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I keep forgetting that we should maybe be rooting for blue Miyao even if they're being a jerk about it. I mean it's probably justifiable to be a jerk about saving the world. The other thing is, I appreciate how well R07 is soaking this world in dread through the environmental details. It's too real.
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Feb 4, 2020 21:07
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| # ? May 9, 2024 04:32 |
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witchcore ricepunk posted:I keep forgetting that we should maybe be rooting for blue Miyao even if they're being a jerk about it. I mean it's probably justifiable to be a jerk about saving the world.
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Feb 5, 2020 00:07
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   A final all-out war known as the December 25 24:00 Truce was spreading throughout the contested areas around the world. However, the people of the world were less worried about that game of musical chairs, and more concerned by this extreme atmospheric pollution. Furthermore, the uniformity of weather that all countries had once enjoyed was now being lost. Rapid cooling was occurring in nations close to the poles. Because heating was used excessively during this time, a large amount of Spiritium steam was being released. This further accelerated the pollution and cooling in a vicious cycle. The International 8MS Management Committee was currently focusing all its efforts on reducing the rate of cooling, and they said they expected to release Environmental 8MS whose modifications were complete sometime over the next few days. If they succeeded, the world's average temperature would apparently recover to about 10°C. However, even so, countries close to the poles would be hit by a cold wave that would approach the freezing point. Such cold was completely unknown to the people of the A3W era. They knew that such dramatic weather had existed as recently as the B3W era, and that humanity had managed to get by somehow. However, A3W humanity had lived for so long in an ideal period of 15°C-25°C weather. Having the temperature go sub-zero... would be an unimaginable hell. The most commonly-used search terms were now filled with things related to protecting against the cold. However, because there had previously been no need for cold-weather outfits outside of freezers or bases in Antarctica, supply was utterly unable to keep up with demand. The government was recommending that you make simple cold-weather clothing using various household items...   "And now people are freaking out, just because it's snowing on Christmas? Yeah, that's hilarious." "Did you know? If you fly through the skies unaided like this, the wind chill temperature can apparently get below -50°C." "...Yeah, I guess you're right. This...is how the world's supposed to be." "We're being protected by more than just our Rejection Shields, huh?" "Yeah. Whether it's temperature, air pressure, humidity, or even gravity and acceleration, we might think we're just flying through the sky, but we're ignoring an awful lot of the world's laws in doing so." "It makes you wonder how people ever got by in the B3W world, without the convenience of 8MS." "...They probably just figured that's how things were, and didn't think about it at all." "After all, luxury's something that's easy to get used to." "...Right now, humanity is panicking because various kinds of 8MS are going crazy, but this actually is the norm for this planet." "If humanity can't even handle this planet when it's being normal, do we really have any right to call it our home?" "Seriously. The fact that they're still making us fight wars during this apocalyptic situation is just insane." "...Still, I just can't get used to this intense ammonia smell. Am I just that used to the Stench Reduction 8MS? Or did B3W humanity walk around with their noses plugged?" "Rumor has it that this smell is caused by Spiritium steam." "There's no Stench Reduction 8MS in cities that aren't prosperous, so they were always like this. For me, it's a nostalgic smell that reminds me of the city I grew up in." "Still, I won't deny that it's unpleasant." Jayden: "Me too! I've been hiding them with my bangs, but I'm getting them on my forehead, and it's seriously uncool." Gunhild: "...Some of the young trainees have been saying that too." Miyao: "I've never had to deal with stuff like that, so why is it happening now? And so suddenly."   "Don't tell me... that this is connected to that rumor, about how absorbing too much Spiritium steam makes toxins build up in your body and leads to rashes..." "Wait, seriously...? Does that mean the rashes on my forehead are just gonna get worse? That's no joke...!" "The world's environment is changing rapidly, after all. It wouldn't be strange if it's having odd effects on the human body." "Wait, what's that...?"This wasn't the front lines. Even though it shouldn't have been possible, they heard an explosion. They couldn't pick out details because of the horrible fog, but they'd seen several piercing flashes that looked like they could've been from explosions. And, a few moments later, they heard explosive sounds.   "An enemy attack...? Don't tell me-" "Activating 8MS radar, activating Reaper's Eye! Warcats, prepare for unexpected attacks!"AOU Operator: "Warcat! Can you see any flames from explosions at 9 o'clock from your current position?!" "The fog is almost completely blocking our field of vision, but we witnessed something that appeared to be an explosion. Explosions are continuing to occur sporadically."AOU Operator: "Currently, large numbers of allied air defense drones have become uncontrollable, and they're indiscriminately attacking the city! The cause is unknown!"  "Wait, wait, wait, are you kidding me? Not one or two drones, but a lot of them? How...?!"Some Gauntlet Knights had the ability to hack enemy drones. In the AOU, Chloe was particularly talented at this. By using the high P3 levels that were unique to Gauntlet Knights, they could break through the drone's security incredibly fast using brute force and gain command authority. However, if they wanted to hack a large number of drones at once, they'd have to break through the security of the military AI itself. Naturally, military AI security was incredibly strong. Even relying on a supercomputer would take several centuries to break through. So, under normal circumstances, stealing control from a large number of drones at once would be unthinkable.  "But that's what's happening right before our eyes! Doubting it won't get us anywhere!" "I think the most reasonable explanation is that someone with access privileges to the military AI did this." "This is just horrible! The world's about to freeze, we're still fighting a war, and now we've even got a spy in the command center!" "This is Warcat. We've arrived on the scene. From what we can tell from here, there are about 40 air defense drones firing indiscriminately into the city...!"AOU Operator: "Now removing friendly tagging from all air defense drones taking hostile action! The command center has ordered that all opposing drones be shot down!!" In the background of the operator's voice, the panicked voices of many other operators could be heard. I didn't want to think about it, but it sounds like this isn't only happening here...!  BGM: Briefing Room  "Sujatha?! Are you having drone problems in the COU too?!" "Miyao?! Why?!" "...Oh, wrong chat, tch! Forget you heard that!" "We're currently working to suppress an uprising of hacked air defense drones that occurred in AOU Japan. Is the same thing happening in the COU?!" "Woo, there's some good news. I thought just the COU drones were being pieces of junk, so I'm glad to hear we've got someone to share the experience with, woo!" "Andry, end transmission! Don't say any more than you need to!" "Receiving a message from the air defense command center! All Aerial Augmented Infantry units have been given permission to intercept at their discretion...!" "Roger that! Activating Reaper's Eye! We're in the middle of a city, so attack with care! ...The fact that everyone's indoors because of the pollution was a blessing in disguise." "It's as you heard, Miyao! We're busy at the moment. I'm sure you are too, right? Then we both need to do the same thing!" "No kidding. But if that's true, is it possible that this is happening on a massive scale...?" "Correct. From what we know, 79 indiscriminate attacks have been carried out by swarms of rogue drones over COU India alone." "79 attacks?! Just in India?!" "Stop chatting with people from other factions during combat! End transmission!!" "Ooooh, hang in there, Rukhi. Hang in there, even though I'm the only one who got yelled at when Sujatha was chatting too..." "Miyao, I just got an email through Kizuna from a friend of mine in Africa. It looks like drone rebellions are taking place here and there in the ACR as well." "...Don't tell me it's happening in the ABN and LATO too...!" "Bingo! The nets around the world are acting like someone poked a beehive!! Same goes for ABN and LATO! They're saying that lots of drone swarms are no longer under control!" "...It's getting cold, the atmosphere is dirty and starting to stink, everyone's ready to make a grab for land before the truce... And now, we're even getting pimples and swarms of drones are rebelling." "Just perfect! Nothing would surprise me now!!" "Could that World Reset Cult really be behind this?" "If only they'd crush their own skulls before trying to crush the world, it'd be win-win for everyone. Wonder why they're not doing that!" "Win-win?" "Heheheheheheh, ahahahahahahah! You're right, ahahahahahahahah...!" "Oh, she liked that one, woo!"  "Has Rukhshana always laughed this much...?" "When Rukhi lets loose, she can be pretty freaky. When she suddenly finds something funny, she transforms." "Hey, Andry, Rukhshana!! I told you, cut the chatter during combat!!" "Hahahahahahahahah!! Who cares, we're still fighting fine, aren't we?! Hahaha, okay, here you go! Take care of terminal guidance for these cluster missile submunitions, ahahahahahahahahah!" "Whoa, ah...?! D-Don't just suddenly hand me 24 missiles!" "Ah, that was fun. Thanks, Miyao. Now, we'll focus on fighting too." "Sure. Take care." "I-I can't handle 24 all of a sudden like that...! Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh...!!!" "Ahh, hang in there, Rukhi. Even though Sujatha's such an adorable klutz, hang in there. Aah, I wanna take that klutz ace who's always acting tough and pet her and squeeze her and shower her with kisses♪" "Who are you calling a klutz...?!! S-Sorry, I can't, please take some of these missiles, even just 5 or 6 of them...!!" "Ah, our kette's leader is so cute! Here, have some more missiles! Wooo!" "...Sounds like you're pretty busy at the moment. Uh, good luck over there..." "We need to focus too...!!" If they were only air defense drones, they wouldn't have been too heavily armed, and the damage would have been relatively light. However, indiscriminate assaults by attack drones fully equipped for the front lines were causing considerable destruction.  "Got it! Let's go, Jayden!!!" "Yeah!! Let's go, partner!!!" The once-beautiful LATO resort looked as though it had been thrown into a war zone. There were overturned beach umbrellas, and alongside the pool lay scattered cocktail glasses that had been knocked over and sandals that had been taken off. Everyone had taken refuge in government-provided air raid shelters, so the city was completely empty. In this era, Selcoms could guide individual people to shelter, so even tourists weren't left behind.  "Still, I'd expect no less from the prosperous LATO. There's not a single person taking advantage of the crisis to steal things, not even just picking up a dropped wallet." "...Heheh. Though, it seems LATO may have been too prosperous, considering that they left their air defense in the hands of drones, leading to this." "Is it really all right to just stand around here...? We should take him to a shelter quick, right...?" Toujirou: "There's no need to be impatient. Calm down and check the nature of the damage around you. They aren't attacking indiscriminately and at random. They're simply distributing the damage evenly, and extremely efficiently." Maricarmen: "...Y-You're right! The drones' attack isn't aimed at a specific target, it's focusing on efficiently damaging a large area...!" Valentia: "What do you mean...?" Obviously, though attacking more often than necessary to achieve a goal may look flashy, it's just a waste of ammunition. However, on the battlefield, it's sometimes necessary to overly concentrate your attacks, to make sure you destroy your target. In this era of pinpoint attacks, the way these drones were attacking all over the place may have seemed random and indiscriminate. However, if one checked the nature of the surrounding destruction as Toujirou had suggested, it became possible to notice a clear purpose behind these attacks.   "...They're trying... to cause equal destruction throughout the whole city..." "And you're saying they're doing that efficiently, from a perspective of machine-like methodicalness... Heheh..."The drones were large in numbers, but it wasn't as though each individual one had a large amount of weaponry. So, every shot they fired was being used to cause destruction with maximum efficiency, according to the situation. If they had tried to attack vital establishments, the defenses there would be strong, and such places would have run worst-case scenario simulations to deal with situations like this. That made them surprisingly undesirable as targets. So, the drones were targeting the city itself instead. When attacking the roads, it was more efficient for them to aim at multi-level crossings. By shooting at the weak points of structures, they could cause more efficient destruction as the structures collapsed. If they lightly raked over luxury establishments lined with beautiful glass using machine guns, the shower of falling glass shards would cause unimaginable damage. However, the most efficient form of destruction is fire. If they managed to start a large-scale fire in the city, they'd be able to cause massive damage without using up ammunition. The drones actively sought out flammable targets, trying to start and spread flames. They also attacked the firefighting facilities that would probably be used to put those fires out.  "Haven't you ever thought about it? Humanity has focused its defenses on vital establishments, because they tend to be targets of attacks. I'm sure that even during all this, Spiritium conversion facilities and 8MS factories are being protected. However, everywhere else is lax... Even though it's the people who really ought to be protected." Highly advanced weapon guidance technology played a big role in this. This was an era when you could launch pinpoint attacks against vital establishments right in the middle of a city and still cause almost no damage to those who lived there. Even when world wars took place, they would be somewhat ho-hum about it, assuming that the enemy wouldn't attack them if they weren't soldiers.  BGM: T's Blues  "...Today, humanity is remembering that obvious fact."At that moment, they heard a set of repeated, thunderous explosions, as if this was a huge finale to a fireworks show. When they looked at the sky in that direction, they saw countless flaming red balls drawing a parabola throughout the city. It was as though several curves of red light had been drawn there, beautifully extending like the branches of a fantastical weeping willow. Toujirou: "...That one hit hard. Weren't those MLRS bombardments launched by heavy drones, the trump card of coastal defense operations? They specialize in damage over a large area, so it's perfect for attacking an entire city. Sorry to say it, but you won't be able to see that beautiful Rio de Janeiro again, except as photos on the nets." Those ferocious series of thunderclaps occurred several more times after that. It seemed that other areas were also receiving MLRS bombardments.  "...Major, even so, isn't it about time we took shelter...?" "It'll be fine. After all, I'm being protected by two lovely girl carriers with Aegis-equipped ships in tow. And besides, this area won't be attacked again." "How can you know that...?" "Judging by the state of the damage, you can tell that the drones tend to quantify the damage done to each section, and they're distributing it evenly. Furthermore, if you look at the damage in areas where the attacks have stopped, measuring it with the valuation methods used by the International Disaster Agency, you'll find that they equal each other with an error of just 5%. This leads us to the conclusion that those areas have already reached the levels of damage that the drones are aiming for, so it's unlikely that they'll be attacked again. Well, that doesn't mean they're 100% safe though. And now we know how a cocktail tastes while surrounded by the flames of war, huh?" "...Heheh. As usual, you never cease to surprise, Major." "..." And yet, he was relaxing this much. There are plenty of naive people who can relax while watching war through their television. However, the madness of someone who can relax when there's no TV separating them from the carnage...goes far beyond the comprehensible. Valentina might be a bit attracted to his adult composure that so defies common sense, but... ...I'm scared, Tina. This Major called Mitake Toujirou... isn't a naive person watching war through a TV. Are we sure he isn't... something that's watching our world through a TV? Something that, from our perspective, isn't human...? Miyao... This person truly is your real father, right? Your father... is so... So...  "In that case, did you prophesize this day as well?" "There are some things you know, but you can't do anything about, right? This is one of those." "Let me rephrase that. Do you know, Major? Will these terrible things that come like natural disasters... continue?" "Wh-Who on earth is plotting such terrifying things? What are they after?!" "...Hmmm..." "You know, my fees really are high. Still, okay. I might as well give these two beautiful escorts a tip." BGM: Anun  "Y-Yes. Feel free to call me whatever you like..." "You wanted to know who was plotting such terrifying things, right? If you ask me who, that's a bit hard to answer, but there's no doubt that this is occurring as a result of human intent." "...You mean...the World Reset Cult...?" "Well, let's call it that for now. That's as much as a human's capable of understanding." "Th-Those people are insane! They're making a mess of the world! If they hate the world that much, why don't they just hang themselves...?!!" "...Heheh. They're probably trying to play God, destroying humanity and culture once so they can guide it down the right path the next time around. It's a disease that every VIP gets at least once, when they're caught by the belief that they're one of the Chosen Ones." "Major, do you know the mastermind behind this conspiracy...?" "...The answer to that...is a bit expensive." "If you ever escort me again, I'll think about it." "...Nngg..." "Next... Tina, was it?" "Yes, Major." "Your question was whether these terrible things would continue, right?" "Yes." "...Well, I don't know how far their plan has proceeded yet. Even I don't know the full details of it. So, it's hard for me to give you a simple answer." "Oh, but I can tell you one thing." "...What's that?" "You have a point there. Heheh, considering that you're relaxing by a pool, it would seem the danger isn't that bad after all." "All these natural disasters that can be brought about by human hands... are like rain ceremonies." "...Rain ceremonies? You mean, rituals to summon rain...?" "That's right. And they're for the purpose of summoning actual natural phenomena." "...You're saying that, at this decisive moment when the world may or may not be destroyed, a real natural disaster might occur, one to make all the dangers so far seem trivial? And that bringing this about is the goal of the mastermind behind this incident...?" "When chess is played with this planet as the stage, so much happens in darkness that it isn't even clear whether your opponent is in his seat or not." "...Chess..." "In other words, it means you are already seated and have made the first move, partly as a declaration of war, partly as a signal that the game has begun, and partly as a sign to your opponent that you want them to respond. If this message reaches your opponent, they'll likely realize that you want to play chess, and they'll take their seats. Then, one of the black pawns moves to c5. Now, the first person is really excited. After all, their opponent has noticed their intent to play chess, has taken their seat, and has even responded." "So, they respond with Nf3. Yes, this is where the knights come into play. Their opponent would probably counter with d6 or e6. Well, that part's a matter of personal taste. Long-time players treat the first few moves like a ceremony, after all." "You'll know soon. You'll see that this doesn't deserve to be called a natural disaster." "...Was it really all right to tell us that? Heheh, or are you thinking that telling this only to people like us won't matter anymore at this stage...?" "We're only pieces on the chessboard. There's a limit to what we can do. However, one thing that is clear... is that we want the players who own us to win. So, we can only wait vigilantly until our pieces have a chance to shine and contribute to their victory..." "Will humanity... be able to overcome this danger...?" "Have faith in humanity. It'll be okay. We'll definitely win. Though, I don't know how many pieces will be lost on the path towards that victory."In the midst of Toujirou's intentionally vague way of talking, that one statement alone seemed to have a strong intent behind it.   BGM: Ominous3 Military Radio: "...The Central Command Center has confirmed the suppression of all non-friendly dro-...*kssht*! ...For the moment, the use of all drones, whether armed or unarmed, has been forbidden. All squads, please visually confirm the nature of the damage...*kssht*..." Military Radio: "*ksssht*... Wisła Bridge is collapsing...*kssht*! ...Eastern District...*kssht*...emergency vehicles are unable to proceed...*kssht*!" Government Spokesperson: "Everyone, please hold strong, without losing hope. Use your Selcom to check for safety information from your local governments and put your own safety first. Furthermore, those of you who don't have a Selcom installed or activated, please reach out to us. The government will certainly save...*kssht*, savesavesavesavesavesavesave...*ksssssht*!!"  Of course, you didn't have to look back to classic B3W sci-fi to know that, starting very early on, humanity had imagined the possibility of losing control over their autonomous weaponry. Because of how they were built, you couldn't prevent small numbers of units from being hacked, and this was taken into account. ...Even human cells sometimes mutate, one at a time. Just like how the surrounding cells will immediately try to eliminate a mutated cell, drone swarms were also programmed to rapidly destroy any friendly units that behaved abnormally. However, the one part that was protected by incredible security... was the military AI managing all those drone swarms. And, in fact, its security hadn't been broken in this instance either. The security of military AIs from every faction and every country... had been circumvented directly, with proper passwords, and in fact with passwords used by people with considerable authority. Either the passwords were stolen by hackers, or the password owners had gone traitor or sold them. Either way, this might lead to a blame game for damage that was far too widespread, so none of the countries made this information public.  Radio: "...The wind is spreading the fire! Urgently requesting support from Climate 8MS and Disaster Prevention 8MS...*kssht*...! If the wind just stops for a bit and the fire weakens...*kssht*." Radio: "*kssssht*! Did you say to stop the fire with bombs?! You fool, there's still lots of people there who need our help! There's got to be over a hundred trapped in there...*kssht*...*ksssssht*!!!" The massive megacities created in the A3W era had also become areas of extremely high population densities. This made it possible for staggering casualties to occur during a disaster like this. Furthermore, everyone had always relied on 8MS to deal with disasters too, so with them erroring out, the situation had become truly dire.   "Who knows. Even just in ABN France, there might be 10 million...no, 20 million dead. If that happened on a world scale, it's scary just to think about the numbers."Nearly everyone in the A3W world owned Selcoms or wearable terminals. Those measured their vital signs, which made it easier to rapidly assess casualties in a situation like this...  "...Today will probably be the single day with the greatest number of human casualties since the start of recorded history." "...Horrible tragedies like this...were supposed to have ended a hundred years ago..." "But right now, what's happening here...is the saddest. I...loved looking down on Paris with Naomi from the top of that..." "...They'll probably be able to rebuild it. But, who knows whether its soul will survive." "...I can't believe they were able to destroy it that easily. A military AI...really is terrifying..."Black smoke continued to gush from Paris, as if it was wrapped in the bowels of war. The Eiffel Tower, a symbol that had survived even World War III, lay pathetically on its side...   "We of Yeladot Shavit love all of those who have risen up to face this national crisis!" "A special order of harmony is currently in effect. With regards to religion-based hate crimes, religious police on the scene have been given the authority to see that justice be done, without the need for a trial." "Before they try to take advantage of this chaos, let's report as many atheists and fundamentalist terrorists as we can! Actually, I just reported one myself☆" "Huh? Seriously?! Amazing! I'll keep on reporting suspicious people when I see them and rack up some contribution points!" "Good times build the faith, and bad times put that faith to the test. Now is the time to show our faith and love of peace to the world!"  "...Okay, nice work." "Yeah, okay, but...shouldn't we be focusing on fires and people hit by the disaster, before worrying about religious crimes?" "To think that armored cars with religious police would be given priority over fire department vehicles. This must really be the miracle of love and harmony☆ *sparkle* ..." "Crap, they're saying the death count in my ABN Romania is definitely over 8 million... And I can't get in touch with Mom..." BGM: Rokugatsu no Sora  "...Considering the numbers, this should delay the world famine issue." "Whaat?! How can you say something so cold?! Billions of people probably died across the world! How is this any time to be calmly saying things like that?!" "A whole lot of my friends died too! Are you saying we should be happy because we don't have to pay to feed them now?! You don't have a human heart, Mariana!" "We must remain calm exactly because that's the situation, fool. The Walls of Peace are being shaken to their foundations. What do you think will happen... if we don't maintain our composure...?" "Letting your emotions control you will just make you hungry." "And, no matter how gruesome the situation beneath us is, we have a mission to perform. A mission to chase out all ABN bases on the African continent before 24:00 on the 25th." "You're crazy because you're able to stay calm, and the government's crazy to play musical chairs in a situation like this!! Why are our Dimension Containers packed with guided bombs and 30mm shells?! That's insane, insane!!" "...Fool. Please, don't say any more." "If someone hears you say that, you'll be dismissed from duty, and our kette will be joined by someone who doesn't find it strange to have a Dimension Container so filled at a time like this." "...I don't want to fly with someone like that." "Gannet... is right. She's yelling at the unfairness of it for our sakes as well..."  "Naturally. If the same thing were to happen again, humanity really would be destroyed." "Again? Hah. I think this one time was fatal enough." "We may not be able to use drones, but that doesn't change the timing of the truce or the situation surrounding the conflicted areas." "...In other words, the high and mighty humans will have to fight each other directly." "After all, so far, there hasn't been a single living human around except us. Now, the battlefield will finally become a living, breathing thing." "Manned weaponry is completely useless against Gauntlet Knights. Nothing has changed. In the end, they'll make just us fight on our own." "Hah... Just getting rid of those daddy longlegs drones will make the skies so much nicer..." "..." "Princess, are you sure you shouldn't be taking a rest?" "He's right. There's no way the shock's worn off yet..." "...I too am a soldier. I am prepared to experience death up close." "And besides, even just counting our Commonwealth, over 500 million people have been hit with disaster on this earth. So many lives have been stolen that we don't even know what the number is across the world. As one tasked from birth with the mission of defending our people's safety, I cannot spend too long lamenting the death of one brother." However, my doubts grow. In the first place, how would my brother, who only had an honorary position in the 8MS industry, have had a chance to get involved with an international conspiracy...? By nature, he always couldn't stand human greed and the darker parts of their nature, so I can't even imagine him lending an ear to some terrifying conspiracy... Did he... have a secret even I do not know...? It's true that, as an international philanthropist, he was a member of several international clubs of gentlemen. Sometimes, upper class social settings can become like a cocoon, where those present act like they're the Chosen Ones. Some people do charitable work through a genuine feeling of goodwill, but there are also some who don't deserve to be called gentlemen, who prop themselves up by thinking of needy people as animals they're graciously supplying with food... "..."
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Feb 6, 2020 01:28
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Well that was bad.
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Feb 6, 2020 01:54
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It's bad and I don't think it's getting better for a while
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Feb 6, 2020 03:40
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Ciconia When They Cry: The game where you think "man, things are really going to poo poo" and then half a billion people die in one scene.
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Feb 6, 2020 03:45
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Alopex posted:It's bad and I don't think it's getting better for a while It's almost kind of absurd. poo poo the world is going to war. poo poo now the world is dying and there is going to be a global famine. poo poo now robot are killing everyone.
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Feb 6, 2020 04:26
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If everyone gets killed by robots, then they won't starve to death! Progress! ...It's gonna turn out that some high-ranking official caused the drone attack to reduce the population, right? So there will be enough food for their own people. Except every government had at least one person doing that, so they're all going to die now.
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Feb 6, 2020 09:08
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I'm at a complete loss for words right now.
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Feb 6, 2020 11:26
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   BGM: Warudakumi Commentator: "The most likely explanation is that worldwide superearthquake from the other day. After all, it was enough to cause significant damage to the Environmental 8MS, so it wouldn't be strange if it had some sort of effect on the drones' circuits." Newscaster: "Ever since the start of the A3W era, drones have carried the main burden of maintaining a healthy military balance. It seems the main characters on the battlefield will once again be humans facing off directly, just like back in the B3W era." Commentator: "Which means nothing can stand in the way of the Aerial Augmented Infantry. After all, even when you use drones that can attack without risk, you can barely achieve a draw against them by using saturation attacks. But if you're using vehicles manned by humans, which are far riskier, even fighting to a draw would be difficult." Newscaster: "It seems that, in part due to this sensational event, the Gauntlet Knights who just had their shocking debut will influence events even more strongly." Commentator: "Even in the B3W era, there was a time when possession of nuclear weapons was a country's lifeline. It seems likely that going forward, the number and skill of each nation's Gauntlet Knights will have a dramatic influence on the world's power balance. It might even start to have political implications." Newscaster: "You're saying it's possible that a Gauntlet Knight hero could use their overwhelming popularity to run for president?" Commentator: "...If we take this to an extreme, if a group of Aerial Augmented Infantry members were to launch a coup d'état, it's extremely doubtful whether it could be suppressed under the current circumstances. Of course, though their weapons are powerful, they won't run forever on their own. They'd still need fuel and rations. However, as we can see from historical coups d'état, it isn't impossible for a short-term action to overthrow a government. As technology advances and we enter an era where anyone can join the Aerial Augmented Infantry, it will probably become a more common sort of power and settle down." However, at this moment in time, only a small number of young people with extremely rare talents are being given this role. If these people who command the Walls of Peace as a small group were ever to develop political ambitions, and if they tried to use their vast power to intervene politically, it might be difficult for any nation to resist..."   "Now then, all you youngsters, you have been given power. And, you have been given a chessboard, on which only you have been placed. There are no longer any pieces that can get in the way." "Has there ever been an era in which humanity gave this much power to the young? No, there hasn't. Of course not. No one's gonna do that." "...Youngsters, if you do have the will, I imagine sooner is better than later."After all, we middle-aged men and women... are quick to get jealous of things like that and crush them. You know, like how deer love newly-sprouted plants the most and eat them all up.  "You've gone to all the trouble of sprouting. Why don't you give it a shot before you get eaten...? After all, I always love watching young people do their best." Well, that doesn't mean I'll take responsibility for what happens next. Ahaha.  "I've been checking the news, but haven't been able to get a feel for the full scope of the damage." "Regardless, the results of the operation were far from a major success. We are still a long ways away from what we had planned." "The final casualty count is a minimum of 3 billion across the world. Medical services are overstretched, so it's likely to rise by another 500 million." "Hyahyahya! So, this operation has managed to kill 3.5 billion people? Hyahyahyahya!" That number was so massive, it exceeded the capacity of the human imagination, and it didn't feel real at all. So, since the world population was said to have reached 10 billion people, it was as though this world was an apple with one third of it sliced out. With that many lives and city functions removed from the equation, all civilizations up until the B3W era would likely have ended immediately. However, the A3W world's civilization, supported by supertechnology, was able to continue to function even after receiving such extensive damage. Even with so many victims, those who had escaped the disaster still felt a bit as though this was somebody else's problem. Ironically, that detachment had prevented a panic and stabilized the people. The drastic gap between affected and unaffected areas was a major cause of this attitude. Cities hit by drone attacks were in ruins, but more than twice that many cities hadn't been hit. Furthermore, the affected zones were extremely concentrated and distributed in a lopsided fashion. So, there were quite a lot of people who only knew about the drone revolt from what they saw on TV. To nearly all those people, this incident seemed somehow unreal...  It doesn't matter how many people die in a country you've never heard of before, a country that might exist anywhere on the globe for all you know. Unless someone from your country is among the victims, it's time to check the weather next. However, if your beloved dog dies, it will probably make you sadder than the deaths of countless people you don't know. In other words, people mourn the dead...because of the sadness from losing the interpersonal bonds they developed while the departed was alive. ...Remove interpersonal bonds from the equation, and no matter how many people die, the human heart will remain unmoved unless it witnesses those deaths directly. To some people, even that might sound heartless. But one fact mustn't be forgotten. Almost one half of all babies born into this world are not carried here by the ciconia. They're born in a factory, categorized by their various talents, and sent to different institutions based on that analysis. They can only make friends of their same generation, with similar talents and sensibilities to their own. The density of their interpersonal bonds with others... is overwhelmingly weaker than the B3W era. To people like that, as long as their city and the people they know are safe, then no matter how many people die far away, they'll feel a pang of sadness, but only until they change the TV channel. So, even with 3.5 billion lives lost...   "*giggle* ...I truly never will get bored, working for people who cause the deaths of 3.5 billion and say that's not very many." "But it still is approximately 30% of the world's population. Of course, city operations will have suffered to a similar degree." "I did want to give them a merciful destruction, but, sadly, the elimination of humanity's remainder will have to be left to earthquakes, cold waves, and food crises." "I do hope that, at least during that process, we are able to locate even a few people whom we find worthy to leave all of this behind to." "You're right. Even if you have an ark, it won't mean anything unless you also have Noah and his wife." "...I do want to believe that humans are creatures that can show us a miracle at the moment of their destruction." "It might not be so bad to use the thought of that day coming, when we can give that person their crown, to spice up our journey going forward." "I do not know how many times I have lost patience with humanity. And yet, they can also be so adorable that every single time, I find myself believing that this time, they'll get it right." "Indeed. Because we have love, because we want to protect these innocent children from a civilization's end as gruesome as that, we must lovingly swing down our hatchet." "All is in the name of guiding humanity down the right path."  "To pull out trainees who've only barely learned to fly like this is just dumb meow..." "A lot of them haven't even finished adjusting their Gauntlets... At this rate, even just flying will be dangerous..." "Chloe, you should tell those newbs not to use their Dimension Containers meow. If an ally behind us suddenly self-destructs, it'll probably take out even the strongest shield with one hit meow." "...You're right. Chloe of Grave Mole, calling all units. Use of the Dimension Container is forbidden to everyone without combat experience. An honorable death in combat would be bad enough, but self-destructing from a container accident and dragging your comrades into it would be just too sad."  "You provisional knights can just watch and learn, don't get in the way of the veterans, is what she's saying meeeooow!!"Trainees: "...But you don't mind us using them if we feel like we're in danger, right...?"  "Please don't make maneuvers that will make you feel like you're in danger. Focus on your shields, not on attacking. In the end, that will do us the most good."For Chloe, she was putting it rather coldly. Of course, that was intentional. From Grave Mole's perspective as top aces, there was no longer any reason to stand out or to be impatient for praise.  BGM: Briefing Room Trainees: "This might be my first time in actual combat, but I've had success in the simulators..."  "These idiots really do want to put their skills to the test meow..." "...Calling all units. You're free to be careless with your own lives, but make sure you don't forget to return those Gauntlets on your left arms in one piece. There are plenty of people who can replace you, but replacing a Gauntlet isn't so easy." "...If you don't want to die, focus on your shields meow! And, if your shield is shattered, retreat even if you do recover afterward meow!! Idiots who get their shields shattered once will just get them shattered again meow! If you really do run out of energy the next time, you really will die meoooooow!!" "Also, there's a moral code even on the battlefield. Make sure that none of you forget that. Neither we nor they will chase down anyone whose shield breaks and who leaves the front lines. Do not shoot people trying to escape. After all, the concept of allies and enemies doesn't exist for us. We're comrades supporting the Walls of Peace together."Trainees: "We may be free to let our opponents escape, but will the enemy do the same for us...?" "It's an unwritten rule among those who fly. This is not an official order. These are just the words of someone who's been through this before you, talking to herself. However, I do hope that you all understand the point of this. Chloe, out."...All Gauntlet Knights participating in the Order of the Public Bath were top-class or near top-class aces from all factions. So, they were all proud, confident, and understood both the honor of serving as the guardians of the Walls of Peace...and the concept that there were no allies or enemies among them.  However, now that there were no drone swarms, large numbers of inexperienced Gauntlet Knights were being thrown in to cover the massive battlefields. Some of them felt various emotions that the aces did not share. They wanted to become aces too, to leave a name for themselves, to build up a good record... Some of them viewed their opponents not as comrades supporting the Walls of Peace, but merely as enemies. Surely, some of them would prefer to suck up to superior officers from the command center, rather than the veteran Gauntlet Knights. If you tried to convince them to follow the Order's ideals -- don't die, don't kill, don't fight -- not only would they not accept it, but some of them might report it to their superiors...   "...Why don't all of you... just die on your own...?" "Koshka, that was just me joking around a bit, trying to act tough meow-" "Shut up. You don't get to talk either. It's not like talking to me is any fun or anything." "Koshka" has exited the room poyo! "Kosh- ...Ah, I can't take this anymore meow..." "...I don't understand either, Lilja." "Who...are you really...?" "..." "...I'm Lilja. Lilja Viljakainen." "Lilja Viljakainen, who as a trainee, thought she'd fly right past an instructor who was annoying her, until a sudden gust of wind screwed up her angle and she turned three officers into mincemeat! Who became Geroy equipment to escape the firing squad and who sold off her heart and soul...!" "This is Chloe from Grave Mole. Reading you loud and clear." "Please don't be too hard on us. And, in accordance with the philosophy of Miyao and the Order of the Public Bath, I hope for a good, clean fight." "I understand, Lingji, but I have some bad news." "What a coincidence. We have some bad news on our end as well. Heheheheh..." "It looks like we're both in the same situation..." "Several of the new recruits are fools trying to make a name for themselves. Some are using violent emotions to try and distract themselves from the fear of their first real combat." "...This time, our allies probably include many people who are too immature to be taught the Order's philosophy." "We've told them there's no need to chase down their opponents if their shields break, and that they should make a run for it if their own shields break, but I do not know if they will keep to that. It is possible that there will be casualties on your side." "...There's no helping it. Let's control the battlefield situation ourselves. In the end, we can control who wins and loses as much as we like, based on minor changes to the behavior of our ace kette." "My, my, heheheh... Have you always been like this, Chloe? The Chloe I know was more kind and peaceful, right?" "Far too much has happened. It's been enough to change anyone." "...Let's just say that's the case. Now then, please don't be too hard on us." "Miyao, maybe this world really should be destroyed." "But even if that's so, would you still say that the job of guardians of the Walls of Peace...is to believe in the good in people's hearts?" "I don't know what's right or wrong anymore...!"  "I don't mind, but are you sure she's got the right chat this time?" "This is Sujatha from Suparṇa of the COU. I apologize for accidentally sending you a message the other day that was meant for Lingji." "Don't worry about it. As long as you don't actually send the message to someone when you're talking behind their back, I don't mind. So, what is it?" "Normally, I should say this directly to Lingji, but I know that she respects you. So, it will be faster to tell you this directly." "I'm not getting you. What happened?" BGM: Manshon no kabe o hashiru tokage  "...How was it noticed?" "They've been carefully analyzing Gauntlet Knight movement data, finding incidents such as attacks that could only conceivably have failed intentionally. As a result, they have started to suspect that these failed attacks were not issues with individual soldiers, but sabotage on an organizational level." "...I assumed the truth would get out sooner or later, but I thought we'd be able to push it off at least until the truce." "So, they've been carefully analyzing all that data to make sure we're doing our jobs right...? *sigh* If only they'd paid that much attention to our mental care." "No kidding. Anyway, Sujatha, when we say 'don't die, don't kill', the dying part includes social death as well. Just play dumb with all you've got. Later on, if it becomes difficult to assist, I don't mind if you forget everything you know about the Order itself." "Hmph, you have a point there. After all, we're at a turning point where the world may be destroyed no matter who wins or who loses. It would seem foolish to say 'don't die, don't kill' after all this time..." "Thanks for telling me about this. Still, why didn't you tell Lingji about it directly?" "She...is quite fond of your Order. She truly believes that if friends supporting the Walls of Peace all hold hands, happiness will come to the world. I supported it on the surface, but I thought it would eventually be exposed and become a problem. I told her not to get too emotionally involved, but she did not heed my warnings. I don't know if she would take me seriously if I told her myself. So, I thought she might be more likely to believe it if you told her." "...I see..." "..." "Tell her that yourself. Isn't that your responsibility as the one who first said these things...no, as the Grand Master of the Order of the Public Bath?" "...Understood. I'll tell her soon. For now, you and the rest of Suparṇa should take care and focus on just staying safe." "Hmph. We'll handle ourselves fine. You're the one who should show some concern for their own safety. Our higher-ups are always bragging about how the COU is always one step ahead of the AOU, but if that's true, then it's probably safe to assume that this analysis of movement data has already begun in the AOU as well." "...We think we're doing this neatly, but it's possible some of our kette are bad at acting." "Thanks, Sujatha. We'll also make sure we worry about ourselves before worrying about other people." "Even if you can't cooperate at all after today, that's completely fine! If anything, I'm grateful that you took such great risks until now! Anyway, take care, along with the rest of Suparṇa!" "It's enough that you all take care. We'll handle ourselves fine. Make sure you tell Lingji too. Sujatha, out." Miyao...There was no way we could've played at being heroes without those sly old men noticing. I've known that for so long, and yet...  BGM: Rokugatsu no Sora  "..." "..." "..." "Can't you hear that a colonel is demanding an answer?!!"The middle-aged officer raised his palm and mercilessly slapped Rukhshana's cheek. She withstood it while still standing at attention, but just the cheek that had been hit swelled unevenly... Sujatha, who was standing at attention in the same way, was swelling even more...  "There's also the case of the retributive attack against that agricultural plant, where Suparṇa neglected to check for civilians during their assault and caused needless casualties! You claim that you fully checked for civilians! And yet, once again,  Wh-What are you laughing at?!" "...Rukhshana, stop..." "In the end, doesn't this just mean that our maintenance was poorly performed? We're the COU Combined Military's murder weapons, after all! If you're not happy with the results we've achieved, I'd say that's on the Combined Military for slacking off on its maintenance, right?" "That's enough... Just stop!" "Too bad, I'm not gonna stop, ahahhahahaha!! If we screw up, all we ever get is punishment, only the stick! Haven't you heard of using the carrot? You haven't, have you?" "You beat up that Kozèko Squad from Myanmar so badly to serve as an example! Then, in the Battle Standard Festival preliminaries, they got good results and their reputation did a 180! Oh, but I'm sure you gave them as many carrots as you gave them sticks, right?! Ahahahahah, by the way, I know what they got! Nothing at all is what they got! Those middle-aged men got all smug over how they'd raised Kozèko Squad so well, and during their own sendoff party, the squad was just standing at attention against the wall, not even given glasses!!" "Ahahahahaha, well duh, we're just the military's property! What kind of idiot would actually thank his tools?!!!" "Y-You...! Y-You watch what you say!!!"There was nothing wrong with the high officer's legs, but he still pompously walked around with a fancy cane...! There was a *thunk*, and then a small splash of blood that left marks on the white floor... "...Andry...!"  "It's possible that this is a result of weariness from excessive time on missions, or else negative, unexpected side-effects on her mind and body from the powerful drugs she's been taking since she was a trainee. Naturally, for a COU soldier, such problems should be overcome through applied willpower, and she recognizes her serious failure in being unable to do that."A single line of blood dripped from Andry's forehead to his cheek.  "Under normal circumstances, she ought to enter re-education immediately, but the truce begins at 24:00 tomorrow. Please, let us fight until then! I'm begging you...!" "..." "...Calm down, calm down, Rukhi. You can hate yourself as much as you want when this is over." "...Nnn, nnnngggggg..." "At the moment, we have no one to replace you! If an enemy ace kette appears, no one but Suparṇa can stop them! ...Just this once, we'll overlook the rest. Dismissed!" "Thank you very much, Colonel. If you'll excuse us..."
Quinn2win fucked around with this message at 05:48 on Feb 8, 2020 |
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Feb 8, 2020 05:18
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Quinn2win posted:Ciconia When They Cry: The game where you think "man, things are really going to poo poo" and then half a billion people die in one scene. Three point five billion??? I quote a true witch
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Feb 8, 2020 06:01
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Man, everything is really coming to a head. We must be nearly at the end of Phase 1, and so much has happened. It really looks like all the gauntlet knights are starting to break down under the stress, and I'm pretty sure Koshka is actually factually actively suicidal, which is unsurprising in her situation but also bodes really poorly.
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Feb 8, 2020 06:12
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We are indeed quite close to the end of Phase 1. However, this LP will continue for a surprisingly long time - there's a LOT of postgame content.
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Feb 8, 2020 06:14
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Also we got backstory! Manslaughter backstory!
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Feb 8, 2020 21:32
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Alopex posted:Also we got backstory! Manslaughter backstory! EDIT: Also I wonder if the pettiest internal part of Gunhild is a little satisfied that even the elite have to smell the stink of spiritium steam now, haha. I know I would be, even if I'd also be sympathetic to how bad it smelled. I think the most interesting part of this apocalypse is that it's also essentially an energy crisis, in that spiritium is in no way a clean energy source but everything runs on it now so people are pushing massive amounts of pollution now that 8ms broke, because they lack the infrastructure to produce cleaner energy. Once the 8ms was up there was so much time to build almost completely clean energy production in case anything like this happened, but spiritium was so convenient and 8ms fixed everything anyway, so why bother? Ciconia is a story about humanity drinking from a series of poisoned chalices out of necessity and then going, 'wow, this chalice is really nice, let's use this forever' right before keeling over from heavy metal poisoning. PetraCore fucked around with this message at 21:52 on Feb 8, 2020 |
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Feb 8, 2020 21:46
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and there's the sheer lunacy that apparently biomes aren't allowed to to have normal seasonal patterns, expending far more of that energy to keep temperate, alpine and sub-arctic areas from getting cold. There's a lot of necessary things to fix a world that nearly went into nuclear winter, but a lot of energy spent just to avoid minor inconveniences.
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Feb 9, 2020 19:26
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Robindaybird posted:and there's the sheer lunacy that apparently biomes aren't allowed to to have normal seasonal patterns, expending far more of that energy to keep temperate, alpine and sub-arctic areas from getting cold. I really don't agree with the 3 Kings, but I can also see where some of the contempt is coming from. The real problem is laying all that at the feet of 'humanity' instead of the specific train of decisions, because for the most part people alive when the story is going down were not even born when that happened, with some potential exceptions.
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Feb 9, 2020 20:02
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 There's no way that natural disasters that might happen once per millenium would all conveniently happen at the same time! It's weird enough that a world war -- only the fourth one humanity has ever had -- would conveniently take place! And it just happens to coincide with a modern earthquake on a global scale?! The biggest superearthquake disaster in human history?! And because of the negative side effects of that, there's also global cooling? And a worldwide famine? And then comes the simultaneous global revolt of drones?!  ...It's infuriating, but that's what people are doing! Well, of course they are. They're natural disasters. They're coincidences! No one can do anything about them! So there's no point worrying about it, and our super-civilization will take care of it all somehow anyway, so the people who survived will keep thinking of it as someone else's problem...! There's no way this is a bunch of natural disasters occurring at the same time by coincidence! Outside the chessboard where we're all lined up, some massive person has some sort of plan and is doing something! We're all totally out of the loop! You know what it's like? It's like those scenes you see in so many battle manga. Whenever the villain says something like 'let me show you my power' and blasts away a city, there's a bunch of mob characters that get treated like less than small fry, who die without even knowing what's going on! We are those mob characters! We're just getting dragged into things without understanding them! Most likely, these natural disasters weren't even aimed at us! We're just getting pulled in and tossed about...!! However, no matter how long this crazy situation continues, I'll hold my breath and believe that I'll definitely get a chance to strike back eventually. I don't even know who our enemies are, what it means to strike back, or what kind of chance that will be, but I'm waiting with bated breath... Is that really okay? Do I think this kids' meal of natural disasters will end that easily...? It won't end. You know it won't! Go ahead, try making one of those 'prophecies' you love so much...!  BGM: Anun I'm supposed to be a murder program, right? Where is my enemy?! They aren't anywhere!! If you think I'm a murder program, give me an enemy already!!  "I'm the enemy who's trying to erase the program that you are, right? Why should I help you?"Your job is to defeat me by making me aware that I'm not Mitake Miyao, just a program that claims to be him, right? Then my goal and your goal are the same. If I really am a murder program like you say, give me an enemy I'm supposed to defeat! You'll make me aware that I'm a murder program, and you'll achieve your goal! I've... had enough of being out of the loop and the only one not invited to the party! No matter how powerful my Gauntlet is, it's still worthless! Forget being a murder program, I'm not even a game piece! I'm just a mob character designed to die!! The young are the main characters of their era, right?! How is that, exactly?! We can't do anything at all!! We're always just caught up in whatever it is those filthy adults want!  "*sigh*... I get that the world has been hit with crisis after crisis and you feel like you want to scream, but are you telling me that you called me here just so I could listen to you vent? I never expected to be used in such a fashion." "But, well, if we can't communicate, I won't be able to attack. Well, okay."Come on, let's have a prophecy! Earlier, you made a prophecy that I'd kill Lingji and Koshka by my own hands! So, give me some more prophecies like that! Prophecies aren't like forecasts or predictions, right? They're about things that have already been decided, right?! Then tell me, try saying it!! More and more crazy things are going to keep happening after this, right?! "...I get the feeling that you're baiting me, but sure, fine." "After all, the fact that you called for me basically means that you've accepted my existence. I'll prophesize without being annoying about it. I'll tell you what's going to happen next." What?! Are you saying that it's me, me personally who's causing all this?! You mean that I'm not just a murder program, but a global destruction program to boot?! That's so over the top, it's hilarious...!! "The process of this world's destruction is proceeding smoothly, but it isn't perfect yet. So, naturally, it will continue for some time." "And the next time, humanity's weaponry will once again become uncontrollable and attack."After this latest incident, wasn't the functioning of all drones stopped?!  "All the ones on the ground, yes. They still remain in the skies." "As you know, the weapons of mass destruction that marked both the start and the end of World War III were all disposed of. That included satellites that could attack the ground from space." "Still, well, whether it was an oversight or intentional, this didn't include 4D printer satellites."That was because these satellites would become docks for building future space stations, and were thought to hold a vital role in space development. However, the space race gradually faded away. This was because all factions had agreed to the destruction of all WMDs. After that, the idea of maintaining a healthy military balance spread, and the practice of filling contested regions with swarms of drones became standard, so interest in costly space wars decreased. "Starting today... Well, actually, the uproar from when they found out they'd lost control has already happened. Space centers from all factions freaked out, and it should already have reached the ears of the people at the top." "Ever since three days ago, the 5 4D printer satellites owned by all the factions on this planet... began ignoring orders from the ground and started constructing mysterious objects. What materials were used is unknown. They're shaped like cylinders 25 meters long and 60 centimeters in diameter, with four sets of protuberances shaped like folded wings. In other words, they look sort of like massive pillars with 8 wings growing out of them, like a totem pole. Incomprehensible patterns were carved into their surfaces." "Of course, the humans on the ground were unable to give a good name to this incomprehensible shape, so they're just calling them objects now." "Well, it isn't a shape humanity is used to seeing, so they probably didn't have a choice. Strictly speaking, they're calling it this:" Additionally, Earth is a big place, and each will just fall down on a single point. If they land on cities, the possibility of them causing major damage will be greater than zero, but this is immediately following the drone panic, after all. After the deaths of 3.5 billion people, it doesn't seem like such a big deal. "After calculating their trajectories, it will be discovered that, fortunately, the five objects will all land in oceans or up in the mountains. Well, they'll probably breath a sigh of relief, but the fun is just about to start."When the objects reach the surface, they'll hit the ocean and have far less of an effect than was anticipated. They'll continue to disappear towards the ocean floor. However, changes will happen quickly after that. The 8MS managing the seawater's environment will start to be fatally affected...  "Humanity lives on the land, but when viewed from space, the Earth really is a planet of water. It's fair to say that nearly all of the world's environments are supported by the sea. When it comes to oxygen, two thirds of that comes from the sea. And those oceans will be killed." "The reason humanity was able to hang in there even after the Environmental 8MS in the atmosphere became useless...was because the Environmental 8MS in the oceans was still working fine. In other words, it was like a wounded person leaning on a crutch." "That alone would have been a fatal wound, but the kids' meal will continue. Around the objects that fell on land, rather than in the water, major alerts will start being sent from nearby water intake facilities. Water Purification 8MS will error out and start sending severe alert notifications. In the end, this will affect not only rivers and lakes, but water that comes from wells and faucets as well. Water Purification 8MS that's running wild will contaminate the drinking water." "In other words, the food crisis will be followed by a water crisis." "There may be many ways to purify water, but you can't remove the 8MS. After all, the 8MS are the eight million gods. You can't get rid of the gods."...How is this supposed to be fun? How could anyone enjoy making people suffer with this sort of slow torture...?! "There's no need to be impatient. The kids' meal is finally about to reach its main dish. By now, this isn't a kids' meal, but a full course meal."The main dish...?  BGM: Miserable "A Medical 8MS with extremely dangerous side effects for humanity will trigger a biohazard event." "...Oh, but I guess even that one counts as slow torture. After all, it isn't as though this attack will destroy humanity."This Medical 8MS would surely have bestowed a wonderful effect on humanity if it had been completed. However, it was still incomplete and unadjusted. The side effects were too strong, rendering it completely useless. This harmful 8MS would infect all of humanity and cause incredible chaos...  "After all, Humans are emotional creatures. Even the biggest geniuses sometimes can't make use of their intellect because of some emotion or their current environment. No matter how peaceful people may be, they can lose their ability to reason." "Humanity has already been supporting wars around the world so irresponsibly, haven't they? If even their intelligence and reason were taken away, it's easy to imagine what would happen next, right?"...That's insane... Are you people trying... to make everyone kill each other and bring about their own extinction...?!!  "It's not what I want. I want the opposite. This kids' meal is here because you placed an order for it. The program that you are did it." "My greatest mission was to get rid of you before the kids' meal arrived, but, sadly, I wasn't able to stop it. However, your program still remains. I need to at least stop that, you see? I have to keep fighting you, without losing hope."If I try to get along with all the other Gauntlet Knights, you'll just laugh and say it's useless! If crazy stuff keeps happening to the world, then you'll say it was my fault! Don't screw with me!! Are you trying to say I'm the cause of all this?! That I'm starting wars, starting earthquakes, and causing all these other disasters?! What am I, a god of pestilence?! An evil demon lord trying to destroy the world?! "That's right. That's why I have to destroy you."I haven't done anything like that, and I don't intend to!! "If ebola viruses had emotions, do you think they'd feel murderous intent towards humans? They wouldn't. They're just doing what they're meant to do. The universe that's the human body around them just ends up spurting blood on its own and dies." "You're the same. You just continue quietly doing what you're meant to do. But, in the end, because you exist... or rather, because of the cog that you are, the clock measuring the time until Earth's destruction will continue to tick."So, what if I wasn't here?! If I just disappeared, would the world be at peace?! Would the weird, insane things stop happening?! "That's right."You answer that right away?!?! I don't understand! I don't believe you!  "Naturally, your program will continue to run. Even after this kids' meal, it will continue quietly and calmly. Remember what I told you at the start, about that tragedy you couldn't accept, where you killed Lingji and the others? The rails leading towards that tragedy have already been firmly laid. The brakes have been left in your hands. Just wish to be erased, and you can stop this tragedy." "So, I've made up my mind. I'll offer you my assistance." "I'll continue to tell you about the horrible tragedies that await you. When I do, you should question yourself. About whether it's you or me who's right."...If it's true.  "Hmm...?" "Very nice. How gallant. Our relationship might be a limited one, but I think we'll be able to get along."What's that sound...? "It's those drat noisy frogs. Oh, would you mind not telling the frogs about me?"I'm under no obligation to do that. "If you tell, I might not visit you again. In other words, you'll no longer have any way to know beforehand about the tragedies you're about to cause. You don't want that, do you? You don't want to regret the fact that you've murdered your close friends with your own hands after failing to be forewarned about it, right...?" "I get that you might find me unpleasant. But, at the same time, I'm also the only choice being given to the cog that you are." "If I go away, you'll lose even the option to resist the cog that you are..."...Go on. Get out of here. "Ahahahahahaha... Thanks, Miyao."  Hey, Miyao! Did an unapproved program just come here poyo?!...No. I haven't seen one. That's so weird poyo, search around this area more poyo!! What a crazy program! If I catch it, I'll *kero*kero* its *kero*kero* and *kero*kero*kero* poyo!!...Hey, wait.  What poyo?...What... What am I...? ... Could I be... a program that's just being made to think it's Mitake Miyao...?  What...      
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Feb 11, 2020 04:08
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Well, that was... hm.
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Feb 11, 2020 23:24
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    "Meow" wants to know if it's okay to talk poyo! "Hmm?" "What's wrong?" "Oh, it's nothing." "What's up, Meow?" BGM: Deeply Remember  "I'm keeping it secret, so feel free to talk a bunch more from now on too." "Thanks. This was supposed to be the day of our date, wasn't it?" "Hold on, are saying this conversation is gonna be a replacement for that? Let's move it to another day and actually have some fun! I found a place in Neo Akihabara that I've never been to before! I've been wanting to take you there, Meow." "Oh, what kind of place?" "It's called the Yellow Submachine Gun. Have you heard of it?" "I have, I have!! I've never been there, but I've been wanting to go!"For a while, they had a high-level otaku talk. If they didn't do that to distract themselves, then flying through the twilight darkness, even though it was the middle of the day, over the places that had been turned into desolate ruins by the drone swarms... would have been quite painful. The temperature had also dropped considerably. Since the 8MS was maintaining their temperature, they didn't pay this much mind, but without that, it was so cold that it would apparently feel as though they had been encased in ice in midair.   "From the skies to the land to the oceans... There's just no end to it." "That Miyao was calling it a disaster kids' meal." "Ah, yeah, he was. I'm sure he said it to you because he tried it on me first, and I liked it." "Hahahahahah, that guy's hilarious." "Hey, Jayden? Even if we're pushing back our date until things calm down, it's still Christmas today, so would you like to have a party?" "Huh...?" "After all, it's actually Christmas, and everyone's feeling so morose. There are no allies or enemies among comrades supporting the Walls of Peace, right? I think that if we're all feeling so dark, that wonderful philosophy will be wasted. Why don't we invite everyone from around the world and have a party together in a virtual room?" "Y-Y-Yeah...! You're right. With all these disasters, everyone's feeling depressed and on edge. And the global conflict does end today." "Yeah. So, why don't we open up the It's a Wrap Public Bath, just like you and big brother did after the Battle Standard Festival, and invite everyone?" "That sounds great! Even Supergenius Jayden couldn't think of something like that. Okay, I'll try suggesting it to Miyao!" "D-Don't tell him I said it, okay?! Big brother listens when you talk to him, but he always starts fighting when it comes from me." "Miyao, Gunhild." "What's going on? Did you forget to pack your DimeCon with snacks?"  "Still, it does make a kind of sense. We aren't the only ones feeling morose. It's likely that all of the Gauntlet Knights in the world that made it this far are being tormented by a vague sense of fear and impatience." "Just try fighting in a condition like that. Who knows what might happen?" "Watching TV while doing homework and talking to a bunch of friends at the same time is normal for us members of A3W humanity, right? You can't focus only on fighting. I think it'll go better if you throw in a certain amount of pointless stuff, don't you think?" "...This idiot's saying something that sounds plausible." "I think it's a good idea, but I'll leave the decision up to you, Miyao." "..." "...Sheesh. I'll make the room, but don't blame me if I invite people and no one comes."  BGM: Chat  "I thought the same thing at first. At the very least, I thought we ought to do it after today." "Heheh. Still, is it really so bad? Like they said, if we enter combat while feeling so depressed, nothing good will come of it, right? You're too strait-laced, Sujatha." "Sh-Sh-Sh-Shut up! I don't want to hear that from an incarnation of frivolity!" "Nice, woo! Having a Christmas party sounds just crazy cool, right?" "...S-Suparṇa's incarnation of frivolity can shut up too." "What do you think, Rukhi? You've just about gotten used to the members of the It's a Wrap Public Bath, right? Isn't it about time you stopped playing innocent and let loose?" "H-Hang in there, Rukhi... Whenever I let loose, it freaks everyone out, and they all stop talking to me... Hang in there, Rukhi..." "Rukhshana, perhaps it is about time you opened your heart to them. For one to be so cold and distant is commonly considered impoliggt." "Impoliggt?" "...Did you bite your tongue just now? You did, didn't you? Ahahahahahahahahahahaha, ahhhahahahahahahahahahah!" "Sure, let's have a Christmas party! Suparṇa will come too!" "Woo! That settles it." "D-D-Don't just settle that on your own!! Focus solely on your fighting!" "Oh, right, I guess the klutz who uses up all her P3 just to guide 2 or 3 missiles probably should focus on just fighting. Ahahahahahah." "I'll come! I'll come too, Miyao, Jayden...!!"  "Understood. I'll tell Miyao that." "We're going to have a Christmas party...while the participants battle each other?" "That's it. If it's a battle between people at a party together, it won't feel like a cold exchange of missiles and machine gun fire. It'll literally be like a game to play at a party." "If it's like that, both us and them will be able to meet as if we're all friends!" "It doesn't seem sane to me, but if the princess says so, it probably won't be a bad sort of event." "The condition of the heart affects the Gauntlet. It's true that if we had clashed with the enemy as we are now, both us and them might have been exposed to danger." "Then it's settled, Princess! Let's all enjoy one last farce while having a party together!!" "...Miyao, you really are a deeply interesting man." "I just can't... bring myself to doubt you."  "It's hard to believe, but just hearing Miyao's invitation has raised Naima's condition 14% towards the Holy Mother's Maximum Speed." "Now I'm certain that humans are creatures who show their true worth when given blessings, not misfortune or trials." "I can play games while flying around, so I can definitely manage going to a party!!" "Naomi, Stan, let's go right now," "wowowooow!!" "...Should we reach out to Yeladot Shavit too?" "..." "After all, even they are members of the It's a Wrap Public Bath." "Even they're just doing their jobs, is it? The Order of the Public Bath's philosophy does not distinguish between allies and enemies." "Roger that, Stan. I'll send invitations to Yeladot Shavit too." "Yay, yay, yay!! The Comet Girl Squad will be with us too!" "They're all so good at singing and dancing, so I'm sure they'll liven it up," "wooooow!!"   "You're kidding me! Seriously? Like, seriously?" "Today is the final confrontation, right? And they're gonna do it during that? A Christmas party?" "..." "What's wrong, Leah?" "It's just, when I realize that they think of even us as comrades, I get a bit emotional." "..." "...Well, we're the ones everybody hates." "And they sent invitations to those hated people. What are we supposed to think of that?" "...Should we thank them for the fact that they invited us, but not go?" "I'm sure they'd be able to relax and enjoy themselves more if we weren't there." "..." "...Naima is incredibly stupid, so she's probably getting all excited right now, thinking we'll actually come." "...So, are we going?" "Are we? Are we giving it a shot?!" "Yeah, why not? Hahahahah, all right!" "Yeladot Shavit!!"  BGM: Komugiro no Bishou For that reason, what Christmas looked like changed a lot depending on the area and culture celebrating it. In Europe and America, it was Santa Claus who came bringing presents, but in areas with other religions, it was changed to famous people and saints of that area. Even the sleigh with reindeer was sometimes replaced with white horses pulling a carriage, or a line of camels that better suited the moonlit desert. Even Santa Claus did more than just bring presents, and was overflowing with distinct personality quirks. One particularly famous variant was the Akita region of AOU Japan, where Santa would walk around with a knife and a bag to stuff kids in, saying 'Are there any naughty children here?' and terrifying them as a form of ceremonial cleansing. So, 'Christmas party' was a precious word that that could unite young people from around the world... The It's a Wrap Public Bath was overflowing with Gauntlet Knights. Even so, more and more people were trying to enter. This was the greatest number they had seen so far.  "I understand. I'll lighten the load and strengthen the server." "Whoa, awesome! He's really going all out, to hold this many people without crashing!" "This is only possible because of Miyao's power. He is technically the world record holder for P3 levels." "To think that so many would gather. This is practically a Gauntlet Knight summit now." "Still, to have even a Christmas party in a public bath... AOU Japan's perversion truly knows no bounds." "Heheheh, this must be really hard for someone who turned red and curled up into a ball when I said it might be a swimsuit party."  "Naima! I'm so glad you're all here!" "You truly do deserve to be our Grand Master. I certainly couldn't have thought of this." "Actually, it was Jayden's idea, not mine. He really is super crazy, just like the supergenius he says he is!" "W-Well, yeah! It wasn't actually me though!" "It looks like everyone from Yeladot came too." "Miyao! And all you other Gauntlet Knights! Yeladot Shavit is here!!" "Everyone from around the world, today may be a really tough day, but let's lift our spirits up and get through this together☆" "Whew, it's that idol choir. You know, if it hadn't been for this global conflict, I was planning to go to your London live event and do the meet-and-greet." "What?!! Seriously?! Well, I'm sure they'll postpone it until next year! Make sure, make aaabsolutely sure you come and shake my hand then, okay?!!" As they said this, the two pretended to shake hands.Because they were both avatars, all that happened was that their polygons just came together and overlapped a little. It was unclear if Abdou really was a fan, but they truly were able to convey what they felt to each other.  "Surely you jest. There are no allies or enemies between comrades supporting the Walls of Peace, right?" "All this ally and enemy stuff really shows you how old those geezers' brains are, huh?!" "I mean, it's not like they could even fight a single battle unless the young do it for them, but they're so full of themselves!" "It's actually hilarious, you know? Ahahahahahahaha!"" "Wh-What? Wh-Wh-Who might you be...?" "Hey, Rukhshana! Stop that, you're getting too excited! Everyone's freaking out!" "Don't worry about it, princess of the ACR. This is the real Rukhi. Basically, she finally trusts all of you now, and she's letting her true self show through. Woo!" "Being able to let your true self show through really is a happy thing, right?! Rukhi, it's a pleasure to meet you again! I'm Gannet! I hope we keep getting along!" "Aaah... Gannet really is the cutest when she's like this... I want to pet her. I want to hug her and squeeze her and nibble at her..."  "To think that we'd be able to smile together this peacefully. Maybe people can bring about miracles just by meeting each other." "Well, the best kind of miracle you can expect from people meeting each other is defeating a tough raid boss meooooow." "Lilja, isn't Koshka coming?" "...Right now, we're having a bit of a fight, and she's sulking meow. I'd like it if you'd leave her be for now meow." "Oh, really? Well, she does sulk for weird reasons sometimes. Guess I'll leave her be then. At times like this, asking her to come too persistently could actually be just a burden on her." "Ooooh, Miyao, look! It's getting all jerky! And the movement's weird sometimes! Hey, that's so cool!!" "Seriously...? I've already buffed up the server to full power." "We're the ones who should be saying 'seriously?' ...It's incredible that the server hasn't gone down with the crazy number of people here." "How many is it? Umm, the room user count is..." "Seriously?! There's about a thousand people here...!!"  "This is amazing. All of our comrades supporting the Walls of Peace from all of the factions are gathered here! We might be witnessing a major moment in history!" "Heheh. Don't take Marica's exaggerations too seriously. She gets amazed and says the same thing at every anime convention." *croak*croak*croak*... I-Is this everyone poyo...? My stomach and this server are about to burst poyo... "Thanks, Keropoyo! You've been a huge help!" "What'll we do? Are you gonna give some stiff opening greeting?" "I wonder. At this point, today's goal has been satisfied even if we don't do something like that." "You're right. Everyone's chatting incredibly peacefully. They definitely aren't bunched together with their own kette or factions. They're having fun interacting with people they'd normally never be able to meet, their comrades from across the Walls of Peace." "...Looks like it." "Even without an opening statement or a greeting, just by gathering like this, it was already worth inviting everyone here..." "...That communication tool used by all the young, Kizuna... I think that really is a good name for it." "It means bonds between people in Japanese, right?" "I'm surprised you knew that. Yeah, it doesn't mean Kids No." While you're flying through this sea of clouds, even that kids' meal of disaster feels like someone else's problem. If only... a worldwide tsunami would wipe all of them away. The 8MS, which once supported the A3W world's environment, is being destroyed. That environment will grow more extreme all around the world. From the human perspective, it will happen eventually. From the Earth's perspective, it will happen right away. Civilization will probably freeze and be destroyed. But for some reason, that makes me feel strangely relieved. Life shouldn't be born from factories and cities. We should be born in nature, live in nature, and die in nature. That... is supposed to be the norm for life living on this planet. Of course, our current humanity probably isn't capable of dealing with that normal. But, even so. Our souls are... I know I can feel the souls inside of us crying out with joy. I'm fully aware that it would sound utterly indiscreet to say that, when such a huge number of lives have been lost. So, I'll just whisper it in my mind. This sky, which has become dark and filled with pollution, is being dyed a lazy twilight color by the faded light of the sun. ...This planet is beautiful. I don't know if this scene is a twilight or a dawn... And, I don't know if humanity -- myself included -- deserves to face a new day. 
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Feb 12, 2020 14:31
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Guys, I don't know about you, but I feel like this Christmas party is going to go extremely well. Hang in there, Rukhi.
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Feb 12, 2020 15:52
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What a weird concept, but I’m here for it.
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Feb 12, 2020 17:25
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None of my workplace Christmas parties had nearly so high a chance of one of the participants dropping stone dead in the middle of it. Truly, this is the way of a new generation.
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Feb 12, 2020 18:14
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Alopex posted:None of my workplace Christmas parties had nearly so high a chance of one of the participants dropping stone dead in the middle of it. Truly, this is the way of a new generation.
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Feb 12, 2020 18:29
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PetraCore posted:Well, at least it's an enjoyable way to go? I hope Keroppi at least makes it fun. Like has the grinch pop out and stuff the deceased's avatar into a sack
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Feb 12, 2020 21:13
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Dropping dead while in a chatroom fill of friends is a pretty good way to go all things considered. Of course our hearts aren't going to be able to handle what comes next, though. Prepare tissues and get someone to hug.
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Feb 13, 2020 00:16
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 Even that was toootally not our fault poyo! We just processed proper orders given with a proper password using the proper processes poyo!! We did nothing wrong poyo!! And yet, they're cruelly calling us a murder AI, a crazy AI poyo! *croak*croak*croak*croak*...! "...What's he talking about? Sheesh."They only did it because they were ordered to? Only an AI can use that as an excuse. If you were a human, you'd be told that you should've followed your conscience and refused that order, and then you'd be hanged... "I understand. The drone AI and the AI command center are different things. So, what do you need? If you're trying to be a calming influence, I've got that covered already." That's not it poyo!! An emergency notice has been sent from the command center to all Gauntlet Knights poyo! Also, an emergency message just came in from Captain Okonogi poyo. "Huh? Okonogiii?" "Well, might as well listen with one ear while enjoying the party." "..." Okonogi: "I've worked all of you as hard as hell!! I may have scolded you harshly at times! But not once have I doubted your souls as AOU soldiers! You know that, right?!" Where the heck is this coming from...?  BGM: Warudakumi *mutter*mutter*mutter*mutter*...!!!  "After analyzing this vast store of data, we've already recorded at least 300 cases of suspicious activity related to combat taking place over the past two weeks."The Gauntlet Knights would be the center of the next generation's military might. Naturally, all countries around the world had attempted to analyze their combat data. However, since there was no precedent and nothing to compare them to, they were ultimately forced to blindly accept the reports of the Gauntlet Knights themselves. So, even if someone failed something that they should have been able to do in their training, if the person involved put the failure down to some unknown factor that wasn't present in training, there was sometimes no choice but to accept what they said... And yet. At some point, they realized that the Gauntlet Knights might be intentionally failing in their attacks.  There was even a camp worried that it would be difficult to suppress the Aerial Augmented Infantry if they were ever to plan a coup d'état, and who claimed that it was necessary to observe them very closely.  "Normally, we would immediately call back all Aerial Augmented Infantry units and conduct a thorough inquiry, but we should do that after this showdown on the 25th is complete." "However, if we don't address this issue, it's conceivable that the sabotage will continue, causing considerable damage to the national interests of the AOU as a whole. For that reason, until 24:00 on the 25th, we'll be conducting complete movement surveillance on all Aerial Augmented Infantry units." "The information analysts have already formed a combat supervision and surveillance team. This will allow us to observe the actions of all Aerial Augmented Infantry troops in real time and verify, give instructions, and send orders to make sure that no improper actions are taken." However, this mostly happened in situations where they were being besieged by overwhelming enemy forces and had to defend a position to the death, meaning that the battlefield itself was a death trap. Since soldiers on such a battlefield had massive enemy forces in front of them and barrier troops pointing guns at them from behind, you can imagine how much units like this were hated. The arrival of barrier troops... was like telling your front line soldiers to choose between being shot from the front and killed... or shot from behind and killed...  Okonogi: "Only pampered brats who don't know what it's like out there assume that, just because you could do something in practice, you should be able to do it in actual combat!! Even if you're a squad of esport gamers, a soldier is a soldier! I simply cannot abide people who doubt a soldier's soul!! I have faith in you all more than anyone else! I'll definitely-" *ksssssht*!!  BGM: Briefing Room AOU Analyst: "We are a team of specialists trained to guide you on how to maximize your potential as Aerial Augmented Infantry soldiers. We are quite familiar with Gauntlets, their capabilities, and all of your personal abilities and personalities as well, including their limits. All of your combat actions will be recorded and analyzed to further improve your abilities in future." ...Wait, wait, has there ever been a more obvious threat...? All of the AOU Gauntlet Knights in the public bath were shaken. However, that unrest was spreading to the other factions as well. Apparently, the same thing was happening in other factions too...   "...Did someone leak it...?" "It was going to come out sooner or later, but this was fast." "It would be dangerous to help Miyao save face any longer... The princess is a goddess of war. If that gets turned on its head, who knows what will happen..." "...Calling all Aerial Knights. This is Rethabile of Squad 601. It's as you heard. Fight with all you have. While still questioning your soul!" "...This means... we'll have to fight with all we have, huh? Heheheheh..." "What do you mean, with all we have...?" "Who knows? What do you mean by saying 'what do you mean'?" "Heheh. Not all Gauntlet Knights are flying just as a hobby or a pastime, you know? When almost everything's determined by the family you're born into, your wealth, and your educational background, being a Gauntlet Knight is one of the few occupations you can get based solely on talent." "Think of the good treatment and honor that comes from being able to participate and succeed as a hero in the kette representing the COU... I doubt you know how much happiness my family and relatives found because I'm a member of Baibao Squad." "I really would appreciate it if you people, who fly only for pride and adventure, would remember that not everyone's like that, okay?" "...To those who support the Walls of Peace, there are no enemies or allies..." "Lingji. I told you, didn't I? That I wouldn't mind joining Miyao's Order, but I wouldn't do it if it meant risking my job. I did say that, right?" "...You did. You certainly did say that to me...when you agreed to support Miyao's ideals..." "Heheh. Thanks for remembering that. That's how it is, so Momotake? Don't take it personally." "Don't tell me...you actually intend to earn their praise...?"  "Didn't you hear?! Perform exceptionally, and they'll deal with us graciously! Well, of course they will! We're the COU's top kette. Even the higher-ups don't want to cause a scene if they can help it! After all, Lingji is the princess of the COU's Aerial Augmented Infantry! If we change our attitudes and go all out, it'll be easy for them to overlook everything that's happened before!! After all, no one else in the COU can compare to our talent!!!" "Despite being our enemies, these are still our comrades supporting the Walls of Peace. Do you mean to say that, in order to protect your position, you would face them and... A-Are you insane...?!" "Aaaaaaaaaahh, Momotake, the air you breathe out is always so clean! I know that dirty air has never entered your lungs, not since the day you were born. Heheheheheheh, but you know what?!! In this world, there are so many dirty, cramped, poor, horrible cities that you couldn't even imagine!! Heheheh, I'll bet a little princeling like you could never understand the smell of that city, where there wasn't even any Stench Reduction 8MS!!!" "When the Atmospheric Purification 8MS broke down, and everyone started going on and on about how smelly the air was, I kept thinking the same thing." "You assholes really have been breathing nothing but nice air all this time, haven't yoooooooou?!?! After living in air that smelled like piss and studying from paper notes that smelled like piss, I climbed and climbed and kept on climbing!!" "When I finally entered Aerial Augmented Infantry school, and my schoolmates looked at the formal wear my mother and grandmother had gotten me for that day and said 'that smells like piiiiiiiiiss', I wish I could've taken a selfie of the way I smiled back at them, heheheheheheheh!! Hehheheheheheheheheheheheheehahahahahahahahahahahaah!!!!" "..." "...This is Lingji of Baibao, calling all units." "All units, do the best you can. So that you can display your loyalty to your country in this final fight. Lingji, out." "...Princess..." "Momotake, you fight with all you have too, okay? It's the three of us together that make us Baibao." "...Wh-Why...?" "...Why...do either our allies or our enemies...have to die...? That's...wrong..." "...We don't need you to tell us that." "It's wrong, right?! It's definitely wrong!!" "Whether they're allies or enemies, some young people are definitely going to die!!" "Even though none of the geezers giving orders risk death, the young people alone are forced to choose whether they live or die...!!" "...This... truly is the miracle of love and harmony that humanity created, don't ya think?!!" "Instead of supporting the Walls of Peace together, we'll be pushed from behind and crushed against the walls..." "...I got an email from Miyao. He says it's okay for us to forget about the Order of the Public Bath." "...What a shame." "Now that's interesting..." "...Naima...?" "At times like this, when people tell you to obey, it just feels like a pain, but when they say not to worry about obeying, it actually makes you want to stick through with it until the end..." "...What do you intend to do? Whether you kill or are killed, Naima will be sad." "I know thaaaaat!!! I'll do it, that Order of the Public Bath thing! Don't die, don't kill, don't fight, right?! I'll warn the enemy Gauntlet Knights in front of me!" A friend has arrived poyo♪ A friend has arrived poyo♪ A friend has arrived poyo♪ A friend has arrived poyo♪ A friend has arrived poyo♪Friend notifications were coming in one after another...! If only we had remained enemies, we wouldn't have had to feel like this! Is this because we're humans, so we suffer whenever there's good in our hearts?! Why do the heavens only give trials to good young people...?!!!   BGM: BeachThough their actual bodies were on the front lines, approaching so close to their enemies that they were already exchanging friend notifications, all of their true forms were here, livening up the party even more than before. That's right. These avatars were already their true forms. Now that their actual bodies made of flesh had become puppets, forced to fight by the adults, it was fitting to say that those were now the real fiction...   Dimension Container activated!! Go ahead, grab whatever weapons you want poyo!! Enemy circling, enemy circling! If you don't accelerate, they'll be on your butts poyo!! Enemy missiles approaching! Commence interception!! Poyopoyopoyo!!!No matter how cheery the Keropoyos got, it just became part of the even more energetic noise of the cheery young people. As if we'd let the voices from the world of lies reach the real world.  "What, you too?! Those old guys are insane!" "And anyway, just because humans are born in a factory, they get treated like tissue paper that can be used as much as you want."  Your Rejection Shield's in a bad state poyo. I recommend dodging poyo!"Still, at least everyone's treated fairly there, right? When the ciconia bring children, their life is totally decided the moment they're born, depending on their parents and social status, right?" "Anyone up for a WanyaDora trade? I just need a Tanuki to make an East Circle summoned beast." "I can get you a Tanuki! You can have it for ten Tempura☆"  Your Anti-G 8MS has reached its limit! Reduce speed or your organs are toast poyo! You're receiving fire from a 20mm machine gun poyo. Evasive action, evasive action! "That sounds great! I wanna live here forever! Here, you don't have to put makeup on or anything, so it's sooo easy! Ahahahahahaha!" "Why do we have bodies meow? They just get in the way meow."Analyst: "That was an opportunity to fire just now. Why did you not shoot? If that happens again, it will be considered sabotage." "Well, I do wish you could just change your body easily, like how you change your clothes. I'd totally switch to a taller one if I could!" "Ahahahahahah! Still, pretty much all the rough stuff happens 'cause you have a body, right?" Energy recharging poyo! Please enjoy the freefall for a sec poyo! "You're right. Here, there aren't any wars, and you can't even hurt people!" "And whenever you don't want to talk to someone, you can block them no matter what they do." "Oh, right, you can do that. Guess I'll try blocking Jayden when he's being annoying." Rejection, rejection! Interception successful poyo! Here comes the next barrage poyo! "Stop that, Miyaoooo! If you do something that depressing, I'll find you in person to piss you off, and it'll be even more annoying!" "You're right. Blocking you would only make the situation worse." "Still, like they always say in sci-fi movies, the next breakthrough after the industrial revolution is gonna be getting rid of our bodies and becoming pure spirit, right?" "So, we're gonna become data made of numbers and live on a massive server somewhere?" Condition deteriorating, deteriorating! You're just above the Holy Mother's Minimum Speed poyo! "That's a wonderful suggestion, but I'd be a bit more worried about who maintains that massive server." "Can't you just get robots and AI to handle that part? But if you say that, then you gotta ask who maintains the robots and the AI, and you start going in circles!" "...Hey, Jayden? Just hypothetically..." "Yeah?" "If someone did set up a massive server like that, and its maintenance and everything was all automatic and perfect, would you move to that server?" "If I could be with Meow, I'd go anywhere." "Thanks! I love you, Jayden!" "...No way in hell I'm going." "Idiot. You and I are one flesh, right? No matter where we go, we're always together." *keeekekekekero*kero*! It's a hit, it's a hit poyo! Target has been drained of energy and is falling poyo! "Heheheh... Copy-pasting your soul onto a server and living forever, is that it? As a concept, it isn't impossible, but what about in practice? Can the human soul tolerate the concept of eternity?" "You could probably get around that by shaving off old memories every once in a while, right?" "I see! It makes sense. Sometimes, you just wish you could erase your memory of a great game you've played and do it again from the start, right?!" "...Those who were never carried by the ciconia truly do have an interesting way of thinking." "Who needs ciconia?! Making only the girls give birth is discrimination!" "You know, there is such a thing as an artificial womb. In the AOU, even men can get pregnant＞＜" "...I wish we could be born from a cabbage patch." Condition deteriorating, deteriorating! Recommending you take injections poyo! At this rate, you'll crash poyo!! "Cool idea, woo! But please, don't get born from a salad I'm about to eat." "I-I think being blessed with life is a very, very precious and sacred thing! I don't think it should be left up to birds or cabbages!" "Naima, that's enough. Don't force your sense of values on others." "Aaaauuu, wowow... I'm sorry..."   "You klutz...! You should be able to dodge at least that...!! You formed a party with me in WanyaDora once, so I let you get away one time!! Next time... next time, I'll shoot without mercy!!!" So, if you poured from it, it would look like champagne was pouring into a glass, but of course you wouldn't be able to drink it. It was only an image. But, even so, it was a ceremony that could unite everyone's hearts. "Ladies and gentlemen, focus your attention on Mitake Miyao, the host of today's party." "All ACR Aerial Knights, attention!" "All COU Aerial Augmented Infantry, attention!" "AOU Aerial Augmented Infantry, please be quiet too." "Wait, wait... You don't need to get that quiet." "They probably think you're gonna give them a really important speech or something." "Well, umm, oh, all right..."He hadn't meant for it to be such a big thing, but when a few people started asking for silence, the whole bustling party went suddenly quiet. Of course, it was an expectant silence, from people hoping for a ceremony that would unite them all.  BGM: None Once they heard that, glasses filled with champagne began appearing one by one in everyone's hands. "We're comrades supporting the Walls of Peace together. There are no allies or enemies between us. We're all comrades. So, for the first and last time, I wanted us to share this toast together and recognize that in each other." "I have no objections. I will toast to all our comrades who support the Walls of Peace." "Then I will toast to all those who offered up their lives to support those walls, and who could not make it here today." "Then I...will toast to the one who taught us to call each other comrades, instead of dividing us up into allies and enemies that hate each other, Grand Master Mitake Miyao." "...To Grand Master Mitake Miyao." "I toast to Grand Master Mitake Miyao as well." And so do I, poyopoyo!!Not everyone here knew about the Order of the Public Bath. However, they were starting to realize that the watchword of Gauntlet Knights -- don't die, don't kill -- must have been invented by someone from the It's a Wrap Public Bath. "Miyao, the champagne is getting warm. Heheh." "Grand Master, make the toast." "Everyone, thanks so much for all you've done until this day." "Cheers."  BGM: Apocalypsis Ciconia II "All right, it's time for the tragedy. If you don't disappear quickly, everyone will..."    "It seems like ending this with just a toast would be a waste." "So, should we sing something?! A classic Christmas song?!" "Not bad! Let's sing, everyone!! Let's celebrate Christmas and the fact that we're all standing side by side here today...!!" That was a hit, that was a hit...!! The target has... exploded poyo!!! "Nice kill. Continue your attack. You still have power to spare." Target has lost its shield and is trying to retreat poyo! Will you shoot? Will you poyo?! Whether you shoot or not, they won't be coming back to the battlefield...!! Stop iiiiiit, don't shooooooooot!! I'm already running away poyo...!! We promised not to shoot people when their shield breaks and they run away poyo...!! I don't want to shoot you either poyo!!! Please dodge it, dodge iiiiiiiiiit!!! The comrades singing the christmas song arm in arm... disappeared one by one... Each time, the others pretended not to notice the holes between them... and joined arms once again...    "...Naima, stop!" "I won't just helplessly watch them get killed!!! If the only alternative is watching Naima's comrades die, I'll kill them first!!! Miyao...! ...I hate to say it, but if I want to protect what's precious to me, this is the only waaaaaaaaaaay...!!!" "All units!! Show them the pride of our Commonwealth's Aerial Knight Corps!! Follow me!!!" "All units, follow Princess Rethabile!! Now is the time to offer up your lives!!" Dimension Container, fully open!! You can use the multi-warhead dispenser, the 30mm chaingun, or the pile bunker poyo!! No hard feelings poyo!! Administering injections! Approaching the Holy Mother's Maximum Speed at 99%, 105%, rising to dangerous levels poyo!! "Princess..." "Everyone, don't die! ...To make sure you don't die, you have permission to kill...!!!" "Aysha reads you. Baibao calling the kette at our rear. Follow us. We're going to knock a hole in the enemy formation." "...Lingji, saying that... must have hurt a lot." "..." "You may have been raised by a fortunate family, but now, down to the blood running through your heart, you've decided to do what must be done for survival... and taken responsibility for the first time." "As you ordered, we'll fight so that we don't die. As a result, some of our comrades might fall. Bear the weight of their deaths. That's the fate that's been placed on you, as the peak of the entire COU Aerial Augmented Infantry. At this moment, for the first time, your resolve has transformed you from a rich girl playing at war...into a true warrior!" "...I won't let them die... I won't... let any of my comrades die...!! Follow me, Momotake!!!" "A-As you command!!! Everyone, prepare yourselves!!!" Don't hate me poyooo!! Don't hate me poyoooooooooo!!! I don't want to die poyoooo!! Why did this happen, when I only wanted to fly poyooooo?!! Who...are we dying for? Why do we have to die poyoooooooo?!!!  "There's no shortage of people who could replace you!! There's no end of candidates who want to fly through the sky in your place!! Some of them say they wouldn't mind licking our shoes! What's the point of leaving Gauntlets in the hands of kids going through a rebellious phase like you?!!" "Those brats are risking and taking lives on the front lines!! Listen up, because the most important and proudest people are those on the front!! People acting tough in a clean, spotless monitor room have no right to look down on those brats!!! How dare you call them a bunch of e-gamers?! You people who don't know what it means to risk and take lives are the real game brains, you foooools!!! *ksssssht*!" "Captain Okonogi" was forcefully ejected from chat poyo."  "Huuh?! There's no way I could shoot an ally! What are you, stupid?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!" "...Just what sort of heaven is supposed to be waiting for us... after we've shot frightened lambs in the back...? Who needs... a heaven like that...?" "Are you-" "...! ...!!" "S-Sure☆ As you command!! Yeladot Shavit-" Again and again, the singing comrades were reduced in number... Again and again, the singing voices disappeared... "We Gauntlet Knights...will always, always be comrades!!!"    "...Koshka..." "This world... has been lacking love from the start. We're nothing but mass-produced factory products, born so that someone can use us and throw us away." "Is it really useless...? Is it...?!! No matter how much we game pieces struggle, is there really no way for us to rebel against the people giving orders from outside the chessboard?!!" "...No. We can rebel." "...Huh...?" "As long as we... have the courage to throw away these bodies made of flesh, we... can take a shot back at the ugly adults who use us and throw us away...!!" "I'll destroy it." "I'll destroy... this broken world that gives birth to children, only to use them and throw them away!!!!" "Miyao, what're you spacing out for?!!! You idioooooooot!!!" BGM: None  --Do you really owe this world anything more at this point...? --A broken cup won't fix itself. No matter how hard you try, you cannot stop the water from leaking out. You must rebuild it again from scratch. --We have the power to do that. And you have that power too. --We are the Ninth Prime Chivalric Order. Walk with us.  BGM: Emptiness's Sky   "Y-You shouldn't laugh... Ahahahahah!" "Chloe, please make sure you don't laugh in reality." "I-I know that...! Haah, haah, my chest hurts...!" "Then I'll give it a shot too." "What's wrong, Gunhild?!" "K-Keropoyo just started a self-diagnostic! ...M-My shield won't come up...!!" "Y-You've got to be kidding me! Gunhild, dodge it!!!" "Gunhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiild...!!!"  "B-B-B-Bring it on＞＜ I'll definitely get you some!" "...Well, umm, I only know its data though. I've never seen it＞＜" "Hohoh. By the way, what's the name of Canada's smelliest food?" "Umm, i-it's called kiviak＞＜" "Now, I just hope the punch line isn't someone walking in here with a durian parfait meow." The electricity rushing through Lilja was from the electric chip that was implanted in Geroy equipment, so that they could be subdued... In these heartless, uncaring skies, surrounded by a free-for-all of combat, such an electric shock meant death. "...drat you, Chloe! ...I'll blow you to bits!! When I get back, I'll definitely blow you to bits!!!" "...*giggle*" "I don't mind. Go ahead and blow me to bits all you like." "...Assuming you get out of this alive."The shock running through Lilja increased yet again... Missile approaching, missile approaching!! You'll be in danger if you don't act quick poyo!!! "Chloeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! drat yoooooooooooooouuuuuuu...!!!" I don't care what you say, idiot!! I won't kill them! We just swore we wouldn't...!! And it's not just those two! I definitely won't kill anyone here, or any of their friends I haven't met yet!! I'm not the only one who swore! We all did! All of us, all of us...!!  "No, they'll all kill each other too. This playing at friendship is meaningless, worthless, and every, every, every, every single one of you will kill each other."Shut up... Shut up...!!    At this range of hand-to-hand combat, no weaponry had any meaning. The two of them surrounded their fists with their Rejection Shields, violently beating against the other's shield. Despite how heartless and uncaring this all was, the angel feathers they scattered... were beautiful... Miyao, you can't keep punching each other like this poyo!! Your opponent's shield is on a whole different level poyo! Your shield's gonna break first poyooooooo!! "That's why I have faith!!! I have faith that, before my shield runs out, Lingji will regain her faith in this world!!"   Miyao's Rejection Shield began flickering irregularly. The energy supporting the shield had almost run dry. When it did, he'd lose his shield, and he'd be unable to do anything but fall from the sky. Just like when Icarus lost his wings. "Miyao, just get out of the way! You aren't my enemy!!" "I know that!! But, even so!! You don't have to bear it all alone!! So just stop, please stop!!" Miyao, run poyoooo!!! Your shield's about to break poyoooooo!!! Huh?! ...Wh-What?!  Miyao: "...D-Dad?!?! Wh-What are you doing?!"  Changing system settings. Modifying Gauntlet User Info. Miyao: "St-Stop it, Dad!! I don't know what you're trying to do, but stop it, stop iiiiiiiiiiiit!!!" Toujirou accessed one of the settings on Miyao's Gauntlet, pressed 5 keys on his midair keyboard, and hit the enter key.   Miyao: "...Ling...ji..." Lingji: "..."  Why...? Lingji should've had more than enough energy to keep up her shield, right...? So why... did her shield... break...? With more than half of its head crushed, Lingji's body... slowly plummeted downwards. Miyao: "...What...did you do...?" Miyao: "...What...the hell did you do...?"   BGM: Utopia   Koshka: "I'll be able to start over with a new body, in a new world, as a new me...!!" On top of a filthy carpet, drenched with a massive pool of blood and scattered fragments of flesh, Koshka was hugging herself... and quivering with joy... Surrounded by crowds of armed police with Anti-Gauntlet equipment and guns pointed at her, Koshka just kept on basking in the joy she felt...  Jestress: "I've survived all this time... for this day!!! While drinking the blood of billions!!!" While cutting a ditch in the surface of the water, Jestress was catching up with her target at terrifying speeds. Her eyes were focused in front of her, on the single Gauntlet Knight who sped through the air, as if determined not to let her catch even their shadow...  "Don't tell me you planned on irresponsibly sleeping through a whole millenium..." Seshat: "Without you, I can't call those two back here." Seshat slowly raised the object she held in her hand. Through the gaps in her fingers... poured a light like the rays of dawn...  As he said this, Toujirou tapped the statue of Venus de Milo's chest.  "...Heheh." "This isn't the Venus de Milo. It's the Venus de Milo with a drawer."There was a faint electronic noise, and the statue's chest became a small drawer and flew open... Vier slowly lowered the handgun she had been holding up, still smiling brightly.  Dad: "How about Miyao (都雄)? Meaning the best hero (雄) in the city (都)." Mom: "That sounds wonderful. Then, let's use that. Miyao, Miyao, my adorable Miyao..."  I am not a good mother. I'm a very bad mother, who would use up the whole world for her own sake. If... a chance comes for my wishes to come true while you're still alive... Then... lend your mother your strength, okay...? I'm sure you'll get mad and tell me not to use you as a game piece for my own ends... I'm sorry, Miyao. I gave birth to you to use you as a game piece. In exchange, I'll give you the power to use a Gauntlet, the ultimate weapon that will eventually be made practical, and you'll be better at it than anyone in the world from the moment of your birth. I'm sure you'll be praised for that power and live a happy life. You'll likely be able to choose how to live your life more freely than anyone else. At least... until the day I use you as a game piece...  BGM: None       
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Feb 14, 2020 14:30
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This is the end of Phase 1, but not the end of the LP. There will be no updates next week. After that, we will move on to the data fragments. All is in the name of guiding humanity down the right path.
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Feb 14, 2020 14:31
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 The stingers after the END screen are mean.
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Feb 14, 2020 16:26
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Zack Ater posted:
Yeah they really really are.
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Feb 14, 2020 16:30
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Thank you for lping this game.
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Feb 14, 2020 17:23
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The Christmas Party scene with Beach.mp3 is one of my favorite scenes Ryukishi07 has ever written. It feels like the entire game is building up to this chilling, horrifically funny finale, with the tragedy of war and the casual fun of playing around on the internet run not just back to back, but threading into and out of each other as one single scene. It's the logical conclusion to the whole idea of human Parallel Processing.
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Feb 14, 2020 17:51
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Wow. I feel so, so much empathy for this scenario, even from my relatively peaceful perch of sending private Slack DMs to coworkers during terrible meetings. This setup is so realistic and human. We do all of this already! Also, Jayden has a 12-pack--confirmed. witchcore ricepunk fucked around with this message at 18:06 on Feb 14, 2020 |
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Feb 14, 2020 18:01
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Also I knew we couldn't trust Chloe!!!
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Feb 14, 2020 18:56
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... so no loop? That would honestly be disappointing. Not that the guy isn't allowed to move past the loop as a storytelling device, but this chapter was already kind of walking a tight-rope of miserablism. I really don't need to see multiple games worth of these characters mourning in the corpse of the world, you know? Hoping all that stuff about uploading yourself and Koshka's new world suggests we can still spend time in the pre-apocalypse. Spoiler tagged in case someone hasn't seen the update: Is Lilja definitely dead?
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Feb 14, 2020 23:04
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There's a lot of debate going on about whether or not we're going to loop in phase 2. Personally, I think we will - just because some characters were still alive at the end doesn't mean that the timeline is going to continue. Miyao killed Lingji, multiple other main characters died, the world is still completely doomed. Whoever the player is on the side of the Gauntlet Knights, they lost.
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Feb 15, 2020 00:05
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Quinn2win posted:There's a lot of debate going on about whether or not we're going to loop in phase 2. Personally, I think we will - just because some characters were still alive at the end doesn't mean that the timeline is going to continue. Miyao killed Lingji, multiple other main characters died, the world is still completely doomed. Whoever the player is on the side of the Gauntlet Knights, they lost.
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Feb 15, 2020 02:53
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If anyone is a player on the side of the children, it's Miyao, who spent the entire game refusing to make a move because he wasn't sure of the rules. And the results speak for themself.
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Feb 15, 2020 03:08
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This sequence is one of the best R07’s ever written, a distillation of all his strengths. The mood whiplashes, the colliding narrative layers, the bombastic anime action, and then that ending? Perfection. witchcore ricepunk posted:Wow. I feel so, so much empathy for this scenario, even from my relatively peaceful perch of sending private Slack DMs to coworkers during terrible meetings. This setup is so realistic and human. We do all of this already! We’ve all talked a lot about Ryukishi07 through the years now but I honestly think we’ve underrated him as a social commentary kind of guy—maybe some of that gets lost in translation, especially since his two other big works are highly Japanese, and I know some folks have said Rose Gun Days has iffy politics. In any case, he absolutely nails the present here like the best sci-fi does. Charlie Brooker should read this, learn himself how good satire works. Quinn2win posted:There's a lot of debate going on about whether or not we're going to loop in phase 2. Personally, I think we will - just because some characters were still alive at the end doesn't mean that the timeline is going to continue. Miyao killed Lingji, multiple other main characters died, the world is still completely doomed. Whoever the player is on the side of the Gauntlet Knights, they lost. My favorite theory right now is that with four phases, we could have each phase focus on another faction. I find it especially amusing to imagine that R07 will just go nuts and add more and more conspiracies and characters, each loop showing that the world is more and more complicated and busted, but then it’s hard to see how you wrap that up. But regardless, those post-credits scenes make me think you’re right, Quinn. Jestress sure makes it sound like she’s been around a whole lot longer than her appearance would suggest, Koshka’s comments about a “new world” are suggestive, etc. There’s also the weird cellar door thing that Vier talks about, and all kinds of other nonsense. But there’s also a ton of loose threads here. Knowing R07, when he ties them all together, we’ll probably be surprised.
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Feb 15, 2020 04:06
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| # ? May 9, 2024 04:32 |
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ZiegeDame posted:If anyone is a player on the side of the children, it's Miyao, who spent the entire game refusing to make a move because he wasn't sure of the rules. And the results speak for themself. You know...its funny just how well miyao did in preventing utter chaos. Even though the order just mildly inconvenienced the "enemy faction" they were considered such a threat that the enemy had to convince *multiple different organizations and countries* to overtly treat their soldiers as disposible pieces. When your soldiers go from fighting to win to a sudden deathmatch for no significant reason (it will only cause more chaos) it will cause them to turn on the system as a whole. No one will like the results and more people will die due to collateral damage. What was this fight even about? i honestly dont remember and right now it doesnt matter. They signed their own loss when they did this That loyalty is now twisted into a form that will explode at significant cost to all sides. Soon the war will reignite with significantly more collateral damage (maybe WW4?). There is no end for them now. the "cease fire" will only exacerbate those feelings and the system that kept the world at relative peace will dissolve if certain figures break. Well miyaos dad who seemed to set it up to break miyao to become the most effective piece against their enemy. Remember, according to blue miyao the miyao we were following was designed to be the reason why this all happened. I wonder just what breaking miyao will accomplish. is it to set up miyao to take on the three kings and the GM? or is it to fascillitate a different plan to remake the world?
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Feb 15, 2020 07:56
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