Somewhere, deep in the Sea of Acheron... [[for Bow and Shinku]]

[a_pirate_meant_to_be]

Well, it's fine we couldn't get Reisen on board now. I'm sure she'll finish up, and she'll suddenly find herself wanting an epic pirate adventure, and we'll be good, right Bow?

Well, I've got my hat, I've got my supplies, and now I'm going to make one last trip to Bloodstain to see if I can find any willing recruits in that...

They start getting within view of the town.

It's burning. Zerg are everywhere, devouring some natives, dragging others away. It's pretty much utter pandemonium.

...tiny... little... monster-infested preview of hell on Earth.

Holy monkey brains! What the heck happened?! We were just HERE!

Comments

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

It seems she feels it is best to attack when we are weakened.

I also get the feeling that she has been planning this for some time... and some people may not be who we think they are...

1/2

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

W-What . . . How could this have happened so quickly?!

2/2

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

. . . At least you're safe, Shinku. What do you mean by 'may not be who we think they are'? Imposters? Clones created by the Zerg?

Tch. I never thought she'd be a protagonist, but this is a bit absurd.

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

I was still me the last time I checked, if that helps any.

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

. . . That's exactly what an imposter would say. Throw him overboard, Shinku.

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

I was in the middle if cleaning my tea shop when they attacked. I was barely able to get away.

If any tea is destroyed...

I am not sure myself, but my dolls have been reporting odd activity among a few of the people here. I mean, that summoner mother appeared on day with giant insect wings. I have also heard accounts of people disappearing then reappearing hours later with no memory lost, and people acting crazy.

I was watching Guybursh for a bit before speaking to him. He was generally surpirsed when he saw the burning town. I don't think we need to fear him being infected.

Also, I doubt I can be infected either, same goes for you Bow.

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

Darned right I'm surprised! This is too much! I really liked this place, and now this jerk woman is gonna try and wreck it? No way! This is the first time I've really felt at home since coming to this stupid place!

Well, I'm not standing for it. I'm gonna stop this Kerrigan lady, or my name's not Guybrush Threepwood, mighty pirate!

He grabs his hat confidently. There's that weird metallic crinkling sound again.

If I may?

[prinnyvulcanus.livejournal.com]

[He stumbles out from inside the boat and sees the destruction.]

...What?

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

. . . Well if that's the case. Guybrush! Don't stray too far from me. We can't have you getting possessed by killer insect zombies; it just wouldn't do. And --

[A frown passes over her face as Guybrush readjusts his precious pirate hat; she is on the verge of mentioning something when -- ]

Goodness sakes! How many stowaways do we have?! What are you doing here? And why couldn't it have been the useful Prinnie.

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

You forgot to add TM Guybrush. Well, perhaps we should team up? if you have me and Bow with you, we can make sure you can't get infected.

*turns to look at the prinny*

And we also have a reusable bomb with us as well

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

Don't ruin my dramatic speech, I get so few of them. Anyway, sure, the more the merrier! We can do anything if we put our heads together!

*points to Vulcanus*

Except for him. If he gets too preachy, I might have to consider wasting ammo by dropping it off deck or something.

[prinnyvulcanus.livejournal.com]

You...you...

You all need my help!

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

About as much as we need a contagious skin disease. But I suppose since you're willing to make yourself useful . . . I rather think the deck could use some scrubbing ~

Now then. What should we do about all this? Shinku and I are immune. We may stand the best chance of knocking this Kerrigan woman down a few pegs.

Alternatively, we could turn around and enjoy a luxurious cruise for a month or so. We've even got our own cabin boy to wait on us hand and foot. Flipper. Either way, I'm afraid you won't be allowed to get off this boat for awhile, Guybrush.

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

I do agree with Bow on this one Guybrush. Unless we figure out how to protect you from the zerg, or any mind attacks, we have to make sure you are safe.

Do you have anything that could protect yourself from being controlled by aliens?

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

Whaaaat? Aw come on, and after I made my declaration to defy the heavens and everything! Geez, guys, you're really no fun, you know that?

He claps his hand on his head -- and, once again, there's that metallic crinkling sound from the hat.

What IS this hat made of, anyway? That noise is really getting on my nerves.

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

Knowing pirates, I'll venture a guess at 'the flesh of your defeated foes'. Alternatively, tin foil. I haven't a clue why anyone would make a hat out of tin foil, but I suppose this way, we can skip straight to the part where we got caught because of your incessant crinkling when we decide to sneak around.

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

Tin foil?

Hmmm... I have seen on some TV shows that tin foil stops mind control. That might protect him.

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

...I guess that answers the deep, eternal question of why they called him "Paranoid" Petey, then.

He takes off the hat and twirls it around, looking on the inside. Noting no presence of tin foil on the INSIDE, the only logical deduction to make -- and yes, Guybrush is capable of this -- is that it must be within the hat itself. ...which also explains why it doesn't return to shape as effectively as it should.

Man, what are the odds that I would find just the perfect hat to save my hide before a widespread invasion of mind-gobbling alien drones?

[prinnyvulcanus.livejournal.com]

...I hate this place.

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

I see no scrubbing going on! What's the hold up, cabin boy?

High.

Quite high. Given that Cirno dealt the finishing blow to Revya, we live in a world where all logic should be turned upon its head and instantly refuted. Well, that's one problem solved, anyway.

Now let's head in for some reconnaissance. I don't know if it will work, but if I can get into someone's head, I may be able to tell if they're their normal selves or not. Cabin boy! After you're finished with the deck, we'll need you to repair the sails. Needle and thread's in the captain's room.

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

And get me some Tea cabin boy.

Yes, we can't just hide her upon the ocean. We need to find out what exactly Kerrigan is up too.

As for the odds, I would say high, but because the hero always seems to find just the right item when then need it.

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

About time someone recognized me as the hero.

All right, crew, we're heading back to the castle! It's time to nip this evil alien invasion in the bud!

[prinnyvulcanus.livejournal.com]

...Enough! I will not be cabin boy!

Oh, what's the use....

[slapwithpanache.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Cabin penguin. But you can come along when you're finished with the chores.

. . . Do you actually have a plan, Guybrush?

[big-whoop.livejournal.com]

Honestly? ...no. But that's never stopped me in the past!

Boy, though, where's an oddly cryptic yet path-revealing voodoo lady when you need her?

[the-5th-doll.livejournal.com]

Well, I plan to do some detective work myself. I think bow should also snoop around. She can watch people without them knowing something is up.