Sugarcane

You [[clip]] your comlink to your ear. The channels are buzzing; it's chaos, but there's definitely an attack going on.

You see the disorganized mass of soldiers, their formation broken, all spirit lost. \n\nYou see the Scroll [[looming]] over them some distance away, like a tower on the far shore of narrow sea. \n

<<if $hikarutension is 0>>Hikaru actually laughs for just an instant. "And thank you," <<print $hp1>> says. "And please, [[be careful|target]]."\n<<else>>Hikaru just gives you a look. "Go," <<print $hp1>> say. "And I'll thank you twice [[when you kill it|target]]. \n<<endif>>

"I'm putting you on a 24-hour rest assignment," Hikaru says. "You were close to your charge meter limit; you need 8 hours sleep and some R&R before we can send you back out there safely. Hit the gym, have a drink, catch a movie, whatever. [[Relax]]. Reduce the stress on your nervous system.\n<<if $killed is 1>>\n"At that point, report back and we'll see what shape Apple is in. If the repairs are still in progress, we'll find a light duty for you."\n<<else>>\n"At that point report back for your next patrol."\n<<endif>>

But luck, if that's the right word, is with you. You spot it easily a minute later, moving slowly but steadily directly away from Olympic Base. \n\nIt's the [[largest]] Scroll you've ever seen.

<<if $killed is 1>>The Scroll's attack was strong enough to eat through the EdgeMetal shell. Much of the shell is completely ablated away. The damaged patch of the front plate is gone and more; you feel a hot breeze as the air, still superheated from the proximity of the beam, pours through a gaping hole in the suit's skin.\n\nA number of electrical and data connections are severed and offline, and the damage is too bad for Apple to reroute.\n\nYou bring the suit to a standing position, with difficulty; its responses are jerky and slow. Apple's never been [[damaged this badly|standing]] before.\n<<else>>The Scroll's attack was strong enough to eat through Apple's EdgeMetal shell, which is almost completely ablated away. Many of your auxiliary systems have shorted out, though Apple is rerouting to keep critical systems online. \n\nYou bring the suit to a standing position. Apple's responses are [[jerky and slow|standing]]. <<endif>>\n\n<<set $killed to $killed + 1>>

There are cheers from the gap in the wall. Soldiers start to stream past you, heading for trenches and bunkers scattered around Olympic Base's perimeter. It's clear you've arrived on the scene of a victory.\n\nBut it's equally clear, from the number of human bodies piled in the breach, how [[dearly]] the resistance has paid for that victory.

You arrive on the scene in a flash of plasma rocket exhaust.\n\nDespite the retrorockets, you [[land]] hard enough to send a network of cracks through the concrete. Shards go flying through the air.

<<if $hikarutension is 0>>Hikaru looks at you with surprise, and anger.\n\n"This is serious," <<print $hp1>> says. "We're in real danger here. I appreciate what you tried to do, but this... this could be the end of the war."\n<<else>>Hikaru looks at you, angry and annoyed.\n\n"This is serious," <<print $hp1>> says. "We're in real danger here. This could be the end of the war."\n<<endif>>\n//"We're [[still alive]], Hikaru - there's hope."\n\n"Get [[ahold]] of yourself! You're scaring everyone."//

Hikaru's voice is in your ear. "Thank god, you're online. The situation's bad. A Scroll rushed the perimeter and breached the walls. Which should be impossible, but... \n\n"We have multiple Scrolls inside the base, and who knows how many Memories. We ordered the CandyShells that were out on patrol back to base, and some have started to arrive. \n\n"Still, we're dealing with [[multiple]] hot spots."

"You've done a great job, and I wish I could congratulate you and tell you to come back to base, but - we're still under attack here. If you're ready, I have another mission. I know your charge meter won't last forever, but there's still more to do..."\n\n//"Apple and I are [[ready|Olympic Base is still under attack]]."\n\n"[[Bring it on|Olympic Base is still under attack]] - we can take it."\n\n"[[Anything|Olympic Base is still under attack]] for you, Hikaru."\n\n"Just tell me [[how I can help|Olympic Base is still under attack]]."

"Thank god, you're there! We've been receiving your sensor readings for the last few minutes - I know where it's scroll is! In the body, just below that giant crystal. But don't target the crystal itself - our readings show it's harder than EdgeMetal, you'll never break through. Target the body!"\n\n<<display final attack>>

Apple is wrecked. And you're alone in the ruined city.\n\n<<if $commandroom is 1>>Your comlink is dead, damaged in the last attack. You don't know if Hikaru knows where you are, or if the attack on Olympic Base is over.\n<<else>>Your comlink is dead; you have no way to know whether it was damaged in the last attack or whether there's nobody back at Olympic Base to respond. Hikaru may be dead; for all you know, the resistance has been wiped off the face of the earth. All of this may have been for nothing.\n<<endif>>\nBut you accomplished your mission. You and Apple did [[what you could]]. \n

There's more than one reason to stay. Apple is starting to thrash violently; if you step outside, there's a chance you could be crushed. \n\nBut undeniably, the awful fear that's coming through the neural connection is another. You don't entirely understand it; it shouldn't exist. It can't. And yet there's this fear. \n\nAnd if somebody's afraid, the right thing to do is [[comfort|comfort2]] them.

<<silently>>\n<<if $hikarugender is "m">>\n<<set $hp1 to "he">>\n<<set $hp2 to "him">>\n<<set $hp3 to "his">>\n<<set $Hp1 to "He">>\n<<set $Hp2 to "Him">>\n<<set $Hp3 to "His">>\n<<else>>\n<<set $hp1 to "she">>\n<<set $hp2 to "her">>\n<<set $hp3 to "her">>\n<<set $Hp1 to "She">>\n<<set $Hp2 to "Her">>\n<<set $Hp3 to "Her">>\n<<endif>>\n<<endsilently>><<print $Hp1>> continues: "Your charge meter is low. Return to Olympic Base."\n<<if $killed is 0>>\n//"Roger that - [[heading]] home."\n\n"But that Scroll is still out there - I should [[go|talkback]] after it!"\n\n"But that Scroll is still out there - I should [[stay|talkback]] in case it comes back!"\n//\n\n\n<<elseif $protected is 0>>\n//"Roger that - [[heading]] home."\n\n"Things are bad here - I should [[stay|talkback]] and help!"\n\n"There are plenty more Scrolls out there - I should [[go|talkback]] hunting!"//\n<<else>>\n//"Roger that - [[heading]] home."\n\n"These soldiers are vulnerable here - I should [[stay|talkback]] and help!"\n\n"There are plenty more Scrolls out there - I should [[go|talkback]] hunting!"\n<<endif>>

You're alone in the ruined city.\n\n<<if $commandroom is 1>>Your comlink is dead, damaged in the last attack. You don't know if Hikaru knows where you are, or if the attack on Olympic Base is over.\n<<else>>Your comlink is dead; you have no way to know whether it was damaged in the last attack or whether there's nobody back at Olympic Base to respond. Hikaru may be dead; for all you know, the resistance has been wiped off the face of the earth. All of this may have been for nothing.\n<<endif>>\nBut you accomplished your mission. You and Apple did [[what you could]]. \n

Welcome to CandyShell Saga! In this game you play the pilot of Apple, an awesome high-tech CandyShell (i.e. mecha), helping defend humanity against an army of horrible demons - Scrolls.\n\nTake a moment to picture your pilot. They could be like you, or not. They could be any color, any gender, any orientation, any creed. They could be from anywhere; they could be tall or short, fat or thin. \n\nClick [[here|picturing]] when you're ready to keep going.

Memories are vicious, not tough. With every shot, one drops and doesn't get up. Their blood sprays in a multitude of garish colors.\n\nYou kill another, and another, and another. But there are [[a lot]] of them.

"...targeting CandyShell pilots."\n\nThere's something [[coming]] down the empty hallway.

Aditi takes a deep breath, nodding. "Thanks. I'll remember that."\n\nShe turns to go. She stops. She looks over her shoulder. "Everyone appreciates what you did," she says. "I'm sure you're sick of hearing it. But it's the truth.\n\n"[[Thank you]]." \n\n

<<if $protected is 1>><<print $Hp1>> smiles. "Good work. We're reinforcing that outpost with some heavy weapons; they'll be ready next time.<<if $killed is 1>> I'm glad you're ok; it sounds like Apple really took a beating. You've got to be careful." \n\n<<print $Hp1>> sighs deeply. "It's getting harder and harder to find EdgeMetal to patch the CandyShells with. If the war keeps going..." <<print $Hp1>> shakes <<print $hp3>> head and trails off. \n\n"But good work killing that Scroll," <<print $hp1>> adds after a moment, smiling wanly. \n\n//"We'll never win this war without [[killing|maverick]] Scrolls. Sometimes you can't avoid taking a risk.//\n\n//"Thanks. But I'll [[try|model2]] to be more careful, I promise.//\n<<else>> And you took good care of Apple, too." <<print $Hp1>> grins. "Not to mention yourself." But <<$hp3>> grins fades slowly, and <<print $hp1>> sighs. \n\n"It's getting harder and harder to find EdgeMetal to patch the CandyShells with. If the war keeps going..." <<print $Hp1>> shakes <<print $hp3>> head and trails off. \n\n//"Apple takes care of me. I [[try|model3]] to return the favor."//\n\n//"I wish I could have [[finished off|maverick]] that damn Scroll."//\n<<endif>>\n//"I'm glad the outpost is back on its feet, and that most of the unit [[survived|model]]." \n\n"That was the mission. It's what I [[do|model]]."//\n<<else>><<print $Hp1>> frowns. "It's awful about the soldiers. And that outpost would have taken a lot of pressure off of our defense."\n<<if $killed is 1>>\n"I'm just glad you're ok; it sounds like Apple really took a beating. You've got to be careful." \n\n<<print $Hp1>> sighs deeply. "It's getting harder and harder to find EdgeMetal to patch the CandyShells with. If the war keeps going..." <<print $Hp1>> shakes <<print $hp3>> head and trails off. \n\n"But good work killing that Scroll," <<print $hp1>> adds after a moment, smiling wanly. \n\n//"We'll never win this war without [[killing|maverick]] Scrolls. Sometimes you can't avoid taking a risk.//\n\n//"Thanks. But I'll [[try|model]] to be more careful, I promise.//\n<<else>>"At least you chased the Scroll off. And you brought Apple back pristine. I'm glad you're not taking crazy chances out there. Not to mention, with the state of our EdgeMetal reserves, it's getting harder and harder to patch damaged CandyShells."\n\n//"I wish you'd let me [[go after it|maverick]]."//\n<<endif>>\n//"That outpost was a [[lost cause|maverick1]] before I got there. There was no saving it."\n\n"I did my [[best|model]]. I just wish it had been enough to save the outpost.//\n<<endif>>\n

<<if $hikarutension is 0>>"It's been a privilege serving with you. You're the best pilot we have in the best suit. You can do this!\n\n"[[I believe in you|choice]]."\n<<else>>"I know I've been hard on you. Maybe too hard, I don't know. But I had to be. We all do, if there are going to be any of us left after this war. \n\n"They say you're the best." There's a pause; you hear someone scream. But when Hikaru speaks again, <<print $hp3>> voice is calm. \n\n"Now [[you have to be|choice]]."\n<<endif>>

You strain to move Apple's arms or legs, but they're suddenly impossibly heavy. \n\nThe optics are the last thing to go dead, and suddenly you're sitting alone in the dark.\n\n//"Come on, Apple - it [[can't]] end like this. Please."//\n\n//"No! No no NO! It [[can't]] end like this!"//\n\n<<set $chargemeter to -1000>>

You charge at the thing's unprotected back, firing your plasma pads. But once again its speed surprises you, and it's gone before you strike.\n\nIt's so fast that for a moment you're not sure where it went. But then Apple's optics track movement - above you.\n\nIt's clinging, [[insect-like]], to the ceiling.

You pivot and attack with your other hand; once again, the plasma punch drives into the creature, with an incredible spray of gore. \n\nThis time your attack [[penetrates]] to the creatures heart.

CandyShell Saga

Hikaru doesn't seem to hear you. \n\n"It'll come back. Olympic Base isn't safe. We have no way to stop it, we still don't even know how it breached the armor.\n\n<<print $Hp1>> turns to you. "We're doomed. This is the end. Olympic Base is over. The resistance is over."\n\nThe other survivors are clustering around. You see looks of consternation spreading among them as Hikaru speaks. \n\n//"[[You're welcome]], by the way." \n\n"We're [[still alive]], Hikaru - there's hope."\n\n"Get [[ahold]] of yourself! You're scaring everyone."//

You're there for some time, in the compartment as Apple's mechanical systems progressively fail, causing the suit to writhe on the ground not unlike a person in pain. \n\nYou have no control, and the optics have gone dead. The only thing to do is be there, and to feel the fear, and to [[endure|endure2]] it.

<<display flame attack>>\n\nThe outer edge of the fiery corona raches you; instinctively, you throw up your arms to [[protect]] yourself.

"Good work," says Hikaru. "I'm signalling the pilots that they have the all clear." \n\nA door in the long hallway opens up, and four pilots come out. They wave at Apple, [[smiling and cheering]], and then run down the hallway towards the hangar. \n\n

You charge forward. Have to close the distance before it pounces and gets at you with its claws and teeth; your piloting suit is no kind of armor. \n\nIt crouches back in surprise, hissing viciously. It's barely higher than your knee; you raise your boot and bring it down on the memory's small pointy head with [[all the strength]] you can muster.

Apple unfolds itself at the waist to let you step out. There is a wave of sensation through the neural connection as it breaks off. You get it every time you disengage with Apple; it's a unique feeling textured with emotion, like in a dream. \n\nYou've almost come to think of it as "goodbye." \n\n//But that's silly. I [[know|hangar]] Apple is just a machine, and the neural connection is just an interface.\n\nApple's not really a person, but it's so advanced it seems like one sometimes. Whatever it's true nature, it's come to [[feel|hangar]] like a friend. //

"Transmitting target data now." \n\nAn icon appears in Apple's optics; a location, a heading. Immediately afterward, your comlink goes dead. \n\nThe command room is offline. Hikaru is [[gone]].

Without breaking stride, you bring Apple's arms up and beat them hard against the suit's chest. A number of the creatures are crushed by the blow, and Apple's <<print $color>> skin is stained with bright, ugly Memory blood. \n\nThe rest of the creatures panic, screeching hideously as they leap away from you as [[quickly]] as they leaped on.

Suddenly the glow of the gem on the thing's back suddenly intensifies. You can see shadows spring up in the cityscape all around it, see them darken and then stretch and grow as the light spreads. \n\n<<display ultimate beam attack>>\n\nWell, that answers [[the question]] of how it breach Olympic Base's armor.

"Look out!" \n\nA shot rings out. You whirl around, and there's a Scroll right behind you. \n\nWhere [[the hell]] did it come from?

It's some days later that you're sitting in the hangar near Apple. One of the maintenance computers is hooked into Apple's circuitry; you're running some routine system checks. Everything is looking great; Apple has been all patched up. \n\nIt won't be long before the two of you are out on patrol again. You're needed badly; [[near-constant]] patrols are needed to keep Scrolls clear of the base until the wall repairs are complete.

Suddenly there's a loud sign on the line. \n\nGunfire. Gunfire in the command room.\n\n//"Hikaru! Are you [[ok|directive]]?"\n\n"Is the command room [[secure|directive]]?"//

You wheel around the corner. \n\nThe Scroll is pitch black, finely textured with tiny ridges; it was clearly expecting you, as it's turned to face you. \n\nYou charge in, plasma pads [[firing]]. \n\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 100>>

"Good hunting," Hikaru says.\n\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>"And [[be careful|target]] out there.\n<<else>>"[[And hurry|target]]!"\n<<endif>>

The compartment opens, jerkily. You're afraid at every moment that it's not going to stop. The neural connection cuts out very suddenly, abruptly. There is no subtle emotional texture, just an end. You feel suddenly hollow as whatever feedback was provoking such an intense fear response disappears. \n\nYou're not out of danger yet. The suit starts to thrash, violently, its limbs moving seemingly at random. You have to choose your moment in order to avoid [[being crushed|beingcrushed2]] beneath it.\n\n You dart from the compartment as quickly as you can as the suit rolls over, running in the other direction.

//Attack the [[glowing pink gem|crystal]] on the Scroll's back.\n\nAttack the Scroll's [[strangely regular body|body]].//\n

The Scroll is built like a praying mantis, with a long abdomen no wider than its slender limbs, jointed in the center like a spider's. \n\nIt's a dark green, and it blends in with the dark of the command room. Still - you must have walked right by it. It couldn't have just been hiding.\n\nThe Scroll is close, its armed raised - it must have been about to strike. But it's not looking at you. It's looking across the command room.\n\nIt's looking [[right at Hikaru]]. \n\n

You and Apple haul ass through the hallways. Troops of soldiers dodge out of your way; you run into a swarm of Memories. They dive at you, latching on with their claws, being [[carried along]] as you keep running toward HQ.\n\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 200>>\n\n<<set $commandroom to 1>>

"What's happening?" Hikaru says over the comlink. "I'm tracking your signal - are you running from something?"\n\n//"Memories! I need help, [[please]]..." \n\n[[Save]] your breath.//

A dozen of the Memories lie dead and broken across the hallway, each a little closer to you. There are five left. \n\nBOOM. BOOM. BOOM. [[BOOM]].

You reach one arm back and then drive it into the Scroll with all the strength Apple can muster. Apple supplies a burst of power to the plasma pads, which erupt in white fire. \n\nYour suddenly superheated fist [[sinks]] deep into the creature's side, spraying you and Apple with gore.

Hikaru turns to you, angry and afraid, and starts to say something - but then <<print $hp1>> catches <<print $hp2>>self. \n\n"You're right," <<print $hp1>> says tightly. "I'm sorry." \n\n"Ok, everyone," <<print $hp1>> says, turning to the crowd. "We're still under attack. We have CandyShells and soldiers counting on us. I need communications back. \n\n"And someone start drawing up a [[casualty list]]."

"One of our returning patrols spotted the Scroll that breached the facility wall. It's massive. We have to find out how it breached Olympic Base's armor. And make sure it doesn't come back.\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>\n"It's going to be dangerous. But if we have to face another attack from that thing without at least knowing what we're dealing with...\n\n"Well. Somebody [[has|interrupt]] to go after it."\n<<else>>\n"I won't lie to you, it's going to be dangerous. \n\n"You and Apple are supposed to be the best we have. For all our sakes, I [[hope|interrupt]] it's true."\n<<endif>>

"Hurry back," Hikaru says. "Your charge meter is way below the safe minimum. You should have headed home straight after your patrol and let someone else take that distress call."\n\n//Hikaru sounds pissed off for no good reason, as usual - what a [[hard-ass|orders][$hikarutension to 1]].\n\nHikaru sounds concerned - <<print $hp1>>'s always [[looking out|orders]] for me.//

You dodge and wheel through the air for an impossibly long time before the beam finally subsides - actually, Apple's chronometer informs you, it's only 15 seconds, but given the destructive power of that beam, 15 seconds is probably plenty long enough. \n\nYou touch down; Apple's plasma rockets are [[on the verge of overheat|standing]] from that display of acrobatics.\n\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 50>>\n<<if $chargemeter lt 0>> \n<<set $chargemeter to 0>>\n<<endif>>

<<if $hikarutension is 0>>Hikaru spares a quick smile as you approach. "Just a moment," <<print $hp1>> says. "I'm analyzing some strange reading that Rain's pilot sent in."\n\nYou wait for several minutes, long enough for the fatigue to catch up with you. Piloting Apple is intensely [[taxing]] on body and mind, and the state of the pilot is one crucial part of how the charge meter is calculated. \n<<else>>Hikaru nods perfunctorily as you approach, but says nothing, making you wait as <<print $hp1>> frowns at a screen, digging into a menu to check on something. \n\nYou wait for several minutes, long enough for the fatigue to catch up with you. Piloting Apple is intensely [[taxing]] on body and mind, and the state of the pilot is one crucial part of how the charge meter is calculated. \n\n<<endif>>\n\n

For an instant, the sensors in Apple's hands pass on the sensation of something light and dry; paper. The plasma pads on Apple's knuckles ignore the scroll instantly.\n\nAnd with a hideous scream, the monster that takes its name from the mystical scroll at its heart [[explodes]].

From behind consoles and dark corners, more command room staff are starting to appear. There are survivors; you've saved a number of lives, not just Hikaru. \n\n"Ok, everyone," <<print $hp1>> says. "We need communications back now. And I need a casualty report. \n\n"Apple and its pilot just bought us one more day. Let's make the most of it."\n\n[[The End]].

But you're not out of trouble. \n\nApple's plasma pads won't stop firing. You flex its fingers out of a fist shape, which should act as a dead-pilot's switch to turn them off. It doesn't work. \n\nAbruptly Apple isn't responding to you properly. You roll off of the creature successfully, but Apple's legs won't move, and you can't right yourself. \n\nIt takes you a moment to realize that the feeling of panic that suddenly swells up in your chest doesn't come entirely from you. Apple is terrified. Or Apple is making you feel terrified. Or something.\n\n[[Apple is dying]].

With the danger passed, you see more command staff standing up from hiding places all around the room. Hikaru isn't the only survivor. You saved a lot of lives. \n\n"Your orders," Hikaru says, "were to go after that massive Scroll. We'll never catch it now. Even if we could, I'm not sure we have another CandyShell that could survive the encounter. Apple was the best we had left." \n\n//"I [[can't believe|shellshock]] Apple's gone..."\n\n"I [[couldn't|shellshock]] abandon you."\n\n"Damn it. I [[liked|shellshock]] that suit."//

And then you find it.\n\nApple's fingers brush against the hard crystal on the Scroll's back, and then, as they play along it, you feel the familiar sensation of a cavity, of paper evaporating at your touch.\n\nYou've done it. [[You've won]].

You drop the Scroll and throw your weight back. Apple catches you with the rockets, and rather than falling you [[fly]] backwards. You right yourself and the rockets disengage after just a short hop; you land, poised and ready.

You need all your breath just to keep up the pace. \n\nThe Memories are still gaining on you, but you're close now. You run straight through the next intersection, then take the next two lefts. The [[hangar door|madeit]] is in sight. \n\nOne of the Memories gets a claw on your boot and you stumble, but manage to keep your feet.

Olympic Base wasn't built for CandyShells to move around in, but Apple isn't that tall - about eight feet. It's a tight fit, but you don't have any trouble. As you get used to the close quarters, you start to speed up, [[breaking into a run]] on the straight-aways. \n<<if $injured is 1>>\nThe only thing that worries you is your leg. Apple responds to and enhances your muscle movements, which means you need to walk if Apple is going to walk. It's not as bad as walking on your own was, but it hurts. A lot.\n<<endif>>\n

You fly at the Scroll, burning the rockets as hard as you can. Have to go in with momentum.\n\n<<if $commandroom is 1>>Suddenly your comlink crackles to life. The signal is faint, but clear. "Are you there?" Hikaru says. "Communications are back online, we're getting your sensor telemetry. Can you hear me?" \n\n//"Kind of [[busy|help]], Hikaru."//\n\n//"I'm [[receiving|help]] you."//\n\n//"Good to [[hear your voice|help]], Hikaru."//\n<<else>><<display final attack>><<endif>>\n

You run for dear life. You have to get to the hangar. Apple is there; there will be other suits, other pilots, soldiers. Someone, anyone who can protect you from the wall of grotesque claws and [[needle-teeth]] behind you.

"It's fine," Hikaru says - but the line doesn't get quiet. There's more sound - screams. \n\n"Listen. If you can't reach command - if I go offline - your orders stand. We can't survive another attack from that monster Scroll, not if we can't figure out a defense. It's all on you - find out what you can. Kill it, if you can.\n\n"You're our [[only]] hope. "\n

Apple brings you back to Olympic Base, a massive, squat hexagonal structure, every wall reinforced, the roof lined with lights and guns: the center of human resistance against the Scrolls and their mysterious masters. \n\nOne of the armored doors built into the roof retracts; you land in the hangar below and [[initiate]] the exit process.

"Oh my god." There's a pause. "You're almost to the hangar. Take a left at the next junction. I've got all sorts of remote access from here - I'm going to [[make]] you a shortcut."

"Yeah - for how much longer?"\n\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>><<print $Hp1>> sighs. "I'm sorry. I am grateful. But this is bad. If that thing comes back..."\n<<else>><<print $Hp1>> sighs. "I appreciate what you did. It's not the call I would have made - it isn't the order I gave you - but I do appreciate it. But this is bad. If that thing comes back..." \n<<endif>>\n\n//"Then [[I'll kill it]]."\n\n"Then [[we better make sure we're ready]]."//

<<if $killed is 0>>You try to catch its arms as it brings them down, but your position is bad and you can't get hold. Apple's optics throw up alerts; components are being shaken loose, forcing the system to reroute through auxiliaries. \n\nAnd the rain of blows is so strong they [[threaten|pounding2]] the integrity of Apple's frame, even with the Edgemetal shell.\n<<else>>You try to catch its arms as it brings them down, but your position is bad and you can't get hold.\n\nYou're in trouble; the blows are coming down right on the spot where Apple's EdgeMetal shell was [[weakened|pounding2]] by the earlier Scroll's flame attack.\n<<endif>>

You leap forward; Apple's rockets engage. Despite the thing's speed, you catch it in an awkward tackle before it gets to Hikaru. Apple's rockets carry both of you sideways, til you impact hard against the command room wall. \n\nIt takes you a moment to get your bearings; by the time you know which way is up, the Scroll is on top of you, [[pounding]] on Apple's chest plate with all its strength. \n\n<<set $savedhikaru to 1>>

You run over to Hikaru, who is watching Apple's catastrophic malfunction with horrified fascination. \n\nApple runs down slowly; its human shape makes it all to easy to imagine a human being, fatally wounded, writhing in the ground in pain. \n\nAfter a few long, painful minutes, it finally ends.\n\n"That," Hikaru says, was..." <<print $Hp1>> considers. "[[Strange]]." \n

<<if $hikarutension is 1>>Hikaru scowls. "There's more to winning this war than taking down Scrolls. \n<<if $protected is 0>>\n"We only have so many CandyShells left, we can't afford to take risks. \n\n"And we only have so many people. And [[fewer|rest]] now that that outpost was overrun." \n<<else>>\n"We only have so many CandyShells left, we can't [[afford|rest]] to take risks." \n<<endif>><<else>>Hikaru smiles tightly. "I know, I know. But there's more to winning this war than taking down Scrolls. There's a lot of them, and we only have so much EdgeMetal, so many CandyShells and... well... so many of [[us|rest]]." \n<<endif>>

And gradually, the fear is less. Apple's writhing slows. \n\nYou start to feel a sense of peace. \n\nAnd then, the suit stops - and the compartment opens, as the neural connection cuts out. \n\nYou feel the old familiar feeling of [[goodbye]].

You rocket straight for one of the flat panel's on the Scroll's body, gathering as much speed as you can; it's even bigger than it looked from a distance, and before long it fills up your entire view. Your plasma pads fire in the final seconds of the approach, and then Apple's two outstretched stretch fists impact the Scroll, hard. \n\nThe thing's flesh is tough, but no match for your momentum, and you open a gaping wound. It stumbles and lists. Apple is left almost completely inside the thing; you're stunned from the impact, but you gather your wits as quickly as you can and start blindly striking out with Apple's arms, plasma pads firing. \n\nIt's not enough to injure the thing; with its size and power, it will still be dangerous. You need to [[find the scroll]]. \n

The fibers give easily beneath Apple's plasma pads. You reach into the heart of the creature, and feel the soft spot, the little cavity where its scroll resides. \n\nThe creature falls to pieces. Suddenly you're standing in just a pile of [[string]].

Then it's the Scroll's turn.\n\n<<display flame attack>>\n\nThe harsh blue light of the heart of the flames fills your vision. Apple's optics light up with warnings and alerts. It's too late for you to do anything but [[press on]] with your attack; you put all the strength into another blow.

You hear the sounds of machines and human voices. They're coming to get you; they're going to dig you out.\n<<if $commandroom is 1>>\n"We're coming to get you!" calls a familiar voice: Hikaru. "Hold on!"\n<<else>>\n<<endif>>You're going to live. Apple will be repaired and recharged - and the two of you will live to fight another day. \n\n[[The End]].

"Analysis shows trace Scroll energy," Hikaru says at last into <<print $hp3>> headset. "You're cleared to investigate - with caution, Jedra."\n<<if $hikarutension is 1>>\nFinally, <<print $hp1>> [[turns|taxingtension]] to you.\n<<else>>\nFinally, <<print $hp1>> [[turns|taxingnotension]] to you.\n<<endif>>

Static. For a long, long moment, [[nothing]] but static.\n

//"Hey, a [[dead Scroll|maverick]] is a dead Scroll.//

You hear the sound of gunshots. Hikaru is firing <<print $hp3>> pistol, unloading the clip into the Scroll. The little weapon is no threat to it, but once again, its attention immediately shifts to Hikaru. \n\nIt's enough to give you an opening. Your leverage is too bad for a real plasma punch, but you fire the pads and extend your fists into the things midsection, [[burning it]] badly. \n\nIt hisses and rolls off of you.

Hikaru actually smiles, even if it is a little forced. \n\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>"Thank you," <<print $hp1>> says simply. "Thank you for saving me." \n<<else>>"I don't mean to be ungrateful," <<print $hp1>> says. "You didn't make the call I would have made. But... thank you."\n<<endif>>\n<<display command room survivors>>

"Sorry," Hikaru says. "The command room was compromised. All secure now. For the moment." \n\nHikaru sounds unphased, but there's a certain briskness to the way <<print $hp1>> speaks, a desire not to dwell on what <<print $hp1>>'s saying, that makes you wonder what sins are covered by "[[compromised]]."

"It's close," Hikaru warns you before too long. And sure enough, you hear the sound of something heavy moving around the corner. \n\nIt's a fair bet it hears you as well. \n\nYou have to try to finish it off as quickly as possible. With your charge meter so low, every move reduces how long you'll be able to stay operational. <<print $chargemeter>> righthavens [[isn't enough]] to do much.

You rocket past the Scroll's last known coordinates. It will have kept moving; your best bet to find it as quickly as possible is to stay in the air and do a wide survey of the area beyond where it was last seen.\n\nWith no support from Hikaru, this could be the end of your mission right now. If you can't spot it quickly from the air, you're [[unlikely]] to find it at all without the benefit of more information from the command room team.

<<if $hikarutension is 1>><<print $Hp1>> regards you coldly. "You're [[supposed|rest]] to be the best. That's why you pilot Apple.\n\n<<else>><<print $Hp1>> shrugs. "If it hadn't been a difficult mission, I wouldn't have sent you. \n\n"But forget about that; the mission's over, and you're [[back safe|rest]]. That's what's important." \n<<endif>>

You activate the plasma rockets and sail into the air, heading back home.\n\nThere's no rest for the wicked. \n\n[[The End]].

That stops Hikaru.\n\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>><<print $Hp1>> smiles slowly. "I'm sorry," <<print $hp1>> says. "Thank you."\n<<else>>"...fair enough," <<print $hp1>> says after a moment. "Thank you."\n<<endif>>\n<<display command room survivors>>

But Apple's outer shell is built to take worse. The flames [[subside]], and Apple flashes a report in your optics: the suit is fully functional.

Hikaru is on the comlink again. \n\n"Are you alright? What happened?"\n\n//"Some Memories [[ran into me]]. On my way to the hangar."\n\n"I can still fight, but [[I'm hurt]]. Is there any way I can get transport to the hangar?"//\n

Five hours later, you're asleep.\n\nYou turn uneasily as you [[dream]].

You get back to the diagnostic you were running.\n\nYou and Apple will be back on the front lines soon. And you're going to be ready.\n\n[[The End]].

Apple is a tall, sleek suit of advanced armor, one of the best the resistance has left. It [[connects]] directly to your nervous system, allowing you to react more quickly and naturally than the pilot of any conventional vehicle. \n\nApple's weaponry is limited; in combat you rely on its incredible strength and mobility - and the plasma pads on the fists, joints and feet. \n\n\n\n

Dora Dee Rogers

And even though everything else is offline, you feel your own emotions coming back through the neural connection, like an echo, or...\n\n...or like Apple feels the same way. \n\nAnd suddenly, [[Apple comes back online]]...

But it isn't over. \n\nThe Scroll starts to list and fall as its legs go limp. But worse, Apple's optics tell you the Scroll's temperature is rising even as it dies, and a reddish glow is starting to come through the Scroll's flesh. \n\nThe crystal is going to fire again. Maybe a last desperate attack from the dying Scroll, maybe a random discharge of its last fleeting energy. \n\n<<if $chargemeter is -1000>>And with your enemy dead, Apple's mysterious burst of energy seems to have passed, and once again Apple's limbs won't respond. \n\nWherever that power came from, it was only enough for you to kill your enemy. There's [[none left]] for you to save Apple and yourself. \n<<else>>There's no time for finesse. Still tangled in the thing's body, you fire your plasma rockets. There's resistance as you tear through the Scroll's flesh, and then the sickening feeling of desperate acceleration as you try to put at least some distance between yourself and [[whatever]] is about to happen. \n<<endif>>

You engage Apple's rockets and fly back; many of the fibers snap under the pressure, but the broken strands just fly back into the body of the Scroll. \n\nYou haven't fought a Scroll quite like this one before; it's unpredictable. You have to go for the kill now, you've already burned too much energy. You decelerate and then reverse direction, rocketing straight into the creature's center of mass, fists outstretched, plasma pads engaged. \n\nYou slam into it head on, burning through the fibers to the Scroll at its heart, and suddenly you're just standing there in a pile of [[string]].

So Apple is <<print $color>>. Awesome.\n\nLet's [[go]].

The half with the head struggles to pull itself away from you. It doesn't have a chest or a center, per se, but Apple's optics designate a likely spot for its Scroll.\n\nIt [[dies]] abruptly as you strike into its heart, its struggling stopping all at once.

<<if $hikarutension is 1>>"...if you say so," Hikaru says. "Just get to the hangar. We need you in Apple."\n<<else>>"If you say so," Hikaru says. "Make your way to the hangar. But be careful, ok?"\n<<endif>>\nYour wound isn't fun, but you're not going to let it stop you. You press down on the wound with your hand and start walking as quickly as you can [[towards the hangar|madeit]].

All the distance you can muster isn't much. The gem goes off in one final blinding flash of light. You don't know if the beam finds you through the Scroll's last dying aim, or if it's conducted to you by some natural process like lightning to a rod. But it does find you, and the force [[swats]] Apple out of the sky. \n\n<<set $killed to $killed + 1>>

You strap your holster around your waist. \n\nYou're as [[ready]] as you'll ever be. \n\nYou open the door into the hallway, and head toward the hangar.

Suddenly Apple opens its mouth - because it has one, in the dream - and starts [[screeching]]. \n\nIt's a loud, droning sound, like some sort of...

\n\n<h1>//CandyShell Saga//</h1>\n\nA Candy Jam Game by Dora Dee Rogers\n\n[[Start|character]]\n\n<<set $trust to 0>>\n<<set $protected to 0>>\n<<set $killed to 0>>\n<<set $hikarugender to "nothing">>\n<<set $hp1 to "they">>\n<<set $hp2 to "them">>\n<<set $hp3 to "their">>\n<<set $Hp1 to "They">>\n<<set $Hp2 to "Them">>\n<<set $Hp3 to "Their">>\n<<set $maverick to 0>>\n<<set $hikarutension to 0>>\n<<set $color to "burnt sienna">>\n<<set $success to 0>>\n<<set $memories to 0>>\n<<set $injured to 0>>\n<<set $gothelp to 0>>\n<<set $chargemeter to 500>>\n<<set $commandroom is 0>>\n<<set $savedhikaru is 0>>

This time you're sure it's dead. It's head is a disgusting smear of ooze on the ground. Its blood is all over you. You want to vomit. \n\nBesides which, you're [[bleeding badly][$memories to 0]], and it's hard to walk. \n\n

"I'm... I'm so sorry about what happened to Hikaru. <<if $hikarutension is 0>>"I know the two of you were close."\n<<else>>"I know the two of you worked together a long time."<<endif>>\n"<<print $Hp1>> was the best at what <<print $hp1>> did. I really wish I could ask <<print $hp2>> for some advice, but... well, since I can't, I wanted to ask you. Everyone knows you're the best pilot we have. \n\n"Do [[you]] have any advice for me?"\n\n

You could break out your most powerful moves right away, and try to get a quick killing blow. But you might burn more power than you need. \n\nOr you could fight carefully, try to take it out with as little power as possible. But that could end up burning more power, if the fight drags on. \n\n//Kill the thing [[now]].\n\n[[Conserve]] resources.\n\n<<if $trust is 1>>"Hikaru, what's [[your]] tactical assessment? How do I approach this?"//<<endif>>

Hikaru laughs, a short, bitter bark.\n\n"I'll hold you to that."\n\n<<display command room survivors>>

Apple's optics go dark for a long moment, and your whole world is sharp impacts as Apple slams through several walls and into the ground, driven before the incredible power of the beam. \n\nFinally it cuts out, and after a moment Apple's optics come back online to bring you a damage report. \n\nIt's [[not]] pretty.\n

<<if $hikarutension is 1>><<if $maverick gte 2>>"You want my advice? This is one time where you should follow your instincts. Come out strong and take that thing out now."\n<<else>>"You want my advice? There's no margin for error here. Come out strong and try to finish it quickly."\n<<endif>><<else>><<if $maverick gte 2>>"I think you should do what you do best - take it out now!"\n<<else>>"I think you should take it out quickly - we can't risk you running out of charge trading punches with it."\n<<endif>><<endif>>\n//Kill the thing [[now]].\n\n[[Conserve]] resources.\n\n//

It's dark, dark enough that you would be blind if not for Apple's ever-helpful optics, which shielded your vision from the beam's incredible brightness.\n\nThe gem on the Scroll's back is dark, you realize, barely giving any glow at all. \n\nIs it possible the gem is drained? That you have a [[window]] before the next attack?

But you're fast too, and now it's your turn. \n\nYou join Apple's hands and raise them into the air, then bring them down hard right where the Scroll's head meets its back. \n\nIt stumbles forward until it reaches the wall, [[barely]] keeping its feet.

And now there's nothing for it but to hike back to Olympic Base and hope for the best. \n\n<<if $injured is 1>>You check your sidearm and start walking, keeping off your injured leg as much as you can.\n<<else>>You check your sidearm and start walking.\n<<endif>>\nYou stop and turn when you've covered a little distance, and take one last look at what's left of Apple. \n\n[[The End]].

Your plasma rockets engage, and you aim Apple back towards Olympic Base. \n<<if $protected is 1>>\nThere's another cheer as you [[sail]] into the sky. At least you saved this outpost.\n<<else>>\nThe surviving soldiers stare mutely after you as you [[sail]] into the sky. They'll have to make their own way home; this outpost is a lost cause. \n<<endif>>

It's about five minutes later - a very long five minutes - that four soldiers come around the corner. One carries a stretcher on her back.\n\nA man with sergeant's insignia looks at the trail of dead Memories thoughtfully, and then salutes. "Nice work," he says. "We'll get you to the hangar. Based on [[this scene]], you're exactly the person we want in a CandyShell right now."

"Negative," Hikaru answers. "Your charge meter is way below the safe minimum. Time to come home."\n\n//Hikaru sounds pissed off for no good reason, as usual - what a [[hard-ass|orders][$hikarutension to 1]].\n\nHikaru sounds concerned - <<print $hp1>>'s always [[looking out|orders]] for me.//\n<<set $maverick to 1>>

The thing is fast; one moment it's in front of you, the next it's towering over Hikaru. It raises one of its long, powerful arms and brings it down on Hikaru with a shocking speed. \n\nHikaru goes flying; <<print $hp1>> hits the command room wall hard and falls to the ground. <<print $Hp1>> [[doesn't]] get up. \n

The creature stumbles, exhausted. \n<<if $protected is 1>>\nWith a last angry howl at you, the Scroll [[runs|after]] to the edge and leaps off, not back into the street with the soldiers, but away, into the wilderness of the ruined, abandoned city. \n<<else>>\nWith a last angry howl at you, the Scroll [[runs|after]] away into the wilderness of the ruined, abandoned city.\n<<endif>>

You have power. Your legs and arms respond. \n\nThe pink crystal is still dim; you still have a chance. There's no time to wonder or ponder. You leap into the air, and the plasma rockets [[engage|never survive]].

It's not more than a minute, with Apple's long, thundering stride, before you reach the command room.\n\nIt's [[horror]].

You dive toward the creature to go on the attack, when the glow of the gem on the thing's back suddenly intensifies. You can see shadows spring up in the cityscape all around it, see them darken and then stretch and grow as the light spreads. \n\n<<display ultimate beam attack>>\n\nYou maneuver desperately for more room, but you're just too close, and finally the beam [[finds you]], sending Apple flying. \n\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 100>> \n<<if $chargemeter lt 0>> \n<<set $chargemeter to 0>>\n<<endif>>

This may be your one chance.\n\n<<if $chargemeter is 0>>You fire the rockets; they spurt painfully for a moment, and then give out. Apple falls back to earth, and you land hard. Suddenly Apple's not responding; you strain to move its arms and legs, but nothing happens. \n\nIt finally happened. Your charge meter is empty. You and Apple are stuck.\n\nAnd the glow is [[slowly returning]] to the Scroll's gem.\n<<else>>Your charge meter is at <<print $chargemeter>> righthavens. Enough for at least one more attack.\n\nYou fire the rockets; this may be it. You destroy it now, or you'll [[never survive]] the next blast.\n<<endif>>

They hastily bandage your wound and tie a tourniquet around your leg. \n\nBeing carried in the stretcher is uncomfortable and jarring, and your leg is in a lot of pain. But even though you don't encounter any more Memories along the way, you're glad of the soldiers with their careful professionalism\n<<if $hikarutension is 1>>\nHikaru speaks to you via comlink, getting updates on your progress. Though <<print $hp3>> tone is strictly professional, you can sense some [[real concern|madeit]] behind <<print $hp3>> frequent check-ins.\n<<else>>\nHikaru checks in frequently via comlink. <<print $Hp1>> is worried about you, and sighs with [[deep relief|madeit]] once you report the hangar door is in sight. \n<<endif>>

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<<if $killed gte 5>>You don't need Apple's optics to know the obvious. Your EdgeMetal shell is all but gone, and Apple's steel inner skin is full of holes. You have no more power, no more options. And that crystal must weigh tons. \n\nThis is the end. \n\n//"[[Thank you|echo]], Apple."\n\n"We did it. [[Olympic Base|echo]] is safe."\n\n"Well... [[at least|echo]] we took the bastard with us.//\n\n<<else>>You want to... roll away, run, crawl. But you're immobile inside the powered down Apple. There's nowhere to go. All you can do is wait.\n\nThere's a mighty impact, a mighty noise. You can't tell what it's done to the suit; you can't tell where the suit is. \n\nBut you're still alive, so [[it could be worse]]. \n<<endif>>

and hurriedly [[lace]] your combat boots.

It's not dead!\n\nThere's a sharp tearing pain in your leg as it sinks its wicked claws into your outer thigh. \n\nReacting on pure aderenaline, you hit it again. And again, and again, [[and again]]. \n\n<<set $injured to 1>>

The Memory goes down, bleeding badly from its head. You're alone in the empty hallway. \n\nYou take a moment to [[breathe]].

Flames explode out from the Scroll in all directions, red, yellow, and in the center, closest to the creature itself, a dark, dangerous blue.

The thing lets out a hideous hiss as you look up - and then it drops. Its long knobby limbs and torso seem to envelop you like a web. \n\nBut your plasma pads are already active. You strike up.\n\nYour super-heated strike penetrates its slender trunk, and when it lands it's in [[two pieces]].

<<if $hikarutension is 0>>"You did it!" Hikaru crows upon hearing you respond. "You took out the Scroll. We're safe!"\n<<else>>"You did it," Hikaru says. "You took out that Scroll. We're safe." \n<<endif>>\n"Thank you. Seriously. You [[saved]] the resistance today."

As you get close, hundreds of fibers shoot out from it, encircling you, and then retract, pulling you close. It's constructed of the fibers; the individual strands are what form the small ridges you noticed. \n\nApple's hands close around it, and you try to pull it apart. But the fibers have a surprising amount of give, and you can't tear them. They wrap around Apple's fingers - and start to pull back. And suddenly it's [[unclear]] who is grappling whom.

<<print $Hp1>> stands behind a bank of monitors, where <<print $hp1>> must have been hiding. <<print $Hp3>> gun is still smoking; <<print $hp1>> shot the Scroll to stop its attack.\n\nUsually Scrolls will target the biggest nearby threat, which is plainly you. But this one is looking very intently at Hikaru. \n\nAnd then very quickly, it charges across the room at <<print $hp2>>.\n\n//Attack the Scroll while it's [[distracted]].\n\nGet [[between]] it and Hikaru.//

You try to close Apple's arms on the thing, crushing it with unthinkable force.\n\nThe Scroll is tough, but after a supreme effort you hear the [[cracking]] of bones.

"Listen," Hikaru says, moving on quickly, "you need to get to the hangar and into Apple right away. \n\n"We don't know how they're doing it, but they [[seem to be]]..."

<<if $protected is 1>>"Good work. We're reinforcing that outpost with some heavy weapons; they'll be ready next time.<<if $killed is 1>> And you finished off the Scroll. Although the ground crew says they'll have to patch a good part of your shell, and our EdgeMetal reserves are dangerously low. We need to prioritize defense over offense, given the state of our supply lines." \n\n<<display dead scroll>>\n<<else>> And the ground crew tells me Apple is pristine. With our EdgeMetal reserves so low, every time a CandyShell comes back without needing a patch is a victory in itself."\n\n//"Apple takes care of me. I [[try|model3]] to return the favor."//\n\n//"I wish I could have [[finished off|maverick]] that damn Scroll."//\n<<endif>>\n//"I'm glad the outpost is back on its feet, and that most of the unit [[survived|model]]." \n\n"That was the mission. It's what I [[do|model]]."//\n\n<<else>>"The survivors of that outpost made it back to base. We'll have to step up patrols in that area, but there's no way they could have held a second attack. \n\n<<if $killed is 1>>"You killed the Scroll, but your mission was to protect the outpost. And you failed. Besides which, the ground crew reports that they have to patch half of your shell. Do you have any idea how little EdgeMetal we have left?"\n\n<<display dead scroll>>\n\n<<else>>"You chased the Scroll off, and you brought Apple back pristine, which I appreciate given the state of our EdgeMetal reserves. But your mission was to protect the outpost. And you failed."\n\n//"I could have finished it if you'd let me [[go after it|maverick]]!"//\n<<endif>>\n//"I did everything I could. That outpost was a [[lost cause|maverick1]] before I got there."\n\n"I'm sorry. I did my [[best|model2]]."//\n<<endif>>\n

"I don't have any operational experience. But I know a lot about CandyShells, and I led in charge of a team of fifteen here in the hangar. \n\n"I'm... I don't know, maybe they could have found someone better. But I'm going to do my best for you and the other pilots, I [[promise]] you that."

You race down the hallways, gasping desperately for air, legs burning. The Memories follow; they're slowly gaining. \n\nSeveral times you run into others, various resistance personnel going one place or another in the midst of the chaos. They all turn and run when they see what's following you. The Memories follow you [[relentlessly]]; not one ever gets interested in another target.\n\nWhat did Hikaru say? They're targeting CandyShell pilots?

<<if $protected is 1>>There is a cheer from the streets below. You look down to see the soldiers waving or pumping their fists in the air. \n<<else>>With the Scroll gone, you once again hear the sounds of screams. Resistance ground troops wear flak jackets and heavy helmets, but nothing to protect them from something like that Scroll's flame attack. Many of them lie around you, crying pathetically, horribly burned. \n<<endif>>\n"Mission complete," comes Hikaru's voice through your com link.\n\n//Hikaru prefers [[she|hikaru][$hikarugender to "f"]].\n\nHikaru prefers [[he|hikaru][$hikarugender to "m"]].//

You drop into a shooting pose: one leg back, both hands on your pistol. You remember your training: breathe out, take aim, and [[start firing]]. \n\n

The command room staff move quickly into action; they prefer it to despair. \n\nOnly Hikaru is still, looking steadily at you.\n\n"Thank you," <<print $hp1>> says finally. "I guess no matter what happens to that huge Scroll, no matter what happens to Olympic Base... it would have been the end of the world for me anyway, if you hadn't come. \n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>\n<<print $Hp1>> smiles; it's a little forced, but at least <<print $hp1>>'s trying. "You'd better get back to the hangar, and see if there's another CandyShell you can use.\n<<else>>\n"You'd better get back to the hangar, and see if there's another CandyShell you can use.\n<<endif>>\n"I've got work to do. You and Apple bought me another day. And I'm going to use it.\n\n[[The End]].

"I just wanted to introduce myself," she says. "Or re-introduce myself. Or, just say hi.\n\n"I've seen you in the hangar before, but we never really... uh. I'm going to be... taking over... for Hikaru. So we'll be working together more."\n \n//"...and? Is that [[all|aditi2]]?" \n\n"Congratulations, Aditi. That's [[quite an honor|aditi2]]."\n\nSay [[nothing|aditi2]].\n//

A few minutes later, you've made your way out of Olympic Base and are burning some of your remaining charge meter on an extended plasma rocket burn. You need to reach the target's last known location as soon as possible, if you're to have any hope of finding it. \n\n<<if $commandroom is 0>>Your comlink is dead. There's no way to know exactly what happened to Hikaru and the command room, but it does look like you're going to have to do this [[alone]].\n<<else>>Your comlink is still dead; Hikaru and the others in the command room still haven't restored communications. It looks like you're going to have to do this [[alone]].\n<<endif>>\n\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 50>>\n<<if $chargemeter lt 0>>\n<<set $chargemeter to 0>>\n<<endif>>

"Ok - I told you they're targeting pilots. We aren't sure how... it's almost like the Scrolls and memories can sense you.\n\n"There was a team of pilots in the rec room when the attack hit; they're sheltering in place, but there's a Scroll closing in on them. I need you to intercept it." \n\nIt's a straightforward enough assignment; you move out through the hangar, ground crew streaming around you as they go about their work, and [[out]] into the hall. \n\n

The tech Aditi is monitoring Apple as it charges. \n\n"All set to deploy," she says. "Since it's still recharging we haven't started any maintenance - most of the the offline suits were partially disassembled when the alarms went off. \n<<if $killed is 0>>\n"But the battery is still low. You [[won't be operational|problems]] for long."\n<<else>>\n"But the battery is still low. You won't be operational for long.\n\n"And we haven't done any work on the EdgeMetal shell. [[You'll be vulnerable|problems]]."\n<<endif>>

<<if $chargemeter lte 0>>Hikaru takes a deep breath, shaking <<print $hp3>> head. "Apple will go offline any second, You'll never make it out of the base, let alone intercept the target."\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>\nHikaru looks up at you, looking uncertain. "What are we going to do?"\n<<elsee>>Hikaru looks up at you accusingly. "You disobeyed a direct order. What are we supposed to do now?"\n<<endif>>\n//"[[You're welcome|you're welcome 2]], by the way."\n\n"You're smart. [[And alive]]. We'll figure it out."\n\n"If it comes back, [[we'll be ready|]] for it. Together."//\n<<else>><<if $chargemeter lte 50>>\nHikaru looks thoughtful. "You're flying on fumes. But you might still be able to reach the target. It's a risk, a big one, but..." \n\n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>Hikaru bites <<print $hp3>> lip thoughtfully. "What do you think?" <<print $hp1>> asks finally.\n\n//"I can do it. [[I'll go]]."\n\n"It's too risky. We should secure the base and keep Apple safe. And if it comes back, [[we'll be ready]]."//\n<<else>>Hikaru bites <<print $hp3>> lip thoughtfully. "No," <<print $hp1>> says finally. "No, it's too risky. Killing that thing now, or learning how it got through, would be a huge advantage. But Apple's our best chance of defending the base when it comes back. We can't risk that." \n\n//"No - I can do it. [[I'll go]]." \n\n"Right - I'll help secure the base. Even if I lose charge, Apple will still be safe. And if that thing comes back, [[we'll be ready]].//<<endif>>\n<<else>>"Plenty of charge," Hikaru says, mostly to <<print $hp3>>self. "We can still do it." \n\n<<print $Hp1>> looks up at you. "There's still time - you have to go after that monster Scroll!"\n\n//"[[I'm on my way|I'll go]]."\n\n"Sure thing - [[you're welcome|you're welcome 3]], by the way." \n\n"Another dead Scroll, [[coming up]]."//\n\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>

...emergency alarm.\n\nYou wake up in your spartan quarters: 10 feet by five feet, a bed, a chair, a desk, a footlocker. Bare concrete walls. \n\nThe whole world is garish red; the emergency lighting has kicked in.\n\nYou hear a loud crash through the wall; when you stop to listen, you think you hear [[distant screaming]].\n\nSomething is badly wrong.

<<silently>>\n<<set $killed to $killed + 1>>\n<<endsilently>>You rocket straight for the crystal, gathering as much speed as you can. Your plasma pads fire in the final seconds of the approach, and then Apple's two outstretched stretch fists impact the side of the crystal, hard. \n\nYou may as well have punched a cement wall with your bare fist. Apple's arms buckle and bend, and even through all its armor your arms are numb with the impact. <<if $killed gte 2>>Apple falls, spinning wildly; you fight to regain control and manage fire the rockets again and stabilize in the air a short distance away. \n\nThe gem is definitely glowing brighter now. You'll never get through whatever the hell it's made out of; you fire the rockets again, this time going straight for the thing's [[body][$killed to $killed + 1]].<<else>>Apple falls, spinning wildly; you fight to regain control and manage fire the rockets again and stabilize in the air a short distance away. \n\nThe gem is definitely glowing brighter now. You'll never get through whatever the hell it's made out of; you fire the rockets again, this time going straight for the thing's [[body]].\n<<endif>>\n

click\n\nThe last Memory grins wickedly, showing a mouthful of three-inch needles. \n\n//[[Reverse]] the grip on your pistol and strike it with the butt.//\n\n//Try to [[stomp]] it with your heavy combat boots.//

Apple's optics are going crazy; everything is red. A feeling comes through the neural connection. You've [[never]] felt that before in the middle of a mission.\n\nIt feels like fear. \n\n

The compartment opens, jerkily. You're afraid at every moment that it's not going to stop. The neural connection cuts out very suddenly, abruptly. There is no subtle emotional texture, just an end. You feel suddenly hollow as whatever feedback was provoking such an intense fear response disappears. \n\nYou're not out of danger yet. The suit starts to thrash, violently, its limbs moving seemingly at random. You have to choose your moment in order to avoid [[being crushed]] beneath it.\n\n You dart from the compartment as quickly as you can as the suit rolls over, running in the other direction.

Great. \n\nBy the way, what color is Apple? \n<table style="border-spacing: 10px;">\n<tr>\n<td>[[Red|color][$color to "red"]]</td>\n<td>[[Purple|color][$color to "purple"]]</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>[[Pink|color][$color to "pink"]]</td>\n<td>[[Gold|color][$color to "gold"]]</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>[[Yellow|color][$color to "yellow"]]</td>\n<td>[[Silver|color][$color to "silver"]]</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>[[Green|color][$color to "green"]]</td>\n<td>[[Black|color][$color to "black"]]</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>[[Blue|color][$color to "blue"]]</td>\n<td>[[White|color][$color to "white"]]</td>\n</tr>\n</table>\n//

<<if $killed is 0>>You hear a pistol firing; Hikaru is unloading <<print $hp3>> clip into the creature. The little weapon is no threat to it, but once again, its attention immediately shifts to Hikaru. \n\nIt gives you an opening. You fire the plasma pads. Your leverage is too bad for a proper plasma punch, but you extend your fists into the thing's midsection, [[burning it]] badly. It hisses and rolls off of you. \n<<else>>Red alerts flash in Apple's optics; shell breaches, and then breaches of the soft steel inner shell. The creature finds a hole big enough to reach its hands into; its fingers are as slender and as powerful as its arms. \n\nIt pulls - and Apple starts to [[come apart]]. \n<<endif>>

Your orders are clear, and you have the location of your target. And Hikaru did say <<print $hp1>> was coordinating multiple CandyShells, and that you had to trust <<print $hp2>> with the big picture. \n\nOn the other hand, the command room is close. And there are a lot of people in there. \n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>\nAnd you and Hikaru have been through a lot together.\n<<else>>\nAnd, love <<print $hp2>> or hate <<print $hp2>>, you and Hikaru have been through a lot together. \n<<endif>>\n//Go after the [[target]].\n\nHead to the [[command room]].// \n

"Um, excuse me..." says a voice behind you. You turn; it's Aditi, the tech who helped you into Apple during the attack.\n\n//"Yeah? [[What|aditi]]?"\n\n"Hello, Aditi. [[Do you need something|aditi]]?"\n\nSay [[nothing|aditi]].//

As you get close, hundreds of fibers shoot out from it, encircling you, and then retract, pulling you close. It's constructed out of the fibers; the individual strands are what form the small ridges you noticed. \n\nThe fibers pull you close with surprising strength. But it didn't account on you attacking so aggressively, and all it accomplishes is pulling you [[into range]] of a plasma punch.

Thanks for playing CandyShell Saga. \n\nCandyShell Saga was written for Candy Jam, in protest and mockery of king.com and copyright trolls everywhere (hence the use of "Apple" "Edge" "Scroll" "Olympic" and, of course, "Candy". Sadly I finished CandyShell Saga way after the game jam deadline and wasn't able to officially submit it, but the issues that inspired the jam remain important. Learn more <a href="http://itch.io/jam/candyjam">here</a>.\n\nCandyShell Saga was made with Twine. Learn how to make your own Twine games <a href="http://www.auntiepixelante.com/twine/">here</a>. Play some more great Twine games <a href="http://aliendovecote.com/uploads/twine/LD25/CYBERQUEEN.html">here</a>, <a href="http://mkopas.net/files/bubblegumslaughter/bubblegumslaughter.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://scoutshonour.com/cowgirl/">here</a>. And check out the games submitted to Candy Jam <a href="http://itch.io/jam/candyjam#entries">here</a>. \n\nCandyShell Saga was written by me, Dora Rogers. You can play more of my games <a href="http://deecity.itch.io">here</a> or reach me on twitter (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/doradee_">@doradee_</a>). \n\nThanks to Sam Backus, Melissa DeJesus, Chris Larson, Suzi Curran and James Curran. A big special thanks to Bob Mussett and Lindsay Eagle.\n\nThanks again!

Finally, you grab your side-arm and holster from...\n\n//...[[inside|strap]] your footlocker.\n\n...where they're [[hung|strap]] on your bedpost.\n\n...[[under|strap]] your pillow.//\n\n\n\n

<<if $hikarutension is 1>>Hikaru nods. "The two of you make a good team." \n<<else>>"I know. The two of you are quite a team - our best pilot and the best CandyShell I've ever seen."\n<<endif>>\n//It's [[definitely|rest]] a good suit.//\n\n//Oh. Right. Um - do you think there's something [[different]] about Apple?"//

<<if $hikarutension is 1>>Hikaru regards you for a long moment. "Well, I'm glad to hear [[that|rest]]," <<print $hp1>> says finally. \n<<else>>Hikaru smiles. "Thank you. I'd [[appreciate|rest]] it."\n<<endif>>

Apple runs down slowly; its human shape makes it all to easy to imagine a human being, fatally wounded, writhing in the ground in pain. \n\nAfter a few long, [[painful]] minutes, it finally ends.\n

You leap out of bed, and [[zip up]] your piloting jumpsuit...

You dive across the battlefield at the Scroll; soldiers dive out of your way. Some of them don't move fast enough, and you have to sweep them aside. They're wearing light armor, they'll probably be fine.\n\nYou reach it, and Apple's slender but massively powerful arms catch it around the waist. You slowly [[lift]] it off the ground.

Everything seems quiet now. The command room seems abandoned. \n\nAre you [[too late]] to save anyone? \n\n

The hallway is largely abandoned. Some have no doubt hunkered down in their quarters; others have already rushed out. You're alone, for the moment. \n\nYou try to [[reach]] Hikaru over the comlink.

And as the rosy light reaches a blinding white, suddenly a pink beam lashes out at you. \n\nYou dodge, juking wildly through the air. Apple reports the ambient air temperature is shooting up around the beam - 5 degrees, 15, 20. It's putting out an incredible amount of energy. You hear an awful crash as the beam impacts behind you, scoring a deep trench where it hits the ground, crumbling the walls of abandoned buildings.

The neural connection engages; similar to the bittersweet feeling of "goodbye", a sensation of warmth, of acceptance, of welcome always washes over you as the suit starts up.\n\nYou'd almost swear, as your optics come online to the frantic activity and the flashing alarms, that you feel [[a little concern]] come through the neural connection as well.

In any event, orders are orders - and your charge meter really is running low. Once it's depleted, your nervous system will quickly reject the overwhelming flood of information from Apple, and you'll lose control. \n\nEveryone knows that Scrolls reserve the nastiest deaths they can [[concoct]] for CandyShell pilots out in the open without charge. \n\n

One of the techs, a young woman named Aditi, lays down as a stepladder as Apple unfolds. You step out onto it. "Welcome home," she says, smiling. \n\nYou take a moment to look Apple over. <<if $killed is 0>>The suit is in tip-top shape, it's <<print $color>> outer shell still mostly pristine despite the fight with the red Scroll. After you get some sleep and the Olympic ground crew recharges Apple, you'll be ready to head back out. \n\n"Looking good," Aditi says cheerfully. "We'll get it charged back up in no time." \n<<else>>The heat from the red Scroll's flame attack did some serious damage to Apple's hard <<print $color>> outer shell; it's partially melted, misshapen and uneven, and in some places the inner shell - ordinary steel, not capable of stopping a determined Scroll - shows through. The shell will need serious repair before it's safe to trust your life to it again. \n\n"Don't worry," Aditi says. "We'll get that patched up better than new. \n<<endif>>\nMore techs swarms around Apple. You give Aditi a nod and head to the [[command room|calling out]] to be debriefed. \n\n\n\n

And once again, the feeling echoes back. You and Apple feel the same way.\n\nIt's a comfort.\n\nYou close your eyes and wait. You know it won't be long.\n\n[[The End]].

You leap up into the air; the plasma rockets engage, carrying you up onto the rooftop of a nearby ruined high-rise. The Scroll pursues you, exactly as planned; it leaps up three stories and begins climbing with startling speed and agility for something so huge. \n\nYou're waiting as it reaches the roof; you charge forward; Apple's slender but massively powerful arms catch it around the waist. You slowly [[lift]] it off the ground.

<<if $injured is 0>>The hangar door opens for you automatically as you run up.\n<<if $memories is 0>>\nHikaru has warned the soldiers on duty here; they're lined up with their rifles trained on the door, looking reassuringly serious in their body armor. \n\n"Friendly!" one of them yells, and they part to let you through. You hear them firing behind you, and the high-pitched screams of the Memories - as well as some human cries. \n<<else>>\nThe hangar is busy; the ground crew is working frantically to prep multiple suits for action. Your sudden entrance does get some attention, however - and the abrupt entrance of the Memories behind you gets more. Soldiers shoulder their weapons and start firing; the ground crew scatters away from the doors. \n\nThere's screaming behind you - both the hideous, high-pitched squeals of the Memories, and more human cries. \n<<endif>>\n<<else>><<if $gothelp is 0>>It's some time later that you walk into the hangar. It's busy; the ground crew is working frantically to prep multiple suits for action.\n<<else>>The hangar is buzzing; the ground crew is working frantically to prep multiple suits for action. \n\nYou step off the stretcher; your leg isn't in bad shape, but the bleeding's stopped and you can walk on it. It'll be better once you're in Apple. \n\nThe sergeant salutes again. "Good hunting," he says, and then he and his team hurry away.\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>You head [[straight]] for Apple.

Apple lands, bounces, lands again, and rolls for some distance, slamming through a brick wall.\n\n<<if $killed gte 4>>As the suit finally comes to rest, you realize something is badly wrong. Apple's plasma pads won't stop firing. You flex its fingers out of a fist shape, which should act as a dead pilot's switch to turn them off. It doesn't work. \n\nAbruptly Apple isn't responding to you right. You roll off of the creature successfully, but Apple's legs won't move, and you can't right yourself. \n\nIt takes you a moment to realize that the feeling of panic that suddenly swells up in your chest isn't all your own doing. Apple is terrified. Or Apple is making you feel terrified. Or something.\n\n[[Apple is dying|Apple is dying 2]].\n<<else>>You come slowly, haltingly, to your feet. \n\n<<if $commandroom is 1>>"Are you there?" comes Hikaru's voice. "We detected a massive energy surge... we're not reading your sensor telemetry... are you still alive? Hello?"\n\n//"[[I'm ok|oneliner]], Hikaru - I'm here."\n\n"Didn't mean to [[worry you|oneliner]], Hikaru!"//\n<<else>>You've done it, and Olympic Base will be safe from another attack.\n\nBut there's still no activity on the com link.\n\nWhat's going on [[back home]]?\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>

You take a hard left. The Memories are almost at your heels now.\n\nYou're running down a long hallway with a heavy firedoor at the end. It opens slowly as you get closer, making a crack just big enough for you to shimmy through. \n\nThere's a terrible squealing behind you as the Memories struggle through the narrow space, fighting each other. They do come through, one at a time, but they're more spread out, and you've [[gained some ground|madeit]].\n\n<<set $memories to 0>>

<<if $commandroom is 1>>Hikaru will find you. You have to believe that.\n<<else>>You don't know what's happening back at Olympic Base. You don't know if Hikaru is alive; you don't know if anyone at Olympic Base survived the attack. \n<<endif>>\nHours pass, and you have [[nothing to do]] but wait in the dark.\n\n

You ignite your rockets and rise up into the air. With comms out, there's only one way to find out.\n\nA few minutes later you get your first real view of the damage from the air. There's an enormous tear in one side of Olympic Base's walls, clearly the work of a focused blast from the giant Scroll's deadly beam. \n\nA host of resistance soldiers stands in the gap now, pouring fire at a squat grey Scroll advancing steadily even as it's pummeled with heavy weapons. \n\nThe grey Scroll doesn't survive Apple landing [[directly on top of it]]; whether it's the retro rockets or the suit's sheer weight, something gets to its scroll, and it doesn't stand up.

You need to get the hell out of the suit. You need to open the compartment and walk - or run - away. The suit could explode; you could get a fatal shock from some piece of wiring exposed by all the trauma to the suit's shell. It may be impossible to open the compartment in a moment, if Apple goes offline altogether. \n\nBut at the very thought, the fear coming through the neural connection intensifies. It's as though Apple doesn't want to be left alone.\n\n//[[Open|Open2]] the compartment.\n\n[[Ride|Ride2]] this out.//

It stands more than 25 feet tall. 27.4, actually, Apple's optics helpfully tell you. It's got four legs, thick and tall as tree trunks, leading up to a massive torso with eerily flat and regular surfaces, a giant polygon rendered in flash. \n\nThe thing has no head, exactly, no visible eyes or ears or mouth; on a flat plane at the top of its body rests a bright pink ellipse like an uncut gem that is letting off a faint rosy [[glow]] in the darkness of the ruined city.

Her eyes are wide. She's young, maybe nineteen; if she led a team of tech's she must be smart, but no way is she ready for the burden that Hikaru carried. But the resistance never has enough people, especially now. Especially experienced people. \n\n//<<if $hikarutension is 1>>"Hikaru drove us hard. I didn't always like it, but that's what made <<print $hp2>> [[the best|gulp]]."\n\n"Hikaru was smart as hell, but <<print $hp1>> thought <<print $hp2>> could fight the whole war from the command room. The real war happens out there - and [[we're|gulp]] the ones fighting it."\n<<else>>"Hikaru was the best because <<print $hp1>> [[cared|gulp]]. The pilots trusted <<print $hp2>> because we knew <<print $hp1>> had our backs."\n\n"Hikaru was smart as hell, but <<print $hp1>> cared too much. Me, my suit, the other pilots... none of it matters. [[All that matters is the war|gulp]]. The resistance. The human race."\n<<endif>>\n"Just do your [[best|gulp]], Aditi. Nobody can ask anything more." \n\n"I'm sorry. [[No|gulp]]. I can pilot a CandyShell, but I'm no Hikaru."\n\nSay [[nothing|awkward]].

The banks of monitors are mostly smashed. The bodies of the hardworking command staff are scattered on the floor.\n\nSome of the staff took shelter behind the bulky mainframe unit in the center of the room, the unthinkably powerful computer that powers the resistance's command and control system. They tried to hold the attackers off with their pistols. \n\nA huge number of Memories lie dead around them - but [[something]] got them in the end.

The command room is dim; a dozen resistance personnel sit at monitors, typing busily and calling out to each other. \n\n"Possible contact in sector 6, patrol kappa is investigating." \n\n"Outpost L is reporting all clear, they are cancelling their request for reinforcements." \n\n"The engineering team reports full functionality has been restored to the rooftop emplacements."\n\nHikaru oversees all CandyShell operations, a job that leaves <<print $hp2>> perpetually overworked. <<print $Hp1>> sits at a bank of screens at one end of the room, eyes endlessly [[scanning]] multiple readouts and video streams.\n

<<silently>>\n<<if $injured is 1>>\n<<if $gothelp is 0>>\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 100>>\n<<else>>\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 50>>\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n<<endsilently>>"Between Apple's low energy and your lack of recovery time, your charge meter is extremely low - about <<print $chargemeter>> righthavens. \n<<if $hikarutension is 0>>\n"There's a lot of work to do and too few CandyShells to do it. I'm going to coordinate you with the other Shells, so I need you to trust me and do exactly as I say, alright?" \n<<else>>\n"There's a lot of work to do and too few CandyShells to do it. I'm looking at the bigger picture here, so I need you to trust me and follow my orders to the letter - got that?"\n<<endif>>\n//"Got it - I'll [[follow your lead|objective1][$trust to 1]], Hikaru."\n\n"[[Whatever|objective1]], Hikaru - come on, let's kill some Scrolls!"//

You spin the pistol in your hand and grip the barrel; you feel its heat through the gloves of your piloting suit. \n\nThe Memory leaps, and you bring the pistol's butt down onto its pointy head with [[all the strength]] you can muster.

<<if $savedhikaru is 1>>Hikaru runs overs. "Are you ok?" <<print $hp1>> asks. <<print $Hp3>> sounds odd coming through Apple's auditory sensors rather than a dedicated comlink. <<print $Hp1>> glances over Apple, and nods in satisfaction; the suit is still intact, and you're safe.\n\n"What's your charge meter at?" \n\nApple's optics display the current reading:\n\n<<print $chargemeter>> [[righthavens]]. \n<<else>>You rush over to where the creature threw Hikaru.\n\n<<print $Hp1>> lies, head resting against the command room wall. <<print $Hp1>> is conscious, but obviously in great pain, moaning and clutching <<print $hp3>> side.\n\n<<print $Hp3>> eyes focus on you with difficulty. "What's your charge meter at?" <<print $hp1>> asks.\n\n Apple's optics display the current reading:\n\n<<print $chargemeter>> [[righthavens]]. \n<<endif>>\n\n

<<if $protected is 1>>There is a cheer from the streets below. You look down to see the soldiers waving or pumping their fists in the air. Some of them fire after the retreating Scroll. \n<<else>>As the Scroll retreats, you once again hear the sounds of screams. Resistance ground troops wear flak jackets and heavy helmets, but nothing to protect them from something like that Scroll's flame attack. Many of them lie around you, crying pathetically, horribly burned. \n<<endif>>\n"Mission complete," comes Hikaru's voice through your com link.\n\n//Hikaru prefers [[she|hikaru][$hikarugender to "f"]].\n\nHikaru prefers [[he|hikaru][$hikarugender to "m"]].//

<<if $injured is 1>>You crawl into the suit and you see the tech eye your injured leg. You half expect her to rattle off a warning about that as well, but she says nothing, just unplugs the charge cable from Apple. \n<<else>>You crawl into the suit, and she unplugs the charge cable from Apple.\n<<endif>>\n"Good luck," Aditi calls as Apple folds up around you. "We're [[counting]] on you."

<<if $hikarutension is 1>>Hikaru suddenly stiffens. "It's got arguably the best specs on the base," <<print $hp1>> says carefully. "And the two of you have a good record. That's [[all I mean|rest]]." \n<<else>>Hikaru suddenly stiffens. "I don't know," <<print $hp1>> says. "I mean, the two of you have an excellent record. I monitor the CandyShell's digital systems, how they respond to input and the alerts they feed their pilots... the truth is, Apple's responsiveness is way beyond spec.\n\n"I guess the truth is, I think of Apple as - I don't know. Lucky. A guardian angel. Special." \n\n<<print $Hp1>> clears <<print $hp3>> throat, [[embarrassed|rest]].\n<<endif>>

It's massive, more than ten feet tall, bright red and horned, a great hulk of bony protrusions and tough hide. It's no more bothered by the soldier's guns than Apple is.\n\nIts red, glowing eyes focus on you at once; it knows the sleek CandyShell is a threat.\n\n<i>[[Attack]] the scroll.</i>\n\n<i>[[Lure][$protected to 1]] it away from the soldiers.</i>

She leaves you alone with your feelings. And Apple.\n\nYou look up at the suit. It gleams, its shell patched. It's ready for battle again; its massive solidity is comforting. \n\nYou smile. It feels like the first time in forever. \n\n//"Don't worry about her- she'll learn. [[We'll teach her|quiet]]."\n\n"Don't worry about her - [[we'll take care of each other|quiet]]. Like always." \n\n"Don't worry - we'll be [[back out there|quiet]] in no time." \n\nSay [[nothing|quiet]].//

The Scroll gives a mighty roar. It refuses to go easily.\n\nApple's optics flash an alert; the suit detects a heat build-up coming from inside the Scroll. \n\n//It's striking back - [[evade]].\n\n[[Kill][$killed to 1]] it quickly.

They round the corner.\n\nMemories. Miniature Scrolls; demons on a less than human scale. A pack of ten - no, more, fifteen or twenty, bent and twisted and horrible, in awful vivid colors. \n\nTheir awful high voices sound out in delighted squeals when they see you. \n\n//Stand and [[shoot]].\n\n[[Run]] for your life.//

"Hello?" Hikaru comes back. "Hello? Is anyone on this channel?"\n\n//"It's [[me|foreshadow]] - what's going on?"\n\n"Are [[you|foreshadow]] alright? What's happening there?"//

Hikaru nods, taking a deep breath.\n\n<<display command room survivors>>

The optics stay on longer than the rest of Apple's systems, giving you a view of what happens next, for a while.\n\nThe reddish glow spreads and grows more and more brilliant, until it consumes almost everything. And suddenly all that light coalesces into one ray, a single shaft of crackling power and light that bears down on you, flinging Apple to the ground. \n\nMost of the Scroll's body is gone altogether, disintegrated by the build-up of energy and its fearsome release. \n\nThe last thing you see as Apple's optics cut out is the crystal, huge and heavy and falling down on top of you, closer and closer [[until]] it's taking up the whole sky.\n\n<<set $killed to $killed + 2>>

You check your charge meter. After the flight here, you have <<print $chargemeter>> righthavens left. <<if $chargemeter gte 1>>Not much, especially against such a powerful Scroll with unknown capabilities. \n\n//Follow the Scroll from the distance and [[look for a weakness]].//\n<<else>>Apple could shut down at any second. You're out of time, and options.\n<<endif>>\n//Attack the [[glowing pink gem|attack]] on the Scroll's back.\n\nAttack the Scroll's [[strangely regular body|attack]].//\n

<<if $hikarutension is 0>>Hikaru inhales deeply, and nods. "Alright. If it wasn't so important, I wouldn't let you go, not with your charge meter so low, but..." <<print $Hp1>> shakes <<print $hp3>> head. \n\n"Please - just [[be careful|target]]." \n<<else>>"Then go," Hikaru says simply. "And [[good hunting|target]]."\n<<endif>>

Your audio sensors bring you the sounds of screams. In the chaos of the attack, you're just another bright light, another loud noise. The scattered resistance troops don't realize you’re here to help. \n\nSome of them even shoot at you. The bullets ping harmlessly off of Apple's hard exterior shell. \n\nApple's advanced optics [[show]] you the battlefield with a clarity they don't have.

She's quiet a long time, waiting for your answer. You can see the tension building in her shoulders. She's scared and mortified.\n\n"Well," she says after far, far too long. "I'm... I'm really looking forward to working with you!" Her false cheer is brittle and transparent as glass. \n\nShe turns to go. She stops. She looks over her shoulder. "Everyone appreciates what you did," she says. "I'm sure you're sick of hearing it. But it's the truth.\n\n"[[Thank you]]." \n\n

"I'm reading your charge meter at <<print $chargemeter>> righthavens," Hikaru continues. \n<<if $chargemeter gte 400>><<if $hikarutension is 0>>\n"Nice work! I doubt you could have taken that Scroll down for [[any less|stands a chance]] charge expenditure than that. We might just do this!"\n<<else>>"Not bad - you're going to need [[every righthaven|stands a chance]] before this is through.\n<<endif>><<else>><<if $chargemeter gte 250>><<if $hikarutension is 0>>\n"Good... I just hope it's enough. I have [[another mission|stands a chance]] for you..."\n<<else>>\n"I hope it's enough. You're going to need [[every righthaven|stands a chance]] before this is through."\n<<endif>><<else>><<if $hikarutension is 0>>\n"Damn it... you're already so low..." <<print $Hp1>> sounds anxious. "I wish there was another way, but Apple is the only CandyShell that [[stands a chance]]..."\n<<else>>\n"Damn it... that's not going to cut it." <<print $Hp1>> sounds frustrated. "Ah, hell. Apple's the only CandyShell that [[stands a chance]]..." \n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>

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<<if $hikarutension is 1>>"Damn it. This is not a good time." Hikaru sighs wearily. "Sorry - that wasn't fair. Things aren't going well. I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can divert some [[troops]] your way." \n<<else>>Hikaru gets quiet. "One moment." There's a pause, then: "Help is on the way. Hang on.\n\n"Are you sure you're up for going into Apple? Any other time I'd insist you go to the infirmary first, but..." <<print $Hp1>> sighs wearily. "Our backs are really up against the wall, here. It's bad." \n\n//I'll be [[fine|troops]].//\n\n//I guess [[we'll see|troops]].//\n<<endif>>\n\n<<set $gothelp to 1>>

You extricate yourself from the suit, and walk over to Hikaru, who is staring at Apple with wide eyes. \n\n"That was..." <<print $Hp1>> considers. "[[Strange]]."

<<if $hikarutension is 1>>"You saved lives," Hikaru says. "It's something to be proud of. [[Well done|rest]]." \n\n<<else>>Hikaru smiles. "I know. Believe me. And I [[appreciate|rest]] it."\n<<endif>>

You, Apple and Hikaru are in an idyllic mountain range. \n\n(Apple is walking by itself, like a person. It can't talk, but it communicates with gesture and you and Hikaru have no problem understanding.)\n\nHikaru is mad at you about something, and you're trying to explain, but you're [[embarrassed]] to do so in front of Apple. \n

You wheel around the corner poised to grab the creature in Apple's hands. \n\nThe Scroll is pitch black, finely textured with tiny ridges; it was clearly expecting you, as it's turned to face you. \n\nYou [[lunge]] at it.\n\n<<set $chargemeter to $chargemeter - 200>>

You press the attack. It's strong; This may be your only chance. You roll to follow it, keeping your fists in contact with the Scroll. Its hisses grown steadily more guttural. You manage to get on top of it and press down; slowly, Apple's super-heated fists sink into its flesh. \n<<if $killed is 0>>\nBy luck, more than design, you find its scroll, and abruptly the creature [[dies]], its limbs slacking. \n<<else>>\nBy luck, more than design, you find its scroll, and abruptly the creature [[dies|dies2]], its limbs slacking. \n<<endif>>