Re: Intense Struggle Season 2! (Round 4: Deathball Championship)
12-14-2011, 07:22 PM
Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.
The Infinity Express had served countless passengers over the millennia. But the information on precisely who had served was very well-guarded. That fact alone had drawn the Monitor's attention to it; what, exactly, were its operators trying to conceal?
The train itself had been the least-defended source of that data. Its passenger logs were encrypted, but with the Monitor's processing power, that had been more of an inconvenience than a serious obstacle. The more severe issues were the sheer size of the database, and the fact that the Monitor was uncertain of precisely what he was looking for.
As a starting point, he decided the simplest option was to check for anomalies. He simply looked over every passenger on the list and scoured for information on their point of origin, known activities, possible gaps in known activities, and anything else which might point to someone who should not have been on that train, yet had been.
In doing so, he came across a familiar name. One he hadn't expected to turn up again, least of all here.
The Senator had been on that train.
He hadn't expected to pick up that trail. Not that it was likely to matter, as the man was certainly long dead by now; the record was thousands of years old.
Nonetheless, if only out of a sense of curiosity, the Monitor recorded the man's destination.
And then he adjusted his plans for the next round.
***
As Lillian's life faded away, the other combatants vanished from Castle Suterrea. They then found themselves in the center of a large field. Around them, a frozen scene of carnage and death seemed to be playing out; the fighters in this battle all seemed to be wearing numbered uniforms. In the distance, the combatants could see a large ring of seats surrounding them, filled with people.
"Welcome to the Deathball Stadium," the Monitor's voice said. "As you might suspect from the name, Deathball is an incredibly violent and dangerous sport. The participants use all sorts of dangerous weaponry, and even savage beasts. The casualty rate is incredibly high, but the sport is immensely popular with the spectators."
The Monitor unfroze the scene for a moment, save for his own combatants. The crowd in the stands erupted with delight as one player sliced another's head off, and kicked it into a distant goal.
"Right now, the Deathball Championship is going on. The best teams in the world are all here to compete. And given the rate at which they lose players, they're often looking for new recruits. Powerful and skilled warriors who can grant their side victory."
The Monitor paused, and moved the frozen battlers to one team's dugout. Six players were chained to the bench, and they looked extremely nervous.
"The warriors rarely get a choice in the matter."
Then, without warning, the battlers found themselves transported again.
"For the moment, you have all been dispersed throughout the city. This will offer you some time to prepare yourselves should you be recruited to play, or to avoid the recruiters if you so desire. You will have a few hours before the next game begins, use them as you will."
And time started again.
The Infinity Express had served countless passengers over the millennia. But the information on precisely who had served was very well-guarded. That fact alone had drawn the Monitor's attention to it; what, exactly, were its operators trying to conceal?
The train itself had been the least-defended source of that data. Its passenger logs were encrypted, but with the Monitor's processing power, that had been more of an inconvenience than a serious obstacle. The more severe issues were the sheer size of the database, and the fact that the Monitor was uncertain of precisely what he was looking for.
As a starting point, he decided the simplest option was to check for anomalies. He simply looked over every passenger on the list and scoured for information on their point of origin, known activities, possible gaps in known activities, and anything else which might point to someone who should not have been on that train, yet had been.
In doing so, he came across a familiar name. One he hadn't expected to turn up again, least of all here.
The Senator had been on that train.
He hadn't expected to pick up that trail. Not that it was likely to matter, as the man was certainly long dead by now; the record was thousands of years old.
Nonetheless, if only out of a sense of curiosity, the Monitor recorded the man's destination.
And then he adjusted his plans for the next round.
***
As Lillian's life faded away, the other combatants vanished from Castle Suterrea. They then found themselves in the center of a large field. Around them, a frozen scene of carnage and death seemed to be playing out; the fighters in this battle all seemed to be wearing numbered uniforms. In the distance, the combatants could see a large ring of seats surrounding them, filled with people.
"Welcome to the Deathball Stadium," the Monitor's voice said. "As you might suspect from the name, Deathball is an incredibly violent and dangerous sport. The participants use all sorts of dangerous weaponry, and even savage beasts. The casualty rate is incredibly high, but the sport is immensely popular with the spectators."
The Monitor unfroze the scene for a moment, save for his own combatants. The crowd in the stands erupted with delight as one player sliced another's head off, and kicked it into a distant goal.
"Right now, the Deathball Championship is going on. The best teams in the world are all here to compete. And given the rate at which they lose players, they're often looking for new recruits. Powerful and skilled warriors who can grant their side victory."
The Monitor paused, and moved the frozen battlers to one team's dugout. Six players were chained to the bench, and they looked extremely nervous.
"The warriors rarely get a choice in the matter."
Then, without warning, the battlers found themselves transported again.
"For the moment, you have all been dispersed throughout the city. This will offer you some time to prepare yourselves should you be recruited to play, or to avoid the recruiters if you so desire. You will have a few hours before the next game begins, use them as you will."
And time started again.
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