You're not really lying by saying yes, he is.

Might be best to converse with Pillet a bit here and see what she's thinking though. Shuzenza's on her trail and seems like a matter of time before the truth has to come out.

If she could imitate someone so cleanly, so undetectably, then surely she could have infiltrated the fleet at any time. Why start suspecting people now?
And if you where such a copy, would you even know? Or couldn't you perfectly lie?

Is there any answer to that question that could truly satisfy? It's getting a bit close to philosophy. How can you truly know anything?

But really, if he hasn't seen anything to make him think this is Pillet, then he shouldn't be chasing ghosts.

If Pillet is as dangerous and talented as he says then would you even know if you were compromised?

Another thing to consider: if Pillet never died, learned multiple skills, and we never found out until now, then whatever she's doing it doesn't seem to be very disruptive to the phenocosm.

...I don't konw what the correct course is, but there is a possibility that it is to be truthful, tell him to count the number of souls in this body, because it's not one, and see of you can't get him to send the two of you back down into the (sub-)sub-dimension to finish the job

Because at this point lying will be exponentially harder, now that he's going to be on the lookout for everything, since Pillet was using this blindness to hide and do... anything

Maybe "Do what you need to prove it, Shuzenza, I trust you." would be the most prudent answer right now.

He probably has way more Energy than Aelsaw, so trying to change his memories is out of the question.


As an aside and also as an open question to everyone, should we stop going through the memories and instead start making a plan on how to win more people over on the election?
We don't have to know the full backstory right now and, honestly? Pillet's life story is making me sad and I'd like to get back to her house-planet ASAP.

1/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106345 ID: 04e6e3
File 174477124096.png - (28.38KB , 1200x1000 , 867.png )

"Is that rhetorical, dear?"
>"It is. I would like the topic discussed regardless."
"Then all I can is yes, you are," 'and then some.' Hm?

>< I'm not going to drop sly little hints about there being more than just you! >
< Sister, if anyone should know about you and is willing to work alongside you, it is Shuzenza. >
>< That's insane! He'll kill us both! >
< Oh? >
>< Think about it, him tossing you into the subdimension was only a backup plan! He's already told you if he gets the chance to blow it up without them sealing themselves inside first, he'll take it without a shred of hesitation about whether or not you're inside! If he finds out I'm in here, we're done! >
< How easily you panic. >
>< I told you I needed to ease back into this shit slowly! Damnit, he's onto me. >

"What happened with Gel is concerning, but it could also have been internal conflict with the founders or many other explanations, correct?"
>"I admit this is true. Paporron himself could easily have done something too, out of fear you would not be allowed back after the founders realize you escaped their surveillance."
"Nonetheless, is Gel's situation worth chasing ghosts over?"
>"On its own? Perhaps not, but know this. I will always believe in Aelsaw to do the correct choice given her strenuous circumstance. She is exceptionally measured in her thoughts, even by artificer standards. And it was Aelsaw herself who began to think Pillet herself may be back, and went on that train with Tegge. In that moment, Aelsaw thought the ghost was worth chasing. Now you come back, act like someone else, and are saying it is not?"
"... hm? What do you mean, acting like someone else?"

2/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106346 ID: 04e6e3
File 174477124255.png - (183.28KB , 1200x1000 , 868.png )

I blink once. When I open my eyes again, I have been lifted off the ground by my neck.

>"You move like you're emulating someone else. You speak as though you are constantly double checking your words."
"Dear. I am under unprecedented circumstances far outside of my element. It is natural to act differently."
>"I know my wife, and you are not her! What have you done with Aelsaw, Pillet?"
"If you truly believe I am Pillet, then I know what you are obliged to do and there is nothing I can do about it. However, I am Aelsaw, and it will be a waste of both me and the backup plan. Unless you are confident you can destroy the subdimension without any recourse should they seal themselves off?"
>"Not confident, but I will have to try. I loathe what I must do just because my instincts tell me you are either Pillet or a compromised Aelsaw, but I have run the probabilities and reviewed the protocol. My personal feelings have no place here. If this is you in any way, Aelsaw, know that I cannot ask for your forgiveness, but that I will take care of Pesh and Tesh. I truly believe they were your friends before whatever happened came to pass."

Is he...?

>< Oh, fuck. He's going to blow up every damn molecule in this room! >

"May I think for a moment?"
>"You have 5 seconds."

3/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106347 ID: 04e6e3
File 174477124430.png - (255.87KB , 1200x1000 , 869.png )

Pillet and I focus between ourselves, rapidly exchanging our thoughts while the seconds pass.

>"Shit, shit, shit! I knew it's not like I'd have perfect mannerisms on the microscopic level, but this is too much! Did I fuck up, did the scanners actually catch something? Fuck, no, I shouldn't have followed your lead, that causes little hiccups considering I had to doublecheck everything you did or said, and that mucked it up!"
"Calm yourself, Pillet. It's too late to change the past."

Four seconds.

"Don't fret over your performance. The scanners are made to supply information, as their judgement can only be so good with factory standard settings. You called us walking conflicts of interests, but it was because of our closeness that Shuzenza was able to tell something was off."
>"Okay fine whatever but..."

Pillet's rapidly trying to scan my memories for knowledge on Shuzenza and how she may get out of this.

Three seconds. I must interject.

"Tell him the truth. That it is both of us in here."
>"So he can kill us both?!"
"Do you believe he is currently bluffing?"

Two seconds. She gets a few ideas, though I am not entirely privy to the details.

"Dear sister of mine, we know your current thoughts are going nowhere of use. But I sense that one of your thoughts is true: If you do not tell the truth, we are going to die anyway. If you wish to take your chances, at least answer one last question: How did you hide a soul in the afterlife anyway?"
>"There was a person who wanted to die permanently at the same time I needed a soul, but now's seriously not the time to elaborate!"

Though he has tipped his head to block sight of his face, I can see the hope in Shuzenza that I will have some miraculous statement that changes his mind. Thankfully, the truth is best here.

"You are smart, but you know you are panicking. Trust in me and how well I knew Shuzenza. If nothing else, it should give him pause."

One second remains.

4/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106348 ID: 04e6e3
File 174477124673.png - (146.15KB , 1200x1000 , 870.png )

"Both of us are in here!" Pillet chokes out from Shuzenza's grasp.

0 seconds remain.

We remain alive for the moment, and Pillet has Reneil continue.

"I've got Aelsaw in here. I hid my soul under hers, so you could only detect one soul in Reneil. She's fine, alright?!"
>"So that is your technique? Then you can hop into bodies, correct?"
"Yes." Pillet does not test Shuzenza's patience with hesitation.
>"Aco-12. Locate Ruflaka's Golem, P-82, and send it here."

We're held in this position while Shuzenza's energy remains hot. Although Pillet heaves a sigh of relief that time has been bought, neither of us are under the illusion that Shuzenza has fully decided not to kill us, or at least Pillet. I must be careful not to misspeak, and Pillet simply has to be very cautious about what she says.

>"Pillet. That's a soulless body. Enter it, and leave Aelsaw in Reneil's body."

Pillet believes that this is just him trying to isolate her so that he can kill her and spare me, but what could she do? It is a common misconception of the public that a memory artificer would be a high value hostage, but Pillet is well aware that the practical value is zero. To prevent anyone from getting ideas, no quarter or negotiation is given to anyone who would take an artificer hostage. Pillet received an unneeded reminder of that with how quickly Shuzenza was willing to kill both of us.

She has no interest in taking me down with her, so she quickly relents.

"Okay."

5/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106349 ID: 04e6e3
File 174477124876.png - (83.57KB , 1200x1000 , 871.png )

Pillet's golem body is brought to us, and I am soon left alone with no sense of my own soul again. How quickly I got used to sharing mental space with Pillet, as I find it rather lonely now.

>"Aelsaw?" Shuzenza speaks to me.
"I am here, Shuzenza."

He looks me over.

Just as quickly as I had found my neck grabbed, I am suddenly in his tight embrace.

>"I cannot know for sure whether or not you are compromised by Pillet, but at least you are Aelsaw. My relief is beyond words."
"Now, now. I have been prepared to die for this mission, ever since I accepted it, and your sense of duty is unmatched."
>"It pleases me to hear that. I cannot allow you free reign of the ship any longer, but I have decided nothing beyond that for the moment. I will hear out any additional information you two want to bring. It would be easy, of course, if Aelsaw tells me that Pillet needs to die."
"Nothing about this mission has been easy, Shuzenza, and it remains that way. I believe in Pillet."
>"You 'believe' in her?"
"I believe in her motives. She only wishes to return home in an old universe."
>"Old universe?"
"She is far older than us two. I know that there is a chance I am compromised and I could be defending her far more than I normally would, but please consider the following. We've established that before I could have been compromised, I was already chasing Pillet with an EL of 1,200, who I knew could outclass me, and Tegge gave me a strong energy canister. It is highly unlikely that I would have been accosted and compromised without damaging the train in the struggle. That is because she convinced me with her words, not her talents."
>"Would it not have been your duty to fight her? You let her words convince you?"
"I fear your mission for me in the subdimension may be beyond my grasp normally. Pillet has no intention of letting the subdimension subsume this universe. Her help would be invaluable, especially while the founders believe there is only one Pillet."
>"I will factor this. Pillet. Start explaining, beginning with this talk of an old universe."

6/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106350 ID: 04e6e3
File 174477125191.png - (70.98KB , 1200x1000 , 872.png )

What begins is a lengthy interrogation. The energy surrounding him calms down, but never fully goes away.

I can only describe the hour that follows as a series of logic sinkholes, philosophical quandaries, and argumentative circles. I cannot tell if Shuzenza has made up his mind one way or the other, but we continue to try to convince him that Pillet means no harm.

Given the Phenocosm's rigid, 0 tolerance for her existence, I believe Pillet is surprised that she is still alive. Every instant here could be her last, and she remains on edge.

As the second hour begins, that edge dulls, and they speak of past events in the Phenocosm. They speak on whether or not the Phenocosm is as righteous as they would like, if there are glaring faults, and a glorified callousness as exemplified by just how rapidly Shuzenza was about to kill us under the mere suspicion Pillet would be taken down.

I find myself defending both Pillet and the Phenocosm. I do not believe either is in the wrong here, exactly, it is just a matter of different perspectives that have clashed. Shuzenza admits he loathes how protocol and training demanded such an act, but he reiterates that his personal feelings have no place here.

More hours pass. I find that Pillet and Shuzenza are able to make endless, deep conversation regarding the Phenocosm and its history. Pillet even gives lectures on the history of the Phenocosm, and though Shuzenza does not take anything she says at face value, he listens intently for later verification. Finally, Shuzenza tilts his head in a tell that predictably signals he would like to wrap the meeting up.

>"You know as well as I do that protocol dictates I should kill you, but the verifiable facts you and Aelsaw have presented to me has at least convinced me that protocol does not apply to this situation clearly. And while I could continue speaking like this for days, it seems that my free time is up."
>"This was your free time?" Pillet asks, having become more casual by this hour. "You workaholics..."
>"No, Memory Artificer Pillet, I had managed with great effort to get authorization of free time so that I may spend time with my wife upon her return. Instead, I very nearly killed her."
>"Ah."
>"This interrogation will have to continue, but I must tend to the bridge first. I have not yet decided whether or not to reveal Pillet's presence to the ship, so for now I will not. This means I cannot imprison Pillet properly, as it would reveal her to the brig. Nor will I leave her unattended for obvious reasons, nor do I want to have one of Ruflaka's Pillet prototypes running around without explanation. Aelsaw. I cannot believe I am asking this, but is it acceptable for Pillet to go back into your body?"

ok lol

Pat your chest and nod yes with a grin. "I have plenty of room in here."

>>1106350
Yes, but he should know that she will be in charge, you can't override her control only give suggestions. Also... she wants to see something on the ship, but she didn't say what exactly. Ask her if it's some kind of research on a method of getting home. Suggest that if it's something super secret, you can have the memory of it being viewed extracted and kept in the Phenocosm's possession until the mission is complete. That way there's no risk of the secret being revealed to the subdimension. In fact, any confidential information discussed here should be extracted like that, though if you two get captured and examined then you're already exposed, so any memories such as this one can and should be left in to maintain both of your understanding of the uh, let's call it a peace treaty. The extracted memory of whatever Pillet is looking for could be extra motivation for her to cooperate, if he wants to justify it that way.

>Hours and hours of Pillet, Aelsaw and Shuzenza expounding and debating the entire backstory.
Eh, why not? I have the time.


To answer the question: dunno, maybe leaving them both locked in a cell under a trusted aide's survelliance would be more fitting?

>>1106350

Things seemed to work out before, and we've reached an accord about things.

Just ... advise the crew that if we seem a bit off, it's just from the stress of the last several days?

Coming from you, Shuzenza, it would do a lot to quell potential rumors and suspicions.

Sure but Pillet has to accept having fat tits and ass again. Plus more you leading while up here. To avoid questions.

Pillet told you why there are multiple restrictions on accessing alternate universes. It's understandable to be afraid of a whole universe of psychopaths who don't see your empire as anything but raw meat. But Shuzenza, do you really think those soul-roasted bastards will just leave their dead universe alone?
Even though there is a major risk of The Invaders finding out what happened to their graveyard and trying to 'repossess' it, there's also an even greater risk of them deciding to outright decide to use their old universe as a test chamber 'for ^&*(s and giggles'. You need to spy on them, we need to know what they're up to. Worst-case scenario? They're doing what the subdimensionalists are doing, on a multiversal scale.
Maybe not Pillet herself. Just a few drones with obscure code that only her family will understand, saying goodbye.

...hmm, there is some merit in letting Pillet go in alone, but with Aelsaw's memories for reference. Or for them to "agree" that Pillet should go in alone, and edit out the fact that they changed their minds afterwards, to fool anyone reading their memories. Pillet's done that sort of thing before, easy enough to do now.

Question is, will Aumstail realize she wasted her time and she has no way of truly knowing if she caught the only spy?

1/3 Pillet 2025/04/18(Fri)16:31 No. 1106479 ID: 04e6e3
File 174501911298.png - (130.49KB , 1200x1000 , 873.png )

[ Present Day ]

>There's time to review hours of a meeting for backstory and phenocosm history.
I'd love to analyze it down to the word. It's sure a shame that Aumstail didn't agree about its importance and had me skim through everything! All I can gather are the vague topics, vibes, and thoughts from Aelsaw about dinner plans.

>There's merit in letting Pillet go in alone, edit the memory, leave Aumstail wondering
If I were in the right state of mind, I might've fucked with the memory some. But I was back to choking on fumes when I extracted this part of the memory. That didn't happen, and I can say that Aelsaw won't suggest that Pillet go in alone, great as it would've been to confuse Aumstail.

2/3 Aelsaw 2025/04/18(Fri)16:31 No. 1106480 ID: 04e6e3
File 174501911391.png - (61.84KB , 1200x1000 , 874.png )

[ Approximately 4,300 Years Ago ]

"As long as she accepts having to share a body like this! There's certainly room enough in it for two." I pat my chest.

Pillet stares at me with her usual sour look.

>"Just how strong did you perverts think my sex drive was?" Pillet remarks.
>"Exactly as your old scans show." answers Shuzenza. "I am glad you are in a light enough mood to be so playful, Aelsaw."
"Perhaps any odd behavior of mine can be blamed on stress?"
>"No, it will be blamed on you acting like Pillet, as that is still officially your cover." Shuzenza explains.
"Mm. I think it's a shame how well you two could have gotten along in better circumstances. Hmm, perhaps it's more fitting to lock us in a jail cell with a trusted aide?"
>"I am unable to jail Pillet properly, though... I will consider alternatives. Tell me, you gave her your blessing to occupy your body, functionally inviting her on the ship, did you not?"
"I did. I accept all responsibility for her actions, knowing that I surrendered control. Ah, just so you know, I am unable to override Pillet's piloting of my body. Allow me to offer one more thing to consider. In its early days, the Phenocosm learned to re-light this universe. Pillet wants to go home to a universe of multiversal conquerors. How long could it be before those conquerors learn how to light up dead universes, return here to do so, and learn we are still alive? The Phenocosm has been Pillet's second home for a long time, and she may be able to give us forewarning if those conquerors become a threat."
>"Talking like I'm not here." Pillet groans. "It's possible."
>"Hrmmmm. It is something I will ponder on, but I will not make room for this hypothetical, far off existential threat at the cost of seeing to the very real existential threat facing me down."

3/3 Aelsaw 2025/04/18(Fri)16:31 No. 1106481 ID: 04e6e3
File 174501911506.png - (36.21KB , 1200x1000 , 875.png )

His rubs his temple with increasing force.

>"I feel myself coming to a tangible, unpleasant decision. But I must ask, Aelsaw. Were you ready to die by my hand?"
"I was and I am. I will stand by your judgement, whatever it may be, and should you judge me for death. My only wish is for you to personally see it done, and my only regret that I have somehow failed you. No matter the case, you never need to ask for my forgiveness, for that implies there is something to forgive."
>"I cannot believe you are that compromised, but... Thank you, Aelsaw. It is only now that I find it appropriate to tell you that if things progress as observed, you will be sent on an early trip back down to the subdimension in a mere 26 hours. Your idea regarding a jail cell has given me an idea. I can lock you both up in a modified drone control pod. You may each use a drone to roam freely in the unrestricted parts of my flagship. Both of your drones will be under external surveillance, so behave yourselves.
>"As for the decision I am coming to, I will fully explain it when I have properly thought it through in full, and only when it is time for the both of you to leave. Until then, I would like for you to freely spend your final day within the light of the Phenocosm. It pains me to say this, dear Aelsaw, but it will likely be your last."

>>1106481
>it will likely be your last
Does he mean, you're likely to die down there, or that you won't be allowed back in the phenocosm after cooperating with Pillet?

Oh well. Probably go hang out with Pesh and Tesh and see how they're handling things.

It's been quite the adventure, hasn't it? Kiss your husband. Promise to Pillet you two will close the subdimension.

>Last day
Not... entirely unexpected, given how strict the Phenocosm is Shuzenza will need to use a loophole, metaphorical and possibly literal, to get you out of the mess you're in, and that means not returning.
Well, Aelsaw will want spent the day next to Shuzenza, and Pillet... unknown, probably something to help their next and seemingly final dive into the subdimention

Give him a scowl and bat at his chest a few times ineffectually with one hand.

"That is not what you tell your wife before she goes off on a dangerous mission! You should be holding me close and promising me no matter what happens you will wait for me and keep my memories safe! What if I come back to you as someone new! What if countless years time have ground me into another person and have caused me to fall in love with someone else! Are you not gonna be waiting for me?"

>>1106481

They're close to sealing off the subdimension, aren't they ...

Go take a look around the ship in your drone, if this is going to be your last day here. Good to have something to remember. Maybe near the end of the day you and Shuzenza can do something else good to remember.

After that... duty calls.

Might be a good idea to hang out with Pesh and Tesh one last time.

1/4 Aelsaw 2025/04/29(Tue)14:36 No. 1107227 ID: 04e6e3
File 174596257038.png - (62.72KB , 1200x1200 , 876.png )

>Does he mean, you're likely to die down there, or that you won't be allowed back in the phenocosm after cooperating with Pillet?
I believe it may be both. I will wait for him to settle on his decision and explain it to me before any speculation. I do have related questions, however.

"Will you not be waiting for me, or keeping my memories safe?"
>"Hm? Of course you will have your memories kept safe."
"And if I come back as someone new?"
>"I am factoring that as a possibility. This is the fate you may be subjected to. You are not getting cold feet, are you?"
"Hmm, no. But you seem distant."
>"It is difficult to look you in the eye. Do not make me explain myself prematurely. However! Know that my decision will involve waiting for you on this side of the subdimension. No matter the details, that will be a constant. For that, you have my promise."
"Good."

I lean up to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"I will check in on Pesh and Tesh to spend a little more time with them and see how they're fitting in. But after that, I would rather spend my time with you on the bridge than wander this ship. I promise you, Pillet and I will close that subdimension if you don't blow it up first."
>"You are too good to me."
"And what'll you be up to, Pillet?"
>"I want to have Planetarium 5 to myself and just check out space for a little while. That fine, Shu?"
>"Take care not to get too casual with me, Pillet. That is fine, and I will arrange it."
"Then I will let you leave, Shuzenza. You have to go to the bridge now, yes?"
>"Hm."

2/4 Aelsaw 2025/04/29(Tue)14:36 No. 1107228 ID: 04e6e3
File 174596257387.png - (45.02KB , 1200x1200 , 877.png )

He turns to the terminal.

>"Aco-12, get Milo on the line."
>"Connecting."
>"Hello, sir?" Milo speaks into the room.
>"My best junior officer. Take over the bridge for a time, will you?"
>"Sir, did I hear that right?"
>"Did I stammer?"
>"No sir! I won't let you down, but am I authorized to know what is occupying you?"
>"I am going to lay my wife."
>"As in lay down? Is she sick?"

Pillet has a shaking fit trying not to laugh.

>"Do not worry, Milo. She will be fine." Shuzenza cuts the communication line.

3/4 Aelsaw 2025/04/29(Tue)14:36 No. 1107229 ID: 04e6e3
File 174596257502.png - (310.00KB , 1200x1200 , 878.png )

[ 1 Hour Later ]

[ Aumstail had me skip this part, of course. ]

Well! I think that will satisfy me for this entire mission. Shuzenza has gotten me changed back into Pillet's normal body and then stuffed both of us into our sensory deprivation chambers and connected us to generic drone bodies. I locate Pesh and Tesh, as they have been shown to their quarters. It looks like they've been messing with the illusory walls and chosen a planetary backdrop.

"Hi, Pesh, Tesh."
>"Uh hi, who're you?" Pesh asks.
"It's me, Aelsaw."
>"Oh. That's your true form?"
"No, no. This is just a drone. Is that a problem? You seem disappointed."
>"It just doesn't suit you!" Tesh nods alongside Pesh's sentiment.
"Oh? Someday you two will learn to detach one's personality from a face. I will still show you my real form sometime, but I am curious what you think suits me."
>"For starters, something that wears clothes!"
"True, as unlike this drone, my true form is a living being and thus wears clothing."
>"That's - oh you know what whatever, that's not even close to the hardest thing to unpack today. What's up?"
"I just wanted to see how well you two were doing."

They immediately go into a long anecdote of what they've been up to, including speaking excitedly about the rookie league race they were put into to test their driving skills. Those vehicles can go up to a thousand miles per hour, so I'm surprised. They show me the replay, and I see that they were doing quite well up until they got a little too bold and slipped right off the raceway. They tell me they really thought they were going to die, even though they had been shown that the anti gravity cushioning will turn a thousand mile an hour crash into a harmless bump.

>"Up next is a memorization test." Tesh speaks through a new text to speech device. "There's been so much to take in that I don't even mind that it sounds like the most boring thing ever."
"I doubt it will be, but I do not remember my own aptitude tests. Nor do I suspect they are quite the same for me, in any case."
>"So, you! What're you up to?" asks Pesh.
"I am making what time I have left to see you two and visit the ship before I focus on my mission once again."
>"Whoa, you make it sound like you're going to be gone for a long time."
"I am."
>"Like a month?" Tesh asks. I don't know if the voice’s concerned tone is truly Tesh being concerned, or if she still hasn't fully calibrated her translator.
"Mm. I think, Pesh and Tesh, I will speak of places in the Phenocosm I would recommend you two visit. Do not wait for me, as I do not know if I can take you myself."
>"Damn, just dropping and ditching us, huh."
"Please don't think of it like that."

I think they catch on to the weight of my statement. They don't know how serious it is, but we sit down and I show them various duties they may end up with. Perhaps cargo shipping across the universe would suit them? It does not make much use of their skills, but they would get much out of seeing the universe. And though cargo shipping could be easily automated, the Phenocosm likes things to include a touch of organic sentience into its operations.

They ask about professional racing, but I tell them that there are various hoops one must jump through and incredible skill levels involved to get far with that as a focus. Nonetheless, while I believe this sudden interest in racing is because of recency bias, I do explain that I will give them a voucher to continue doing so at their leisure.

I proceed to explain that money is not involved here, but my attempts to explain how our society works without conventional use of money seems to confuse them greatly. We proceed to speak of economics, and a few hours quickly pass.

4/4 Aelsaw 2025/04/29(Tue)14:36 No. 1107230 ID: 04e6e3
File 174596257740.png - (76.84KB , 1200x1200 , 879.png )

A ship-wide alarm is set off. The walls shimmer back into a warning backdrop. It looks like not even a single day could pass without interruption.

>"All ship operators to stations. All other personnel on standby." That neutral voice is across the ship.

>"Ummmm...." Pesh and Tesh fidget uncomfortably.
"Do not worry. Something has obviously not gone to plan, but it is nothing that would threaten this ship. Battlestations would have been mentioned if so."

I, on the other hand, am uncertain if I should head towards the bridge, remain here, or go straight to where Pillet is in case we need to unify.

Link up with Pillet first. She probably has her own speculations about this alert.

Give them a smooch on the cheek each and head out to check up on whats happening. "If I don't see you for a few eons take the time to make something wonderful of yourself."

Wish them well. Go to the bridge. You can probably figure out what you need to do next from there.

>>1107230
Go check on Pillet. The alert is probably her doing anyway-- remember, she said she wanted to board the ship for a reason. It sure wasn't to look at the stars!

>>1107230

Contact the bridge, then head for Pillet.

Whatever this is, it might very likely involve us.

dammit Pillet what did I do this time

Remain with twins. Surely if Pillet was up to something, the battleships or something more heavy would have been called in.

1/5 Aelsaw 2025/08/13(Wed)17:37 No. 1112646 ID: 04e6e3
File 175513187415.png - (38.94KB , 1407x1049 , 880.png )

I give them a smooch on each cheek.

"I should go. Oh, but here." I have the wall print out a strip of paper with a picture of my natural form. "That's what I'm normally like if you're curious."

>"Oh dang you're adorable. And your clothes! We're the only ones who we've seen dressed up in these simple colors, what's up with that? Our orientator won't say!"
"Oh don't worry, it's nothing bad, that's just how we dress our children."

Tesh scrunches her face for some reason before speaking up.

>"Okay you had to go right? Don't act like you're off to go die or something!"
"I do not intend to. Goodbye, Pesh and Tesh."
"Bye!" Pesh answers. Tesh chirps a positive 'ditto'.

We have one last group hug and part ways. I don't think they know that this may be the last time we ever see each other, but I am satisfied. They are in good hands.

2/5 Aelsaw 2025/08/13(Wed)17:37 No. 1112647 ID: 04e6e3
File 175513187761.png - (66.69KB , 1200x1200 , 881.png )

I step outside and disconnect from the drone, waking up once again in my drone control pod. I leave it, but for the safety of the ship, Pillet and I were locked inside of this room.

Pillet is already outside of her pod.

"Hello Pillet. Are you responsible for that alarm?"
>"Nope."
"Okay. Because if anyone could..."
>"Then they're more talented than me. Anyway, Shuzenza already sent us a message. He’ll want to meet us on an observation deck."
"Really? My goodbyes to the twin weren't that long, were they?"
>"Long and drawn out I bet."

I relent to Pillet, and she puts herself back in my body. The Pillet prototype slumps limply, but she catches it before it hits the ground. It almost looks like she's careful with it until she crudely tosses it into the wall, which absorbs it and sends it back to Ruflaka or wherever the Pillet golems are stored.

3/5 Aelsaw 2025/08/13(Wed)17:38 No. 1112648 ID: 04e6e3
File 175513188003.png - (509.10KB , 1200x1200 , 882.png )

Pillet throws our body in next. It dutifully transports us to the observation deck where Shuzenza is already here waiting for us. I think she enjoys the ship's transport method.

>"Memory Artificers Aelsaw, Pillet. Our schedule has been moved up due to the ill timing of one of our lower fleet ships suffering a stealth malfunction while a deployed klivanian drone scanner was active in its general location. Despite the suspicious timing, I don't believe Pillet orchestrated this. Many drones have been launched through the solar system, so any mistake would have proved disastrous. Regardless, the offending drone has sent out a radio signal. Though encasing and nullifying its signal via FTL is possible, the fact that this occurred at all has destroyed my trust in doing so with no complications or chance of failure."
"So we were discovered?" I ask, having been allowed some control.
>"Yes. It will take six hours for the signal to reach Klivania. We will handle any potential interceptions by FTL tech just in case our intel is wrong about their lack of instant transmission radios. That is about all the details I wish to indulge you with regarding this, as time is critical and there is more to discuss. We are enacting operation Light Gap starting from the point we were detected in. Ask Pillet if you want details, later. All you must know is that the signal will reach Klivania in six hours. The Larven will assault Klivania just before that. When this happens, you both must be back inside of the subdimension. I realize that if they succeed in finding the subdimension and destroy it, you may die in the process, but they would have to be very lucky to do so given the circumstances. I am going to act as though this will not occur and must plan accordingly."

4/5 Aelsaw 2025/08/13(Wed)17:38 No. 1112649 ID: 04e6e3
File 175513188295.png - (125.16KB , 1200x1200 , 883.png )

>"I'm going to commit to that unpleasant decision I mentioned. Pillet. You do not belong in this universe. You cannot be allowed to live here. By all laws and directives, I should be revealing your presence to the Phenocosm and send you to the afterlife. However, I have put an unreasonable amount of weight upon my dear wife, and I will alleviate this weight by bending to her recommendation and allow you back into the subdimension as well. This will allow you to prove your intentions are honest, and more importantly maximize the chances of the mission's success by not relying entirely on Aelsaw alone. In the coming years, they will send inspectors and at least one memory artificer to review my actions here and how things came to hang on a thread. I will not hide my actions. They will understand everything I have done. They will understand that not just are you inside of the subdimension, I actively sent you there. I expect this will be my final mission as admiral."
"Dear? Are you certain? You are doing this to succeed in a critical mission. That does not seem fair."
>"Fair? Dear Aelsaw, fairness is not a luxury afforded to admirals. We are prone to taking in more glory than we deserve as individuals, but in exchange for that, we take all the responsibility no matter how unfair the situation might be. I am going against our directives by my own will, and I will not shy away from the consequences! I must demonstrate to all aspiring admirals that our directives are not to be taken so lightly as to be disobeyed based on self declared sound logic and good intentions! I must instead show that I disobeyed our directives because it was worth more than my life, reputation and honor combined."
"Fuck you guys are rigid."

I trust he can judge that was Pillet speaking, not me.

>"No, Pillet. If we were truly rigid, I would never have been in a position to make this decision. To be removed from duty is not rigidness, it is our ability to revert to our original position rather than letting reckless flexibility bend our system into an unrecognizable mess of a shape. To intentionally change our neutral position requires careful thought for the future, not retroactive justification.
>"Now. Understand that after our initial assault presumably fails to stumble into and destroy the subdimension, we will be monitoring every inch of its physical edges for signs of cracks or growth. The moment that it opens up, the Phenocosm will take no chances letting any of its dangerous information or individuals out. We will be throwing energy blasts containing the greatest intensity the Phenocosm is capable of, annihilating everything within. Furthermore, the entire solar system will be encased in a shield capable of withstanding heavy blasting for an extended duration. This is so that if the near impossible happens and someone manages to slip through and tries to flee into empty space, they will be halted long enough for us to pursue and destroy them."
"I understand. I accept my duty, although..."
>"I have no doubts about you, Aelsaw. Pillet, however? I want to believe her intentions are just as she declares, but what she has declared has made it clear that she would be less than enthused about opening the subdimension if it was an act of suicide."
"Damn right." Pillet confirms. "I told you earlier, but for Aelsaw's sake, I just need five minutes. If I can learn what I want in there, gather enough energy, and make preparations just before opening the subdimension, then I just need a few minutes to rip a hole in the universe big enough for me and at least some other innocents to get out of your hair forever. If I know I have those few minutes, I'll want to escape.
>"I will be unable to afford you anything at the time of your escape. Instead, I will grant you the means to buy yourselves those few minutes when the time comes."

5/5 Aelsaw 2025/08/13(Wed)17:38 No. 1112650 ID: 04e6e3
File 175513188460.png - (271.05KB , 1200x1200 , 884.png )

He reaches into his coat and pulls out a container.

>"Contained within are blueprints for a shield and a couple of rare catalysts required for its construction. It is designed to be similar in size to the current subdimension's site. Make certain it is perfectly constructed and fully charged prior to opening the subdimension. Do it correctly and it will protect you from even the most intensive of the Phenocosm's sustained bombardments for the few minutes you need. You are able to smuggle this inside, correct?"
"I can manage."
>"Good, as you'll have to. This will be your escape route, Pillet, and with that I hope the motivation to see this mission succeed. Aelsaw. I know you will not leave the Phenocosm. This means that after the shield is broken down, then you and anyone who fails to escape to Pillet's dimension will be annihilated. I plan to join you after your death, but if I do not do so, it is because I am already there waiting for you."

Hmm don't suppose you remember how to make that shield thing?

I wonder how long its been. Lotta important memories here for sure. You are really gonna have to have a conference with everyone later about this stuff. The very strong possibility of having that big of a gun pointed at your head is huge news. The even bigger news is trying to relearn how to do... well whatever it was the old you had planned to rip a hole to another universe.

Would they still be here with a fleet and a gun aimed at the system? Probably? but who knows what their science might look like after who knows how long. Guess if you open up the doors you better have spent the time to build a shield and secure the exit route.

Well there's our out. People still didn't vote for that though. Maybe they might change once we build that shield .

>>1112649
>not rigidness, but a return to the original position
Ah, so... bending when they need to bend, but if someone has to bend then they're more likely to bend in the future and thus must be removed from the equation to avoid altering the Phenocosm's culture? But people can bend in all sorts of directions; which ones result in being punished? Surely not all of them, else you get stagnation.

>>1112650
Present Pillet: So that's your end goal. Does that device look familiar? If we don't know where it is now then we've got a hell of a scavenger hunt to pull off in the subdimension. Seems like even with your memory wiped you knew you had to get strong enough to open the dimensional hole. ...except that means the Founders knew about it too, for a time. This is in a memory that was read by the enemy. How soon after this memory was read were you rescued, I wonder? Though, something's weird about this. Is past-Pillet just guessing that she can do it once she's been inside the subdimension long enough to study it? She can't do it right now or else she'd have done so already, and she wanted to investigate the station for some reason... did she manage to do her investigation without tripping any alarms?

Aelsaw: Think of ways you can keep it safe once you're in the subdimension.

You still haven't gotten to the part where it shows why the asses who created this subdimension get pissed at you and drug torture your mind into goo.

Kind of arrogant of them to say you don't belong in this universe when you been there longer than they have. Not that you remember it! Still, if you can do the thing they did to get you into this universe, it'd be a way out of the phenocosm orbitally bombarding you with full sized stars or something.

If ever there was a time for hugs, it's now.

>>1112650
Well, Pillet. Do you still want to return to your "original universe" once you're out of here? You've spent lifetimes here being picked apart and putting yourself back together, and now you know why you came here in the first place.

But even though these memories might have been extracted from you, they didn't belong to you. Your sister was along for the ride and went through the same torture you did. Does it feel right for her to go through all this, only to die ignorant of the truth once you've succeeded?

I don't know how you'd ever find where she ended up, but she would have split off the first time you died. Is there anyone you can think of who reminds you of her?

Obviously one sister is going to escape to the new dimension with Delli, and one is going to stay behind to meet Shuzenza in the afterlife.
But uh, which is which? And where is the other one?

>>1112650

So. Other than Pillet, none of us have any intention of getting out of this.

Very well ... though it's a shame not to have more time together until then.

1/7 Aelsaw 2025/08/14(Thu)13:33 No. 1112708 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520362850.png - (587.33KB , 1200x1200 , 885.png )

I hug him as best I can, as it is the last I will receive for a long time.

"Goodbye for now, Shuzenza."
>"For now. Keep Pillet behaved!"

Pillet stays silent and lets us have our moment. It lasts what feels like a long time, but not long enough. The time spent hugging is already indulgent when the clock is counting down.

>"Let us go back to business. And as you have Pillet's talents with you now, we will skip Ruflaka and a klivanian ship. Goodbye, Ex-Artificer Pillet! May we never have to meet again."
"With any luck!"
>"Now take these."

2/7 Aelsaw 2025/08/14(Thu)13:33 No. 1112709 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520363267.png - (874.05KB , 1200x1200 , 886.png )

I'm given the blueprints and a small box of travel equipment. Shuzenza then picks me up, places me inside of a bubble, and opens a wormhole with his other hand.

"Whoa, Shuzenza." Pillet's surprised about this. "You have personal warp capabilities? That's - "

3/7 Aelsaw 2025/08/14(Thu)13:33 No. 1112710 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520363670.png - (833.92KB , 1200x1200 , 887.png )

Shuzenza throws us into the warp, much closer to Klivania.

For a split second I wonder why I wasn't sent here with a bubble to begin with, but Shuzenza gave us an energy tank. With my naivete, low energy, and us planning to land in the wilderness, it simply would not have been practical for me to travel like this the first time.

[ Did you accomplish your investigation? You mentioned wanting to go to our flagship. ]
>[ Huh? Oh, that. I just wanted to keep tabs on the Phenocosm. Didn't think it would happen like that. ]
[ Oh okay. Will we be able to keep this shield blueprint safe? ]
>[ Yeah. You'll find out that there's a lot of little places in the subdimension you can hide things in. ]

4/7 Pillet 2025/08/14(Thu)13:34 No. 1112711 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520364894.png - (233.98KB , 1200x1200 , 888.png )

Present Day

There's another gap in the memory, so it's break time. If I can find those shield blueprints and they look legitimate, that may just help convince people to give escape a shot! I don't remember it at all and I don't know where it could be, but I'll mobilize the whole town to do a decade long scavenger hunt if I've got to! I don't think the founders were the type to destroy that kind of thing even if they found it.

>Is past-Pillet just guessing that she can do it once she's been inside the subdimension long enough to study it?
Yeah, at least an educated guess. She was confident she could do it if she absorbed the memories of all other skilled founders. Their skills combined should have allowed the means for dimensional travel.

But the founders and their memories are gone. Maybe. Unless there was a secret vault of backed up founder's memories? Fuck, may as well look for that too since I can't be so damn sure of anything anymore. I've spent thousands of years telling everyone that it is impossible for another artificer to exist, and here Aelsaw might have been hiding under the floorboards of this subdimension the whole time!

And while I could be Aelsaw, I'm going to keep calling myself Pillet and assume the other is Aelsaw until proven otherwise.

5/7 Pillet 2025/08/14(Thu)13:34 No. 1112712 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520365016.png - (207.82KB , 1200x1200 , 889.png )

>Do you still want to return to your "original universe" once you're out of here?
I don't think I care as much. There's definitely a long buried desire I can sense, but at this point I'd rip a hole in the universe less for that and more to dodge a Phenocosm cannon that's primed and ready to fire the second we leave. There's a good chance it's still there, but on the bright side, the Phenocosm doesn't seem like the sort to have made massive technological strides in a few thousand years.

If we can't find some universe ripping blueprints around, then it's not happening. It took an entire universe spanning society to figure out how to travel dimensions in order to escape the heat death of their universe. What could I do in this dinky little subdimension that doesn't even follow the exact same laws of physics as the Phenocosm's universe? There's just no way.

>You still haven't gotten to the part where it shows why the asses who created this subdimension get pissed at you and drug torture your mind into goo.
I don't even think that this memory covers any of that. That might just be forgotten history.

Unless Aelsaw knows. I want to find her. I need to at least try.

>Is there anyone you can think of who reminds you of her?
No. But - wait. Aelsaw's regular form is completely unfamiliar, but the mannerisms, the disguise...

6/7 Pillet 2025/08/14(Thu)13:34 No. 1112713 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520365425.png - (860.97KB , 1200x1200 , 890.png )

I'm associating this with the time after Delli destroyed the founders and their memories. I wasn't myself for a while. The drugs and amnesia didn't just fade away immediately. Their lasting effects changed me. I wasn't even consolidating my own memories. Delli tried to help get me on my feet, but I wasn't having it. He just felt like some weird dude who wanted to get me to act like 'me', but at the time, I didn't feel any connection with who I used to be.

So I left, either joined a gang or started one, I forget, and raided for food, Delli's farm included.

7/7 Pillet 2025/08/14(Thu)13:34 No. 1112714 ID: 04e6e3
File 175520365981.png - (483.04KB , 1200x1200 , 891.png )

During one of my raids on Delli's farm, we were interrupted by someone. She and Delli hit it off instantly. I just can't remember what she looked like beyond thinking she had some blank stared goofy smile plastered on her face, but she feels familiar now that I've been living through Aelsaw's memories for so long. That can't be a coincidence.

She was.. thankful? Congratulatory? She wanted to talk about all of us, but I wasn't having it. I wanted to put it all behind me.

But she said when I was ready, to follow... directions? Coordinates? Fuck, I didn't even bother trying to remember them! Delli told me she knew what she was talking about even if he had no clue who she was, but I was too busy dismissing her! I thought she was just one of the crazy nutjobs who didn't take well to the collapse of society that happened after Delli destroyed the founders.

And then she left. There's a sense that she was trying to make a long, extended goodbye. And then she left. After that, if I remember right, I sucker punched Delli, he shot me, and I fled.

If you don't remember them, hopefully Delli does or you're sorta fucked. Prepare the chocolate bribes.

>>1112712
>definitely a long buried desire you can sense
Hmm. That's odd. You thought Aelsaw's memories were your own, but you have Pillet's desire to return to her own dimension? It's like you're the same person now. Or more likely, the torture colored the extraction of Aelsaw's memories. Like, maybe they aren't Aelsaw's memories, they're you remembering Aelsaw's memories? Or, maybe when you got captured you did some alteration of your own mind to make it seem like you were Aelsaw so they'd underestimate you or something? I don't know.

>can't remember the mysterious stranger
You're a memory artificer! Fix it! If you really can't remember... well, Delli's not going to be any help, his memories are worse off than yours. You'd have to make a city-wide announcement asking for anyone who knows "Aelsaw" to come forward. Or maybe something even more vague, like asking the girl who met you at Delli's farm to come forward and remind you of what she said back then.

>>1112715

I mean, we can memory artifice, right? IF Delli somehow remembers after being a fog-dweller for so long, and IF it wasn't obliterated with the rest of him, we MAY be able to tease that you? Possibly?

>>1112714

Maybe that path we were taking through the fog was part of it. Somewhere in the subdimension where Fake Pillet Aelsaw has been staying.

Welp better go chat with your lover and find out where your sister is hiding with the good stuff.

If she was our sleeper agent she might have a lot of old memories backed up...

>>1112715
pillet could just hand out artistic renditions of what aselaw looked like OR put word out that she's looking for someone from her past, who both.

>>1112714
Hang on, this is important: Did you die between Delli freeing you and meeting that stranger? You're experiencing Aelsaw's memories that were tortured out of your body. Considering they're from her perspective, unless you used to be in the habit of consolidating memories that belong to those close to you, those would have been taken while Aelsaw was still a passenger.

I think Aumstail might have an idea of where Aelsaw might be. Actually, would it be possible for Aelsaw to have extracted/backed up these memories for you? You thought everything was destroyed when Delli obliterated the founders. That could still be true if these memories were made afterwards by a soul passenger who managed to evade having her mind pulled apart.

But then that would mean you were recounting Aelsaw's memories at the time. Did the two of you trade backups as an extra precaution? Did you intentionally allow yourself to be torn apart so Aelsaw could restore you after the Founders believed you were neutralized? Pillet faked her death before, so why not again?

There's a possibility that Aelsaw has been working on the shield all this time. Maybe she has the rest of your memories safely stored somewhere else, too. Do you want to start looking for her, or see how these memories end?

>>1112710

Go long! Go long!

1/3 Pillet 2025/08/15(Fri)15:51 No. 1112799 ID: 04e6e3
File 175529826677.png - (301.19KB , 1200x1200 , 892.png )

>Did you die between Delli freeing you and meeting that stranger?
Can't say, but probably.

>Considering the memory tortured out of you was from Aelsaw's perspective, unless you used to be in the habit of consolidating memories that belong to those close to you, those would have been taken while Aelsaw was still a passenger.
We might have gotten in the habit of consolidating each other's memories. I don't have any direct evidence for it, but the memories of me on the wheel don't have any sense that she was on board as a passenger. So we might have shared memories, or I'm a confused Aelsaw.

>Actually, would it be possible for Aelsaw to have extracted/backed up these memories for you? Did you intentionally allow yourself to be torn apart so Aelsaw could restore you after the Founders believed you were neutralized? Pillet faked her death before, so why not again?
Obviously something went wrong if Aelsaw was meant to restore me after the wheel situation, but fucking anything's possible at this point.

>You're a memory artificer, aren't you? Fix your memories.
>Go check if Delli can remember
No chance in hell that Delli can remember, and I've let my memories of that time period rot! On purpose, even! But maybe... if I read both of our memories at once, I might be able to compare the details and help rebuild them. If not, I can bring Aumstail into this.

"Delli! Where are you?"
>"Pantry!"

I don't know who keeps stocking the pantry with food. Must be someone's job that they never stopped doing. I go to the break room with Delli.

>"What's up?"
"I need to try to read your memories back on your old farm."
>"Sure knock yourself out, but I seriously have no recollection. You think there's a way?"
"Each death and year passes makes your memories weaker, but they're never destroyed. Just ground into dust and scattered. If I start with your more distant but intact memories and rebuild those, I might be able to start gathering up the bits of scattered dust further and further into the past. It'll take awhile, but you can have the rest of my chocolate."
>"Your bribe is accepted, chocoslut. Hey does that mean you're going to show me memories of my past lives after all? You said you didn't want to do that."
"I did say something like that. I just want to work backwards to rebuild a particular memory and only read it, not compartmentalize it in you or me."
>"Just 'cause you're afraid of how I'll act if I remember everything like I'm immortal?"
"Yeah. Memories can start feeling cheap when your first kiss is just as well remembered as your 10,000th bowl of cereal. You're also able to live in the moment so well when you don't have so much information behind you. But one memory should be fine."
>"Huh, alright."

2/3 Pillet 2025/08/15(Fri)15:51 No. 1112800 ID: 04e6e3
File 175529826941.png - (253.45KB , 1200x1200 , 893.png )

We have a snack and sit on the couch for this. I start reading Delli's memories without showing him anything at first. It hurts a little to see all the different Delli's I've lost. They're all the same person overall, but there's different angles to each of them, like they each had their own unique mindset each time.

The jigsaw pieces get more numerous, damaged, and scattered with each death, and this goat does not have a great life span. By a millenium, the jigsaw puzzles look like they've been sent through a shredder, and it takes longer and longer.

>"How's it going?"
"Still figuring out how long it took you to come up with 'chocoslut'. Be patient."

Eventually I do map Delli's memories all the way back to the old town four millennia ago. Sure enough, by this point I feel like I'm just grabbing mush and arranging it into a soggy picture. I could be way off base, but cross referencing my own memories where we're together helps snap things together.

I start showing Delli bits and pieces so I can watch if his mind catches on to any of this, but it is almost all new to him. It's mostly a lot of his old self being conflicted between chasing me off with his guns and wanting me to come inside to talk about everything.

>"I'm not catching any details here but you seem different."
"This is right after my amnesia. I was wiped clean and reborn into a girl who loved nabbing cabbages from under goats. I could only act like this because I was made new again. Honestly, it was a pretty great time. No long term planning, no underground resistances, really just nothing to worry about at all, before all my old habits started coming back."
>"You unhappy now?"
"No. But this time was special. I never wanted to treat it like every other point of my life, I wanted to let this be a short period where I was like everyone else. So I was going to let the memories die, like everyone else's memories have to. I didn't know I was going to get critical information snooping around crops. Here. I think I found something about that."

3/3 Pillet 2025/08/15(Fri)15:51 No. 1112801 ID: 04e6e3
File 175529827233.png - (757.36KB , 1200x1200 , 894.png )

Through Delli's memories, I start seeing a common person. That same person in my memory. Scattered, vague images of someone who looks like me. Why the hell... maybe we recycled the concept of Reneil as a disguise for some reason. It's not like she could wander around in her own flesh when anyone with the founder's skills would recognize her on sight. And it's not like she'd want to die and sit out for a month at this time just to look like herself.

The residue in these memories gives me the vibe that she was critical to the downfall of the founders. After I was captured, she helped guide him and tell him where I'd be placed. She guided some of my resistance forces in my absence, and - wait.

... Oh! That is how Delli found his way to the memory vault and destroyed all those memories! She knew the directions there and told him about it! She also knew where the founders were respawning - is she really me or did she learn soul seeing? Or some other means? That part isn't clear; she didn't explain much to Delli, not because she withheld information but because Delli did not give a shit about the finer details. Either way, she guided others to finish what I started.

There’s still some questions that leaves me with, but the big picture is starting to form.

I do find my way to the memory with her meeting us on the farm, months later. I think I can rebuild that entire memory into something at least pretty close to what really happened and figure out the directions she gave me.

The question is, do I want to jump ahead by repairing this memory and reading it, or go back and finish off Aelsaw’s memory of us heading towards the subdimension?

>The question is, do I want to jump ahead by repairing this memory and reading it, or go back and finish off Aelsaw’s memory of us heading towards the subdimension?
Go back and finish it off, not like there's an IC opportunity cost and I've got plenty of OOC curiosity.

Now that you know where to look in Delli's head finish off the ancient memory. Might be some last moment clues we wanna see or some big earth shattering revelation at the last second!

Plus you know those memories are all in nice color.

>>1112801
>did she learn soul seeing?
You were there to train her. It makes sense for you to make her as strong and useful as possible so you could work as a team. Also, since she was planning on dying after to reunite with her husband, then she shouldn't have any objection to learning forbidden skills.

>jump ahead?
Well, finish reconstructing the directions, obviously, but uh, shouldn't you be concerned about missing more important clues from the memory capsule? At least skim it to see if there's anything else.

Let Delli go for now, might as well cap off your ancient memories. We can memory dive with him once we're at the end of the really old stuff.

>>1112801
The only question that remains for me is what drove Paporron to betray you to the Founders. It's strange to me that he would go through the lengths he did to help Aelsaw, only to stand by as you were tortured. I'm not sure anything else needs closure.

1/3 Pillet 2025/08/16(Sat)07:32 No. 1112831 ID: 04e6e3
File 175535475310.png - (203.21KB , 1200x1200 , 895.png )

"Okay, that's enough. I'll take these memories and reconstruct them as best I can and then share them with you, but first I'm going to finish looking at Aelsaw's memory. You're free to go."
>"You've changed a little, huh."
"Oh?"
>"I dunno, the Pillet from before would be all 'I'm going to go fuck off and do some secret bullshit and maybe I'll tell you the gist of what I did but not the details.'"
"I don't sound like that."
>"Well you did!"
"Psh, if you say so. Okay, you might have a point. You know how I never used my memory artificing against the gang lords because I thought it was war crime type stuff? And how I didn't like to use it on you even if you consented?"
>"Yeahhh?"
"I've gotten a lot of hangups about treating memories like plain data like I explained earlier. There's more to it than that, but I don't know where any of these sentiments came from. I always believed they were principles that formed prior to my amnesia, built into my core from well founded life experiences and training for who knows how long I lived before that."

I stand back up.

"And then I saw myself in those memories! To isolate Aelsaw, I ran through a whole fucking train and altered the memories of every single passenger, almost all innocent bystanders! Four thousand years of saying there's no chance in hell there's another memory artificer, but also four thousand years of sticking to my 'principles' that was probably just me having a few screws knocked loose!"
>"Wow, damn. What's Ale-Saw?"
"Don't ever change, man."

2/3 Aelsaw 2025/08/16(Sat)07:32 No. 1112832 ID: 04e6e3
File 175535475563.png - (61.72KB , 1200x1200 , 896.png )

[ Approximately 4,300 Years Ago ]
[ 4 Hours and 36 Minutes Remain ]

>"You changed numbers, mom! I couldn't reach you. I thought you didn't want me to find you!"
>"Oh... oh, no! You're right, I.... I can't believe I forgot. So all this time...?"
>"I just needed a space after you told me I was a disappoin - "
>"No! Please, I must be going senile. To think I ever thought the family business was more important than my own son, the family itself. Please, forgive me."
>"It's... yeah, I can forgive it if you really are sorry. I just - hell, this is embarrassing."
>"What could possibly be embarrassing right now?"
>"It's just..."

3/3 Aelsaw 2025/08/16(Sat)07:32 No. 1112833 ID: 04e6e3
File 175535475820.png - (61.12KB , 1200x1200 , 897.png )

He faces me.

>"Thanks for showing me to my mother, but I'd like to talk to her alone. Maybe we can talk another time?"
"Yeah sure. It's time for me to go, anyway. I'm leaving you two some cash. Go find some time to catch up."
>"Really? Thank you."
>"Wait!" Nishyu speaks up. "I don't know how you found my son or knew I was going to be at the bus stop right now, but it doesn't matter. Please, you've done enough, I can pay - "
"Shush! Take it. I don't want this money."
>"Why in the world... Okay, I won't question it. This all happened so fast, but please, are you related to a girl named Ellie?"
"Yeah sure she's my sister or whatever, she's doing fine. Don't think about that, go! Goodbye."

[ Ah! ]
>[ What? ]
[ You finally called me your sister! ]
> [ What wait no fuck you that doesn't count when I'm just - goddamnit Aelsaw, they're all going to die! ]
[ But now they're going to die together. Because of you. It's very sweet of you to do this for the woman I met so briefly at that bus stop. But is this really the most useful usage of our time? Should we not be heading down? ]
>[ You kidding me? I'm seriously considering going to Winterheight and getting a brush bath for myself, because it pisses me off that while I've been running my ass around for weeks on end, you were prancing around with your spa days and ski trips! And now you have the nerve to tell me to go straight down and spend hundreds of years in that half baked reality without even an hour to myself?! ]

Hmmm, I understand her desire to have a break after everything she's done. Yet this seems like a terrible, needlessly risky idea.

fuck it, we ball

go do it

Sister hangout time! Make some good memories before you get stuck in some stupid sub dimension playing spy!

>>1112833
Once you're in the pocket dimension, you can give her as many brush baths as she wants.

Subspace ASAP, especially before things go horribly wrong. Every second might count.

>>1112831
>I don't know where any of these sentiments came from
It was from the torture. The experience of having your memories forcibly extracted made you think of it in a much more negative light. Consent is fairly important though so maybe you should hold onto a bit of that restraint?

>>1112833
>delay is risky
True, but heading back there too soon after getting tossed by Shuzenza is risky too. You should behave as if there is no rush to get back to the subdimension, because you are likely being watched. ((also we know it doesn't matter.))

>>1112836
This sounds like the best compromise.

1/3 Aelsaw 2025/08/16(Sat)16:25 No. 1112852 ID: 04e6e3
File 175538671020.png - (148.41KB , 1200x1200 , 898.png )

[ I can give you as many brush baths as you like in the subdimension. ]
>[ And if it's good then I'll take you up on that, but you know what that place is like. Hollow and tinny.]

Despite the potential risks, I am split down the middle. Pillet leaps on my hesitation.

>[ We’re going! Go to sleep. ]
[ Slee - ]

2/3 Aelsaw 2025/08/16(Sat)16:25 No. 1112853 ID: 04e6e3
File 175538671222.png - (114.95KB , 1200x1200 , 899.png )

[ 3 Hours and 27 Minutes Remain ]

Ah. She really did put me to sleep in her little soul repository, and I wake up to the feeling of a brush running down my back. It seems that Pillet paid Vix enough to have her sole attention for the evening, and went for a room with a skylight. As my consciousness fully returns, I find us looking upwards.

>[ This is the last time I'm ever going to see these stars ever again, you know. You'll see them again in your afterlife, but not me. This might not be my home, but I have lived here so much longer than my old home. I saw these stars get formed. So I want to take a moment to look at them, one more time. ]
[ When you put it like that, I think I understand the risk we're taking. ]

"You're not putting your elbows into it." Pillet tells Vix.
>"Oh! Sorry."
"I caused a problem buying you for the night, huh?"
>"Not at all."
"Tell me what’s on your mind."
>"Alright. I was going to spend the night with my fiance, but it’s worth skipping for this. We've been trying to get money to take a vacation on Threeshell for months now, but haven't had the finances. You paid so much money, we can do it now."
"... Damnit." Pillet looks up at the sky again, noting a small, faint speck. "That place?"
>"Is something wrong?”
“No, I’m just surprised. Threeshell, really?”
>“It's known as a hunk of ice, but believe me, it's a beautiful place. The shade of cyan under the sunset is amazing, you can see through a lot of different ice layers. Also I do like to be in resorts I don’t work at."
"Yeah.”
>"It was unprofessional for me to be distracted. Let me resume."

3/3 Aelsaw 2025/08/16(Sat)16:25 No. 1112854 ID: 04e6e3
File 175538671503.png - (186.84KB , 1200x1200 , 900.png )

[ 3 Hours and 7 Minutes Remain ]

Pillet fakes getting a phone call involving urgent business decisions.

"I’ve got to run."
>"Really? That’s… too bad, I don’t know if we can reschedule - “
“I’m rich, alright? No big loss for me. If you want to remain in my service for the night, then go see your boyfriend."
>"Thanks… really."
"I’ll stay in the room and make a couple calls before I leave. You go." Pillet was planning on this already since it's not like we could get the full course, but something about Threeshell changed her mood.

>[ I wasn't thinking about Threeshell until she brought it up. That drone's emergency signal reached Threeshell over an hour ago. ]
[ Meaning...? ]
>[ That little speck up there is what Threeshell looked like over four hours ago. In reality, it's already been destroyed.]
[ Oh. ]
>[ I still need to get changed back into my old body, and I shouldn't do that out in the open in this town. Won't take long, but I'm not waiting until the last minute. Anything left you want to do on the surface? Once we start going down, there's no coming back. We have an hour before things start getting risky.. ]

I don’t think there is anything, but she is right. This is the last chance to do anything on this planet.

>>1112854
Hm. I can't think of anything. You already got the twins out of harms' way and we don't know many other people. There's the sights, but we've already seen them. Guess you could go shopping and buy something that might be useful later? Like a hidden weapon, or a medkit, or a nice book or electronic entertainment so you won't get bored while the subdimension is tiny?

RIP Threeshell. Do the most scandalous thing possible for fun, I guess.

Ugh the games of the powerful are gonna ruin all these poor peoples lives. A afterlife existing is no excuse for it. Go get some air and take in nature a bit. Anyone left you wanna spend time with before they all die?

Pillet really likes looking up at the stars. Maybe you should find a high up point or summit to look up at them one last time.

Overthrowing the government is not feasible in this window of time so let's get some donuts.

Not only are they all going to die, but Shuzenza anticipates that they're all going to die for nothing... but he's still willing to try.

>>1112833

You know, in hindsight, IS there any way to tell if the bombing is still going on out there, 4300 years later?

Because the biggest fear of everyone was that they'd instantly get blown to bits, but if this memory proves otherwise ...

>>1112854

Let's head somewhere private, body-change, and then see what we can do before heading back to the subdimension. We can fuck around on the way in.

>>1112889
It's been said in a previous post that the Phenocosm is going to have the subdimension in constant suveillance and unleash utter destruction on it the moment it opens up.


...No, i'd say the only thing we can really do now is go to the subdimension and HOPE that once it closes off, the Phenocosm will call off the bombardment and the people here will get to live.

Actually, I might as well ask since I got kinda lost, why are they destroying the rest of the solar system as well?
And who killed Gel on the embassy? Did he really die or was that a ploy to distract us by the Founders or Pillet? Is he alright? Is he safe? That's all I care about!

>>1113166
>bombardment when the subdimension opens up
Yeah. After it closes. It's not closed yet. The overall plan is that the two agents go in, try to find a way to sabotage it once the subdimension is activated (and closes), so that after the sabotage is successful and it opens back up the bombardment will clean up the mess to ensure anyone still in it has a one way ticket to the afterlife.

Wait, shit, I forgot.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT LIZARD LADY STILL WASHES HER HANDS!