With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

[Darko]

Not what he said. Paul killing Siniestro was his prerequisite to even attempt to make a new blue lantern/ring as the first one was done as a challenge to his skills (can I do this). He would still have to find the raw hope elsewhere. He can probably get some from the Coluans at least currently, but once the spike of hope wanes off their civilization Paul would have to go elsewhere.

Speaking off

Mr Zoat shouldn't the Guardians Sayd and Ganthed (sp) have started with their blue lantern corps?

They probably got reports about Alan current arrangement, so it would make sense for them to up the time table of their blue lantern corps in some way, I mean I expect Paul actions to have some effect on the Guardians, I mean they should also have a few green lanterns investigating the indigo corps too.


I mean they should be smart enough to know all these lantern corps being started in such a short time frame (for them) and the anti monitor armor fragment being found are the prelude to something bigger and they ought to be more active less they are caught unaware.

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They may be able to get hope from another Reach world they liberate, either from the inhabitants or their own soldiers who are happy that they're winning.

I think Zoat said that Ganthlet stopped or at least slowed down his attempts to make a blue ring after Alan started using one.

He was also apparently having difficulties with it due to having green light running through him and being very green philosophically speaking so lacked some of the necessary mental discipline.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Mr Zoat shouldn't the Guardians Sayd and Ganthed (sp) have started with their blue lantern corps?

They probably got reports about Alan current arrangement, so it would make sense for them to up the time table of their blue lantern corps in some way, I mean I expect Paul actions to have some effect on the Guardians, I mean they should also have a few green lanterns investigating the indigo corps too.


I mean they should be smart enough to know all these lantern corps being started in such a short time frame (for them) and the anti monitor armor fragment being found are the prelude to something bigger and they ought to be more active less they are caught unaware.

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Couple of problems.

That whole thing happened as a result of a decision by DC editorial that the Guardians are now mostly villains. Since I'm not prepared to toss out everything about their previous characterisation, I'm not going down that route. In this story, Ganthet and Sayd rightly don't feel the need to guard against the other Guardians.

The other problem is that with other colours becoming a thing, Ganthet and Sayd aren't able to cover up their own work as easily. The other Guardians aren't going to stop them, but they can't sneak off and do their own thing.

 

[Flightless Man]

Couple of problems.

That whole thing happened as a result of a decision by DC editorial that the Guardians are now mostly villains. Since I'm not prepared to toss out everything about their previous characterisation, I'm not going down that route. In this story, Ganthet and Sayd rightly don't feel the need to guard against the other Guardians.

The other problem is that with other colours becoming a thing, Ganthet and Sayd aren't able to cover up their own work as easily. The other Guardians aren't going to stop them, but they can't sneak off and do their own thing.

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Isn't Alan more in tune with Hope than anyone? If someone is going to make a new Blue Ring, wouldn't it make sense for him to make one? A blue lantern to Hope for help and a different (likely green) becomes a blue one? or make a normal lantern into a blue one?
Kori is still spending time with Alan right? I really want that romance to work out. Either way, I can still see Alan Hoping for help and Kori Wanting a blue ring. the combination makes her lantern blue and we learn Blue Lanterns can combo with more than Green Lanterns.

Does this really surprise you?

Contrary to what Paragon might like to believe, true Evil is an actual concept that exists in DC.

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My understanding, is that it once existed but after Infinite Crisis Good and Evil was replaced by the useless extremes of Stagnation and Anarchy.

 

[Chaoswind]

Couple of problems.

That whole thing happened as a result of a decision by DC editorial that the Guardians are now mostly villains. Since I'm not prepared to toss out everything about their previous characterisation, I'm not going down that route. In this story, Ganthet and Sayd rightly don't feel the need to guard against the other Guardians.

The other problem is that with other colours becoming a thing, Ganthet and Sayd aren't able to cover up their own work as easily. The other Guardians aren't going to stop them, but they can't sneak off and do their own thing.

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OK, so I guess no blue corps unless Paul manages to get another group of controllers to work on it with Hinon? Controllers are more numerous and the inherent nature of the orange light would make sense for the controllers to pick up both lights once/if they are able to (also the whole orange and blue morality angle).

OK if the Guardians aren't going to develop blue because the characterization didn't make sense, then are they going to follow up on the hints they have about Indigo?

I was assuming these plot elements were moving forward without Paul's involvement like the Samarrons picking violet rings thanks to the Lady Paul got from Blauls earth, or Siniestro looking for a way to start the yellow corps after his interaction with Vril Dox the second.

I am not expecting a bunch of new Lanterns to turn up immediately, but I was expecting these plot elements to be actually moving forward even when we aren't seeing them.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Isn't Alan more in tune with Hope than anyone? If someone is going to make a new Blue Ring, wouldn't it make sense for him to make one? A blue lantern to Hope for help and a different (likely green) becomes a blue one? or make a normal lantern into a blue one?

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Alan is a pretty hope-filled guy right now, but he's not any kind of mystic. He's really no closer to being able to make a regular personal lantern than most Green Lanterns are.

 

[Maxx Crowley]

Your biggest mistake when dealing with Paul is allowing him to start talking.

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This seems to be a common theme of English heroes. I know Sherlock and the Doctor rely heavily on the talk factor.

Which always confuses me. I don't watch much Dr. Who (because I don't like it Jake) but I'll never understand why villains who know the Doctor, who know how he operates (beyond turning humans into his weapons/puppets to do all his dirty work for him, and then judge them for it), and don't just shoot him in his big stupid face the second he goes "'Ello!"

He walks in. Shoot him in the face. He gets glowy, apply more bullets to face.

How would that follow?

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Because apparently far too many people on this, and SV, board are heavily into min/maxing and SOMEHOW it's absolutely imperative to them that Starfire get a blue ring. To the point where, every time they bring it up, I hate them just a little more.

She has a power ring, how is that not good enough? It literally works on what she wants, and WANT is a much easier thing then HOPE. I want to NOT DIE is pretty damn easy.

 

[Flightless Man]

Alan is a pretty hope-filled guy right now, but he's not any kind of mystic. He's really no closer to being able to make a regular personal lantern than most Green Lanterns are.

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Haven't you said it would take a month or so of concentrated effort, to make one for a normal lantern? Or was that only Rings? Blue's don't really need a Lantern either so even if it's only a ring, if Kori and Alan spent long enough together I see this a 5-10 years down the road kind of thing.
My reasoning, Alan was already basically a Will elemental so now that he's blue once he has mastered it (5-10 years) he will be as intune with blue light if not moreso than Paul is with Orange. We also so Paul convert a lantern fairly early, Can't Alan make a blue ring for Kori and she hopes her Lantern blue?
I don't see this as something we will see in story, unless we get a time travel look/visiter. Bu it is what all the Kori and Alan seeds you planted in my mind, have made me see as how they end up after the story.

 

[Lord Ernest]

I'm sorry, but now you that mentioned it twice, the "Kori and Alan" thing, and that clashes with my Alan/Diana OTP. And I honestly don't recall any kind of "shipping chemistry" between Alan and Kori, who have just recently met and it came to me more like a mentor/mente kind of relationship. Contrast with Alan and Diana, that even without we witnessing a lot of interactions between the two I could see, infer and deduce their great relationship, of friendship most of all, but with hints of something else possible as well.

And I kind of agree with Maxx, I don't see a problem if Kori gets a blue ring, but what's with the badgering of topic? The girl works more than fine with an orang ring; if a blue becomes available or manages to get created, fine, but I don't see any immediate need for it. I guess it could be a quest for Kori, since she was apparently more comfortable with a blue ring, but the Illustres doesn't necessarily have to be involved, nor is it a story element that I feel is important enough to constantly bring up.

 

[Radix]

Yeah I dont see Kori and Alan. Especially given the significant age difference. He has much more in common with Diana and they are of similar age.

 

[Flightless Man]

I'm sorry, but now you that mentioned it twice, the "Kori and Alan" thing, and that clashes with my Alan/Diana OTP. And I honestly don't recall any kind of "shipping chemistry" between Alan and Kori, who have just recently met and it came to me more like a mentor/mente kind of relationship. Contrast with Alan and Diana, that even without we witnessing a lot of interactions between the two I could see, infer and deduce their great relationship, of friendship most of all, but with hints of something else possible as well.

And I kind of agree with Maxx, I don't see a problem if Kori gets a blue ring, but what's with the badgering of topic? The girl works more than fine with an orang ring; if a blue becomes available or manages to get created, fine, but I don't see any immediate need for it. I guess it could be a quest for Kori, since she was apparently more comfortable with a blue ring, but the Illustres doesn't necessarily have to be involved, nor is it a story element that I feel is important enough to constantly bring up.

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I said "I want the romance to happen, but either way." Everything I said can apply in a mentor or romantic angle, I was trying very hard after the first mention to keep my own desire for romance out of it.

I have clarified already that I don't see it as something I think will happen in story. It's something I said I see occuring in 5-10 years. I explained why I see it going that why eventually based on what we have already seen as possible reasons. I know people have badgered him about doing it in the story and I agree with you. Zoat clearly doesn't want to go that way here, which is fine. I'm saying this is how I see it ending up based on what he has established in story. If something changes cool, I'm happy as long as it's logical and interesting. I have enjoyed about 85% of the arcs, so I have faith if things change I will like it. If Kori stays orange and makes peace with her Wants, cool I want to see it. If she gives up her ring entirely cool, I'll read. If she dies i'll cry. Her story feels unfinished and I want to see how it goes.

I responded to Zoat, because he gave me a discussion point, not a I don't want to/not the direction I'm going. I learned if you ask a question in school, ten people have the same one. So i tried to be respectful in mentioning what I have seen, what I like, and sometimes the things I have less interest in.
I like engagement from my readers, I think Zoat likes it when its respectful. If he ever says hey can you drop a subject it's gone on to long, I will. If he has about this topic already, I missed the comment in the sea of them and apologize.

 

[PDV]

And I honestly don't recall any kind of "shipping chemistry" between Alan and Kori, who have just recently met and it came to me more like a mentor/mente kind of relationship. Contrast with Alan and Diana, that even without we witnessing a lot of interactions between the two I could see, infer and deduce their great relationship, of friendship most of all, but with hints of something else possible as well

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I agree. Also, there were some vague hints that Diana was romantically interested in him in the JSA days but had some reservations about the "he'll age and die and I won't" aspect, which is... firmly resolved. I particularly read the "supersonic speed from the office to the lobby to see him"/"ambient hope detected" incident as indicating, even if not romantic feelings, a distinct tendency (from both of them) to establish a committed life partnership. (And the hints of his interest were not vague.)

 

[Darko]

She has a power ring, how is that not good enough? It literally works on what she wants, and WANT is a much easier thing then HOPE. I want to NOT DIE is pretty damn easy.

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Paul has stated that blue is a more easier and fitting color for her, and when she briefly wore Alan's ring she was able to use it with incredible ease.

She's capable of using an orange ring and is competent in its usage, but she is much, much better at using a blue ring and it will allow her to further improve herself in ways her current ring may not be able to.

 

[Vaermina]

She has a power ring, how is that not good enough? It literally works on what she wants, and WANT is a much easier thing then HOPE. I want to NOT DIE is pretty damn easy.

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Because it's not easier to WANT then HOPE for her.

It's a minor miracle she can even use Orange at all, and it's been noted in universe she's really really bad at it.

 

[Rebu]

Your biggest mistake when dealing with Paul is allowing him to start talking.

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Ah. So that's why I randomly started thinking of Miles Vorkosigan while I was reading the chapter.

 

[Mr Zoat]

29th May 2282
14:35 MTZ

"…blocked by mountains or storms."

Mr. Entertainment gives me a mildly offended look as we head towards the Choir's bunker. Once the Watonga Correctional Facility, the upper levels were mostly destroyed when their attempt to invade the Last Patrol's territory was beaten back. The outer parts of the bunker are new, defences built by the State of Oklahoma in order to protect the physically helpless Choristers and the medical staff who work here. They're studying the place to try and work out if there's some way to safely free them from the machinery they're attached to. I'd intended to offer my help once Caesar's Legion were dealt with, but, needs must.

"A lotta tribes have lost their pre-War knowledge, Mister Krono. Mine ain't one of them. I understand how radio waves work."

"Then I assume that you also know that pre-War America got around that problem using satellites in orbit."

"Yeah, we looked into it. But the only place we could get launch capacity is down in Houston, and their launch facilities aren't what they were before the War. And then we'd have to build a satellite and get it safely into orbit… There's a lotta debris up there. The only other way would be to get control of a satellite that's already up there, and without a relay even that would only get us broadcast capacity over a limited area." He raises his left eyebrow. "You're not building up to tell me that you've got a pre-War satellite network, are you?"

"No."

And I really don't. Pre-War military bases advanced enough to hold that sort of data were thoroughly nuked by the Chinese, along with most launch sites and transmission centres. And while, yes, I do have space-capable craft, most of those are engaged in providing air cover for the NCR forces in the Mojave and West Arizona. The capacity to build them doesn't mean I can easily ramp up production whenever it's convenient. Diana has a few satellites, but they're not designed for mass broadcasts and… Our work together has rather distracted her from fixing the problem.

"But I am in contact with people who have a giant alien starship which can do much the same job."

"A gi-." He stares at me for a moment, then shakes his head, chuckling. "Hoooo boy. Mister Krono, I'm gunna have to ask you not to gamble in my wife's casinos or take part in any of my quiz shows."

"I wasn't… Planning to anyway, but given that you already knew that I'm psychic, I'm puzzled why I'm getting banned now."

"Because I looked you dead in the eye just then and I had no idea whether you were telling the truth or not. Anya can't afford to have someone cleaning out all her poker players."

"Now's probably not the time, but I'm happy to give you a tour if you want."

"A tour of an alien starship? Think I could bring along a film crew?"

"If the camera's waterproof, certainly. If not, I'll have to check with the residents."

The leader of our escort finishes showing his credentials to the gate guard and the heavy metal gates roll aside. We're not exactly close to Legion territory here, but there aren't any natural obstacles if Lanius chose to come this way.

"You wanna explain that?"

"Four years ago a small group of human prisoners broke free and captured the starship. But there was a second one there to back it up. The prisoners managed to seize the bridge and shoot the second mothership and it crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. My people tracked it down and we've been stripping it for parts ever since. Underwater."

I'd have preferred to repair it, but we just don't have the industrial capacity to produce the materials we'd need to do that. We've learned a lot taking it apart, so, maybe at some point in the future we can build our own?

I'll even give the bloody Hubologists one if that'll make them get lost…

"So while I'm perfectly happy to fly a documentary crew down to take a look at the wreck, if you want to see one in operation you're going to need the permission of the residents."

"Are you going to pass on the message, or should I just-" He looks upwards. "-point our transmitter at the sky?"

"Either works."

We're waved through into the offices the Oklahomans have built on the surface, and Mr. Entertainment leads the way towards the fortified pre-war lift that leads into the facility proper. The Last Patrol never actually breached it during their war, they just flattened the external parts and killed the garrison. The war ended when the last of the Choir's soldiers were killed and they gave up and pled for mercy.

We step inside and the door clunks and scrapes closed behind us, the slow mechanism of the lift kicking into action a few moments later.

"So just what is your game, Mister Krono?"

"I'd like a peaceful life where I'm free to study technology and help people repair the world." I shrug. "And if that means I become telepathic and biologically immortal, stronger and tougher than any normal man with the knowledge that pre-War scientists would give their right arm for, then so be it. I'm happy to fight the Legion not because the NCR is so wonderful, but because they're not going to destroy my Institute on principle. On its best day the NCR is three stars out of five, but that's still better than one." I shrug. "The Troll Warrens and the Crimson Acolytes are gone. The Ammonites have lost their taste for war, the Eighties have been crushed and I don't much care whether Santa Anna beats Texas or not. Once the Legion is gone, I've achieved my primary international objectives."

"You don't care about Santa Anna?"

"Santa Anna's fixated on Texas because he's trying to do better than his organic namesake. He's not a threat to me or mine, and the worst thing he'll do to Texas if he wins is make them salute a different flag." I shrug. "I'll worry about China and Russia before I'll worry about him."

The lift door slams open, revealing one of the facility's doctors. His badge says 'Dr. Saunooke', though I don't recognise him.

"Mister Entertainment! Good to see you again. And.. Krono." He looks at me eagerly. "I understand that you're a psychic, too."

**That's true.**

"Ah." He blinks. "The Choir are usually less direct than that."

I nod. I guessed from the name that they probably used something similar to the hypnotic telepathic music that made the Odious King so damnably effective.

**President Nguyen wishes for me to speak to the First Chorister. Apparently, Shale's disappearance isn't the godsend I've been assuming that it is.**

"Yes, she-" He turns away and leads us down a corridor. "-seemed unusually attentive today. You wouldn't know anything about an 'alien wanderer with rings of power', would you? She can be quite-"

I pull my necklace out, showing the two rings on it.

"-abstract in.. her-. Ah. Yes. Well." He walks faster, entering an access code in the keypad of a very secure looking door. "We have access to the main… Quire, but most of our researchers find it disturbing to be in for any length of time. The system was designed to allow pre-War researchers to call out individual 'pods' to 'work on' Choristers individually while the robots handled the day to day upkeep."

The door unlocks, and he hauls it open.

"Now, you shouldn't necessarily expect an actual conversation. She's been-."

**I can hear you.**

The mental voice sounds like it's been… Gathering dust for two hundred years. Or is trying to work through a sore throat. Dr. Saunooke looks around in amazement as I get my first look at the First Chorister.

She's wearing an orange jumpsuit, which at once binds her to the pod she's kept in and has all of the plugs it needs to handle her biological functions. There's a mask either for feeding or air but that's been pulled off her face, revealing a striking woman staring right at me, focusing on me with disturbing intensity.

I smile.

**And I you. You wished to speak to me?**

And then the images come.

 

[Idkusername]

I'm getting really tired of the Fallout snippets interrupting the flow of the story. I'm generally not one to complain about alternate Paul snippets, but the way they're paced as they are given out piecemeal is really annoying.

 

[Mr Zoat]

I agree. Also, there were some vague hints that Diana was romantically interested in him in the JSA days but had some reservations about the "he'll age and die and I won't" aspect, which is... firmly resolved. I particularly read the "supersonic speed from the office to the lobby to see him"/"ambient hope detected" incident as indicating, even if not romantic feelings, a distinct tendency (from both of them) to establish a committed life partnership. (And the hints of his interest were not vague.)

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During his JSA days? No. They were friends, certainly, but between his relationship with Rose and her lack of romantic motivation nothing was going to happen there.

 

[Darko]

Mister Krona, I'm

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'Krono'

And if that means I become telepathic and biologically immortal,

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He's immortal now instead of just being a telepath and telekinetic?

I'm not that familiar with the setting so I don't know what kind of alterations a person can get there.

Though that may explain him regenerating his arm.

showing the two rings on it.

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He took Kronas ring?

pre-War researcher to call

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'researchers'

 

[Z000]

I'm getting really tired of the Fallout snippets interrupting the flow of the story. I'm generally not one to complain about alternate Paul snippets, but the way they're paced as they are given out piecemeal is really annoying.

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i have to agree

either do them all in a row or put them in after the current OL arc is done

 

[Mr Zoat]

'Krono'
'researchers'

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Thank you, corrected.

He's immortal now instead of just being a telepath and telekinetic?

I'm not that familiar with the setting so I don't know what kind of alterations a person can get there.

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He's been treated with perfected FEV. He's immune to disease and radiation, is stronger, tougher and regenerates rapidly and doesn't appear to age.

Though that may explain him regenerating his arm.

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No, the arm was just cloning and chirurgery.

He took Kronas ring?

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Yes, of course he did.

 

[Darko]

I'm getting really tired of the Fallout snippets interrupting the flow of the story. I'm generally not one to complain about alternate Paul snippets, but the way they're paced as they are given out piecemeal is really annoying.

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i have to agree

either do them all in a row or put them in after the current OL arc is done

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There's another chapter for tomorrow so if you're not a fan of these chapters then you can skip it.

 

[DrThoth]

Krona is also somewhere in this setting, right? I can't remember exactly. Wonder if the Chorister might be referring to him instead.

I do agree with the pacing issues of balancing Fallout snippets with the regular story; this might have worked better back when Paragon was recuperating and working out how to get his soul back as a breather. Part of it is admittedly my lack of familiarity and interest in the setting.

 

[megrisvernin]

I'm more neutral about it. I get why it can be annoying. Mind given how long this story has been going on, I tend to get distracted about things that happen years ago coming up again I can't remember that come on. Two parallel stories like this aren't too bad by comparison.

 

[Assblaster5000]

Krona is also somewhere in this setting, right?

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For a minute or so, yes. He somehow got dumped here after the many Pauls kicked him out of his magic time shack and Krono/Fallout!Paul made his head into paste with his psionics.

 

[weirdnessmagnet]

He's been treated with perfected FEV. He's immune to disease and radiation, is stronger, tougher and regenerates rapidly and doesn't appear to age.

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Where did he get treated with perfected FEV?
Did he use a power ring for this process?

 

[Darko]

Did he use a power ring for this process

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Yes, it cost him most of his charge.

 

[Handlewithcare]

Interesting. A warning about Krona?

Is the Choir a Hivemind?

Also, if Paul has access to the Zetan mothership...isn't that bascially an instant win? That thing should be able to overpower anything left on earth.

 

[RichardWhereat]

There's a mask either for feeding or air but that's been pulled off her face, revealing a striking woman staring right at me, focusing on me with disturbing intensity.

I smile.

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Well, found Paul's wife in Fallout.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

29th May 2282
14:35 MTZ

"…blocked by mountains or storms."

Mr. Entertainment gives me a mildly offended look as we head towards the Choir's bunker. Once the Watonga Correctional Facility, the upper levels were mostly destroyed when their attempt to invade the Last Patrol's territory was beaten back. The outer parts of the bunker are new, defences built by the State of Oklahoma in order to protect the physically helpless Choristers and the medical staff who work here. They're studying the place to try and to work out if there's some way to safely free them from the machinery they're attached to. I'd intended to offer my help once Caesar's Legion were dealt with, but, needs must.

Click to shrink...

A handy summation of the locale. And it seems Krono has slipped into his automatic 'talking down' voice, the one he must end up using to explain scientific stuff in terms simple enough for the usual cavemen...

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

"A lotta tribes have lost their pre-War knowledge, Mister Krono. Mine ain't one of them. I understand how radio waves work."

"Then I assume that you also know that pre-War America got around that problem using satellites in orbit."

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A lot of which are no longer in orbit, thanks to EMP or simple neglect, I'll bet. Seriously, if people stopped repairing or replacing satellites, we'd probably be back to pre-fifties-levels of communications in a matter of years...

"Yeah, we looked into it. But the only place we could get launch capacity is down in Houston, and their launch facilities aren't what they were before the War. And then we'd have to build a satellite and get it safely into orbit… There's a lotta debris up there. The only other way would be to get control of a satellite that's already up there, and without a relay even that would only get us broadcast capacity over a limited area." He raises his left eyebrow. "You're not building up to tell me that you've got a pre-War satellite network, are you?"

"No."

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Not yet, anyway. And he's got better stuff anyway. Thank you, aliens. I suspect once the Legion are sorted, his fleet of shuttles will be able to take over the job of orbital lifting quite readily...

And I really don't. Pre-War military bases advanced enough to hold that sort of data were thoroughly nuked by the Chinese, along with most launch sites and transmission centres. And while, yes, I do have space-capable craft, most of those are engaged in providing air cover for the NCR forces in the Mojave and West Arizona. The capacity to build them doesn't mean I can easily ramp up production whenever it's convenient. Diana has a few satellites, but they're not designed for mass broadcasts and… Our work together has rather distracted her from fixing the problem.

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As I thought. Once said war is settled though... I rather suspect Krono will be dragging the West Coast back into the Information Age by the scruffs of their necks...

"But I am in contact with people who have a giant alien starship which can do much the same job."

"A gi-." He stares at me for a moment, then shakes his head, chuckling. "Hoooo boy. Mister Krono, I'm gunna have to ask you not to gamble in my wife's casinos or take part in any of my quiz shows."

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Not that he needs the money anyway. While a private space-fleet isn't quite a power ring, it does provide a good bootstrap into extra-terrestrial mining...

"I wasn't… Planning to anyway, but given that you already knew that I'm psychic, I'm puzzled why I'm getting banned now."

"Because I looked you dead in the eye just then and I had no idea whether you were telling the truth or not. Anya can't afford to have someone cleaning out all her poker players."

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It was one of those things you have trouble believing at first, isn't it? But given everything else Krono's done, it's not much of a stretch...

"Now's probably not the time, but I'm happy to give you a tour if you want."

"A tour of an alien starship? Think I could bring along a film crew?"

"If the camera's waterproof, certainly. If not, I'll have to check with the residents."

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And presumably they'd be restricted to less sensitive areas of the ship. I mean, while it's unlikely anyone could figure out how any of it works from a TV broadcast, you can't ignore the possibility of some Malign Hypercognitive type having a super-science breakthrough...

The leader of our escort finishes showing his credentials to the gate guard and the heavy metal gates roll aside. We're not exactly close to Legion territory here, but there aren't any natural obstacles if Lanius chose to come this way.

"You wanna explain that?"

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It's presumably a matter of him deciding this is of enough strategic importance to assault it. I mean, this Choir... Just how powerful are they? Are individuals on Krono's level, or is it more of the gathering it's named for, each psychic devoting a little power to an exponentially greater whole?

"Four years ago a small group of human prisoners broke free and captured the starship. But there was a second one there to back it up. The prisoners managed to seize the bridge and shoot the second mothership and it crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. My people tracked it down and we've been stripping it for parts ever since. Underwater."

I'd have preferred to repair it, but we just don't have the industrial capacity to produce the materials we'd need to do that. We've learned a lot taking it apart, so, maybe at some point in the future we can build our own?

I'll even give the bloody Hubologists one if that'll make them get lost…

Click to shrink...

I presume that was a Fallout 3 DLC adventure, yeah? It sure sounds like it would be. And I see Krono's had his fill of anti-psychic talents...

"So while I'm perfectly happy to fly a documentary crew down to take a look at the wreck, if you want to see one in operation you're going to need the permission of the residents."

"Are you going to pass on the message, or should I just-" He looks upwards. "-point our transmitter at the sky?"

Click to shrink...

Might want to go through proper channels, meaning Krono. I suspect those running the ship might find it a little rude to be cold-called like that.

"Either works."

We're waved through into the offices the Oklahomans have built on the surface, and Mr. Entertainment leads the way towards the fortified pre-war lift that leads into the facility proper. The Last Patrol never actually breached it during their war, they just flattened the external parts and killed the garrison. The war ended when the last of the Choir's soldiers were killed and they gave up and pled for mercy.

Click to shrink...

Sounds like their power is less combat-oriented than Krono's are. Guessing it's hard to direct dozens or hundreds of minds when they're staring at people with guns pointed in their direction...

We step inside and the door clunk and scrape closed behind us, the slow mechanism of the lift kicking into action a few moments later.

"So just what is your game, Mister Krono?"

Click to shrink...

Woof, not my sort of game - I like my worlds more street-level. But damn, it's amazing what a few dedicated fans can do when they're fired up.

"I'd like a peaceful life where I'm free to study technology and help people repair the world." I shrug. "And if that means I become telepathic and biologically immortal, stronger and tougher than any normal man with the knowledge that pre-War scientists would give their right arm for, then so be it. I'm happy to fight the Legion not because the NCR is so wonderful, but because they're not going to destroy my Institute on principle. On it's best day the NCR is three stars out of five, but that's still better than one." I shrug. "The Troll Warrens and the Crimson Acolytes are gone. The Ammonites have lost their taste for war, the Eighties have been crushed and I don't much care whether Santa Anna beats Texas or not. Once the Legion is gone, I've achieved my primary international objectives."

Click to shrink...

So that's his Win condition? Well, the first step of it, I presume. After all, why let humanity linger in the dirt when you can drag them along with you into demi-godhood? It's good to see this Paul hasn't lost his dreams of uplifting Humanity... Merely put them on the slow burner.

"You don't care about Santa Anna?"

"Santa Anna's fixated on Texas because he's trying to do better than his organic namesake. He's not a threat to me or mine, and the worst thing he'll do to Texas if he wins is make them salute a different flag." I shrug. "I'll worry about China and Russia before I'll worry about him."

Click to shrink...

What, this Santa Anna's an AI? One of those, what were they, Synths like in Fallout 4? Meanwhile, I wonder just how the Eastern Bloc came out of the war. Betting more people died in urban targets, but their larger distribution of resources and industrial bases made them a little tougher. Presumably they've lost interest in the US in favour of rebuilding themselves...

The lift door slam open, revealing one of the facility's doctors. His badge says 'Dr. Saunooke', though I don't recognise him.

"Mister Entertainment! Good to see you again. And.. Krono." He looks at me eagerly. "I understand that you're a psychic, too."

Click to shrink...

Guessing a lot more potent than what he's used to.

**That's true.**

"Ah." He blinks. "The Choir are usually less direct than that."

I nod. I guessed from the name that they probably used something similar to the hypnotic telepathic music that made the Odious King so damnably effective.

Click to shrink...

Ah. Another psychic foe you've bested, from context. One of the rival nations in Old World Blues?

**President Nguyen wishes for me to speak to the First Chorister. Apparently, Shale's disappearance isn't the godsend I've been assuming that it is.**

"Yes, she-" He turns away and leads us down a corridor. "-seemed unusually attentive today. You wouldn't know anything about an 'alien wanderer with rings of power', would you? She can be quite-"

Click to shrink...

And now I wonder if this universe had DC comics back in their Twentieth Century. Can you imagine some historian going "Wait, like Green Lantern?" The Alien Wanderer could be a reference to Krona, but he didn't last that long thanks to Krono, who it's more likely to be.

I pull my necklace out, showing the two rings on it.

"-abstract in.. her-. Ah. Yes. Well." He walks faster, entering an access code in the keypad of a very secure looking door. "We have access to the main… Quire, but most of our researchers find it disturbing to be in for any length of time. The system was designed to allow pre-War researchers to call out individual 'pods' to 'work on' Choristers individually while the robots handled the day to day upkeep."

Click to shrink...

Honestly, I'd be worried if a prophesy was that clear and direct about its contents. But then, most are usually couched in flowery and cryptic imagery and phrasing to ensure the wrong people don't make sense of it. Not much help if being clear leads a mad king to the child destined to overthrow him... Unless that was intended... Bloody foreseers.

The door unlocks, and he hauls it open.

"Now, you shouldn't necessarily expect an actual conversation. She's been-."

Click to shrink...

I'm sure Krono can manage to communicate. He's good at that...

**I can hear you.**

The mental voice sounds like it's been… Gathering dust for two hundred years. Or is trying to work through a sore throat. Dr. Saunooke looks around in amazement as I get my first look at the First Chorister.

Click to shrink...

Ah, this is so important that the enormously weakened leader is speaking directly? This must be major stuff, then.

She's wearing an orange jumpsuit, which at once binds her to the pod she's kept in and has all of the plugs it needs to handle her biological functions. There's a mask either for feeding or air but that's been pulled off her face, revealing a striking woman staring right at me, focusing on me with disturbing intensity.

I smile.

Click to shrink...

Unless you plan to hook her up with some super-healing, Krono, save the charm... I don't think she'll be in the mood for manners...

**And I you. You wished to speak to me?**

And then the images come.

Click to shrink...

Hopefully not too quickly. If this is mind-to-mind, it might feel like being slapped in the brain by a DVD Box-set... One of the big ones.

And the B-plot intensifies. Although at this point, I'm not sure which story the episode really centers on, despite the name... Still, it's interesting to see the juxtaposition of Easy-Mode OL vs Hardcore-Mode Krono. Honestly, a full episode in a single Alternate Paul's story might be interesting to see, not just the brief snippets we usually get. Probably during a quiet stage of the Reach War, though, given time-frames...

 

[Ngamer11]

"Yes, she-" He turns away and leads us down a corridor. "-seemed unusually attentive today. You wouldn't know anything about an 'alien wanderer with rings of power', would you? She can be quite-"

I pull my necklace out, showing the two rings on it.

"-abstract in.. her-. Ah. Yes. Well." He walks faster, entering an access code in the keypad of a very secure looking door. "We have access to the main… Quire, but most of our researchers find it disturbing to be in for any length of time. The system was designed to allow pre-War researchers to call out individual 'pods' to 'work on' Choristers individually while the robots handled the day to day upkeep."

The door unlocks, and he hauls it open.

"Now, you shouldn't necessarily expect an actual conversation. She's been-."

**I can hear you.**

The mental voice sounds like it's been… Gathering dust for two hundred years. Or is trying to work through a sore throat. Dr. Saunooke looks around in amazement as I get my first look at the First Chorister.

She's wearing an orange jumpsuit, which at once binds her to the pod she's kept in and has all of the plugs it needs to handle her biological functions. There's a mask either for feeding or air but that's been pulled off her face, revealing a striking woman staring right at me, focusing on me with disturbing intensity.

I smile.

**And I you. You wished to speak to me?**

And then the images come.

Click to shrink...

Is this going to be foreshadowing the next crossover between the Pauls?

And the B-plot intensifies. Although at this point, I'm not sure which story the episode really centers on, despite the name... Still, it's interesting to see the juxtaposition of Easy-Mode OL vs Hardcore-Mode Krono. Honestly, a full episode in a single Alternate Paul's story might be interesting to see, not just the brief snippets we usually get. Probably during a quiet stage of the Reach War, though, given time-frames...

Click to shrink...

I'm pretty sure that Blue Power Ring still has it harder. As well as Anti-Green Paul, at least until he traded up for Gold. Maybe Saul Talbot depending on how difficult it was to get people to believe he was A) decent, B) competent, and C) trustworthy.