Epilogue

[cartesio]

Welcome to Cartesio!

You open your eyes and see the ceiling of the lodge. There is no real sensation of having slept, but you're still feeling rested. Sitting up, you can see that the building around you is in ruins. Dust and dirt dominate your environment. Around you, there are familiar people - some of them you've been with up until now, some of them you have been brutally forced to part with weeks ago. They all look alright, a little confusion aside.

From a corner of the room, you can hear the soft whirring of a machine. Upon examination, you can see that it's 3D-printing more gelatinous bodies like you've seen earlier today. Every body that is dispensed from the machine is a safe haven for another mind from the simulation, another mind to join your ranks as real people.

After you've adjusted to the new situation and left the lodge, you find yourself greeted with perfect sunshine. There's a town welcoming you, friendly and peaceful. Though it is more modern than what you are used to, there is no mistaking it.

Cartesio, Nevada, welcomes you.

You're new people, in a new world. Every chance it has to offer is open for you.

Comments

THE LODGE

[cartesio]

[The machines are working, and the quantum computer is in a room not too far away.

It's time for your final decision: Will you destroy the computer?]

[marmoron]

[And here's Keith staring at this quantum computer, frowning. He's awake alright, but Cosmo's no longer there and even though the real space wolf is out there at home... it's still a loss that he wasn't entirely prepared for.

He's going to see if there's something that can still be done about this before sticking to his word there.]

[cartesio]

[Your wolf is safe and sound on the list of stuff to print, Keith.

It'll take a while before its body is printed, but damaging the computer won't affect that]

[quickpersuader]

[Ah.]

Cosmo?

[Hi Keith, she's got little wing thingies now, that's a thing.]

[marmoron]

[Keith will just look at these new wings of hers, then choose not to question this because what happened is obvious enough.]

Printing.

[...What a weird fucking thought.]

I dont think that's connected to the quantum computer.

[quickpersuader]

[Kino knows what she wants.]

I guess I should probably get Hermes, too...

[How does that even work, though.]

[marmoron]

No clue.

[but he'll gesture to the list of print jobs and hey Hermes is on there??

Along with....]

... Looks like Hermes and Shiro are both on here.

[But that's complicated so....]

What're we doing about the quantum computer.

[quickpersuader]

I'm okay with destroying it.

[But also she's been fine with taking out Sarge from the start.]

[marmoron]

[There's a more solemn nod.]

We can take it out together.

[It's like he said at the meeting. Clone or not, he's still not going to risk the paladins. Not going to risk this technology developing further to a point where it's more than copying just minds.]

[quickpersuader]

Okay. Just let me know when you're ready.

[marmoron]

[He'll reach for his bayard, which manifests a sword.]

You gonna test out a new power?

[quickpersuader]

[She tilts her head thoughtfully for a moment before shaking it, drawing the persuader on her left - canon.]

No. But we should also do this from a distance if we're going to destroy it.

[This bullet was meant for Sarge, after all.]

[marmoron]

[A nod.]

Fair enough.

[He'll put the bayard away, moving back.]

You take your shot. I'll burn it down.

[quickpersuader]

[Kino will be sure to back up a considerablely safe distance from the machine, waiting until Keith has done the same before firing.

With good reason.

It's enough to knock her backwards and onto the ground, and when the bullet connects, it explodes. They're far enough away to avoid shrapnel, but it's also probably overkill.]

[marmoron]

[...that's so incredibly overkill that it actually just kinda makes Keith stare for a moment before breaking into an amused smile.

A moment later, whatever's left of the quantum computer will be going up in flames for good measure.]

[quickpersuader]

[Kino just kinda sits on the ground there, grinning. She's the one who made the bullet, and even firing it for the second time, it's nice to see how effective it is.]

Guess that's mission complete.

[cartesio]

[On the way out, you may notice something hanging from a printer...

Take a look?]

[quickpersuader]

[Cartesio has taught her to look at everything so yup, checking that out.]

[marmoron]

Yeah. It's over.

[He'll sit on the ground beside her, watching the fire burning away their lives for the past two months. His expression's not nearly as pleased as hers though. He breathes out deeply.]

Know what you're doing now?

[Because he.. suddenly sure as fuck doesn't.]

[theserpentsmiles]

[...]




[Kicks the computer.]

[snailedit]

[Hey. It's someone you maybe haven't seen in a while. Mira has no idea what's going on, but quantum computers are familiar enough!!!]

Think that'll do the trick?

[theserpentsmiles]

No. But it felt good.

[He can't stab the Sergeant from here, okay.]

Hello again, Mira-san. It's been a while. [Like he didn't watch her get fried without flinching a couple of months ago.]

[snailedit]

Oh yeah? How long? I don't really get it, pretty sure I died.

[She's as nonchalant about this as he is]

[pecker]

[Well, this sure is a nice town and a good place to start a new life away from murder---

Too bad that Niwatori hasn't even thought about doing that. She's here in the lodge, seeing what she can find as far as going home.]

[kingbomber]

Idiots can't even finish the damn job.

[ Bakugou comes back to the computer after noticing the note, after everyone's done having their fun with that, and he raises a hand, before releasing a giant explosion right onto towards the quantum computer.

A hero's work is never done. ]