Twilight Mirage 44: The Pathways in the Woods

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Episode description[edit | edit source]

Deep within the endless Q-Glass storm of Gift-3, the Notion investigate and converse with the residents of the Axiomatic town of Polyphony. While Even Gardner trades ship tips with the smuggler Tannoy Kajj and Echo Reverie confronts their feelings about a supposedly perfect place, Signet speaks goes right to the source: Polyphony themself. The question is, if the inhabitants of this quaint town need no rescue, if there is no alibi for violence, what should the Notion do?

This week on Twilight Mirage: The Pathways in the Woods

So why see the world, when you got the beach?

Contents[edit | edit source]

Opening[edit | edit source]

“

At any moment inside of Kitcha Kana's lush orbital office suite, a dozen voices or more speak at once. Many of them are impossible for the human ear to perceive, while others are tuned to frequencies meant specifically to injure the hominid ears of any too-curious eavesdroppers. And then there is the skitting, percussive voice of the chief expeditionary of Advent’s technological arm in the Mirage, Kitcha Kana himself, who speaks from behind an antique reclaimed desk from, god, who can even remember which system now. He leans forward in his chair, his back locked at a straight diagonal angle, as if ready to launch.

It was a position of strength, one that the Talonite had earned, not least of all, through of his ability to do what he is doing at this very moment; untangling threads of information, and capitalising where no one else sees the possibility. It served him when he escaped the labour world he was born on. It served him as he manoeuvred his way through the underworld of crime bosses and malefactor algorithms. It served him as he learned what all good entrepreneurs do, and learned how to make his cruel business legal, and acceptable. And it served him now, as he planned his next ascent, to the very peak of Advent itself.

On this day, in addition to the normal reports from his field scouts and his undercover agents, Kana is busy politicking. His limited self projectors, the devices he uses to send workman like copies of himself to various ambassadors and negotiators, had returned. And now, they played back the proceedings, each bit of audio tuned automatically to a different frequency. As a Talonite, Kana’s ears and brains worked in conjunction to untangle the knotted sounds and receive all of the information, all at once. It was all going according to plan.

Even if the so-called Notion failed to defeat the axiom on Gift-3; even if negotiations with one or two of the groups fell through, Kana was sure that he would make an ally today. Allies, Kana came to understand, were keys. Which was convenient, because the Excerpt ⸢Signet⸣ had made visible a door that would lead to his ascended future. All Kana needed to do was open it.”

Plot[edit | edit source]

Lumen Lux gives Even, Echo, and Signet a tour through Polyphony's village, explaining how the village works. Lumen admits that they feel guilty for willingly staying and leaving the Volunteers of Seiche. Even tells them that they need to make sure they're abandoning their post because they want to and not because they feel inadequate. Echo promises to tell Ballad that Lumen is safe, and Lumen says that communications devices don't work within Polyphony's storm. They say that they haven't seen Barricade, and that people have been able to leave if they want to.

Signet and an uncomfortable Echo approach Polyphony to talk. Polyphony takes on a conventionally feminine form to make Signet more comfortable, and the three of them go to a cafe together. Signet shows Polyphony the Exuvia and says that they remind her of Harmony and their Excerpt. She explains that Advent asked the Notion to destroy or capture Barricade. Polyphony thanks her for letting Barricade be, and they tell Signet that they need everyone in the town to stay in town as much as possible.

Even visits the bounty hunter Tannoy Kajj, who crashed in the village recently, and his robot assistant Burpaderp. Tannoy leads Even onto his ship, The Other Hand, which he is working to repair. He explains that Polyphony provided him with Burpaderp to help repair his ship, and he remains committed to leaving. Even examines the ship and realizes that Polyphony has been assisting the repairs. When he returns to his rooms, he finds a new robot assistant waiting for him.

Signet, Echo, and Even reconvene at a tea house. They all agree that they don't want to hurt Polyphony, either directly or by removing Barricade. After some discussion, they decide to take Polyphony to the Method of Apotheosis to be kept safe. Polyphony agrees but insists on taking Barricade; Signet successfully attunes with Barricade to transform them into a form small enough to take them away. Tannoy agrees to take Barricade and Polyphony away to avoid detection. The Notion uses their Angler mechs to leave the village.

The Facade family is reunited across the stitch. Advent, the Concretetown Particulars, O-Comm, and the Volunteers of Seiche begin integrating into one group. Ballad assumes a position of power in the newly-formed Advent Group. Tannoy arrives on Altar, where the Method of Apotheosis decides to transform Barricade into a Divine with Lumen as their excerpt.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Other Characters[edit | edit source]

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