071514condescemerrow

[10:54] LL: ((Huehuehue Ready?))

[10:54] AA: (( Sure. ))

[10:55] LL: As soon as you are done messaging that INFURIATING HIGHBLOOD, there is a knock at your door.

[10:57] AA: Merrow grunts, then moves toward the door. In his paranoia, he has had a MINIATURE EXTERIOR VIEWING APERTURE installed in his TRANSITION PORTAL, to make sure anyone who comes to his room is not an assassin, and he checks this now before opening the door.

[10:58] AA: "WHO SEEKS AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PRINCE?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[10:58] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Her Imperial Condescension summons you."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[10:59] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: It's one of the many faceless drones.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[10:59] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: MERROW GROANS. "FANTASTIC. WE SHALL BE RIGHT ALONG."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:00] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: MERROW SITS ON HIS FLOOR FOR EXACTLY FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE GETTING UP AND LEAVING HIS ROOM. IT BRINGS HIM JOY TO MAKE HER WAIT.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:00] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: (( Oops. ))

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:00] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "VERY WELL. IS SHE IN THE THRONE ROOM?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:01] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Yes. I am to escort you." You notice for the first time the guard is armed.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:02] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow eyes the weapon. "IS THERE SOME REASON YOU FEEL *THAT* IS NECESSARY?" he says, nodding to the drone's armaments.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:03] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "I'm just following orders, your highness." He nods down the hallway.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:04] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "VERY GOOD. SHALL WE FOLLOW BEHIND YOU THEN, SO THAT YOU MAY PROTECT US FROM ANY ASSASSINS THAT MAY BE HIDING AROUND THE CORNERS?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:04] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "SEVERAL FEET BEHIND, PERHAPS. JUST IN CASE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:05] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "You are to walk ahead of me, to ensure you go where you're ordered."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:05] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WHY WOULD WE EVER DEVIATE FROM THE REQUESTS OF OUR DEAREST MOTHER?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:05] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WE ARE NOTHING IF NOT OBEDIENT."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:06] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Then you'll proceed ahead."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:07] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow grimaces, having been caught in his own logic. A careless mistake he can not afford to repeat. He proceeds as requested, but all of his attention is on the "guard" at his back, rather than where he's going.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:07] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "VERY WELL."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:08] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: The guard doesn't move to shoot, but walks behind you all the way to HER throne room.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:09] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow walks into the throne room, considering whether or not he could fake a need to use the BIOLOGICAL REFRESHMENT FACILITIES before continuing, to make the Condesce wait on him longer.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:09] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: When you enter, it is as it has always been. Pillars of red Alternian Marble, and large windows through which one can see the Marine life. She is sitting on her throne, with assistants clustered around her, asking for approval of the latest designs for her FASHION ENTERPRISE.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:09] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: But he decides against it, feeling nervous with this drone behind him.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:10] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "MOTHER. WE WERE TOLD THAT YOU WISHED TO SEE US?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:11] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "AND WE SEE THAT YOU SENT A....IMPRESSIVELY ARMED GUARDIAN TO ESCORT AND PROTECT US FROM ANY WOULD-BE NE'ERDOWELLS ON OUR SHORT CONSTITUTIONAL AS WELL. HOW THOUGHTFUL."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:13] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: She doesn't look up from the obnoxiously large binder being lifted by a struggling servant. "We are to understand that you have been speaking with Darmok Aggaro."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:13] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WE DO NOT KNOW THE NAME DARMOK. BUT AGGARO IS THE NAME OF ONE OF THE HIGH RANKING HIGHBLOODS, IS IT NOT?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:16] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow thinks for a moment, deciding how much to reveal. The witch KNOWS things sometimes that she shouldn't, and it wouldn't do to be caught out in an outright lie. But a little obfuscation is only to be expected. She would almost be insulted if he DIDN'T flub the truth a little...

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:16] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Yes. You spoke to his son, moments ago. cthonicCatamite?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:17] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Ah. Of course. She must be having his network traffic logged. He would have to remember to find an encrypted client in the future.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:17] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "IN THAT CASE YES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE GOING BY THAT HANDLE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:18] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: (( *WE ))

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:18] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WE BELIEVE HE MAY HAVE BEEN INDULGING IN NARCOTICS. HIS WORDS WERE NONSENSICAL."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:19] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "...APROPOS OF NOTHING, WAS THE ELDER AGGARO EVER A PERSON YOU HONORED WITH MUCH....TRUST?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:19] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "...FOR EXAMPLE, NAMES THAT OTHERS MIGHT NOT KNOW?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:20] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "He is the commander of our military, and as such we have utmost faith in him." She finally looks at Merrow, down the bridge of her nose, haughtily. "Commander Aggaro knows many things. His son knows things he should not."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:21] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "YES. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE CASE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:22] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WE ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE PLACED HIM, AND THE COMMANDER, UNDER OBSERVATION?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:23] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: ((one sec))

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:25] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "IF WE RECALL OUR HISTORY CORRECTLY THERE WAS SOME QUESTION OF THE COMMANDER'S LOYALTIES AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE WAR CRIMINAL FROM THE HUMMUSSES, ALREADY, WERE THERE NOT?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:25] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: (( Okay. ))

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:26] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "She was released as part of the deal negotiating the Truce." The Condesce leans back in her throne. "In truth, we and the Commander have had you under observation for some time."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:26] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "ONLY FOR OUR OWN PROTECTION, WE ARE SURE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:27] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "YOU ARE NOTHING IF NOT A DOTING AND PROTECTIVE PARENT, AFTER ALL."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:28] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Yes. That's why we've decided to have you be the first."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:29] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow begins racking his brain, trying to figure out if he said anything that might look bad if the Condesce knew about it. He had been careful, right? Never said anything that might be construed as treasonous?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:31] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: The Condesce smiles sweetly. "You have heard of this new game coming out, yes? SBase?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:32] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "OH. YES. WE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE BETA RELEASE, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK YET."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:32] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WE HAD CONSIDERED PULLING SOME STRINGS, BUT FEARED IT MIGHT BE SEEN AS UNSPORTING."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:36] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "The strings have already been pulled. The Beta 'sign ups' were a ruse. We began the selection process for candidates 13 years ago, when we negotiated the truce."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:36] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow blinks. "THAT IS....AN ODD THING TO DO FOR A SIMPLE VIDEO GAME."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:37] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "NOT TO SUGGEST THAT OUR REVERED MOTHER IS ODD, OF COURSE! ONLY THAT THIS ACTION SEEMS TO SUGGEST THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:38] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Everything we speak of from this point on is confidential information. Do you understand?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:39] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow's interested now. "YES. UNDERSTOOD."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:41] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: She flicks her hand in irritation. All but the four armed guards leave the room.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:42] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "As I'm sure you are aware, over the years, there has been some... tension... between us."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:42] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "YOU MEAN THE TROLLS AND THE HUMMUSSES?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:44] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "I mean you and I."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:44] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow is caught a little off guard by this.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:45] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "NO MORE THAN IS NORMAL FOR A MOTHER AND HER TEENAGED SON, WE ARE SURE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:45] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "I wouldn't know. My mother was quite distant." She stands, and descends the dias, walking towards you. "Well, it's time we put that behind us."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:46] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow is on guard, unsure what's happening. Is she....is she attacking him?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:48] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: In what can only be described as the most awkward moment in the history of Alternia, your mother attempts to hug you.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:48] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow does not know what to do. After a few moments, he awkwardly returns the hug, more or less stunned into silence.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:49] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "YOU'RE NOT DYING, ARE YOU MOTHER?" Merrow sounds confused and maybe even a little distraught, to even his own surprise.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:50] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "No. We've taken precautions. Though whether or not I continue to live, or any of us do, is going to fall on your shoulders."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:50] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "OURS? YOU WOULD....YOU WOULD TRUST US WITH SUCH RESPONSIBILITY?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:53] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "I don't have a choice, or else I'd have taken the responsibility on my own shoulders." She sighs. "Do you recall that large rock out in the Reef?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:54] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow nods.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:54] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: (( Actually, I guess I should have asked if I do or not. ))

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:54] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "That rock is where we found you, as a wriggler." ((yeah it's fine. LOL))

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:55] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "'FOUND' US?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:56] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "ARE WE NOT YOUR TRUEBORN SON THEN? HAS OUR POSITION AS YOUR HEIR BEEN A LIE ALL THIS TIME?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:56] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow looks like he's been punched in the stomach.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:57] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "THIS HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF OUR CONFLICT THEN....WE ARE AN IMPOSTER, WITH NO CLAIM TO YOUR NAME."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:57] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "No... we have had you genetically tested. You are our son, though we didn't submit any pails to any drones, or engage in base human relations." She touches your cheek fondly.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:57] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WE....DO NOT UNDERSTAND."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:58] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Neither did we. It took a lot of research, but we quickly learned that you were sent for a reason. For this... SBase."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[11:59] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "THIS SEEMS....A SOMEWHAT TRIVIAL PROMPT FOR SUCH SHENANIGANS."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:00] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "You would think, but here we are. Further research revealed that the game would trigger the apocalypse when played, and that we couldn't prevent its execution."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:00] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "WHAT."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:02] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "MOTHER, ARE YOU TEASING US?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:02] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "However, Twenty Players are to be selected. We managed to identify, and track, all of them. As they came from both humans and trolls, we decided that a truce would prevent a mutually assured destruction." She sighs.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:02] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: She shakes her head. "We wish we were."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:04] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "SO THE APOCALYPSE HAPPENS ONCE THE GAME IS PLAYED. WHICH IS....WHAT, A FEW WEEKS? MONTHS? WE ASSUME YOU HAVE KEPT IT FROM THE PUBLIC TO PREVENT PANIC?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:05] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Yes. Three months time. All but those chosen to play, and their immediate families, will be wiped out. As such, for your safety, we have decided to move you all to a secure military compound."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:05] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow nods. This makes sense.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:06] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "AND THERE IS NO WAY TO PRESERVE THE OTHERS? AN EMPIRE OF....WHAT, THIRTY OR FORTY? IS NOT MUCH OF AN EMPIRE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:07] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: She grins. "Aah, but that is only temporary. You see, our research leads us to believe that if this game is beaten, the winners will be given dominion over an entire universe."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:08] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "As such a feat would be worthy only of my son, I see no reason why he would not, in the course of the game, subjugate the humans, and rule over this new universe as the Alternian Emperor. I would be quite content to retire to being Empress Dowager in such a situation."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:08] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "NOW THAT IS APPEALING. HOWEVER....WE HAVE A DUTY TO THOSE WHO WE RULE OVER, DO WE NOT? IS THERE NO WAY TO SAVE THE CITIZENS OF THIS UNIVERSE?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:10] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Only those in the military base at the time of its entry will be saved. So we are moving as much essential personnel in as possible. Sadly, the humans have demanded some input on who 'essential personnel' are."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:11] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "OF COURSE. AND TO ENSURE THEIR COOPERATION, CONCESSIONS MUST BE MADE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:11] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "VERY WELL, WE KNOW YOUR INFORMATION NETWORKS ARE ROBUST ENOUGH THAT, IF THERE WERE AN ALTERNATIVE, YOU WOULD HAVE FOUND IT."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:11] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "I have done my best. Why don't you take a little time, and pack your things, and we will take you to the base."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:12] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow still feels a little weird to actually b conspiring WITH the Condesce.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:12] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "YES. YES WE SUPPOSE WE WILL NEED TO BE WELL SUPPLIED. DO WE KNOW THE NATURE OF THIS GAME, WHAT SORTS OF SUPPLIES ARE MOST NECESSARY?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:13] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Most are provided. Just take things that are personally relevant."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:13] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "VERY WELL. WE WILL GO TO PREPARE."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:14] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "SHOULD WE....SHOULD WE HUG AGAIN? IS THAT THE PROPER PROTOCOL IN THIS SITUATION?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:14] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: She holds out her arms, and her eyes twitch spasmodically. "I think so?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:15] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow, entirely out of his element, goes in for another awkward hug.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:15] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: It is almost more awkward now, as you've actually started bonding on some weird fundamental level.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:16] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "PERHAPS IT GETS EASIER WITH PRACTICE?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:17] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "Hopefully. We have to pretend to be a close, happy family in front of those humans. We can't have them attempting to drive a wedge between us."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:18] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "TRUE. AND IT WOULD BE....COMFORTING, WE GUESS? IF IT WERE CLOSER TO THE TRUTH."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:18] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: "VERY WELL. WE WILL GO RETRIEVE OUR THINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST IN THESE MATTERS, MOTHER."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:19] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#00aa00;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">LL: "We do what we must, for you, and our people." She smiles. "Go ahead then."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">[12:19] <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#b11262;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AA: Merrow returns the way he came.