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-- Alt-Riff (narrating): Where we left off, I had finished using various dimensional windows to spy on my home dimension. It was time to open a doorway. It was time for me to go *home*. (Random dimension timeline, with a circle around Alt-Riff at Year 31, "<-- ME!", and the cone of light emanating from that circle projected on the home dimension timeline, labeled "Dimensional Windows") -- Alt-Riff (narrating): So just like that, after 30 years, I packed a bag-lunch and opened a portal home. </Flashback> Poster: everyone Loves POPCORN (A popcorn golem (with 'amet' (in Hebrew letters; "truth") on its forehead) hugs Vealronica, both of them waving good-bye to Riff, who is carrying a bag with a beer stein and a bag of popcorn "B + P" icons on it) </Pause flashback> -- Alt-Riff (narrating): The portals I make are very unstabling, as it turns out. High paradox-risk. Big chance of destroying a dimension outright. So I couldn't jump in at any point I observed, or any point that would /alter/ what I had observed. I was forced to move slightly into the future. (The circle around Alt-Riff "<-- ME!" is now at Year 37 on the home dimension timeline) -- Alt-Riff (narrating): Luckily for me the City stayed pretty much the same. Izzy was still safe. -- Alt-Riff (narrating): *UN*luckily for me, Schlock must have anticipated this possibility and arranged for an instant death sentence upon my arrival. </Resume flashback> (Riff is hiding behind a wall, carrying his trenchcoat covered with little darts) -- (Back in the random dimension, Riff disposes the trenchcoat in the "Rubbish", next to a "Weapons" locker; Vealronica, having rubbed out the aleph in "amet" (met = dead), is eating the popcorn golem, next to a sign that reads "Not whut it looks liyk") -- Alt-Riff (narrating): Of course it's *real* hard to corner someone who can move through time, space, and dimensions. (Riff reappears in home dimension, behind the REA-5, without his trenchcoat, and carrying a laser cannon) === Transcriber's note: For more on golems see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem; courtesy of "plipsig" | Flag | ||||
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Riff: You answer my questions first. Alt-Riff (angrily yelling): *Oh great crazy frog-biscuits! /I'm done talking./* Riff (dropping the cable at Alt-Riff's feet): Run this topside yourself then. -- Alt-Riff: Fine but I am *NOT* putting the R.E.V.I.E.W. helmet back on! Alt-Riff (calmer): Ask away. -- Riff (turning away and waving his hands angrily in the air): /Dude!/ Why are the judgment chutes still running? How can you *tolerate* that abuse of our D.F.A.?!? Alt-Riff: I fixed those years ago. The chutes now go through controlled portals to the timeless void. -- Alt-Riff (looking towards DoN Riff, hands propped upon his cane): For defense of the city, the D.F.A. cannons and guns are still random portal generators. But the chutes are connected to the timeless void and don't damage the dimension. They don't cut through dimensional barriers. So now 'judged' citizens end up sort-a "paused." -- Alt-Riff (smiling and looking pleased with himself): I 'port them all back whenever there's a citywide reboot. Nobody notices a thing. I barely lift a finger for it. Pretty cool, huh? Riff (back still turned to Alt-Riff, fist clenched, looking even more upset): No! *Not cool at all!* You've been trying to solve this problem for *how long?* -- Alt-Riff (head bowed, looking at the floor sheepishly): I dunno. Another thirty years? Ten by myself since Irving died. Riff (looking perplexed, hands held out as if hopping to find the answer in them): Why /keep this whole mess of a city going?/ You could have /stopped Dr. Schlock! Freed the people! Freed your wife, and *Torg!*/ *Think* of all the help you'd have /solving this problem!/ -- Alt-Riff (teeth clenched, brow furrowed, looking truly angry): That's why I hate you so much! You remind me what a *blithering idiot I was!* -- Alt-Riff (spins to face away from Riff, yelling at the heavens, shaking his fists and cane in the air): Sure, free the people, and say *"You're all that's left, and this whole dimensions is about to rip apart! Who wants to help tape it back together?"* -- Alt-Riff (arms down, head bowed, face covered in darkness by hair, talking to Riff over his shoulder): They'll be too busy going "who's to blame for this" and start by lynching me and Schlock's corpse! Then they'll use the portal weapons I created to start fighting amongst themselves. Others would use the portal weapons as escape pods to abandon ship! Culmination in the destruction of this dimension and my eternal shame! Riff (standing, hands in coat pockets): This sounds like more than conjecture -- Alt-Riff (yelling again, facing Riff, fist clenched in front of him): I've *seen* it! Dimensional windows. Parallel dimensions I've seen a lot of bad potential outcomes! /*This is they I'm telling you all of this!*/ -- Alt-Riff (placing his hand upon DoN Riff's shoulder, speaking through clenched teeth): So you don't do something *ridiculous* like bring Izzy back here to help me. Or stop me from rebooting the City or *allow you to finish your revolution!* -- Alt-Riff (yelling again, pleading with Riff): **This is the way things /have to be!/** -- Alt-Riff (hand still on Riff's shoulder, head bowed, calmer): Listen, if I can fix this problem caused by my creations, I can free the City as a hero to my wife and loved ones. Instead of as the worst of villains. You understand wanting to be the hero, right? I remember that stupid part of my life. Riff: I don't want to be the hero. I'm sick of this place. -- Riff (crouching down to pick up the cable he dropped earlier): I just want to get Zoë and go home. Alt-Riff (hand still on Riff's shoulder): We'll see what I can do. But the first step is to run that cable top-side so I can get network connections back on line. -- Alt-Riff (behind Riff, through the open doorway): Or better yet, run it directly to a city dish. If I can't get control of the portal-weapon satellites to continue my work, we're already lost. | Flag | ||||
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Holo-Riff (projected by Pendantech): Hi, me! OK it's a year later, and I need to keep you, me, up to date just in case. -- Holo-Riff (projected by Pendantech): After Mayor Rammer replaced 'His Masterness' as ruler of 4U City, he moved the control chamber to the Central Tower. I think he likes the view. With the help of old-alternate-me, Izzy, Seven, and a few handpicked others, Rammer started this *'City Council'* thing. Saving the world from portal damage while protecting the city. -- Holo-Riff (off panel): They even brought in Torg to help as dispatcher for the 4U City Green teams. Unlike /*my*/ buddy Torg, this dimension's Torg really isn't too bad of a leader. | But I'm out. /"Banned from the council"./ As the old-man-me put it, he can't trust me and doesn't need me. -- Holo-Riff (projected by Pendantech): He told me he's trying to find my home dimension. As a hobby. Like he has time for hobbies. -- Holo-Riff (off panel): He also told me to keep my nose out of his 80 years of portal studies. I don't know what he's afraid of. In any case, I have my /*own*/ hobbies to keep me busy. Riff's iPad: Medical Nanite 3.0 For Dummies | Chapter 18 <'You Have Mail' musical note> -- Holo-Riff (off panel): And I have a cool day job. Head of R&D for the office of the city Barista, Leo! Leo only goes by 536 now. And he /*really*/ loves working with me! e-mail text: RE: Dark [matter] roast test #32... | We want _LESS_ explosive coffee, Riff! _ _LESS!_ _ | - 536 === NOTE: Ref: "_Control Chamber_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20110503>" | Flag | ||||
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(A view of what was originally Monica's townhouse, with the heart window in the front door...) -- (Zoë is asleep in her bed; the bathroom door is open and a light is on) -- (The lid is closed on the toilet and a dark clothed butt is seen sitting on it) -- (An overhead view shows that it is Riff sitting on the toilet in apparent contemplation) -- <***ZAPPO!***> (Someone appears in the shower) -- Riff: I didn't think you'd follow me. Alt-Riff: Oh, I couldn't miss *this!* But hiding in Zoë's bathroom is kinda creepy, dude. -- Riff: You told me when you observe time you locks [sic: should be "lock"] its events. You explored so much of this timeline. I thought if I found a small window you /*didn't*/ observe... Alt-Riff: ...that it would lower the risk of paradox? So you wouldn't be responsible for /crumpling up your entire world/ in a *heartbeat?* -- Alt-Riff: /*Duh,*/ Riff! You can't very well wake Zoë up and put her on a midnight train to Nebraska and /*not*/ dramatically alter observed time. Riff: So why are you here when I could nerf this place, you with it, any moment? Alt-Riff: I knew you'd be too 'chicken' to go through with this. -- Riff (smirking): You think I'm afraid to blow everything up? -- Alt-Riff: OK, so you're *stupid* enough to do it, see this around me? 'Paradox-bubble.' I'm not technically here. I can safely watch you screw everything up badly! -- Alt-Riff: Speaking of... smooth move, drugging us all, especially the mayor's girlfriend, and my wife, who's /battling drug addiction./ They want you stuffed down a judgment chute if I dare bring you back. Riff: Sedatives in 4U-City. Go figure. And you? -- Alt-Riff: Izzy can fight her own fights. /(*)I(*)/ stopped trusting you a long time ago. I just wanted to frame how well you messed everything up. /"So I guess that means saying 'sorry' is pretty pointless."/ So dramatic for the surveillance cameras. I almost clapped. | And here you are, out of options. No turning back now. -- Alt-Riff (grinning menacingly): So *wake her up!* Let's get this *show on the road!* -- Riff: You said I can't significantly alter time, but both our Dr. Irving Schlocks *did!* He's from a *terrible doomed future.* He traveled back into the past and averted that future. Alt-Riff: Not "averted"! He *avoided* that future! He split the timeline! His doomed world still happened, he just rode a new timeline to the present, which looks a lot to /me/ like a "terrible doomed future," by the way. -- Alt-Riff: Let's say, for some unkown [sic: should be "unknown"] reason, your paradox "splits the timeline" instead of ending the world. The story here continues with a new Riff and Zoë, who maybe live long happy lives, until the R&D Wars start. Meanwhile you're still you and your Zoë is still shelved produce. -- Alt-Riff: So even your best case scenario doesn't save your Zoë, and a judgment chute awaits you back at my place. Alt-Riff: Do what you're going to do. -- Riff (walking into Zoë's bedroom): What choice have I got? -- Riff (whispering; putting his hand on Zoë's back): I'm /so/ sorry. Goodbye. Zoë: **snore** -- Riff (whispering): Please insert me into the timeline where you wanted. I'll stop the R&D Wars. And I'll try to stop being such an idiot. Zoë (holding a pillow over her head): **snore** -- Alt-Riff (whispering): You got to apologize to her. That's more than I got. Zoë (tossing onto her back): <**[chainsaw]**> -- Alt-Riff (whispering): And thanks to you, I now know she snored like a rabid truffle boar. Riff (whispering): I /*know*/ Zoë (now on her back; drooling): <**[pneumatic hammer drill]**> <***ZAPPO!***> -- Zoë (sitting up; semi-awake): **huggazuggymprfhuh?** -- Zoë (laying back down, with a sweet smile on her face): **HwUhmmphmZapmnSNORe...** === NOTE: Background Refs: | Dr. Schlock's Alternate Future: _Home version_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/19990207> | _4U City Version Recounted_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20110502>. | Townhouse: _Zoë moves in_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/080301> | _Housewarming Party_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/080512> | _Oasis arrives_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20090507>. | Flag | ||||
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-- Torg (remembering to when he was in orbit): Do any of you remember when I was in orbit with Sasha looking for Dr. Steve's basecamp, and I realized that Hereti-Corp had been keeping tabs on me the whole time, and was probably behind jamming my cellphone when Oasis was attacking you guys? And I was all like, *"Our next mission is to burn Hereti-Corp to the ground"*? -- Kiki (typing on the GrapeBook): Yesh. <Type> ZHOAS (aka Jane): Uhhh Sam. No. Riff (pointing at himself and Zoë): Weren't we in another dimension? Bun-Bun: I don't remember punching you into orbit! -- Zoë (alarmed): In any case, so *that's* the plan? -- Torg: /Naw,/ instead we put our effort against Nofun Labs in Kuala Lumpur. They were a bigger treat to the globe, with their hazardous genetic mutation experiments. -- Torg: But, while in orbit we /did/ finally locate Dr. Steve's baselab. The one Hereti-Corp has been after /all these years!/ -- Torg (remembering Izzy): And then, because our data was being peddled to Hereti-Corp by Minion Master's sister, Hereti-Corp had the location too. -- Torg: (remembering talking on the myPhone with an alarmed Sasha and Bun-Bun behind him): It's clearly important to them. Which is why when I found out they were selling Riff's inventions to the military, I was all like "It means they *go down! We start by taking Dr. Steve's Lab from them."* Anyone remember? -- Kiki (typing): Yesh. <Type> ZHOAS: uhhh Sam: I think I remember that! Riff (again pointing at himself and Zoë): Still in another dimension. Bun-Bun (laying down): Yawn. I'm going back to sleep. -- Zoë (worried): That's our plan? To take Dr. Steve's lab back from Hereti-Corp? -- Torg: Oh, *No*-no-/no/. Hereti-Corp got entrenched in there quick! They're moving fast to make it their new 'Primary Operations'. We'd need an army. -- Zoë (starting to get annoyed): Then *what are we doing, Torg?* Do you have a new plan, or /*not?*/ -- Torg: It's all the /same plan!/ Every step of the way I had to recalibrate, change targets, and change the details! But what I've set in motion from the second I joined with Minion Master, it is *finally ready.* No further need to recalibrate. -- Torg: Hereti-Corp always puts itself in my crosshairs, but it's not about Hereti-Corp. -- Torg: It's about Oasis. === NOTE: Ref: _"Burn Hereti-Corp to the ground" [1_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20100301>] _[2]_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20100302> | _Minion Master's Sister_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20101110> | "_They Go Down_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20110114>"... | Flag | ||||
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-- Torg: Whoa. Bun-Bun: Yeah. Riff: Wow. -- Torg: She looked drugged in that video. Then suddenly she's clean and sober, and a bad guy with knowledge of the case. Bun-Bun: She was faking. And she had someone on the inside feeding her intel. -- Torg: How did you know she was working for Hereti-Corp, Bun-Bun? Bun-Bun: Remember how you were funneling all our Minion-Master technology-grabs to Sasha so she could build a device to find Riff and Zoë? Well I noticed she wasn't really working on the device at all. She's no tinkerer. -- Torg: It turns out she was funneling all that technology to Hereti-Corp, as well as signaling them to absorb the assets of whatever group we decimated. And Crushestro thought Minion Master was a front for Hereti-Corp. It was Sasha the whole time. She gave them the location to Dr. Steve's base too. And I blamed Minion Master's sister. Bun-Bun: /As I was saying,/ once I noticed... Riff: /The remote./ She made a *functioning remote to control the Dimensional Flux Agitator.* -- Torg: But what *else* has she tinkered with? Even after you quit Hereti-Corp, Sasha was giving them your technology. Maybe Hereti-Corp R&D turned around the remote and stuff to reinforce her cover? Riff: They weren't able to use my work until Schlock took over. Apparently he understands my documentation better. But to make the remote they wouldn't have to fully understand the core functionality, just the surface communication... (Bun-Bun is annoyed...) -- Bun-Bun (angrily): *As I was saying!* -- Bun-Bun (grooming himself): She got me suspicious. When she went after Riff and then gave that up to get ahold of the case, even a pre-K would be pointing and yelling /'Hereti-Corp'./ Not that you guys were that quick on the uptake. -- Riff (angrily): Yeah when she *tried to shoot me in the face* it was a *big clue for me!* -- Torg: Whoa! Touchy! Listen Riff, she didn't just anger *you* when she 'lead' you astray! She pistol of us off. Just forget her bullet doesn't matter. I ammo-ways gun-a be there for you, man! (Bun-Bun is annoyed...) -- <*****HEAD-SMACK!*****> (...apparently so is Riff...) -- Torg: What the Glock? I try to comfort him and he clips me! Riff: You won this round, but I thought you were a Beretta person than that. Bun-Bun (leaping away, annoyed): I'm going to go see if Sasha is hiring. <**Poing**> -- Riff: You just punned Bun-Bun out of the room without him hurting either of us. You just blew my mind. Torg: Aw, shoot. === NOTE: Ref: _Bun-bun's Suspicions_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20100113> | _Crushestro Blamed Minion Master_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/100930> | _Torg Blamed Izzy_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/101110> | _The Remote_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20010610>. | Flag | ||||
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Torg (still tied to his chair): Hereti-Corp is using dimensional-flux-agitator weapons to "flux" their competitors out of this dimension and Riff has no idea that it's happening. Torg: That's because we've spent a while fighting a demon cult in the desert on the other side of the world, and have been off the grid ever since. Torg: I only found out because I needed to meet a contact in Europe. He filled me in on all the details of the R&D wars. -- Torg: If you tell Riff that Hereti-Corp used and is using his invention to harm thousands of people he's going to charge in and get himself killed. This will take tact and timing. You want me in? I'm in. But I need information from that device. -- Squishydodo: You can't access the device directly. What do you want to know about? Torg: The status on a bunch of people. Squishydodo: It'll take some time. Torg: Then let's get to work. Start with the details on the Minion Master's sister. -- (The Black-Ops van, with a Christmas wreath on the front grill, is parked outside of the Black-Ops Safe House) Label: BLACK-OPS SAFE HOUSE Label: BLACK-OPS VAN -- (An image of a depressed Izzy sitting in a cell with a computer in front of her) Panel label: ISABELLA ABATO -- Torg (no longer tied up): So Minion Master's sister's name is Isabella and she is a Hereti-Corp prisoner. Squishydodo: According to their records, she's made several escape attempts. Torg: We need people close to the base so the next time Isabella tries to escape we'll be there to help. Squishydodo: /*What?!?*/ Why? Torg: I get the feeling she was the 'brains' of the Minion Master operation, which might make her our MVP in the long run. -- Torg: Plus I owe her. I was so mad at Anthony and Isabella that we abandoned them. I thought they had sold us out allowing Hereti-Corp to nearly kill Riff and Zoë. But it was my fault. I let Sasha in. Sometimes I forget what an idiot I am. Not as bad as you guys interrogating me... but pretty dumb. -- Middle elf (giving Torg a comforting pat on the back): /There-there./ <PAT> <PAT> Torg: Thanks, Groin. -- Middle elf (walking away): Yep, I'm /*loving*/ my job right now... Squishydodo: It's laughable you think I would /*ever*/ station agents near Hereti-Corp's /largest and most well defended/ base of operations. Torg: The base they built over Dr. Steve's lab is impressive, but. You're going to want agents there anyway. For *"Operation King under the Mountain."* I'll explain that later but you're gonna love it! </Pause flashback> === NOTE: Ref: _R&D Wars Blitz_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/130109> | _Desert_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20131118> | _Europe_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20150317> | _Isabella Escapes_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20130130> | _Blamed_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20101110> | _Abandoned_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/101208> _(not really)_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/101208>. | Flag | ||||
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Lower left monitor: <dark> Mid-left monitor: <Teresa> PAWN-1 Top left monitor: <Crushestro> ROOK-1 Top mid-left monitor: <Reynold Strom (aka Reid Nash; aka Agent Strum; aka Raymond Strum; aka Nash Straw; aka Warren Nashville); shaded red> PAWN-6 Top mid-right monitor: <Sharon Gall; shaded red> PAWN-7 Top right monitor: <Brain digbot> ROOK-2 Mid-right monitor: <Pang Legacy Group mutant; shaded red> PAWN-8 Lower right monitor: <dark> Central large monitor: <Riff> KING -- Squishydodo: I like the 'chess' theme. Riff is 'King'? Torg: Riff is our best hope and the biggest target of the other side. What of pawns 6 and 7? Squishydodo: No sign of Strom. Gwynn is building trust and friendship with Sharon Gall but she's not on board yet. Torg: Anything new on Pawn-8? Squishydodo: The "Pang-Legacy Group?" Mutants on the other side of the world. You know more about them than I. -- Torg: We need more pieces on the board before we start! We need Pawn 7. We need the Queen. /*We need to slow Hereti-Corp down.*/ Squishydodo: Zark is having no luck hacking and sabotaging the Hereti-Corp satellite program. Torg: If Knight-2 can't, then we might have to do a "Knight-1" prison break. Squishydodo: I should add there is /*no*/ sign of the Queen. I'm not even sure it's the best idea with your history... -- Monitors (clockwise from lower left): Lower left monitor: <dark> Mid-left monitor: <Percy> PAWN-4 Top left monitor: <Isabel (aka Izzy); shaded red> KNIGHT-1 Top mid-left monitor: <Noah Zark> KNIGHT-2 Top mid-right monitor: <Aylee> BISHOP-1 Top right monitor: <Gwynn> BISHOP-2 Mid-right monitor: <Marcus Chen> PAWN-5 Lower right monitor: <dark> Central large monitor: <dark> Torg (off panel): The Queen is the most important. The most difficult and the most powerful. And you are /*not*/ to mention the Queen's identity to anyone. Search for her again. /Now!/ -- Squishydodo (leaving): I'm on it, boss. We'll find her. Torg: Thanks Squish. -- (Torg faces the monitors and advances them with the remote) Monitors (clockwise from lower left): Lower left monitor: <dark> Mid-left monitor: <dark> Top left monitor: <dark> Top mid-left monitor: <dark> Top mid-right monitor: <dark> Top right monitor: <dark> Mid-right monitor: <dark> Lower right monitor: <dark> Central large monitor: <Oasis; shaded red> QUEEN -- (Torg turns his back on the monitors with a look of dread) === NOTE: Ref: _Knight-1_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/150720> | _Pawn-7_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20150918> | *PAWN-8* (_1_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20121109>) (_2_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20121130>) | _Pawn-6 & *QUEEN*_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20150722>. | Flag | ||||
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-- Agent Drake: Isabella? Hello...? Drugged out again..? -- <****POP****> Agent Drake: ***EYYAAAH!*** Agent Tyler (in a cosplay outfit, possibly of Lelouche from Code Geass): Stupid designer drugs! That is one of the top ten *worst* side effects I've /ever seen,/ Drake! -- Agent Tyler: 'Obscure anime cosplay' is in the top three. Agent Drake: Shut up, Tyler. Isabella escaped again. No idea how long she's been out there. -- (Dr. Marcus Chen writes something on a piece of paper) -- (On the other side of a drill hole from Dr. Chen's cell, a specialized digbot scans the note for transmission back to base) -- Zoë: Bishop-1! We just got word from Pawn-5. Knight-1 is not in Hereti-Corp custody! Abort rescue operation and evac! Aylee (over video chat): Darn! OK! Bishop-1 out. Aylee's monitor: LIVE FEED | SECURE <LOCK> Monitor next to Aylee's (view of Dr. Marcus Chen's note): Knight-1 is _NOT_ _HERE!_ M.C. === NOTE: Ref: _Izzy's Escapes_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20130130>. | Flag | ||||
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Sam (with the label "MM#13" on the wall behind him): Hey Torg! Are you there? It's me, *Sam!* I'm /*OK!*/ -- Caption #1: This is where the "Full House" chapter finale intersects with "The Circle" chapter, so it is best to remind us where all the pieces were last. Caption #2: After Sam's "I'm OK" message, intended for Torg, was received by, well, everybody... and his location was inadvertently revealed... Caption #3: The mysterious Minion Masster, presumed dead, happily acknowledged Sam's message. Video Screen (in front of Sam): MESSAGE ACKNOWLEDGED Sam! It is good to see you. Stay safe! -- (A hand reaches towards the computer monitor; bottles of prescription pills sit directly in front of the monitor) -- Caption: Minion Master's sister, Izzy, also inaccurately presumed to be in Hereti-Corp custody, responded with tears. -- Caption: Torg raced to Sam's location to extract him before Hereti-Corp arrived. -- Caption: A Hereti-Corp strike force lead by Kusari sped towards the same location to capture Sam. -- Caption: Hunter Urja led several Vrykolakas minions to kill Sam once and for all. -- Caption: Riff and his current girlfriend Tweety (Christmas Elf with an Ay-Kay, long story) radced to backup Torg. -- Caption: An indeterminate time has passed, and Torg has landed his inflatable hoverbike on the roof of the uninhabited warehouse concealing Minion Master Hideout #13. He does so barely two minutes before the Hereti-Corp vans arrive. ... === Comic Title: THE CIRCLE ||||/| --- Comic Subtitle: All the Eggs are in the Scramble -- Caption: Rooftop: Acme Mattress Company Wharehouse [sic: should be "Warehouse"].... Torg (thinking): I barely made it here ahead of Hereti Corp. I could race inside this warehouse and get to Sam first but then we'd have to fight back out. Or I wait until they extract Sam and rescue him. Billboard (behind Torg): Recap your Life! | Get your own personalized Recaps at <obscured> -- Torg (thinking): I wish it didn't take me so long to get here! I'd have a clearer choice. -- Kusari: I want Beta Team to establish a perimeter around the warehouse. This industrial park should be empty but we want no witnesses or police entanglements. Alpha Team? With me. We're going to bag ourselves a 'Sampire'. -- Torg (cringing): /*Kusari?!?*/ -- Torg (ducking behind the roof's wall): /*That*/ makes the choice clear! Wait until nobody's looking and run for my life! Sorry Sam, you are on your own! === NOTE: Ref: "Full House" Chapter Finale (_Week1_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/weekly/150928>) (_Week2_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/weekly/151005>) | _Circle Chapter Intersection_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20151218>. | Flag | ||||
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-- Torg: /Sylvia!/ You were with /Lysinda!/ I *knew* I knew you! Sylvia: <musical note> /*Oh! Hi there Torg!*/ <musical note> Sam: I didn't know you guys knew each other! /Awk-waaard!/ -- Tweetyjerkjerk (as two vampires close in on her from behind): Ten? Twenty? More and more coming in! -- Torg: Crap! We're going to be /*overrun!*/ Tweety get to safety! Then report back to base-camp! -- Torg: Acknowledge! /Tweety?/ -- Torg: /*Tweety?!?*/ Line's /*dead.*/ -- Torg (blocking Riff): Riff. /*Wait!*/ Riff: I'm /*not*/ leaving Tweety out there! -- Torg: There are too many! We don't have the manpower or firepower! We go with Izzy's plan and take as many of them out as we can, and *then* see if we can save her! -- Riff (darkly unhappy): OK. What's the plan? === NOTE: When we last saw _Tweety_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20160225> | _Torg knows Sylvia_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/19980927> (and Sam might have remembered that... but it's Sam). | Flag | ||||
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Sign above elevator: SECRET ELEVATOR -- <musical note> <**ding**> Sam: Hey! The elevator! -- Anthony: If I drink my living blood in you I'll become powerful like Urja! And *you will rise again! /Yes!/* Isabella (Izzy; as Anthony pries off helmet): /*EEEYARGH!*/ <***PRYYy...*> -- <***THOK.***> Anthony (upon getting staked): /Aw/... you'd have been my first true minion! -- <***PAF!***> -- (Riff and Torg are in front of the elevator; Riff holds a gun labeled INFLATO-STAKE; the floor indicator of the elevator has labels MMH#13 and ACME MC, with the arrow pointing to the former; smoke issues from Riff's stake gun) === NOTE: Ref: _When last we saw_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20160118>... | Flag | ||||
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Bus driver: Our next stop, the Equinox Casino! It's Grand Opening week, so if you haven't booked your stay, you won't get in! Partial advertisement: <obscured>ness, Confusion, Dizziness, <obscured>d vision, Weakness, Slurred <obscured>eech, Lack of coordination, Difficulty breathing, Coma | /Oily discharge./ Advertisement: EQUINOX | CASINO | Where even when you lose, you Win. | *AND YOU ALWAYS WIN!* | *"Always Win" assumes the correctness of the previous statement "even when you lose, you win." Because you will lose. A lot. Partial Advertisement: ***Smoo<obscured>** | WHEN YOU WA<obscured> | THE BAND KISS B<obscured> | GIRL WHO KIS<obscured> | GOOD. -- Zoë: Isabella? I'm Zoë! Pleased to meet you, and welcome to the team. (As Zoë introduces herself to Izzy (Isabella Abato) Torg continues to sit in shock, and stare...) -- Zoë: Oh, Torg, I'm so sorry. (Zoë hugs Torg, who is now in his underwear, but otherwise is still sitting in shock, staring...) -- (Torg is in his Black Ops uniform angrily holding a (white) King chess piece) === NOTE: Ref: _Equinox_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/150928>. *In case I lost you with toady's [sic: should be "today's"] and yesterday's comic...* So the gang is making their escape from the Warehouse. As we know, Hereti-Corp has a satellite trained on their location and Schlock wants to know exactly what's going on. When last we saw Squishydodo he was out in the field making another van "disappear". So Torg called him in to help them "disappear" as well (Operation Left Sock, because we all know Left Socks vanish from the dryer all the time. But only the left socks.). The gang abandoned the HC van "under the tunnel," changed their appearance, and headed off in different directions to throw any observers off the scent (vamps or hereti-corp). Then if all looked clear they'd rendezvous back at the home base beneath the Equinox Casino. I thought I could communicate this quickly while showing Torg's emotional state and shore it all up in two comics. I appear to have confused everybody I [sic: should be "in"] the process, and in this case I'm not sure how to fix it. /I'll think of something./ But for now you know. | Flag | ||||
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-- Riff (helmet on): Sam and Sylvia here are a different type of vampire than you are used to. Hard to kill. Isabella Abato (Izzy): /Hard?/ If the Vrykolakas are monsters these are, like, /monster-gods!/ Riff: We should compare vampire notes later. And I actually have a /lot/ of notes. -- Riff: We have no garlic, and no time. With whatever hell is happening topside, I have a better plan for these two. -- Torg (outside, thinking as he drops his Minion Master helmet): The street outside the warehouse is /chillingly/ quiet. Sign: Acme Mattress Company (A vamp is just visible around the corner) -- Torg (thinking): /*Too*/ chillingly quiet. (A vamps hands reach out to grab him) -- Torg (thinking): As if being *'chillingly'* wasn't quiet enou.../ouf!/ Torg: /*Ouf!*/ (Torg drops Chaz as he's grabbed away) | Flag | ||||
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Riff: Yep. Isabella (holding a wrapped box): I got you a going-away present. -- Kiki (attempting to hug Bun-bun): **BUN-BUN!!! RIFF AND I'LL MISS YOU /SOOO MUCH!/** <***WOOOSHHH*GLOM!****> <*Poing!*> -- Gwynn (with Bun-Bun now on her shoulder): Kiki, stop hugging my leg. Bun-bun, thanks for not stabbing Kiki for trying to hug you. Bun-Bun: Theres [sic: should be "There's"] enough weepiness going on in this room, no need to add a skewered tube-rat to the 'feels' pile. Bun-Bun: Well-well! Look over there, witchy-poo! Torg and Zoë made the party after all! | Flag | ||||
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Torg: /*We're*/ leaving. -- Aylee: /What?/ Squishydodo: /*WHAT?!?*/ Riff: What? Bun-Bun: What a Nerd-Boy. -- Torg: You see, Izzy, there, explained to me about you and monsters. Because /*I've*/ never dealt with those before. -- Torg: Now I understand. You /feel/ all the "innocent victims in the past" and /blame yourself/ for all the "innocent victims of the future" if you don't /*step up*/ and destroy the monster. -- Torg: The biggest monster in the world? Hereti-Corp with satellite flux weapons. Technology *you* created. -- Zoë: It's *your* monster. *Step up.* We deserve a vacation anyway. Goodbye, Riff. Torg: Good luck, Squish. Keep Riff on target and don't put any loved ones in his line of fire and-or blast radius, and you'll do fine. Squishydodo (flushing): But... But... | Flag | ||||
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Isabella Abato (Izzy): This is more gruesome than I thought. -- Riff: Let's go and be done with this. -- (Urja lurks behind the shelves, her eyes closed as she listens and assesses) -- (As the door closes, her one good eye opens - glowing red...) -- Urja (narrating): I chose niehter. My foolish act led to the death of my queen by Strakoi hands. I do not deserve the honor of rebuilding the Vrykolakas. And I /will not/ hand the new world to the Strakoi. Urja (narrating): That is why I chose... a third option. | Flag | ||||
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Torg (angrily suspicious): Yeah? -- Riff: We know Hereti-Corp had a working DFA-armed satellite that they tested on that bus full of nuns. We have more data on that than anybody buy Hereti-Corp. (Flashback shows the news story: "'Missing nuns' hoax? | EVIDENCE? NUN! | Dramatic reenactment | <*ZAPPO*>) Riff: I blew up that satellite in orbit. That had to have been noticed in other parts of the world. (Flashback shows the satellite exploding | <****EXPLODEIODODE!****> -- Riff: So Izzy asks me if it's OK to feed that intel anonymously to other countries like China and Russia. Hereti-Corp might have their fingers in the United States government, but this is a threat to the world. | I OK'd it. Then she told me it was your idea. Good thinking. Riff: I just wanted to know. I owe you that. -- Torg: It was actually Zoë's idea, sort-of. She got me back involved in all this. She said that this is a global threat. That's it's in all of our best interests to stop it or at least try. That all this weight on you... On me.... We're /*not*/ alone. (Flashback shows Zoë in diguise; Zoë talking; and Zoë kissing Torg) -- Torg: I miss her. Torg: I /*really*/ miss her. -- Riff (putting a hand on Torg's shoulder): I'm sorry dude. This will all be sorted out soon, one way or the other. And maybe I have been overreacting to you being here. Maybe... <musical note> -- Riff: A vid-call from Gwynn? She's supposed to be inactive and radio-silent! Why would she be calling? -- Torg (blushing): Oh. I might have assigned her a mission I didn't tell you about. Riff: **GOD DAMMIT TORG!** === NOTE: Ref: _"Evidence? Nun" story_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/160516> | _Explode_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20161004> | Zoë (_1_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20170109>) (_2_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/170124>) (_3_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/170127>) | _Gwynn Mission_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20170407>. | Flag | ||||
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Izzy (wasted): *What did you do to him?* -- </Flashback> Bun-Bun: You're fired Squishydodo. I don't want to see your ugly face ever again. Squishydodo (begging): Bun-Bun, give me another chance! Bun-Bun: There's going to be all kinds of death and violence around here and I don't think you're competent enough to stack up the bodies without being one. Squishydodo: What? -- Bun-Bun (grooming himself): You don't work for me anymore. I want you off this property. You are not to come near this casino or any of Team Bozo downstairs. You are going to sit there at home, alive, with your wife and son, far from here, and think about what you've done. -- Squishydodo (smiling): Yes, boss! | Sorry, ex-boss. -- Squishydodo (still smiling): I remember the first day we met. You fired my boss at the time by throwing him out a skyscraper top-floor window. Bun-Bun: I must be mellowing out in my old age. This is only the third floor. -- <***CRASH!***> -- <***THUD.***> -- Squishydodo (off panel): *Aaag!* Third... floor...still... hurts...! Bun-Bun: Good. </End flashback> -- Bun-Bun (wiggling his nose): Don't worry what I did to him. Worry about what I'm /going/ to do to you! === NOTE: Ref: _Elfable_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20000827>. | Flag | ||||
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-- Bun-Bun (on Riff's shoulder): */That's/ Plan F?* Oh I /gotta/ see *that!* That's worth letting you live Nerd-Boy! Riff (into his phone): Power up the shoddie suits, we're moving out early, *new target.* (Riff and Torg leave the booth and head down the hall following a sign taped to the wall that says "To 'Lots of Screens' Room <---"; behind them, at the booth, Tweetyjerkjerk has just brought Isabella (aka Izzy) a giant mug of "Wake Nog") -- Torg: Brain-Digbot, where are your digbots positioned? Brain Digbot (on screen): We've retreated beyond range of their EMP's as you asked. Screen: LIVE FEED | SECURE <lock> -- Torg (on a iPad screen, being held up to the Brain Digbot by one of the bouncer bots): I need volunteers to go back in on my command. It's most likely a one way trip. But you know the plan. I had backups planned for you guys. Now I'm primary and you're the backups. -- Brain Digbot (on screen): I know what to do. It's been a pleasure working with you, m'lady! Screen: LIVE FEED | SECURE <lock> Torg (bowing): And with you, King Under the Mountain. -- Torg (on an iPad screen propped up against a bouquet of flowers; at the hospital): Squish! How're ya feeling? Squishydodo (in a full body cast): Like I was thrown out of the third floor of a building. -- Torg (on screen): Can you do me a solid and send one Black Ops Elves team to walk while another chews gum? Squishydodo: Solids aren't my strong suit right now. And they're not going to be infantry in your war Torg, you know that. -- Torg (giving thumbs up): /*This*/ is straight up espionage. Like we always talked about. Squishydodo (smiling; on screen): I'm listening... Screen: LIVE FEED | SECURE <lock> -- Torg: Crushy ol' pal, how can I make things up to you? How about government contacts and a whole lot of money? Crushestro (on screen): I'm listening... Screen: LIVE FEED | SECURE <lock> -- Torg: Percy? We're going to need your information skills most of all! Percy (on screen): I'm listening. Always listening. Screen: LIVE FEED | SECURE <lock> === NOTE: Ref: _Digbot Retreat_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20170511> | _Squishydodo prefering [sic: should be "preferring"]_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20160929> _Torg's style_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20170106> | _Crushestro last seen_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20170103> | _Percy last seen_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20161121>. And just for old times sake, FIRST APPERANCES [sic: should be "APPEARANCES"]: _Brain-Digbot_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20081111> | _Squishydodo_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20000827> | _Crushestro_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20091015> | _Percy_ <http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/19991026>. | Flag |
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