Re: Intense Struggle Season 2! (Round 2: Infinity Express)
09-18-2010, 10:19 PM
Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.
The Monitor was quick to react upon Dekowin's death. He had already prepared the transportation sequence, and so with the press of a single button, the survivors vanished. Seconds later, he watched the detached facility explode spectacularly.
He also detected another transport, one he had not initiated. It appeared that some other Grandmaster had decided that something should be spared from the explosion.
Or perhaps, removed from the scene on the off-chance it survived the explosion intact.
That concern would have to be investigated later, however. The Monitor was supposed to be running a battle, after all, and had to at least go through the motions.
He brought up a screen of the new arena. Amidst an endless void, railroad tracks stretched across the sky, twisting and turning in multiple directions.
A train was traversing those tracks - or would be, if the Monitor hadn't stopped it for now, along with the combatants he had just placed aboard it, spread throughout the various cars.
"Greetings. I must congratulate you all on managing to survive the first round - for a moment, it seemed as though I would have to gather another eight candidates. Fortunately, you managed to spare me that inconvenience. But without further ado, let me introduce you to the next arena - the Infinity Express."
There was a pause, as the Monitor gave the combatants time to take in their surroundings. The furnishings on the train seemed somewhat luxurious, but this fact was barely noticeable next to the sight of the passengers themselves - they glowed a strange shade of blue and were not moving either. They also did not seem limited to any one species; among them were humans, elves, small dragons, gigantic insectoids, robots, and other assorted creatures.
"This train travels between dimensions, and carries passengers from a wide variety of worlds. However, these passengers, as well as the train's crew, have been frozen in time, and will continue to be once I allow you to move again. You need not worry about them, only your competitors. Please note, however, that the train itself will start moving, and its path is... somewhat unorthodox. You may need to brace yourselves every so often."
The Monitor pressed a button, and the contestants found themselves able to move once more. Most were knocked off their feet by the train's sudden start, however. The Monitor's voice spoke one last time.
"I should also warn you that leaving the train would be ill-advised. If you look out the windows, you will see there is literally nothing out there, merely an unending void and the track you are travelling along."
His duties performed, the Monitor turned his attention to his next task. He activated another screen, and the image of the Controller appeared on it.
"Ah, Monitor. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I have been reviewing my data on the contestants in your Gradual Massacre. I am curious about something."
"And what would that be?"
"Based on the abilities of your combatants, I see at least two relatively straightforward methods by which escape is possible. What is your contingency plan to prevent this?"
The Controller laughed. "Where's the fun in giving that away? You'll find out if it comes to pass. Since I know you'll be watching."
"This is no trivial matter. The Director was nearly destroyed due to insufficient preparations. We should all be wary of repeating his mistakes."
The Monitor watched the Controller's face carefully. If his suspicions were correct, the Controller would, for the briefest of moments, show signs of preparing a sarcastic response. Presumably something similar to "So it's better to kill all your entrants in the first round?", though as the lines would never actually be spoken, it hardly mattered. The realization that he might give something away would strike microseconds later, however, and the Controller would feign ignorance instead.
The response was so perfectly in line with the Monitor's predictions that it almost seemed to be taunting him.
"Perhaps so. But rest assured, I am being careful. I simply prefer to leave a few suprises for my 'audience', as it were. How is your new battle proceeding, by the way? I imagine it's well underway by now."
"Indeed. The first round has just concluded. I am still reviewing the data. It was somewhat unexpected that Dekowin was the first death, but the situation was rather chaotic. As to the remaining fighters, I am pleased that the Hunterbot is performing its function admirably. It should keep the others preoccupied. I must note that Lloyd seems outclassed so far, but he has shown some resourcefulness. Karen is..."
The Controller interrupted suddenly. "Pardon me. Did you say 'Lloyd'?"
"Correct. Lloyd Conrad. You recommended him to me."
"I see." The Controller raised a hand to his mouth thoughtfully. "Very interesting. I'd ask you more, but something has just come up in the Gradual Massacre. Perhaps we can continue this conversation some other time."
"Of course," the Monitor replied. "You are perfectly welcome to contact me at your convenience." He deactivated the communications device, and turned his attention back to the unfolding battle.
The Monitor was quick to react upon Dekowin's death. He had already prepared the transportation sequence, and so with the press of a single button, the survivors vanished. Seconds later, he watched the detached facility explode spectacularly.
He also detected another transport, one he had not initiated. It appeared that some other Grandmaster had decided that something should be spared from the explosion.
Or perhaps, removed from the scene on the off-chance it survived the explosion intact.
That concern would have to be investigated later, however. The Monitor was supposed to be running a battle, after all, and had to at least go through the motions.
He brought up a screen of the new arena. Amidst an endless void, railroad tracks stretched across the sky, twisting and turning in multiple directions.
A train was traversing those tracks - or would be, if the Monitor hadn't stopped it for now, along with the combatants he had just placed aboard it, spread throughout the various cars.
"Greetings. I must congratulate you all on managing to survive the first round - for a moment, it seemed as though I would have to gather another eight candidates. Fortunately, you managed to spare me that inconvenience. But without further ado, let me introduce you to the next arena - the Infinity Express."
There was a pause, as the Monitor gave the combatants time to take in their surroundings. The furnishings on the train seemed somewhat luxurious, but this fact was barely noticeable next to the sight of the passengers themselves - they glowed a strange shade of blue and were not moving either. They also did not seem limited to any one species; among them were humans, elves, small dragons, gigantic insectoids, robots, and other assorted creatures.
"This train travels between dimensions, and carries passengers from a wide variety of worlds. However, these passengers, as well as the train's crew, have been frozen in time, and will continue to be once I allow you to move again. You need not worry about them, only your competitors. Please note, however, that the train itself will start moving, and its path is... somewhat unorthodox. You may need to brace yourselves every so often."
The Monitor pressed a button, and the contestants found themselves able to move once more. Most were knocked off their feet by the train's sudden start, however. The Monitor's voice spoke one last time.
"I should also warn you that leaving the train would be ill-advised. If you look out the windows, you will see there is literally nothing out there, merely an unending void and the track you are travelling along."
His duties performed, the Monitor turned his attention to his next task. He activated another screen, and the image of the Controller appeared on it.
"Ah, Monitor. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I have been reviewing my data on the contestants in your Gradual Massacre. I am curious about something."
"And what would that be?"
"Based on the abilities of your combatants, I see at least two relatively straightforward methods by which escape is possible. What is your contingency plan to prevent this?"
The Controller laughed. "Where's the fun in giving that away? You'll find out if it comes to pass. Since I know you'll be watching."
"This is no trivial matter. The Director was nearly destroyed due to insufficient preparations. We should all be wary of repeating his mistakes."
The Monitor watched the Controller's face carefully. If his suspicions were correct, the Controller would, for the briefest of moments, show signs of preparing a sarcastic response. Presumably something similar to "So it's better to kill all your entrants in the first round?", though as the lines would never actually be spoken, it hardly mattered. The realization that he might give something away would strike microseconds later, however, and the Controller would feign ignorance instead.
The response was so perfectly in line with the Monitor's predictions that it almost seemed to be taunting him.
"Perhaps so. But rest assured, I am being careful. I simply prefer to leave a few suprises for my 'audience', as it were. How is your new battle proceeding, by the way? I imagine it's well underway by now."
"Indeed. The first round has just concluded. I am still reviewing the data. It was somewhat unexpected that Dekowin was the first death, but the situation was rather chaotic. As to the remaining fighters, I am pleased that the Hunterbot is performing its function admirably. It should keep the others preoccupied. I must note that Lloyd seems outclassed so far, but he has shown some resourcefulness. Karen is..."
The Controller interrupted suddenly. "Pardon me. Did you say 'Lloyd'?"
"Correct. Lloyd Conrad. You recommended him to me."
"I see." The Controller raised a hand to his mouth thoughtfully. "Very interesting. I'd ask you more, but something has just come up in the Gradual Massacre. Perhaps we can continue this conversation some other time."
"Of course," the Monitor replied. "You are perfectly welcome to contact me at your convenience." He deactivated the communications device, and turned his attention back to the unfolding battle.
There's no reason for this | Or this | Death is inevitable | You can't challenge fate | The smallest change | I'm overwhelmed
I'm serious | It makes perfect sense | Easy as ABC! | I can't even explain it | Cleaning up someone else's mess
I suck | I rule | I've got it made | Really, I'm serious | This bugs me | It's all lies | I want to believe | Beauty is a curse
I'm serious | It makes perfect sense | Easy as ABC! | I can't even explain it | Cleaning up someone else's mess
I suck | I rule | I've got it made | Really, I'm serious | This bugs me | It's all lies | I want to believe | Beauty is a curse