Cowboy Beta II True

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Space could truly be a wonder sometimes.You watch the stars flick by as you sit back in your new L-71 spaceship. Despite it being an older model, you practically stole it, especially in its condition. This was one of the best ships out there, with all terrain drive and fire protectant casing. It came in handy when the occasional solar flare came your way. It was perfect for your solo travel across the cosmos, with a wide open floor plan that included a [[kitchen]], a [[work station]], and an [[extra lounge room]]. You can explore these areas by clicking on them. <<if hasVisited ("kitchen","work station", "extra lounge room")>> [[a red light blinks]] <<elseif not hasVisited ("kitchen")>> [[Aren't you forgetting something?|kitchen]] <<elseif not hasVisited ("work station")>> [[Aren't you forgetting something?|work station]] <<elseif not hasVisited ("extra lounge room")>> [[Aren't you forgetting something?|extra lounge room]] <</if>>

Your kitchen has one small stove, <<link "one cupboard">> <<popover 'opaque'>> There is <<link "cereal">> <<popover 'opaque'>> image: JOODY TOODY'S COSMIC CIRCLES: WHATEVER CIRCLES YOUR COSMICS! They were just fruity circles. <</popover>> <</link>> <</popover>> <</link>> and <<link "one small refrigerator">> <<popover 'opaque'>> In your refigerator you have: image: two Spacey Wacey juices –Space travel got you tired? Don't be wastey, drink a Spacey Wacey and get back to work!– image: An old box of Yugo Diner takeout. You really need to throw it away. ₁Doyan meat goes bad so fast. image: Two cookie cats. You don't really know where they came from, only that they're some type of reference an author inserted for "hahas." <</popover>> <</link>> go back to [[The Window]]

Your workstation contains all your favorite toys: A fancy Joro 20 holster for a gun you don't own. You're not much of a gunslinger, but it's so beautiful to look at with it's gorgeous purple dragon skin finish. A dull Ionian spearhead that had broken off during the hunting season. The Ionian had given it to you for just 100 space units A Runner Statue. A runner is like a Calypsian hare, but it's faster, a little bit bolder. Statues of runners were given to those who had achieved a great feat. You bought it at an auction on the planet Tieses. The third foot had broken off and you aptly named it, "Limp." But none of those compared to your [[finest posessions]]

You've decorated your lounge room with beautiful furniture you picked up at the glaxay's greatest: GALAXY'S GREATEST FURNITURE DEPOT. THE GREATEST FOR THE CHEAPEST. Orange sofas that go perfectly with the light grey walls, a mosaic patterned rug, (that unfortunately hides a stain from the previous owners of the ship), and the newest Play Station 300 under the unfolding 50 inch flat screen. You peruse your gallery of games and movies, terrans were still making their sports games, NBA 3k, FIFA 3k13, all Terran sports seemed the same to you, eh. The movies as well. You glance at your vintage copy of the first Aliens and sigh, as much fun as it is to watch these caricatures, it's apalling to see how much they got wrong...and quite racist too. As much as you love your hangout room, you never invited anyone over to share it with you. Ah well, such is the life of the space traveller. Go back to [[The Window]].

A red light blinks in the captains quarters. In order to open this message, your ship needs to verify a few things. [[Enter Captain Security Measures]] <<if $confirmation is true>>You are almost out of fuel. You check the overhead compartment and curse yourself for forgetting to stock up. Kobos was two jumps away, so thankfully you'd have enough juice to make it. You settled into the captain's seat picking up your pocket journal. You'd been taking notes on Sector 8's most coveted game //Rush.// A strategic boardgame of take and capture. There were over one billion ways to win and you needed to know all of them for today. You'd played with masters, studied the game's history, and today you would take it all home. You had to. On the line was your last precious onyx pearl. Click [[here|Journal]] to view your journal. <<else>> ERROR PLEASE ENTER SECURITY MEASURES <</if>> <<if hasVisited ("Journal")>> You set your path for [[Kobos]]. <</if>> <<set $journal.push("nothing yet")>>

...pure onyx paperweights forged in the mines of Exitall. It had taken you over 20 years to collect all the colors you have now, and all you were missing was pink. The most elusive color known to the Universe. One for it's hard coloring (there's just not that many red and white onyx furs) and two for how long they take to make. They say it takes the orcs AT LEAST 3000 years for them to form perfectly, a pink one would take almost double that. One of their last known locations was on a planet called Kobos, which is exactly where you were headed. You admire them through their glass case, before going back to [[The Window]]

Enter your name: <<textbox "$name" "name">> When done, [[set pronouns]]

<<set $journal to []>> <<set $seconds to 30>>

<<if $journal.length gt 0>> <<print $journal.join('\n\n')>> <<else>> No journal entries. <</if>> <<return>>

[[Journal]] [[Interlude One]] [[Chapter Three: The Rebels]]

<<link 'Choose your pronouns'>> <<pronouns>> <</link>> When done go to [[Captain Security Measures Confirmation]]

Hello $name, welcome to your ship. Your Security Confirmation is "$name is the best in the world. ?He <<verb 'is'>> the best traveller in the galaxy." Are your pronouns and name correct? <<button [[Yes|a red light blinks]]>> <</button>> <<button [[No|Enter Captain Security Measures]]>> <</button>> <<set $confirmation to true>>

You dock at the Kobosian terminal and are immediately greeted by a <<link"red robot!">><<popover 'opaque'>>image: red robot!<</popover>><</link>> It scans your body and chirps slightly, "Greetings $name! My name is A.T.A.B, Tokoma's Automated Travel and Tourist Bot, but you may call me Atab for short!" As the weather gets hotter it's recommended that you take a complementary shawl to protect yourself. Would you like [[red]] or [[blue]]? <<if hasVisited ("red")>> "Excellent choice," it says, "While we refuel your ship, please check out our Tourist District. People from all over the UNIVERSE come to experience our city. I'm sure by the time you've got your feel, you won't want to leave! Remember to stay inside city lines at all time, as Giant Beasts may roam the desert at night. If you choose to leave the city, remember we are not liable for any injury, maiming, or death that occurs. Please enjoy your stay! Oookay...You take your keys and walk out of the terminal into [[Takoma City]]. <</if>> <<if hasVisited ("blue")>> "Excellent choice," it says, ! While we refuel your ship, please check out our Tourist District. People from all over the UNIVERSE come to experience our city. I'm sure by the time you've got your feel, you won't want to leave! Remember to stay inside city lines at all time, as Giant Beasts may roam the desert at night. If you choose to leave the city, remember we are not liable for any injury, maiming, or death that occurs. Please enjoy your stay! Oookay...You take your keys and walk out of the terminal into [[Takoma City]]. <</if>>

<<popover 'opaque'>> image of character in red shawl <</popover>> [[Dashing!|Kobos]] <<set $shawl to 'red'>>

<<popover 'opaque'>> image of character in blue shawl <</popover>> [[Dashing!|Kobos]] <<set $shawl to 'blue'>>

TAKOMA CITY - TOURIST DISTRICT You had heard the stories, but nothing could prepare you for the city. The buildings towered into the night sky creating their own beacons to the heavens of neon blues, pinks, and green. The people bustled by, dressed for the nightlife. It stunk of mead and sweet rotteness pared by the strength of sizzling meat and onions from the side carts and restaurants. Your stomach gurgled, your watch read: 10:02, still one hour before you were to meet your match at some place called the Wonderground. It couldn't hurt to go eat some food. There were hundreds of places to eat, including food carts, surprisingly though, all of them were named "Bounty." Choose one to eat at: [[Bounty|Bar]] [[Bounty]] [[Bounty|Bar]] [[Bounty]] [[Bounty]] [[Bounty|Bar]] [[Bounty]] [[Bounty|Bar]] [[Bounty]]

Before you enter Bounty, you come across a little boy waiting out front. You ask him if he's waiting for someone inside. He says, "Every night they toss out some of the old stuff and I try to grab a few pieces before I go back home. I'm too young to get anything from inside, so I take whatever I can." You smile. You remember your days as a young tyke. You were just the same, scrounging around every place you visited for something to keep with you. You nod to the boy, "I'll tell you what, I'll try to get a little something out here for you." His eyes lit up. "Awesome!" He moves to hug you and you're taken aback. You try to push him away, but he's got surprisingly strong grip for a young one. "Thank you kindly!" The boy sits down and you head in. Thank god he's not hugging you anymore! You gasp as you enter. The ceilings are intricate and wood carved like genuine palaces with murals depicting the birth of the Universe so detailed it made you wonder if you had stepped into the vast beautiful darkness. A fountain waterfalled gold that flowed underneath the glass floors. The entire restaurant breathed as if it lived. you [[get a table]]

Hello, welcome to Bounty, what would you like today? <<link "bread encrusted Heddle meat on a flaming water bed">> <<popover 'opaque>> wow! image <</popover>> <</link>> <<link "a vingrette salad with Kyotian pears and special Kobossian dressing">> <<popover 'opaque'>> wow! image <</popover>> <</link>> <<link "a red wine pasta with pieces of fish from Fortunan rivers">> <<popover 'opaque'>> wow! image <</popover>> <</link>> The waitress comes back with a plate of desert. "This is called Juji. They're some of the best deserts in this Sector, and they're on the house!" Jujis are a Tokoma delicacy of fried dough with spiced chilis and sugar dusted on top. [[eat Jujis]]

The Jujis are delicious. Before you finish, you stuff one in your pocket for the boy. "Wow thanks! This place really is great! So much hospitality." "Man they're good!" You say, you turn to a man beside you, "Have you ever had these before?" He smiles, "Of course I have. They're some of the best desserts in this Sector. I love it with a dip of Kobossian coffee. Here [[try it]].

This Bounty was a quaint bar!Before you enter, you come across a little boy waiting out front. You ask him if he's waiting for someone inside. He says, "Every night they toss out some of the old stuff and I try to grab a few pieces before I go back home. I'm too young to get anything from inside, so I take whatever I can." You smile. You remember your days as a young tyke. You were just the same, scrounging around every place you visited for something to keep with you. You nod to the boy, "I'll tell you what, I'll try to get a little something out here for you." His eyes lit up. "Awesome!" He moves to hug you and you're taken aback. You try to push him away, but he's got surprisingly strong grip for a young one. "Thank you kindly!" The boy sits down and you head in. Thank god he's not hugging you anymore! It's a swanky place. It's lit entirely by flying drones that move silently through the rustic wood ceiling, despite the steel exterior of the place. You sit at the bar and [[talk to the bartender.]]

"Hey dude! You came to the right place, all our drinks are packed with calories, so you'll be full in no time! Just be careful and don't drink to many or you'll puuukkeee! Or maybe do drink too many, and then drink some more! What'll it be?" a cool flaming drink called <<link "the volcano">> <<popover 'opaque'>> The bartender lights the drink on fire and then you take a sip. Tastes like citrus. <</popover>> <</link>> a glowing green pick me up called <<link "flamingo">> <<popover 'opaque'>> He pours the drink in the glass and hands it over. It tastes like bubblegum and makes your tongue sparkle! <</popover>> <</link>> a clear drink, filled with energizing minerals called <<link "Zing!">> <<popover 'opaque'>> "Be careful with this one," the bartender says as he passed it to you. You down it in one gulp and feel the energizing vibrations. It's like electricity travelled from your head to your toes. It's Zing! <</popover>> <</link>> That was great <<linkreplace "wasn't it?">> The bartender smiles,"Man just wait until you try the desserts.In fact, it's on the house. We always try to support our tourists here in Tokoma. Keeps 'em coming back. Have a plate of Jujis. Jujis are a Tokoma delicacy of fried dough with spiced chilis and sugar dusted on top. [[eat Jujis]]<</linkreplace>>

You dip the pastry into the warm coffee. Heaven is achieved. [[talk to man]]

"This is fantastic!" You say. As you stuff more down. Feeling full, you remember your reason for being here in the first place, "Hey do you know how I can get to the Wonderground?" The guy eyes you, "Keep it down a little, you don't want people to...chatter. You need to go to the far edge of the tourist district. Right by the borders and you'll see a nightclub called Space. C7 will let you in if you seem saavy enough, but be careful. That area is crawling with Thetas and ATABS." [[Thetas?]]

"Kobos's military police. Things have been a little...tense now that the Waterworks Festival is coming up. Just be safe and try not to give anything to the beggers. They'll think you're a servant." You thank the man and [[head out.]]

The boy is still waiting in the alleyway. You didn't know what the man meant by "think you're a servant," so you handed him a warm Juji anyway. "Here you go, I'm sure you're hungry. And here's some coffee, try dipping it. It's delicious." "Thank you!" He exclaimed, "I will save it for later tonight!" He put the Juji in his bag and held the coffee up to his chest, "Is there anyway I can repay you?" You remembered what the man told you about the Wonderground. You only had 45 minutes until your game started, it could take you all night to find this club! You look at the kid and ask: [[Can you take me to the Wonderground?]]

"Sure!" The boy replied. He took off and you had to run to keep up. You were never much of a runner, always tripping over your own feet, but you hopped along with him. As much as you'd heard about Kobos, nothing could prepare you for the tourist district. It was brimming with the nightlife, beautiful men and women walking from one club to the next, extravagant lights and water displays. You wanted to ask the kid where they got so much water, but he was walking so fast, you couldn't bother. An old scraggly man touched your arm and you turned to look at him <<linkreplace "Would you like to–">> "Don't!" The kid pulled you away, "Those old guys are everywhere, they'd probably suck you into a side quest, let's just keep going.<</linkreplace>> You didn't understand what he'd meant by that, but you [[kept going.]]

"Yo yo yo bro, the name is <<link "C7">><<popover 'opaque'>>image C7<</popover>><</link>>, what're you here fo?" The man you were to meet had given you the secret phrase to enter the club. "Um...I'd like to go where no twilight knows." C7 hummed for a few seconds, turned his head 'round both corners, and opened the door for you. "All the way down the hall to the left you'll see the bathrooms, but keep going." Imam walks before you trying to stumble his way through, "Sorry kid, adults only." You shrug at Imam, "Thanks for all your help though!" You ruffle his hair and walk past C7, hopefully that'll be the last of him. Pink onyx pearl here you come! Enter [[Azure.]]

"Hey!" You shout back. It's the boy from last night–Imam–who you fed. He looks up at you with a happy face, but you have no time for that, "Wha–Imam? Where are we? The boy giggled, "The Colonies! I found you tied up to some creepy guy's buggy and got my dad to help drag you back here. He says you work for us now." <<timed 7s>><<notify 3s>>Location Unlocked: The Colonies<</notify>><</timed>> "Work for you, I don't even–" You stopped to search your clothes for the spare key but...these weren't the clothes from last night, "Who changed my clothes?" You asked. Imam opened his mouth to respond, but you shut him down, "You know what it doesn't matter. Imam, I need you to help me. That creepy guy stole my ship and now I can't leave. Do you know where those dudes live? Maybe out here somewhere, or some part of the city?" "I go to the city all the time. Never seen those guys in my life, and there are hundreds of colonies just like this one. Could take ages." You couldn't breathe. Imam started to blur into the sand as sweat and dirt dripped into your eyes. Your skin burned like hot rubber, the sound of your heart drowned out the shouts, the cars, the //heat.// You ran back into the shack and fell to your knees, tears forming in your eyes. You knew someone was shaking you, but you didn't feel it. Your vision blurred together, everything was sand or dirt or...water? You collapsed to the ground. [[what happened?]]

You jolt awake. Oh, it was just a dream you should be back on your ship now– You stretch out as you wake. Ah, another day of travel it must have went well. You jump out of bed only to fall on wooden floor. //Wooden floor?// Your ship doesn't have–Oh no! Your ship! You barrel through the door and out of the wooden room, too fast as the sun and heat hit you leaving you disoriented. You trip over your own feet, landing yourself in the middle of what seems to be a road as a buggy drives past you, the driver yelling at you in illegible language. Your ship, gotta get your– [[Hey!]]

"Maybe?" Imam sighed, "I'm sorry, but I think it's gone." "So–so what am I supposed to do?" Imam rocked on his feet for a bit, scanning the room. He jumped past you and into a closet and came back with a red broom. "My dad says the house needs sweeping!" You looked from him to the broom. Imam didn't see anything wrong with this. He smiled, oblivious to your panic and pain. You didn't have your ship. You didn't have your onyx pearl. You had nothing but a dumb kid staring up at you. You snatch the broom from him, "kitchen or bedrooms first?" [[doing the clean up]]

You had swept the entire house. It was suprising they needed so much help, I mean...with all the sand. You wiped the inside of the glass until it shined, clear and beautiful like your onyx pearl. Ugh, oh well, this wasn't so bad, doing the clean up. You could seek fullfilment through this, making things clean, and Imam's parents had been nice to you, letting you stay in one of the rooms after you'd been knocked out. Sure it wasn't...traveling the cosmos, meeting different species, riding on snow dunes, and roaming the praries of Arda...but it was still good work! Imam came downstairs and grabbed the cup from your hand, "You missed a spot." And then he set it back down on the counter before walking outside. "I've got to get out of here." You said to yourself. Tonight you would sneak away and run back towards the city. Maybe someone could help you, like Atab or a Theta or ANYONE! You took the cup from the counter and were in the middle of putting it in the cupboard when the ground started to shake. Was it an aircraft above? Imam ran inside. "You have to come out! Hurry!" You didn't know why but you ran outside the door. Imam guided you next to him, beside the front entrance. It //was// an aircraft above, and tanks too. [["Imam what's going on?"]]

The Wonderground was the complete opposite of Azure. It felt more like a briney tavern, with hanging lanterns and wooden tables. The patrons were quiet drinking mead and playing games. You approached the Rush table. The last game was finishing up and next it was your turn. You sat down and the player before you weeped, losing what looking like a stunning game by having his last piece captured. Oh well, you couldn't let it get to you. This was the culmination of the last three months you'd been working for. You wouldn't lose now. <<link "The man you were to play approached you">><<popover 'opaque'>> image:Galdag and Minnow.<</popover>><</link>> You couldn't let yourself be intimidated by his look. This was for all the marbles. You set your pocket journal next to you. "Hello," you wanted to be friendly, "I'm $name!" He didn't respond. He fell to his seat, shaking the ground beneath you, "Let's jus' do 'is shall we? You've got the goods?" Okay well. This guy wasn't looking to nice. That's fine. You didn't have to be nice either. You set your key to your new L-71 spaceship on the table. He smiled and brought out the onyx pearl. It was gorgeous. Finally, your collection. You smirked. [[Let's play!]]

"Hey what's your name kid?" You ask. "I'm Imam." "I'm $name. You sure know your way around this place. Do you live in the city?" Imam didn't answer and you decided to leave it. You didn't need to know that much about him. As you'd made your way to the edge you stopped to catch your breath. "Give me–give me just one–one second." You set your hands on your knees and wheezed. You were never much of a runner, or really anything physical for that matter. Even in flight school you had just barely made the cut from physical training. This side of the tourist district was much more sparse. There were no giant buildings, no bubbling displays. The concrete underneath you had turned to grey sand, dissolved concrete. "Where is everything?" You ask the kid. "This is the edge of the city. We have to be careful. Quick, behind this building!" You fled with the kid behind what looked like a brick warehouse as two men in black gear walked through the spot you had just stood. [[Are those the Thetas?]]

"Yes." "Why do we have to hide from them?" Imam took you behind another building. From here, the city border was much clearer. It wasn't a wall like you'd expected, but several red granite pillars shooting at least 80 feet in the air. Perched on each tower was a Theta. Beyond that was arid desert as far as you could see, although you thought you saw some light coming from far out. It was probably the stars though. "They don't like it when people come out this far. Besides, the Wonderground is a very illegal club." As Imam led you behind buildings, you arrived at a run down metal building. The building's neon sign had worn out, leaving the name "Azure" in grey. There was no queue to get in, but an unlocked backdoor. [[You entered along with Imam.]] <<timed 1s>><<notify 3s>>Information Unlocked: Thetas<</notify>><</timed>> <<set $journal.push("Thetas are Kobos's military police.")>>

The blue lights strobed over and around you to the thumping music, only a few patrons were sitting, with the rest on the dancefloor, dressed in black and blue. The DJ–was that C7? You looked behind you, and sure enough he wasn't there anymore. He was on the stage, hyping the crowd. The bathroom was all the way across the dancefloor. They were so tightly packed, fading in and out of darkness from the lights. But you had to do it. For your onyx pearl. You walked down the stairs and onto the floor, immediately bumped by the people to your left and right. You squeezed through, trying and failing to avoid the touches and stares. From down here the music reverberated through your chest, like your body had been hollowed out and only the music remained. You were almost there. You reached your hand out of the crowd and gasped when you'd made it to the otherside. The people leaving the bathroom side-eyed you, but you kept going, all the way to the back and down the tunnel of stairs. Enter [[The Wonderground.]]

By the third hour, the entire tavern had paused to watch your game. You were in the thick of it, each of you with three pieces left. One wrong move and it was over. He moved his red pieces two spaces to the left! Ha! Your trap had worked, he must've been tired to make such a foolish misstep. You moved your blue piece up, effectively trapping his. You'd won it! The Tavern erupted into cheers. You swiped your key and your pearl into your pockets. You would clean it once you got back to your ship. Oh boy! Your collection was complete, you'd dreamed about this moment for 20 years! Oh where to next? Perhaps Kooldrag, the auction planet, just to show off your collection to the big leagues. They would surely be impressed! You left the club brimming with excitement. It was still night, oh you wished Imam were here to help you back to the Hub. Now which way was it again? [['Aye!]]

You turned around. It was the man from the Wonderground! What did he want. You'd won fair and sqaure, he'd probably want to argue for it, well you wouldn't stand for it. "Back for another round?" You asked. "Back for my onxy pearl and //that ship.//" He growled. You took a step back and held your bag away from him, "Well too bad! I won. A deal's a deal remember?" The man hit his club against his hand, "A deal ain't nothin' to me." You turned around and started to run in the opposite direction. The Thetas were crawling in this place, surely they would help, but oh no–you'd won it at that illegal nightclub. They'd probably take your things away and raid the club! Guess there's no choice but to [[keep running!]]

You really should've paid more attention in physical training. You started to slow and with the man on your trail, he would catch up in no time. The city started to light up again, once you got to the more condesed parts you'd be safe. You ducked behind a building to catch your breath and saw him keep running. He must have bad eyesight at night. You pulled the onyx pearl from your pocket and sighed. It was even more beautiful from the other ones, glowing from the inside. You couldn't part with it. You stepped out from the alley and began to walk. Hopefully that guy– you hit your head against a wall, but there was nothing... "I fink you've got somefin' that belongs to me." You chuckled and turned around but it was too late. He hit you across the head with his club and you were out cold. [[wake up]]

"Are you okay?" Imam had perched himself next to you at the backboard where your feet lie. He stood on his head, and tumbled over landing on your legs. "Imam! That's not funny! I'm gonna die here. I've got to get out of here. I can't, I can't," "Relax." Imam said. He handed you a glass of water, "You need to make sure to drink plenty. Kobos isn't like regular deserts." You gulp down the glass of water, "there's gotta be some way I can find my ship. I dropped it off at–at The Hub. Atab wouldn't give my ship to someone else would she?" "Atabs are just controlled to match the key with the ship for non premium tourists. They could have easily taken it." "Oh no. Oh no." You pace around the room, "How am I going to get out of here? How am I going to get all my things back. They just–they just stole all my stuff even though I won that game fair and square!" "That's just life in the city for you." Imam said, "Chances are they left this morning. Nobody is stupid enough to leave at night with the...well no one is stupid enough to leave at night!" [[So there's a chance they may still be in the city?]]

"It's just the Thetas doing a check. It should be quick, just stay next to me," He whispered. Usually happy, Imam stood like a stone, his hands gripping a jutting piece of wood from the house. The Thetas arrived on war vehicles, looking like monterous metal men in formation. As the line reached the end of the colony, the Thetas began to talk to those standing outside houses and shops and then go inside. [["And how are you two today?"]]

The Theta's voice was muffled under his helmet. His eyes shielded by the black visor. Imam spoke up, "We–we're good sir. This is our new help. ?Him name is $name. Our...new help." The Theta nodded, then turned to you, "You don't look like you're from around here. You sure this boy isn't up to trouble?" You gulped and looked at Imam who was rocking back and forth. This could be your chance to get out of here. You could tell him about your ship, and the club, and about Imam and you'd be able to go free. Imam looked at you, terror in his shifting feet. <<linkreplace "no we're okay.">> "Good!" The officer exclaimed. I'll need to go inside the house to make sure everything is a-okay and then I'll be out of your hair." The Theta stepped inside the house and you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding, but just as quickly as the Theta disappeared, the came back out of the house, marching back to his tank, and in a matter of seconds all of the tanks, the aircrafts, and the Thetas were gone. Like nothing had ever happened. You had never seen anything like it. "That was odd." You told Imam. [["no it wasn't"]] he replied. <</linkreplace>>

"They do this everyday." Imam replied, "They come, make everyone uneasy and then leave. It's so stupid!" He kicked the sand, "I don't even know why they came. They didn't even bring any food this time like they promised!" "Well why don't you just go to the city? There's plenty of food there." You said remembering the delicious Jujis. "We're not allowed in the city. Nobody from the colonies are, I mean...I go, but that's because I'm the only one stupid enough to use the tunnels underground." You face lit up, "So you mean there's a way back into the city?" "I mean...yeah." Imam said, "We have to go a little way out, but there's a tunnel that goes from this colony all the way to the tourist district. It's not advised though, if we get caught–" "But you've never been caught! Oh! Imam, if you get me back to the city, I'll buy you all the food you could ever want!" Imam rocked back and forth on his heels for a few moments, "Fine, but we have to go at night because the Giant Beasts are probably sleeping under there." "Oh yay–I'm sorry, [[the giant what?"]]

"The giant beasts that live in the desert. They burrow underground in the morning, and they come out at night. They usually avoid the colonies though. I mean...there have been rumors that one colony was destroyed but...it's just a stupid rumor my friends say to scare me. I don't believe it. They've been dormant for like...ever." You frown. It doesn't seem safe, but you've got to take that risk if you want to ever see your ship–and your pearl again! "Okay, let's do it!" [[That Night]]

You tossed and turned in the wooden shack. Turns out it was very hard to sleep on what was essentially a matress stuffed with sand and hay, and then the lights! The lights from the city were so bright, it was like morning. Pink and blue and orange hues streamed through the slits where wood met together. It didn't matter about sleep. Imam would be coming to get you soon, you could sleep all you wanted on your ship. Oh your ship, it was probably so cold and alone without you in it. The floor creaked as Imam stepped in. "$name?" He whispered, "Are you awake?" You jumped up, "Yes!" "Shhh!" He said, "He-here are your clothes. I had taken them to sell but...you don't deserve that. You really saved my butt out there. If they knew anyone were to have left the city and gone out here they might just destroy the whole village." You took your things back from him, despite it all, you would miss Imam. It's been so long since you've had someone to talk to like this, always hopping from planet to planet wasn't ideal for lasting relationships. Ah well, it's the price the space traveler pays. [["Let's go Imam."]]

The colony was just one big strip of wooden houses and some scraggly looking taverns make of wood and rock. You wondered where the wood had come from, surely it must be imported, there was desert for miles. As you and Imam walked to the edge you couldn't help but feel for him. You removed your shawl you got when you arrived and pulled it over his shoulders. "You stay safe here Imam okay? I appreciate all you help." He smiled, "I hope you find your ship!" You ruffled his hair and began to walk forward when you heard a shreik. From deep in the underbelly of the ground, thunder arose and a rumble shot through your spine. The ground moved like crashing waves tumbling up and down until you were on your feet and from the earth it sprang–a giant beast. Save|Continue [[The Giant Beast]]

You pulled yourself up and started to run against the wavering ground. People inside their homes screamed and ran as the beast tore through houses and shops. Imam was right behind you, but slowing down. "Grab my hand!" You yelled to him. He clutched it and you pulled him with you, finding a new kind of strength inside you, "The entrance to the city is just up there, we can make it!" Imam nodded and kept running with you. The beast thrashed, roaring into the night. Certainly someone from the city would be able to hear it. Someone should be able to help. You looked back at the absolute carnage of bodies and wood. It had destroyed everything, as if simply for pleasure, as it didn't devour anything. Imam turned his head around. "No, don't look back!" You told him, but it was too late. He let go of your hand, mesmeried by the thing, by the descruction and stood. Far too close as the beast flung a boulder towards your direction. "Imam!" You reached out to grab him, the beast approaching, the boulder falling, the edge of the colony right in front of you. You wouldn't make it, but if you could just grab him. You touch his shirt, then something–no someone pulls you back and away right before the boulder comes crashing down. [["Imam!]]

You tried to go back, but your feet weren't on the ground. Something revved underneath you. You were on a biped! A man was driving it. "Hey! Stop driving get me off of here!" "You don't want to die right?" You couldn't answer. You thought of Imam, the boulder, the beast still destroying the colony. "No." "Then I sugguest you hang on." You position yourself around on the biped and grip the man's back as you ride into the desert night. [[Chapter Two: What's Going On Here?]]

You didn't know if it was the fact that you hadn't gotten any sleep, the stress of tonight and last night's events, or the pain you'd been in from running, but there was something about the slow hum of the biped, the smooth ride, that knocked you out cold. And it was only when you felt something lick across your face, that you awoke. "Ah!" You said as you fell off the biped, onto grass, "I'm being attacked!" You yelled, "I'm–" "Major, Champ, heel." That voice. You remember. //Do you want to die?// You finally get a good look at the man who rescued you and...<<link "his dogs.">><<popover 'opaque'>> image of Champ and Major!<</popover>><</link>> "Who are you? Where–" You breathed in the fresh air and the green! There were trees, and wood, and grass! It wasn't hot at all, in fact it was cool. [["–Where are we?"]]

"The Oasis. You'll be safe here." The man says. He takes a seat around the fire and tosses you what looks like a fruit. <<link "Eat up.">><<popover 'opaque'>> image: Cowboy Booyah sitting on log<</popover>><</link>> You catch it, but don't eat it. You throw it around in your hands for a bit, before setting it on the ground. "Who are you?" You ask. You were wary of anyone in this place now. It doesn't matter if he saved you. He should've saved Imam too. "My name is Cowboy Booyah. You can just call me Booyah. You've met Champion and Spike and Jody...Jody isn't here right now." "Okay, why am I here? And you still never explained to me where this place is? What's going on here?" Booyah sighed, as if your questions were an annoyance, like he didn't just kidnap you. Like how those men didn't kidnap you and steal your ship. Like Imam didn't kidnap you and then die right in front of you. LIKE NOTHING YOU HAD BEEN THROUGH HAD HAPPENED AT ALL. You hit your fists against the ground and started to walk away from the fire. You didn't care if you got lost in the woods. Anything would be better than this captivity. "Wait!" He called out.[["Don't you want your ship back?"]] <<timed 1s>><<notify 3s>> Information Unlocked: The Oasis<</notify>><</timed>> <<set $journal.push ("The Oasis in the middle of the desert! On either side of the poles exist the Desert Oases, the magical centers of Kobos.")>>

You stopped and turned, "What?" He procured a key card from his pocket. //Your// key card to your ship. It looked like the extra one that you had left in your pockets before...your clothes were changed. "Where'd you get that?" You asked. "Some little boy gave it to me while he was carrying what looked like your lifeless body underground. Hefty price too. I gave him both my shoes." //Damnit Imam.// You walked back over to him. You just wanted to get off this planet. "Okay, how do we get my ship back?" "We leave. Now. We can take my biped. And when we get there–" You groaned, of course it was conditional. It's not like he was just being nice. "–I want to get off this planet." You looked back at him, he seemed sad about it. But whatever, he promised to get your ship, and you had nothing else going for you right now. Your body ached from the running, your head throbbing from the hit you had taken earlier. You didn't know how much more you could handle. You took a deep breath and nodded. [["Let's go."]]

Your ship had been taken by...//pirates?// Booyah had explained it more than once. Scummy dudes always looking to make a profit, by scamming people out of their items and space units. Appearently they had been here for over a month in the far side of the planet where the rocky cliffs and mountains were called "The Wildlands." Booyah seemed undisturbed by the threat of giant beasts. "You should be more worried about the spirits!" He yelled over the whipping sand, "They should let us pass, but they've gotten signifigantly more...curious over the past few weeks." You didn't know what he meant until you saw them. The <<link "colorful giants">><<popover 'opaque'>> image: giant<</popover>><</link>> "They're beautiful," You say. "Let's just keep our distance. We need to stop at this colony up here. I need to refuel." Good luck. In Imam's colony there didn't even seem to be a bathhouse, much less a gas station. You and Booyah approached the colony, just like Imam's it was one big strip of a town, but much more vast, and the people seemed to be enjoying the night, like there was some kind of festival. Unaware of the tragedy that had taken place in the other colony. You walk up to a young woman. [[What are you guys celebrating?]]

"It's the pre-festival to the Water Work Festival in three days! Here, have a cup of coffee and a Juji!" You gasp, as she procures one from a seller's stand, "Oh ma'am, I don't have any money." "Don't worry about it. It's on me! We only get one Water Work Festival, might as well share the love with everyone we can." She walks off, leaving you with the items. You dip the Juji into the coffee and take a bite. It's even better than the one in Takoma! The nutty sweetness fills your senses, and before you can think about it, you're crying. You scarf it down as you remember what had just happened. How it's set it. How Imam will never be able to taste another one. You drown it out with the coffee and wipe your eyes. It's okay. Your ship. Your pearl. They're waiting. You make your way through the crowd, Booyah has all but dissappeared, so you try to enjoy this moment. [[Talk to a dancing girl.]] [[Talk to an older guy.]] [[Go see what the dude sitting down is all about.]]

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You find him in front of a small building. It's made of black marble and red sand, the finest thing you've seen in all of Takoma, really. It's a...tomb. "You didn't really need to fuel up did you?" "Yes." He said, "But it's all finished. I didn't want to bother you." "Who's this for?" You ask about the tomb. "An old friend. Come on let's go. I want to get out of here." You didn't catch the name on the tomb before you guys sped off to [[The Wildlands.]]

Booyah parked at the bottom of the mountain. A bit of hiking would be required he said. //A bit.// Thirty minutes up a steep trail you were begining to think it wasn't a "bit." "How much f–" "Shh!" Booyah said and pulled you into a crook of the moutain. They were sitting in a lit cave, their shadows waving against the wall from firelight. "–Au well the big boss wants us to deliver 'em tomorrow. We're gonna be drownin' in gold." You recognized that voice, "That's him!" You said to Booyah, who shushed you again. "We need to keep our cover low. Let's [[get a better look."]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Booyah pulled you around the crook closer to them. From here you could see a little clearer, and your ship! It was right there in front where the man, and a woman you had never seen before were sitting at a stone table next to a fire. The cave descended into darkness beyond that with items piled around them. "Don't know how in the world we're gonna get this stuff back to Caldernon. You really do have a problem gamblin' Galdag." The woman said. "We'll catch a pretty penny for some of this stuff Victoria. 'Specially that ship. Real spacious on the inside." You gasped! Selling //your ship!// Not on your watch. You started to march from behind the crook. There was no way you were letting some grubby pirates take your ship to another planet! "$name!" Booyah yelled, "$name, wait up!" He caught up to you, jerking you backwards, "Are you crazy! Between you and me, I'm the only one with any fighting experience and you're just going to march in there? And do what?" You scoffed, "get my ship back!" "How? How are you going to get your ship back?" You crossed your arms. You hadn't thought that far. [["Aye? What's that noise?"]]

Galdag got up from his seat, torch in hand, and stepped out of the cave. Booyah pulled you around the wall of the cave, a few feet away from Galdag. You held your breath as he started to approach you. Booyah unholstered his gun, ready for combat. <<linkreplace "//AWOOOOO//">> Galdag stopped, "Eh, just some dogs," He turned back into the cave, "Aye Victoria, reckon' we might take some dogs with us?" Victoria responded, "No! Now go check on the girl!" Galdag grumbled, but walked off into the darkness. You let out a breath and rested against the wall of the cave. Oh you were never going to escape from here! Cowboy handed you the key to your ship. "I'll distract her, you get onto the ship and get it going. I'll meet you at the bottom of the cliff. And watch out for the spirits! They do not like being hit." Cowboy pulled out his gun and aimed it towards the top of the cave. [["Here we go!"]]

"What was that?" Victoria yelled. She walked out of the cave and Booyah revealed himself. "Oh. It's //you.//" She said. "You got something that belongs to me. And I want it back." Victoria rolled her eyes, "Told you that old bat is dead and he ain't coming back. Those coattails out there would pay a fortune for those rags you want." Booyah unholstered both his guns, "It's always the money for you isn't it?" Victoria brought her arms together and from them procured her dual cutlassses, from the fabric of her armour. Booyah took his first shot and she blocked it with her swords. He shot again and again, grazing her once, but surprisingly very bad aim. Or so you thought? As he ran out of bullets, in one swift motion he reholstered his guns and pulled two daggers from his boots, rushing towards her to close the space between them. He circled around her so that Victoria's back was to you. Finally, you could [[sneak in!]]

You crawled towards your ship, treading lightly against the items on the ground. There were goblets, and jewels, and a very nice 32b Striker's album. You may or may not have pocketed that for safekeeping, you doubted the pirates would appreciate the fine tuning that went to make it. Unfortunately there was no sight of your onyx pearl. Galdag was probably keeping it close to him. You entered your ship from the trapdoor under the captains quarters. It was just how you left it...minus the dirty sand tracks on the floor. Ugh, you'd have to go for a full inspection. You turned it on, the security measures initating. "$name is the best in the world. ?He <<verb 'is'>> the best traveller in the galaxy." Your ship whirred to life, buzzing and beeping. Oh, you'd missed it so much! You kicked in the thrusters. Lift off in 5...4...3– [[Aye! The ship!]]

Galdag threw the torch on the table and ran to the front doors, but it was too late. Lift off! You blew raspberries at him as he banged on the door. From above you could saw a bundle of covers he had come with. Probably that man from the Wonderground...but no. The bundle shifted, the covers revealing a child. Galdag berated her, but it wasn't her fault. You had taken the ship back, Booyah had–Booyah! Someone was banging on the bottom trapdoor, your cameras showed him holding onto the runners, screaming. You keyed him in and he fell against the ship floor, heaving. "Success! Let's go back to the Oasis." You looked back at the cave floating into the distance, and then the girl. The girls eyes, wide and bright, like Imam's. [["No."]]

You said. "No?!" Booyah jumped up and walked to the captain's quarters, "but we have your ship! If we go back, they'll take your ship, and they'll kill us. We have to leave." "But–" "No buts." He said, "I got you your ship, now its time for you to hold up yoour end of the bargain. Let's get out of here." "They have a child." Booyah shrugged, "I don't care what Victoria and Galdag do in their freetime." "No!" You said, "A stolen child! A kobossian child! Look!" Booyah turned around and froze once he saw her. His hand made it towards the boosters, once he turned those on there would be no coming back to Kobos. "She can't die." You said, "Not like Imam." Booyah sighed, "I should've just taken the ship myself." Booyah's hand left the thrusters for the wheel to turn the ship around. "You grab her. I'll be hovering just below the cave. You've got to hurry or you'll get caught!" You make your way to the trapdoor and jump down. [[Hurry!]]

<span id="countdown">You've got $seconds seconds.</span> <<silently>> <<repeat 1s>> <<set $seconds to $seconds - 1>> <<if $seconds gt 0>> <<replace "#countdown">>$seconds left!.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#countdown">><</replace>> <<goto "Try Again">> <<stop>> <</if>> <</repeat>> <</silently>> You land inside the cave, Galdag and Victoria notice immediately, bringing out their weapons. You couldn't focus on them you had to get to the girl. Galdag brought out his gun and fired. You needed to duck, but oh no! There was an item in front of you! @@#links; [[Duck|Try Again]] <<link "slide to the left">> <<replace "#links">>You slide around it, missing the buzz. "I'll get you cretin!" Galdag roars. He starts to leap forwards, but Victoria stops him. "No. Leave 'em to me." She runs toward you with her swords. What do you do, you're so close!<</replace>><</link>> [[Jump|Try Again]]@@ You grab her hand. She trembles, but you think what would someone say to keep her safe. [[C-Come with me if you want to live.]]

You couldn't save her, but you can try again. Go back and [[Hurry!]]

She nods and you both take off running back out the cave. The spirit shrieks at the mountain, crumbling some of the rock beneath you. There was no way out without your ship. The cliff ended 30 feet below, Galdag and Victoria were on their way, climbing back up. //You've got to trust Booyah, you've got to trust Booyah.// "Leap of faith?" You asked her. She nodded and together you jumped, down, down, and [[down some more.| Meanwhile...at Takoma's hub]] Save|Continue

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH You flail as the ground comes rushing towards you. This is it...this is the end. You hit the ground, the darkness and terror fading away as...you bounce? The girl held the hand you weren't clutching towards the ground. She'd procured some kind of forcefield is what it looked like. She grimaced as she held it. "This will protect...the landing," She whispered. You finally breathed out. Oh good, at least the imapact won't be too baaaAAAAAAAA– You scream again as the field disappears. The girl had passed out, her body waving like a flapping flag. Nonononono. Magic please come back. Please come back magic. You chanted to no avail. You hurtled towards your imminent death until– Booyah! He opened the sunroof to your ship and scooped the both of you up. Your head hit the ship floor first thunking. "We-we're oookay..." You said before your body fell limp. Save| Continue [[Interlude One]]

image of Atab: She's escaped the The Hub. She knows...something is amiss. [[down some more.]]

<div class ='centered'>Place: TAKOMA CITY, TOURIST DISTRICT</div> <div class = 'container'> <div class = 'topBackground'></div> <a class = 'textBubble' data-passage="Korbin speaks">Okay, guys. This is it. The big week!</a></div>

<div id="scene"> <img class="layer1" style="right: 0px; top: 25px;" src="Images/InterludeOne/characters/Korbin.png" width ="300px"> </div> <div class = 'container'> <div class = 'topBackground'></div> <a class = 'textBubble' data-passage="Talk to big titty goth girl">You circle your thumbs around each other as your boss Korbin gives you all one of his "morale" speeches. You tried to focus, but your attention fell to the new line cook. She had just transferred from another Bounty, and while you’d started a good rapport over text, it was just so hard to speak to her in person. You didn’t think you liked her...well you liked her but you couldn’t like her. Could you? Maybe it was just the fact that you lost all your friends a little while ago so you’re incredibly lonely and despite her constant will-they-won’t they behavior, you kept her around because it was the only validation you had outside your family members... Oh no...She’s coming this way! </a></div>

<div id="scene"> <img class="layer2" style= "left: 0px; top: -3px;" src="Images/InterludeOne/characters/Ramona.png"> </div> <div class = 'container'> <div class = 'topBackground'></div> <a class = 'textBubble' data-passage="Hey Ramona"> H-hey Ramona.</a></div>

<div id="scene"> <img class="layer1" style="right: 0px; top: 25px;" src="Images/InterludeOne/characters/Korbin.png" width ="300px"> <img class="layer2" style= "left: 0px; top: 25px;" src="Images/InterludeOne/characters/Ramona.png" width="300px"> </div> <div class = 'container'> <div class = 'topBackground'></div> <div class = 'textBubble'> @@#links; <<link "She pulled you into a hug, your head nestled in her...well nestled against her.">> <<replace "#links">> <a class = 'textBubble' data-passage=".."> Korbin: The Waterwork Festival is in two days! That means dignitaries from across this Sector will be coming to Takoma. You guys have been doing such a great job, so just keep it going. Down to the wire guys!</a> <</replace>> <</link>> @@ </div>

?He's awake. Go get him. Go get...wait. ?He's crashing again. ?He– [[The morning]]

image: Atab in the Wonderground

You wake up, your head throbbing, your stomach aching, your hands...all wrapped up. Your head all wrapped up too! [["That was a pretty big fall you took."]]

<<link "Who are you">><<popover 'opaque'>>image of Jody<</popover>><</link>> "I'm Jody, I'm pretty much the keeper of this place and...the friend you've met." "You mean Booyah?" She chuckled, "Yes him. Now, come here, let me redress these wounds. You took a pretty bad fall...well you and that girl." You didn't even notice June Bug sleeping in the corner. This was a surprisingly big tent. Thank god she made it. You scooted over to Jody and let her start rewrapping your hands. They were badly bruised and–ouch, aching. "I swear he's always getting into something new. When he told me his plan I didn't expect him to actually find you and well now...looks like he's got what he wanted." "Where is he?" You ask. "Out there." You thank Jody and walk [[out of the tent.]] Must've hit your rib too.

Booyah sat on a black horse, facing the rising sun. Champion and Major wagged their tails as he threw bits of food down at them. They took notice of you and ran over. "Gentle." You say before they can knock you over. Didn't want any additional bruises. "Didn't think you'd actually wake up. How are you?" "In a bit of pain...but it's not so bad." You noticed the saddle bags around the horse, "Where're you going? I thought we were leaving today." "I need to do one last thing before we leave. It’s on the far out to the edge of the Oasis. I shouldn’t be long." No no no no no no. Not again. Why couldn't you just leave. You'd even take everyone with you, even if you had to pay more at the galactic toll booths. "Oh no, I don't think that's a very good idea. How about we just, you know...leave?!" "Relax." Booyah said, "I'll be back in an hour. It's safer to leave a little later anyway. The spirits like to roam. The Thetas like to go on their morning rounds to the Colonies. We'll be better off this way." You couldn't believe it. You didn't want to be stuck on this planet for any longer! You felt around in your pockets for your key! Oh, the key! Booyah held up the key in his hands, "I knew you were gonna think about it. I have this one and Jody has the other one. Might as well get settled in." He slid the key back into his saddle bag. You huffed and went back to the tent. Hmmm, you couldn't just be a sitting duck, there had to be some way to get your key back! [[Stay here and try to get the key from Jody]] [[Go with Booyah and try to get the key from him]]

"Okay, I'll stay here." It'd probably be easier to get the key from Jody anyway, and you still needed the rest, "But hurry back!" Booyah nodded and headed off into the woods. You went back into the tent and let Jody finish dressing your wounds. "I'm sorry about him." Jody said, "He's got a lot of baggage he's carrying. We live, we make mistakes, I'm sure you understand that, from your travels and such." You think back to the Frozen Planet Beorus. Where you lost a pair of boots from your home planet. They were the last thing you had from there before...before. Granted, you just got another pair, but it was the testament of the thing. “Well, I guess it might be as simple as he can’t stay in one place.” You say, “I know I can’t.” Jody shrugged, "The times are changing. I've surely never seen anything like it. I mean...the way I grew up, the whole planet might aswell have been the Oasis. It's all so different. I don't blame him for wanted to leave. [[C'mon, let's get some food before she wakes up.]]

"How about I come with you?" You turned around and asked. I could be of some use. I passed all three of my bontanic terran classes in my mid-years." "Like that? All broken and bruised up?" You shrugged, and it did hurt, but you needed that key! "Yeah. I'll make it." Booyah rolled his eyes while putting his fingers to his mouth, whistling into the woods. <<link "oh wow">><<popover 'opaque'>><img src= "Cowboy Booyah/Images/Cable.jpg"> <</popover>><</link>> "That's Cable and the one I'm on is Nightline. Cable's a real tough girl so hold on tight." You climb Cable and she takes off after Booyah, and with every thump you wince. [[let's travel the Oasis.]]

A bubbling stream wound it's way around the trees and down into the woods. It must've come from somewhere, the rocky cliffs? There were no mountains. Sprung over grey granite were moss and lichen crawling with small critters, a few butterflies. The forest drew you from the inside out, rejuvenating your wounds. The sun tried to peek between trees to glint across water and warm your exposed skin but The heat of the desert couldn't penetrate here. "<<link "it's beautiful here.">><<popover 'opaque'>> image: the Oasis<</popover>><</link>> "Why would you ever want to leave?" "I just have to." He said, "If I don't I'll live and die here and Kobos is no place to die." Booyah pulled out a snack from his bag and began to eat. "Yeah well...you're telling me. I've almost died multiple times on this trip, and I still haven't gotten my onyx pearl." "What is that?" You smiled at the thought. That beautiful treasure. It was perfect for a collector like you, so rare and gorgeous. You couldn't wait to add it to your shelf. "It's just a beautiful piece of forged glass. It's something timeless you know, and people think they're one of a kind, but they come in a set. I've got all of them and that one needs to be with the rest of it's kind." "Hmm." Booyah hummed, "Sounds like junk to me." You chuckled, "Well, that's the best part of it. With things like that you get to create your own meaning for it. Hold your own memories with it." [["Let's stop here."]] Booyah said as you approached a creek.

The horses stopped to drink while Booyah picked some berries from a bush. You decided to pick some too...mmm so pink and sweet looking. You didn't realize how hungry you were. "Not those." Booyah slapped them out of your hand, "After you eat them your stomach lining will dissolve away until you eat your entire body from the inside out. Eat these instead." He handed you some red berries. "And eat them quick or you'll die anyway. I'm surprised the Oasis hasn't ripped you in half yet. It must want to keep you alive for some reason." "The Oasis wants to keep me...alive?" Booyah nodded and climbed back onto Nightline, "It's the magical hub of the planet. You probably don't notice it because you're so hurt but if you're not used to being here the Oasis can kill you by draining your energy." "Wait what?! So how do I stop it?" Nightline started to gallop off as you struggled to get back up on Cable. "You give your energy back to it. Nobody likes to think of our planet as living because it's the desert, but that took years to happen. The Oasis is all that's left. It's rough but she's still goin.' I've got to leave, unfortunately I don't think any of us has much time left. Once the Oasis goes,there's nothing." You thought back to your time in the city, "But there's so much water in Takoma. Why can't you just use that to irrigate the rest of the desert?" Booyah chuckled, "You think it really rains here? They pump the magic from the core and then use that to manipulate the planet's energy for it to rain. Didn't always used to be that way but...the times permit." [["I didn't know you did magic here."]]

You thought of the amazing show on the planet Demoise where they used illusions to turn the arena into the universe. The vastness of it took your breath away. You couldn't wait to go back. When you make your next rest stop you'll try to swipe it from him, and then it's just getting back to camp from there. "There's magic everywhere," Booyah said. "In the water, the trees, but it's not permitted unless you're a select individual. The people in Takoma think they can tech their way out of this one. I'm not so sure. It's right up here." You both stop off near a river. At the edge grew a long spindly bush with green leaves. Booyah cut a few off and held them in his hands. "Okay let's go." /"That's it?/ You came for the clippings of a few leaves? This is what we were waiting for? We could've flown here on my ship!" Booyah shook his head, "I have to do this here, otherwise it won't work. It'll only take a few hours." /A FEW HOURS?!/ You scoffed as Booyah sat down at the stream and started to crush the leaves between his fingers. "Ah man I forgot to take more of the berries. I'll be right back." Booyah walked off into the thrush. Now's your chance! [[Grab your key from the saddle bag!]]

/Where is it?/ He kept this thing surprisingly neat and packed full of stuff! You rummgaed through until you found it. Ah ha yes! "Hey, what're you doing?!" Uh oh, time to run. You started to bolt in the direction of the campsite. Your ribs were still aching, your hands barely gripping onto the key. But you had it! Now all you had to do was get back to the...campsite? You stopped at a clearing, but this wasn't your campsite. Where was your ship? Where was Jody and June Bug? [["Drop it $name!"]]

Booyah aimed his guns and you and you held your hands up. But this makes no sense. /Where were you?/ "I knew you were no good. I should've just taken it myself. Would've saved me the trouble of saving you just to kill you." Booyah wouldn't do that, besides, he couldn't get in without your voice activated security key. Time to pull the 'ol guilt trip. "You wouldn't do that to me would you Booyah? You're not that kind of person." "Oh you have no idea what kind of person I am." He shot his gun towards you. [[/Yep, really screwed yourself this time./]]

...or so you thought? The bullet never hit you. It didn't look like it hit anywhere. Booyah shot again. And then again. And again. Okay maybe the Oasis really was–<<linkreplace "PLING!">> An arrow flew by Booyah and landed in the tree next to him. He lifted his guns to the canopy but never shot. A plume of arrows started to come down, striking the ground and trees next to you. You ran behind a log to avoid getting shot, but Booyah ducked and weave through the arrows. One flew past your head striking the ground below. You started to run back to the horses who were just out of arrow range. This is just like Festival Carogawa all over, but with real arrows!<</linkreplace>> You skidded to a stop as an arrow pointed itself at your face, behind it, holding the bow a woman in red paint said, “You move and I shoot. Start walking back towards the clearing.” You lift your hands up and make your way over to Booyah, the arrow budding you in the back every so often. You put your back towards Booyah’s and whisper, "Who are these people?!" <<link "The Hai-Sai">><<popover 'opaque'>>image: the hai-sai<</popover>><</link>>Booyah said, “Keepers of the River Kobos.” “Do they usually take live captures?” “No.” “Oh shit.” Save | Continue [[Next ]]

You follow Jody out the tent and into the woods. Jody led you to an open space with a bubbling creek flowing through it. The trees were in full bloom, so the sun barely peeked over the canopy streaming light onto the grass and mulch below.You'd been surrounded by space and desert for so long you'd forgotten how <<link "gorgeous the green could be.">><<popover 'oapque'>>The Oasis image<</popover>><</link>> An animal leaped across the bend approaching the creek to drink. Jody held up her gun and you looked away as she took her shot. She was gracious enough not to make you help her carry it back to camp. "So do you want to leave too?" You ask her. "Eh...you get to my age and you realize it's the same, no matter where you go. It's all the same to me, I'll follow Booyah whereever he wants to go." But /how/ could she say that? Clearly she hasn't experienced a Demoise magic show before. Oh how you missed being out there. That vastness. It kept calling you back out. "It's so amazing out there. I couldn't imagine staying in one place forever." Jody nodded, "Well, something I learned along the way was it's not about where you go, where you end up, but what you do with it. What're you gonna do once we leave?" You thought about the onyx pearl you'd come here for. That beautiful treasure. It was perfect for a collector like you, so rare and gorgeous. You couldn't wait to add it to your shelf. "I really wanted my onyx pearl." You told her, "It's just a beautiful piece of forged glass. It's something timeless you know. So I don't know if I can go without it." Jody smiled, "Well looks like you need to visit a few pirates then." You nodded, but you had no idea how you were going to get it. Not after all the damage you'd taken. Ah well, four was plenty. Even if the pink one was all alone. [[Continue]]

You walked back to the campsite while Jody carved the animal out in the woods. June Bug was still sleeping inside the tent. You searched around for your key, surely it'd be in here somewhere? You pull up the rug a little and find it peeking out. Yes! You slide the key in your pocket and exit the tent. Your ship was waiting for you. Oh how you had missed LS-IV. She was still so beautiful, even if she was a bit banged up from the flight. You lightly touched the scratch where the pirate’s dagger had breached. It would take a good new coat of paint to get that off, but you’re sure that Galaxy Station could patch it right up. Perhaps after this ordeal you would settle down for a while on the beach planet Iotana and get some well deserved rest. Space travel really wasn’t that great for the body. Even artificial gravity had its limits and you think you’re reaching yours. You prop yourself against your ship and slink down to the ground. You didn’t feel so good. It was as if somebody had wrung you out like a rag and your body was all that remained. "Hey." You look up quickly, startled by June Bug standing above you. [["You're awake."]]

June Bug passed you a few red berries, "You should probably eat." "What about you?" You asked. You split the berries in half and handed some to her, "How are you feeling? You took a pretty bad spill." She shrugged. Her head and hands were wrapped but she didn't look to be in any pain. There was no bruising, no swelling, no...nothing. "How are you so much better?" You asked. "It's the Oasis. Sometimes it gives more energy than it takes. Once you learn how to control it, it can heal you." "So it's like magic or something?" Her eyes lit up, "Exactly! Watch this." She placed her fingers into a triangle, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she pulled her fingers apart long tendrils of gold light stretched between them like twine. “Touch it.” She said. You lifted your fingers to the golden strings and pressed against it. It bent slowly with your fingers and dissipated around them like flying sand. She told you to pick one up and you held it in your hand. It felt warm like the touch of another person’s hand. “It feels like it’s about to...fade.” As you said it, the string bled into the air like a thousand tiny fireflies. “Magic in Kobos is just highly concentrated energy. It’s a very fragile form of magic and can take quite a toll. Of course, nobody would ever know that. The city has been trying to erase magic from Kobos ever since they discovered it. The only place you’ll really find it is here in the Oasis–and the Kobossian school of magic. But everyone knows that for high profile kids born of noble passage." [["So where did you learn your magic?"]]

"Friends of my father. He was a mage, one of the best is what people tell me. I only got to train with him a few times before he passed." You nodded. You weren't sure what to say, you were never good at comforting people. "Well. You're very good at it. I'm sure he would be proud." June Bug smiled, "I can help you heal your wounds. I-if you want. I don't-it's not invasive, but some people don't...like it." You held out your bandaged arms, "Please do." She hovered her hands over your arms and started to chant. /Misasuninama...Misasuninama..Misa.../ Her hands glowed blue as she pulled your energy to your forearms. Your arms started to glow golden from the inside out. They were weak, so weak and painful. You clenched your teeth. "Is it supposed to hurt this bad?" "It's because I'm forcing you to draw your awareness to your arms. You'll be fine." You tried to hold on a little longer, but it was so unbearable. You pulled your arms away, gasping for air. They felt a little better, but still hurt. "Okay that's enough." "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" You waved June Bug away, "No it's okay! I think I'll just let it heal the normal way." June Bug sulked down next to your ship as you laid on the bare grass. [[Champion came up to lick your face.]]

"Ack–Champ–Maj–down boy down!" /WOOF./ /WOOF./ /GRR./ Joby came from the woods with the pieces of deer over her shoulder, her hair and clothes wet from what you assume is blood and then water to wash the blood off. "What's wrong boy?" She pushed the meat to the side and came over to him. Champion kept growling, even with the comforts of Jody. The trees started to rustle and Jody went for her gun. The trees rustled one more time and Jody took aim. She shot towards the sound and a bird fell from the canopy. “Oh, it’s just a Seeswill, Champ, nothing to be afraid of.” Jody reholsted her gun and went to pick up the bird, “Well at least we have dinner.” As she set her hand down you saw the trees rustled once more. You lept to your feet, hand outstretched <<linkreplace>>“Jody wait!” A woman came out from the woods guns drawn...you had never seen her before. "Who're you?" [["Mae!"]] <</linkreplace>>

Well that was a doozy, but finally you were back in your ship! You walk over to the window and imagine that deep vast space. You clicked the key into the dashboard and your ship whirred to life. You could leave now, even without the onyx pearl you could go...but June Bug and Jody they were still out there somewhere– No. It doesn’t matter. Booyah would find them eventually and he would just have to make the best of his situation. That’s what you’ve been doing this whole time. He should just get a job. Buy his own ship. You didn’t ask to be stuck here...well neither did he– No. It doesn’t matter. You sat in the captain’s chair and swiveled to your control center. This patch was large enough to leave, but you might take a few trees with you. SECURITY MEASURES ON. PLEASE ENTER SECURITY CODE. “$name is awesome. ?He ?is the best traveler in the galaxy.” SECURITY MEASURES COMPLETE You flipped the boosters on. Next stop deep space. You kicked it into high gear. Space could be such a wonder some– [[HEY!]]

June Bug hopped up from her spot to hug the woman. "June Bug?! Oh my goodness!" The woman pulled her closer, then drew her weapon towards you and Jody who lifted her guns as well. "Why do you have her?" Mae yelled. "Easy now young lady." Jody said, "That girl was in pieces before I patched her up. Now I don't know who you are, but you better be careful drawing that weapon on just anyone." "My name is Mae. Second to the Rebel Squad One. I was looking for Pillagers, but you're just...you're just–why do you have her?" June Bug pulled away from Mae, "They're friends. ?He helped rescue me and she patched me up. It's okay." Mae slowly drew her gun down and reholstered it. She touched her hand to her ear, "No reports of Pillagers here sir. All clear on the West flank. I also found her. West Bank near the Squad Three campsite." [["Pillagers?"]] You ask.

“The Pillagers. They’ve been coming to this land and ravaging it’s resources. The Oasis can withstand, but if it keeps happening, this will all be desert, like everywhere else. And as second to Squad One it's my duty to protect it and all the magic in Kobos." "Damn right." Jody said, "They've been killing up all the good game too." "I've been tracking them," Mae said, "We need to get out of here. Your campsite is too close to their grounds. I have a place that you could stay but only for–" From the thrush a rope twisted it’s way around her wrist. She tried to reach for her gun with the other hand, but just as quickly a knife flew out and cut her, sticking in the grass. You knew that knife, it was the same one that had scratched your ship! This was… [[“Pirates.”]]

You seethe as Victoria comes from the bushes with Galdag and a large man in a bunny mask. You motion to June Bug to get under the ship. There was an underside door, unlockable by key! “Give us the girl and you can go unharmed.” Victoria said. “Over my dead body.” Mae said. Jody drew her guns out and fired all clean shots towards them. Victoria dodged the first and second bullet, Galdag hid behind and tree..and for bunny mask...well they just bounced right off. Victoria smiled, “You’re lucky the big boss told us not to take any hostages.” You fiddled with your pockets trying to work in the cramped space. “Hurry.” June Bug whispered. “I’m trying!” Victoria removed Jody’s guns and threw them on the ground, “This time I’m not lettin’ ‘em get away from me. You know I hear this patch is real valuable. There’s a path that goes from here straight to the River Kobos. Got friends who’ve been looking for it.” “You wouldn’t dare work with the Pillagers.” Jody struggled under the restraints they had tied her in. “I work with anyone. Find the kid!” She said to her crew, “And see if you can get that space traveler too.” "Xolan will be here soon, and he'll kill all of you," Mae said. Victoria hit her over the head with a rock and she quieted. You finally managed to unlock the latch and climb in. You reach for June Bug but she is snatched away from under you, screaming. You quickly close the latch hoping whoever took her didn’t see you. You listen from the inside. “I got ‘er boss!” The big orc dragged her by her hair. “Hey Galdag, be careful with the goods! The Boss demanded her not to be harmed. We’ll deliver her first thing tomorrow. Where’s that traveler?” June Bug squirmed and kicked, “Let me go! Who’s behind this? Is it the Thetas? King Iskov?” “Shut it!” Victoria quipped and muzzled her. She placed restraints across her hands and feet, “I don’t care about the traveler, let’s just take these two and go. The Pillagers will be here soon ?he won’t make it anyway.” Even though she couldn’t see you, June Bug looked at you through the windows. [[Next]]

The Hai-Sai walked you to their base high in the canopy. “Why are you taking us as captors? The Hai-Sai usually don’t do that. They shoot to kill.” Booyah said. “Shut up!” The girl who had pointed the arrow at you guided you forward along with a handful of other Hai-Sai surrounding you. There was a woman in the front who you assumed to be their leader with Cable and Nightline. Even then, with the ones close to you, you could feel the other Hai-Sai in the trees. Watching. Waiting. “Who are you taking us to? Who’s leading this?” Booyah said. They had taken his guns and knives so there was no way out, and Nightline and Cable had been muzzled and led behind you. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll kill you where you stand. You and ?him. “Okay Booyah, I think it’s time for you to shut up!” Booyah scoffed, “You don't get to tell me when to shut up." [[They led you all up into a room]]

...and tied you to chairs. The girl who had captured you hung back against a column, her bow now draped low in her hands. The Leader Hai-Sai touched a hand to her shoulder and waved her off. You watched her walk away and she stuck her tongue out at you. Rude. The Leader Hai-Sai looked down at you both, “Why have you come here?” She said. “We’re not Pillagers, if that’s what you think. I didn’t know this was Hai-Sai territory.” Booyah scoffed. “Lies! Don’t think we don’t know who you are Cowboy. The Hai-Sai are watchers. We know your past, your present, your soul.” Booyah didn’t respond. So you decided to try. “We weren’t trying to cause harm. Please. I’m sure Booyah will tell you what we were doing here, and that it wasn’t to cause harm. Isn’t that right Booyah?” Booyah sighed, “We were here to cut some of the magical leaf of the River Kobos.” “Thief!” She cried, “The Kobossian leaf has not been used for years. It was banned in ceremonial practice after they tried to sell it in the city. You must know this. [[...]]

“Just kidding!” You chuckled, “Tell them the real reason why we were here. We didn’t want any magical cactus plant stuff. Right? Right?” “And you,” She turned from Booyah, “You have come here trailed behind him not knowing what deceptions he carries and where you are going. We see you too, traveler!” She huffed, “I should hang you both for treason!” She yelled, “But I’ll let him see what he wants to do with you first.” Booyah’s head snapped up, “The Hai-Sai never work with others.” A tall man entered the room. He didn’t have the Hai-Sai facepaint or the traditional clothing. He talked to the Hai-Sai leader for a few moments then walked in front of you all. He paced back and forth examining like you were the animals caught in a bear trap. “At ease.” He said, and the Hai-Sai behind him relaxed, “I have been informed of why you came. You seem to do no harm, but you seek the magical cactus. Why? To perform the ritual.” Booyah sighed, like he knew what was coming. “Who are you trying to see?” You decided to chime in, “For the record, I don’t know anything about magical cactus. I’ve been dragged along.” The man nodded, “You look like you don’t know much of anything. But there may be some use for you yet. I will not have you killed.” He said to you, then he turned to Booyah, “It’s nice to see you again, Cowboy. I will give you your magical cactus, but I’ll need help first.” “Wait you two know eachother?!” You couldn’t help but groan. You were getting pretty sick and tired of people you didn’t know telling you what to do. <<linkreplace "Who is he?">> The man smiled and turned his eyes to Booyah. “He’s a Rebel. Xolan.” [[Yeah...that really clears it up.]]<</linkreplace>>

Photo [[next ]]

You and Cowboy were released along with Nightline and Cable. Xolan led on foot back towards your campsite. “So what’s this mission you want us for?” You asked him. “The Pillagers. They’ve been setting up camps all over the Oasis, I suspect to start terraforming to harvest the magic here. The Oasis is our last defense against the growing machine of Takoma, if we don’t protect it here, then we might as well have lost.” Xolan replied. “Lost? Lost what? What are you fighting?” You ask him. “We seek the change we see in the Universe, and we work to get that change.” You whisper to Booyah, “What does that mean?” Booyah doesn't answer you. He must still be mad about the key. [["So...what does that mean?"]] You asked Xolan.

Xolan did not respond a second time. Thoughts started to bounce around your head. Was Cowboy planted here for you all along? This was all so strange. Of course you felt bad about betraying Booyah, but look what happened! If you had left this morning you'd be halfway to Iotona with their sweet sweet beaches and coconut lemonade. As you approached the campgrounds you saw a split in the trees that lead to them as if a giant hammer had whacked away at it. “Something’s wrong,” Booyah whispered. “There’s been a battle.” Xolan said. The fire was put out, the wood strewn across the ground lying next to pieces of raw meat. Not human...you didn't think. Heavy bootprints marked black in the ground around with charred grass where lasers may have hit. Three pistols laid on the ground, emptied of their bullets. Surprisingly, they had left your ship. It looked just as you left it. "I know this gun." Xolan said, "It belongs to my Second, Mae. She way here." "But where are they?" Booyah asked. He hopped off of Nightline and picked up the guns, “These are Jody’s. It looks like they were emptied before she used them. She always carries three bullets with her." Xolan I’m sorry but I can’t help you. I have to find them." “Pillagers.” Xolan said. He picked up a piece of metal from the ground, “I recognize this piece as part of their masks. They were here.” “But they didn’t take my ship.” You said, “So they were just passing through and happened to get in a fight?” Booyah gasped, “Where’s June Bug?” You walked around the site, looking for more clues. You spotted a dagger on the ground, the engraving felt familiar. [["Pirates." ]]

"Look, it’s a pirate’s knife," you say, "Looks like they got into a fight. Took June Bug and Jody with them. We need to go find them." "Find them?" Booyah seethed. "Yeah," You said, "I mean...they could be hurt, they could be–" "They could be hurt? Thirty minutes ago you were running away from me so you could go back to your ship and leave them all behind! Now you want to find them?" You gasped as Booyah lifted you by your shirt collar, "You know what you can do to help? Get your ass out of here, because it's been nothing but back and forth with you. I should've left you to get eaten with your friend in that town." You pushed back at him, "Don't you dare say that!" "Yeah, well why not? Because he was your friend? Because you cared? It's your fault that beast came to the town anyway. The Thetas know everything! And the moment they saw you, a space traveler who writes /literally/ everything down, is the moment they knew they had to get rid of you and everyone there. You should've never came here. All for some stupid piece of junk that you could get at any galaxy stop shop." Booyah knocked you to the ground. [["Booyah enough!"]] Xolan yelled.

<<link "Xolan">><<popover 'opaque'>>image of Xolan<</popover>><</link>>said, "I know you're angry, but we need to be rational. They took Mae too. I bet the Pillagers have her." "And the Pirates have June Bug and Jody." Booyahed said, "I'm going to find them." Booyah checked his gun over a few times, "You can leave if you want to. I'd rather die here than be a lonely traveler like you." /Ouch./ Xolan helped you up. "Listen I know he's mad, but I could still use someone to help me with the Pillagers. You've got good spirit, and I don't have the qualm that Booyah has with you. Join me?" You sigh, you really did want to leave...I mean who cares about Jody, June Bug, Booyah, Imam–argh! They were all just tiny specks in that vastness of space. Little nothings in the Universe that will die and make no difference! It didn't matter! None of it...mattered. It couldn't matter because then what was the point of all the things you collected? All the time you wasted? You looked at Xolan's outstretched hand and somehow this small desert planet called to the energy within your soul. "Okay." You said." Xolan nodded,[["Let's Knock Some Heads."|Chapter Four: The Rebels Part 2 Let's Knock Some Heads]]

Booyah barreled into your ship, his eyes lit like fire. He pulled you out the captain’s seat by your collar and drug you out. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now?” He seethed, his gun pressed against your chin. You couldn’t answer. Literally. He was choking you. Instead you flailed, trying to push his gun away. He screamed and threw you across the ship into a cupboard, crashing your things to the ground. “Where are they?" “I didn’t do anything!” You plead, “They were taken away! The pirates–The Pillagers–Seeswills. I don’t know." Booyah reholstered his gun and turned away, "You know what you can do to help? Get your ass out of here, because it's been nothing but back and forth with you. I should've left you to get eaten with your friend in that town." You pushed back at him, "Don't you dare say that!" "Yeah, well why not? Because he was your friend? Because you cared? It's your fault that beast came to the town anyway. The Thetas know everything! And the moment they saw you, a space traveler who writes /literally/ everything down, is the moment they knew they had to get rid of you and everyone there. You should've never came here. All for some stupid piece of junk that you could get at any galaxy stop shop." [["Booyah enough!"]] A voice called.

<div class = 'container'> <div class = 'topBackground'></div> <div class = 'textBubble'></div> @@#links; <<link "You didn't know why you had to be included in this. You were just a dishwasher, and often your job was so evenly split, even on the roughest of days the most stress you experienced was from other people imbuing it onto you, as if their stress could be transferred through osmosis.">> <<replace "#links">> Ramona: Ugh, Korbin’s speeches just make me so bored and waste so much time. I’ve got six orders that need to go out to section four. Hey, I know it’s not your area, but could you help me out and wash those tables down?<<linkreplace "/Keep it cool./">> “Sure. No problem.” <<link "Ramona: Oh, thank you!">><</link>><</linkreplace>> <</replace>> <</link>> @@

"You'll need a weapon." Xolan said, "Pick one you think would be easy to wield. I know you're not much of a fighter, but these tools will come in handy when it comes to the Pillagers."