Editing LotS/The Story/The Right Tools/The Neuro-Phage

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<font size="3">'''The Neuro-Phage'''</font><br>
'''The Neuro-Phage'''
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'''Intro'''
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Step 1: Saw through the top of the donor's skull using an approved bonesaw (if you don't have one, click this *link* for a special offer). If the donor is still alive, make sure he or she is properly restrained and unable to offer any resistance. Thrashing may hamper the quality of your sawing.
Step 1: Saw through the top of the donor's skull using an approved bonesaw (if you don't have one, click this *link* for a special offer). If the donor is still alive, make sure he or she is properly restrained and unable to offer any resistance. Thrashing may hamper the quality of your sawing.
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-- Recipe for 'Bachelor's Brain' in The Neuro-Phagy Cookbook
-- Recipe for 'Bachelor's Brain' in The Neuro-Phagy Cookbook
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You fix an accusing glare on Ragnar. The Niflung spreads his arms in a gesture of confusion. But when you turn to Sun Xi you see that she isn't looking at your companions. She's gazing up into the night sky, horror on her face.
You fix an accusing glare on Ragnar. The Niflung spreads his arms in a gesture of confusion. But when you turn to Sun Xi you see that she isn't looking at your companions. She's gazing up into the night sky, horror on her face.
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"Stay here, Mistress Sun," you say. "I'll deal with this Quibberath."
"Stay here, Mistress Sun," you say. "I'll deal with this Quibberath."
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<font size="3">'''Death Amid the Cherry Blossoms'''</font><br>
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[[File:LotS_Quest_z7_a4_q1.jpg|none|Death Amid the Cherry Blossoms]]
'''Death Amid the Cherry Blossoms'''
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"What's happened?" Wilex asks, his expression calm but alert on the communicator's holographic screen.
"What's happened?" Wilex asks, his expression calm but alert on the communicator's holographic screen.
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Orange eyes appear ahead of you, glowing in the shadows beneath the cherry blossom trees.
Orange eyes appear ahead of you, glowing in the shadows beneath the cherry blossom trees.
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<font size="3">'''Aerial Assault'''</font><br>
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[[File:LotS_Quest_z7_a4_q2.jpg|none|Aerial Assault]]
'''Aerial Assault'''
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The Snuuth commandos resemble beetles in their grey, rounded armor -- its dimensions fashioned to accommodate the traditional gut-heavy girth of their species. Insects scurrying through the foliage, the orange orbs set into their otherwise featureless helmets glittering with malevolence.
The Snuuth commandos resemble beetles in their grey, rounded armor -- its dimensions fashioned to accommodate the traditional gut-heavy girth of their species. Insects scurrying through the foliage, the orange orbs set into their otherwise featureless helmets glittering with malevolence.
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You sprint in that direction as the fire starts to rain down.
You sprint in that direction as the fire starts to rain down.
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<font size="3">'''Space Sharks'''</font><br>
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[[File:LotS_Quest_z7_a4_q3.jpg|none|Space Sharks]]
'''Space Sharks'''
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"This is much more fun than shooting cartoon ducks!" Talia says.
"This is much more fun than shooting cartoon ducks!" Talia says.
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"Mills, Boggs -- take these people to their hovercar. Deactivate its flight restrictions and escort them to the spaceport."
"Mills, Boggs -- take these people to their hovercar. Deactivate its flight restrictions and escort them to the spaceport."
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***
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"Those ships are awesome!" Telemachus says
"Those ships are awesome!" Telemachus says
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"Destroy everything that isn't ours or Diogenes'."
"Destroy everything that isn't ours or Diogenes'."
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<font size="3">'''Massacre of Minions'''</font><br>
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[[File:LotS_Quest_z7_a4_q4.jpg|none|Massacre of Minions]]
'''Massacre of Minions'''
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Quibberath's pilots are good. But you're better.
Quibberath's pilots are good. But you're better.
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"Take us in."
"Take us in."
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***
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TALOS' forces have acted with their eternal precision. Gold and silver battle bots are stationed around the hanger at suitable firing points, their computerized targeting systems scanning with unceasing vigilance. If an enemy shows itself, a dozen lasers will meet it.
TALOS' forces have acted with their eternal precision. Gold and silver battle bots are stationed around the hanger at suitable firing points, their computerized targeting systems scanning with unceasing vigilance. If an enemy shows itself, a dozen lasers will meet it.
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In a heartbeat the way into the room is clear. And as you and the battle bots charge into the cavern-like chamber, into the dark realm of intersecting laser fire and rushing assailants, you see a corpulent form sitting on a distant throne.
In a heartbeat the way into the room is clear. And as you and the battle bots charge into the cavern-like chamber, into the dark realm of intersecting laser fire and rushing assailants, you see a corpulent form sitting on a distant throne.
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<font size="3">'''Hultex Quibberath'''</font><br>
[[File:LotS_Quest_Boss_z7_a4.jpg|none|Hultex Quibberath]]
"Stop!" Quibberath cries.
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His voice, startling in its melodic shrillness, cuts through the clamor of battle -- slicing through the groans of dying Snuuth and the sounds of crashing metal.
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"Stop!" he repeats. The hovering cannons on either side of his throne, their mouths now black and inert, wobble in the air as though dancing to the sound of the word.
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His minions fall back, withdrawing from combat and lowering their weapons. Even the one facing Ragnar does as bidden, and loses his head for his troubles -- when a swing of the Niflung's axe parts it from his body and sends it flying across the room.
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Princess Illaria gestures to the nearest battle bots, her command relayed to the rest in an instant via their internal communicators. They too stop firing, though they remain in position, their weapons raised and ready to recommence the moment the order is given.
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"If you're willing to surrender," the Princess says, "we'll hear you out."
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The Snuuth makes a long whistle, as though he's an ancient water heating device announcing that its contents have reached their boiling point. It occurs to you after a few seconds that this is his mode of laughter.
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"The Quibberath family does not surrender. But let us make a bargain. There is no need for killing. My troops are expensive. So are your robots."
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The Snuuth whistles again. If he thinks the sound of his merriment is ingratiating, he's sorely mistaken...
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"You are friends of the woman, yes? The woman in the cherry blossom garden?"
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"Yes," the Princess replies. "We won't allow you to harm her."
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"Very well. I did not know she had such powerful allies. A pity... Her brain would have tasted..."
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Quibberath's red eyes close. A thick, slimy, purple tongue slithers out from behind his sharp teeth and licks his lips as though sampling the phantom flavor of Sun Xi's mind. The Princess makes a wordless sound of outrage, causing the tongue to retract and his eyes to open once more.
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"Let us make a truce. I didn't come here for her anyway. Your friend is safe. Leave my ship, and I will leave her be. We both win, yes?"
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"What about the boy?" you ask.
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You look to the Princess, who returns the gaze with a quizzical expression.
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"That's why he came to Diogenes. He came to eat a little boy's brain."
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"Do you know this boy?"
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"We don't."
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"Then what does he matter to you? Besides, it's too much trouble now. I can't take him with all those soldiers in the way. I'll have to go somewhere else for my next feast. See? Even your precious stranger boy is safe."
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"A moment," the Princess says. "I must speak with my friends."
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You and your companions huddle together.
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"Do people like him need to eat brains to live?" Talia asks.
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"No," Lu Bu replies. "They eat them as a delicacy. Ones like this Quibberath, who feed on psychics, usually believe they can gain a portion of their victim's powers by doing so."
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"Really?" Ragnar asks. "That works?"
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"I don't know. I've never tried it."
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"I say we kill him," Telemachus whispers.
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"Agreed," you say.
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"Yes," the Princess says.
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"Suits me just fine," Talia says.
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"I will gladly help take his life," Lu Bu says.
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Your group separates.
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"We've discussed the matter," the Princess says. "I don't believe our decision will be to your liking..."
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Hultex Quibberath screams, a long sharp shriek that makes your teeth ache.
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He falls to his knees, his left hand clutching the blood-spurting stump where his right one was attached before Lu Bu's sword removed it. The two floating cannons drop from the air behind him, and hit the floor with a rattling thud.
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"No!" he cries. "No! Please!"
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"I hate it when the bad guys beg," Talia says. "It always makes you feel like a murderer."
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"Leave it to me then," Ragnar says.
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He steps towards Quibberath's kneeling, squealing form.
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"So this guy's a neuro-fag?" the Niflung asks.
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"Neuro-phage," you reply.
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"Sounds like an interesting diet."
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Ragnar brandishes his axe. He looks over to where Princess Illaria is standing, with a growing look of disquiet on her face.
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"Ragnar..." she begins.
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"You should get back to the ship," he says. "I'll catch you up."
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"But..."
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You place a gentle hand on the Princess' arm, and guide her from the chamber. The others follow.
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The rest of your companions are aboard the ship when Ragnar struts into the hangar. He sees you leaning against the craft, beside its closed door, and strides over.
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"He reckoned you could gain someone's smarts by eating their brain?" he asks.
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"Apparently so. Feel any psychic powers developing?"
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"I don't think so." He pauses for a moment, as though attempting to scour his mind for any such inklings. "Do I look any smarter?"
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You stare at the traces of brain smeared around his mouth.
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"No."
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He shrugs his shoulders.
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"Was worth a try."
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