish to contact your husband, if he is presently at the dig site. I wonder...does the coming lunar alignment have any significance to these creatures?"

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu

"I didn't invent those; were you even listening to what I was saying a moment ago?"

She did not break stride, instead glancing over her shoulder to address Jack as she walked. "Not to my knowledge, no; to the best of my knowledge, the karkarlikarrh do not place any considerable religious significance upon celestial bodies as quite a few human faiths do."

edited 19th May '11 8:05:05 PM by SullenFrog

The Danse Macabre Codex

"Hm... Guess I wasn't. I'm getting too old for my age." Narumi said.

"The modules broke you say? And what info was in there for us originally?"

To Be Updated when I'm not Lazy

"Hm. Then perhaps they mean to take advantage of the significance that we place on the event." Though Jack had put away his sword, he kept an eye out for any more of the insectoid assassins. "I will have to speak with a few people as well." Chief among them were Administrator Washington, if Doctor Langely didn't contact him herself, and the person the concierge had told him handled security for the hotel. Clearly, he had been lax in his job. Hopefully, it was not deliberate.

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu

—Megatron clicks his tongue, an altogether strange feeling.—

Name Them And Tell Me What They've Done.

"It isn't the modules that are the problem, doctor," Dr. Langley said, stepping off on the landing marked 19 and leading into a hallway even more luxuriant and decadent than the one they had passed through on the fifteenth floor. "If that were the case, then mine—which hasn't been out of my sight at any point and was working perfectly fine three hours ago—would not be experiencing the same symptoms as your own. No, this is a problem with the planetary network...and anything capable of subverting the planetary information network in this manner is bad news indeed."

She came to a halt in front of a door marked 1929 and produced a small keycard from the pocket of her labcoat. She inserted this device into a small reader set within the frame; moments later a chime rang out, and the door slid up into the ceiling with a faint hiss of hydraulics.

The room which lay beyond was, to put it bluntly, palatial; the far wall was occupied by a huge, clear window of transparisteel which provided the suite's occupants with a positively panoramic view of Valhalla, along with a tantalizing glimpse of the jungles and forests which lay beyond. Inside the room itself, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, dappling the immaculate white walls and floors with little specks of light, and a large number of doors dotted the other walls, leading off to a number of bed- and bathrooms. A fully-stocked kitchen was tucked comfortably in the corner, and the smell of a well-cooked roast wafted from the oven. A small den occupied the center of the chamber, centered around a large holoprojector which was currently displaying a sports feed; the game onscreen was a peculiar sport which seemed to be some bizarre amalgamation of hockey, football and croquet.

"Make yourselves at home," Dr. Langley muttered, heading off for a videophone built into the wall at the far right corner of the room. "If you could leave my electromagnetic crossbow over by the door to my room, young man, it would be much appreciated."

And with that, she busied herself with making a call.

As the group entered the suite, a gentle voice spoke up from hidden speakers. "Welcome to your residence, Doctor Freeman, Commander Zod et al. Might one inquire as to the whereabouts of your daughter, Doctor Freeman? Miss Kamiyu Tsuri was on the list for your party."

---

"Oh, they all have names derived from the human Greek alphabet," Ravage said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "They were intimidating at first, but as more and more of them made their presence known their threat diminished in proportion; for the longest time, they did little more than bicker amongst themselves."

The Danse Macabre Codex

"If only we had some help..." Spriggan said to himself as he continued to walk with the professor.

"All right, professor." He followed her instructions, putting the crossbow aside. "Wonder why she can't lug a pistol or a SMG around?"

edited 19th May '11 8:52:25 PM by Ominae

Feeling strong enough to stand on his own now, though still rather weak, Link gently broke free of both his friend's grasps.

His right arm still felt like it was on fire, and blood dripped down his arm, but he was used to injuries like that, and didn't want to cause any more trouble.

So he said nothing.

He followed the rest, walking behind Spriggan and the professor.

edited 19th May '11 8:54:05 PM by troydenite

'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023

"I'm going for medical assistance."

To Be Updated when I'm not Lazy

"Computer" Kimimaro asked the AI managing the room. "Where might we find first aid for... Mr. Windhero?"

edited 19th May '11 8:55:05 PM by DKN117

Bendy Slendy in Upendi. Also, check out my fic

Rey glanced around, but took a position by the door, sitting down and crossing his arms, closing his eyes. "I'll stand guard here."

Easing back into life one step at a time

"No, no, it's okay... I'm used to things like this."

Not exactly the truth, but there it was.

'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023

"My daughter?"

Kamiyu Tsuri... that was Blink.

"She wasn't able to come," Gordon said. "I must've forgotten to cancel her spot on the reservation."

"Oh, dear. The toad, the monkey, and the dog have all screwed up."

"Because they're obsolete antiques, and I'm not a career soldier," she explained testilly. "Now be quiet; I need to take this."

She began to dial a fairly long string of numbers, and waited in mounting concern and agitation as the videophone started to ring. "Come on...c'mon, Shin, don't leave me hanging; pick up the verdamnt phone, you dummkopf..."

Despite her harsh words, it was quite clear that Dr. Langley was quite worried for her husband's safety.

"A shame, Doctor Freeman. Deploying medical aid station now," the unseen automated voice announced. With these words, a panel in the left wall slid open and a chair with a number of surgical tools and applicators for that medical gel slid out.

The Danse Macabre Codex

Though no one had noticed yet, a shadowy figure dodged the group from behind;

the faint glint of blood red eyes could occaisionally be seen.

Spriggan went to position the K3 LMG on the floor, kneeling next to it.

"Good thing I brought this along."

He remembered hearing what the professor mentioned.

Just what kind of weapons do they use around here aside from that... thing out there?

edited 19th May '11 9:03:14 PM by Ominae

The Doctor sits down. "Never mind... My mind is just running wild. Let me take a breather."

To Be Updated when I'm not Lazy

"Let us know if you need our help in any way, Doctor" Kimimaro said to Dr. Langley, and then went over and sat down on a soft couch, letting out a long exhale and closing his eyes for several seconds as he mulled over recent happenings. Despite his mostly relaxed state, however, he was still fully awake and quite alert, paying close attention for any possible unfamiliar spikes in Killing Intent that might signify another attack.

Bendy Slendy in Upendi. Also, check out my fic