Meme Doc P.H.D
Paladin Ascending Vol 3 #0: Forsaken
“Edens?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s been an hour already. You wanna call them in or no?”
“Let them have a break. I’ve got a couple more experiments to attend...contact me two days later, Mason. I don’t need the council on my trail all the time.”
“Alright...”
I close the hologram projectors after my conversation is done.
Couldn't stress how it's been 5 months since the attacks on our agency, and I couldn’t do anything about it much. But if North's defeat is something I'll share over and over, I'd be the first to do it. I know I’m trying to move on....even for my protege....but how? He’s been in such a progressive, anxious state. I don’t even know what to do with the cures. Only if an answer could solve my current troubles....
Then I hear sounds. Footsteps? Hmm, I hope it’s not my brain clanking. Wait, it totally isn’t. Is it? Prediction powers....that can’t be possible, can it?
Edens: “Dusksmoke? How did you get access here? I thought you were in Japan?”
Dusksmoke: “Remus....I barely escaped....they’re coming....they’re coming for me.....”
Edens: “Who? Who is coming? How’d you get here?”
Dusksmoke: “I......I don’t know....assailants here.....they....”
Dusksmoke passes out. I put him on the closest med bay, trying to analyze his wounds, infections or whatever happened to him.
It’s only a matter of time before he would wake up again.
***
Dusksmoke: “How did I get here.....oh....ugh.”
Edens: “What’s coming? Was Mason right....?”
Dusksmoke: “Mason? What’s with him?”
Edens: “Nothing major. Just his symptoms acting up again. I’m trying to work on a late night shift here for an experiment though....trying to fix his condition. But when you just popped in--at least try to answer my questions first or I can't help. Slowly. One at a time.”
Dusksmoke: “.....well, where should I even start.....I went on a quest to retrieve a red sword. To find a katana that would wield great power. I went off the shores...off the coast....enduring storms and seas. I found it with the best of my abilities, but until I returned.....I was robbed. The enemies were too powerful....I tried to escape with the sword, in order to return it to my guild.”
Edens: “I’m aware about it.”
Dusksmoke: “And I fear a war might be coming. If only I could prevent it....”
Edens: “Not when you’re in this state now. Come, slowly, I’ll give you an antidote. You've been out for hours. Wanna keep resting in the medical bay?”
Dusksmoke: “Just for a while....but I’m telling you, Doctor, they are coming. The guild and Yakuza....are going to fight over it. Moreover, I have been exiled because I’ve lost it.”
Edens: “Then they’ve shunned you? Kicked you out for that? You could just simply ask for a mission or do whatever your clan permits redemption in exchange for your punishment.”
Dusksmoke: “Not really, Doc. It doesn't exactly work like that this time because it's over the limitations. But I need your help. This plan will anger your superiors. It is unsanctioned....without authoritative control and oversight. Much to our neutrality and independence.”
Edens: “I could ask for a strike team to help....negotiation, whatever we can do for you at Paladin.”
Dusksmoke: “Not this time it’s not. Avalon Squad needs to be on duty. Immediately. This is on behalf of my orders. I'm working under someone who is the last beacon of hope.”
Edens: “I would do that, but I can’t go further against the board in these trying times under free will. Plus, they’re on vacation, I thought I gave Avalon a good break at least. I'm a workaholic, literally. I'll--"
Dusksmoke: “It’s time to tell the truth, Remus. They have to know. I have lots to fill in when everyone needs to be here.”
Edens: “I would love to but....in all seriousness I’m still not sure who you are, even if you’re an ally. Gardner and I may have trusted you, but still from a certain perspective, you're a third party outsider-”
Dusksmoke: “I don’t care....but the motive....is rallying the call right now to the gathering. Immediately without hesitation.....because my friends and family are important....and this, is when I actually need Paladin for a favour. Who I am is a big secret which might shock some of your own proteges. Will they be ready? Will you believe me?"
Edens: "Okay. I do. Whatever it is, you better...get it right."
Paladin Ascending Vol 3 #0: Forsaken
“Edens?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s been an hour already. You wanna call them in or no?”
“Let them have a break. I’ve got a couple more experiments to attend...contact me two days later, Mason. I don’t need the council on my trail all the time.”
“Alright...”
I close the hologram projectors after my conversation is done.
Couldn't stress how it's been 5 months since the attacks on our agency, and I couldn’t do anything about it much. But if North's defeat is something I'll share over and over, I'd be the first to do it. I know I’m trying to move on....even for my protege....but how? He’s been in such a progressive, anxious state. I don’t even know what to do with the cures. Only if an answer could solve my current troubles....
Then I hear sounds. Footsteps? Hmm, I hope it’s not my brain clanking. Wait, it totally isn’t. Is it? Prediction powers....that can’t be possible, can it?
Edens: “Dusksmoke? How did you get access here? I thought you were in Japan?”
Dusksmoke: “Remus....I barely escaped....they’re coming....they’re coming for me.....”
Edens: “Who? Who is coming? How’d you get here?”
Dusksmoke: “I......I don’t know....assailants here.....they....”
Dusksmoke passes out. I put him on the closest med bay, trying to analyze his wounds, infections or whatever happened to him.
It’s only a matter of time before he would wake up again.
***
Dusksmoke: “How did I get here.....oh....ugh.”
Edens: “What’s coming? Was Mason right....?”
Dusksmoke: “Mason? What’s with him?”
Edens: “Nothing major. Just his symptoms acting up again. I’m trying to work on a late night shift here for an experiment though....trying to fix his condition. But when you just popped in--at least try to answer my questions first or I can't help. Slowly. One at a time.”
Dusksmoke: “.....well, where should I even start.....I went on a quest to retrieve a red sword. To find a katana that would wield great power. I went off the shores...off the coast....enduring storms and seas. I found it with the best of my abilities, but until I returned.....I was robbed. The enemies were too powerful....I tried to escape with the sword, in order to return it to my guild.”
Edens: “I’m aware about it.”
Dusksmoke: “And I fear a war might be coming. If only I could prevent it....”
Edens: “Not when you’re in this state now. Come, slowly, I’ll give you an antidote. You've been out for hours. Wanna keep resting in the medical bay?”
Dusksmoke: “Just for a while....but I’m telling you, Doctor, they are coming. The guild and Yakuza....are going to fight over it. Moreover, I have been exiled because I’ve lost it.”
Edens: “Then they’ve shunned you? Kicked you out for that? You could just simply ask for a mission or do whatever your clan permits redemption in exchange for your punishment.”
Dusksmoke: “Not really, Doc. It doesn't exactly work like that this time because it's over the limitations. But I need your help. This plan will anger your superiors. It is unsanctioned....without authoritative control and oversight. Much to our neutrality and independence.”
Edens: “I could ask for a strike team to help....negotiation, whatever we can do for you at Paladin.”
Dusksmoke: “Not this time it’s not. Avalon Squad needs to be on duty. Immediately. This is on behalf of my orders. I'm working under someone who is the last beacon of hope.”
Edens: “I would do that, but I can’t go further against the board in these trying times under free will. Plus, they’re on vacation, I thought I gave Avalon a good break at least. I'm a workaholic, literally. I'll--"
Dusksmoke: “It’s time to tell the truth, Remus. They have to know. I have lots to fill in when everyone needs to be here.”
Edens: “I would love to but....in all seriousness I’m still not sure who you are, even if you’re an ally. Gardner and I may have trusted you, but still from a certain perspective, you're a third party outsider-”
Dusksmoke: “I don’t care....but the motive....is rallying the call right now to the gathering. Immediately without hesitation.....because my friends and family are important....and this, is when I actually need Paladin for a favour. Who I am is a big secret which might shock some of your own proteges. Will they be ready? Will you believe me?"
Edens: "Okay. I do. Whatever it is, you better...get it right."