PALACE GAME: Round 3

[cultfavorite]

You open your eyes—

You're standing in the vast lobby of a corporate building, facing the reception desk, where a Team Galactic Grunt is stationed—she's currently on the phone, though, and occupied. A few other grunts move through the lobby, looking as if they're on their way to their next assignment. All of them look identical. And if you watch their paths for a while, none of them actually end up leaving the room.

The walls are a bright, metallic, sterile blue with white, and the floor is made up of gleaming silver metal tiles emblazoned here and there with a gold logo. The reception desk is slightly to your right, and to the left of that there are three doors in the far wall in front of you.

To the right of the reception desk, there's a little area with a vending machine, a large ottoman to sit on, a potted plant, and . . . a dotaku? With a face? It's sitting resting on the floor next to the vending machine, and it's staring right at you with those red eyes.

Directly to your right, closer to the front door, there is a glowing green circle on the floor with a sign on the wall next to it.

What will you d—

Wait. Your phone is buzzing. Whether or not you had it with you back in the prison, you do now, whether in your pocket, in your hand, whatever. It's on your person, and it's vibrating demandingly for attention. If you choose to ignore it, a mechanical voice emanating from it begins literally saying the word buzz! buzzzzzz! buuuzzzzzz! in an increasingly irritated tone.

Check your phone?

Comments

[cultfavorite]

The app buzzes smugly to life.

Bzzt! That there is your connection to the outside world! I'd go snooping in it, but that's just me. It's probably not worth learning to use a laptop just to get under Commander Saturn's skin.

[peacetalks]

Perhaps 'tis best to leave it be, then.

[what's in the mini-fridge tho]

[cultfavorite]

It's a selection of different fancy coffee creamers to go with the coffee machine. There are all kinds of flavors for people who don't like their coffee to taste like coffee! Rawst Berry and Cream, Moomoo Caramel, something called Rage Candy Bar . . .

Suddenly, the large monitor in the room makes a ping! sound. A video chat window pops up, and you're being addressed by a Team Galactic Grunt—a nervous-looking young man. From the background, he's clearly sitting in another conference room somewhere in the HQ. Why didn't you just meet in the same room . . . ? But he clears his throat and begins to speak:

"Boss? Uh . . . thanks for agreeing to meet with me today."

[peacetalks]

[aymeric, ever the sweet tooth, is about to grab the moomoo caramel, when he hears the video and whirls around]

--Hello there. I must apologize, I did not realize I would be interrupting. It seems as though your superior has not yet arrived, however, ser...?

[cultfavorite]

"Oh man . . . really?"

The young man hangs his head, but he looks unsurprised.

"I thought maybe Commander Saturn was finally back from his mission. But this kind of thing is exactly why I need to talk to him . . . "

[peacetalks]

Saturn and I are acquainted. If there is aught you wish to tell him, I can convey a message when next I see him.

[cultfavorite]

"You know him? Are you friends? I didn't think that guy had any friends."

He doesn't even say it in a mean way. He's just musing aloud.

"Hey . . . hey, maybe this works out for me! You mind if I vent a little at you? The thing is, I'm just not sure I can trust Commander Saturn as a leader!"

[peacetalks]

[aymeric crosses his arms and leans against the table]

We are friends, yes. What concerns do you have? I do not mind listening.

[cultfavorite]

"It's just, he's no Master Cyrus. I don't know if he has what it takes to inspire anyone as a leader at all. What will Team Galactic do if he . . . you know! Sucks!"

[peacetalks]

Ah, you worry he will not live up to his predecessor?

[smiles wryly]

When there are shifts of power in any group, there are also growing pains. Times of uncertainty, adjusting to different leadership methods, and so on. One can view these as omens of inevitable failure, or one can view them as a natural part of the process. Consider that both you and Saturn are adjusting to a new paradigm--isn't uncertainty to be expected? Yet change is always inevitable, and often change is good and necessary, if not entirely comfortable.

[cultfavorite]

I'm so glad Aymeric was here.

The grunt listens to all of this with some awe, nodding slowly. He looks like he maybe half understands it, but he's impressed by what he does understand and also what he doesn't understand, like the word "paradigm."

"Whoa . . . maybe you should give him some tips . . . "

[peacetalks]

[chuckles amiably]

I do not worry overmuch for Saturn's performance. What he is striving to do, and what you are striving to do--so long as you are all working towards the same goal, I am certain you shall find common ground.

[cultfavorite]

"Yes, sir!"

He says this as if speaking to his own commander.

"You're really sure he's got what it takes?"

[peacetalks]

I am. It may not look like the methods of your Master Cyrus, but Saturn's are no less inspiring.

[cultfavorite]

"What makes you so sure of that?"

But he seems to be coming around. He's more curious than demanding.

[peacetalks]

I suppose I see much of myself in him, as a young commander. And I see in him the same determination that drove me towards much-needed reform and change. 'Tis faith in him, that gives me such certainty.

[cultfavorite]

"So he's like you . . . cool."

Cool. Aymeric is so cool! Is Saturn that cool?! The grunt salutes.

"Thank you, sir! I feel a little better now about the direction of Team Galactic!"

[peacetalks]

You're quite welcome. If there is aught else you wish to speak on, I am always willing to lend an ear.

[it feels a little odd to offer something like that since, logically, aymeric knows this is a construction of saturn's mind--but maybe it's the intent that matters?]

[cultfavorite]

"Thank you, sir! I'll think about you! I mean, about it! . . . Yeah!"

The young man blushes, and the chat window closes. A popup appears: How was our call quality? ☆☆☆☆☆

[peacetalks]

[aymeric presses the five star option. submit.

what now...

he pours himself some coffee with the moomoo creamer. saturn won't mind probably.]

[cultfavorite]

Saturn won't mind. There's a rap on the door after you take a sip, and then the door swings open to reveal a woman on the other side.

"Hey, Grunt! You left this in the kitchen. Don't let me catch you dropping it again!"

She holds out a keycard for him.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric is mid-sip when the door opens and has to quickly swallow and clear his throat]

I beg your pardon, miss--?

[cultfavorite]

"It's Mars! The gorgeous Commander Mars! Go on and take it already. I was looking out for you by bringing it by!"

[peacetalks]

[still a bit flummoxed, but he will take the key card]

You have my thanks, Commander. I did not realize I had misplaced it. In the kitchen, you say?

[cultfavorite]

"Right, right. You left it right next to the fridge! Might want to wipe it off. You know how it is in there. Ta!"

She gives a flippant wave of her hand and turns to leave again. Key Item get?!