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[C-SH4M4N]

Cadmusssssssss

* Sirus shakes his fist at da bastad

Yeah, they throw quite a few bombs at you during this part. Massive invasion fleet, the SMC is thoroughly unprepared even if they came to the right conclusion, and now we just witnessed our first ally death. If I weren't hooked already, this was the part that really got me interested in the game.

Same here, pretty much word-for-word of what Sirus said.
Hook, line and sinker. Cadmus' entry hits like DYNAMIC ENTRY (WH40K pun) in your face, killing an ally NPC like it's nothing. And mind you, they show this stabbing in a G-rated game.

I was like, OH HELLZ YEAH!!! SHIT IS GONNA FLY NOW, FOOL!!! when I first saw this.

[Sirus]

Fer crying out loud, this isn't G-rated. Not even most Disney movies are G-rated, and this is way more "adult" than most things Disney makes.

Just because the game doesn't include explicit nudity, cluster f-bombs, and enough gore to put Brutal Doom to shame doesn't in any way make it G-rated.

[Neonivek]

Fer crying out loud, this isn't G-rated. Not even most Disney movies are G-rated, and this is way more "adult" than most things Disney makes.

Just because the game doesn't include explicit nudity, cluster f-bombs, and enough gore to put Brutal Doom to shame doesn't in any way make it G-rated.

Well it is kind of impossible to have a G-rated game anyway.

It is E then Teen (and a Children rating... but honestly I've almost never seen it)

[Hanzoku]

Yeah, Infinite Space is Teen rated for 'Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes', which seems to be a fairly accurate list.

[C-SH4M4N]

Fer crying out loud, this isn't G-rated. Not even most Disney movies are G-rated, and this is way more "adult" than most things Disney makes.

Just because the game doesn't include explicit nudity, cluster f-bombs, and enough gore to put Brutal Doom to shame doesn't in any way make it G-rated.

Well sorry, it's just that I can't take this game seriously enough. I can't take this game serious at all! Honest. Maybe it's the DS' fault - I tend to see all RPGs made for it this way.

Wait ... is "Grus", Mild Language? Grus is cream-n-sugar compared to other games with 'mild language'.

[Sirus]

I know "bastard" is used a few times. That alone probably qualifies in the ESRB's book.

And it's not about taking the game "seriously". No one, for instance, takes Duke Nukem Forever "seriously", and yet it has an M rating. The rating only gives an advisory about what sort of content a game contains and advises consumers semi-appropriately.

[Hanzoku]

It's the use of 'bastard' indeed, which comes up infrequently. I think the use of 'Grus' is what kept the notice at 'mild language'

[Hanzoku]

Getting Involved
New Characters:  Cico, Beleko
New Ships: Kolonio (CV), Admiralo (DD)
New Equipment:
New Fighters: Skoryi, Orlan

Spoiler: The Higgs Boson (click to show/hide)

Tatiana: (yawns) What a great sleep!

Torlo: Try to yawn a little wider next time.

Tatiana: Shut up, Torlo. You're bugging me.

Kira: Did you have a good sleep, Yuri?

Yuri: Me? Yeah, I slept pretty well. It's kinda nice sleeping on the ground for a change.

Kira: Hm...

Yuri: Huh? What's the matter, Kira?

Kira: I don't know. You just seem a little different this morning.

Yuri: Different? Different how?

Kira: I don't know. Just different somehow.
Quiet, you guys snickering in the back.

Minas: Come on, now, people. Aminda should be done with the analysis. Let's hurry over to the observatory!

Yuri: oh, right! Let's go, Kira.

Kira: ...

We visit the bar first, instead.

>>Talk to your friends.
Conversation #1
Torlo: yo, Ian! How come every time we visit Tineo, you always make yourself scarce?

Ian: yes, well... Whenever I get the chance, I like to pay a visit to the Ludoviko Tani Observatory. I could live in that library for a hundred years and still not see everything I want to see!

Torlo: Geez, you sure are a study geek, Ian!

Ian: And you spend too much of your time in sloth and laziness, Torlo. If you don't start expanding your horizons and pushing yourself now, you'll never amount to much in life.

Torlo: Grus, you sound like my mom! I'll never "amount to much" if I die from overwork, either!

Conversation #2
Palmo: I'm an alumni of the Nacio National University in Tineo, you know.

Ian: You are? What did you study there?

Palmo: I actually majored in literature. Deciphering ancient texts.

Tatiana: Huh. I never would have guessed that about you.

Palmo: That's why I'm so fascinated by the inscriptions they say are carved on the Epitaphs. Did you ever find out what they meant?

Yuri: No, not yet.

Palmo: No? Well, don't worry. I'll bet Ms. Mistika will figure it all out one day soon enough.

>>Observatory
Aminda: I've been waiting for  you. I have the results of the analysis.

Minas: That's wonderful! And? What do they say? Did you find out anything? Come on, Aminda! Out with it, my girl!

Aminda: Professor, Professor! Take a deep breath, I'm getting to it.

Minas: Hurry up, then!
I think he's vibrating in place from the excitement.

Aminda: Ahem. Let me tell you my conclusions first. I believe it's highly likely that there's some sort of connection between Epitaphs and dead gates. I detected a faint Higgs boson reading from the samples you collected at the ruins.
Higgs boson, used before they became popular!

Aminda: This is none other than the Drone Higgs Mechanism, the eleventh Higgs boson, that we have detected a number of times in our observations of dead gates.
Now we veer off into complete technobabble.

Minas: A-ha! That all but proves my theory, doesn't it?

Aminda: Precisely. It seems your trip to Mytilene was extremely worthwhile, Professor.

Ian: ...

Torlo: Um...

Yuri: Excuse me, Professor Minas, but can you please explain it so we laypeople can get it too?

Minas: In other words, it's just as Aminda stated at the beginning. There's a definite connection between dead gates and Epitaphs!

Aminda: And that's not all. By observing the Drone Higgs Mechanism, we may be able to pinpoint the locations of Epitaphs.

Torlo: What?!

Ian: Wow... I think I'm just starting to realize how big these findings really are.

>>Talk to Aminda Mistika.
Yuri: Ms. Mistika! Have you observed these Higgs Boson thingies at any other places before?

Aminda: Ordinarily, I would say it's not that simple. But this time, it just might be. We detected a strong reading in an area just recently.
It better not be Ropesk...

Yuri: Where?! What area was it?!

Aminda: In the Dominion of Spetses. We've gotten faint readings from there before, but lately, these readings have been especially powerful.

Yuri: The Dominion of Spetses, huh? Of all places...

Aminda: The rumors that Cadmus, the feudal lord of Spetses, possesses an Epitaph has been floating around for quite some now. Lord Cadmus the First, the previous feudal lord and Cadmus's father, is the one who founded the Dominion of Spetses. They say that he found an Epitaph during his travels as a spacefarer.

Yuri: Very interesting...

>>Talk to Gavriil Minas.
Minas: If only we could equip the ship with a device that could take Higgs boson readings...

Yuri: If we had something like that, finding Epitaphs sure would be a whole lot easier!

Minas: Hm... I'm afraid implementing something like that would not be simple to do.

Aminda: Even with all the resources we have here at the observatory, it's still very difficult to detect the Higgs boson. I can't imagine scaling it all down to a size that could be installed on a ship.

Minas: But it's certainly something to think about. There must be a way, somehow.

>>Talk to Aminda Mistika.
Aminda: The Drone Higgs Mechanism is the name of a theoretical framework under which mass is given to every particle in the universe. It easily loses symmetry and disappears. Here at the observatory, we infer the presence of the Higgs boson through the indirect observation of distortion in gravitational waves that occurs when the Higgs boson is generated. As a  scientist, I consider it a great honor and privilege to be able to detect the Higgs boson like this firsthand. And it's all thanks to you that I was able to!

>>Talk to Gavriil Minas.
Minas: Now you've got me thinking about a way to install this sort of detection device on the ship. Now, what would be the ideal way to detect the Higgs boson. Observing distortions of gravitational waves? Observing field changes when symmetry is lost? Or maybe even some sort of device that can detect the Higgs boson itself directly.

Yuri: Um... Huh?
He's left Yuri far behind.

We leave the Observatory while Minas and Aminda ponder the scientific ramifications of what Aminda has discovered. There's nothing further to do on this planet, so our next stop is back to Populara, since we, the viewers, know that Ioannou was murdered. Now Yuri and crew need to find out as well.

Spoiler: Prisoner X (click to show/hide)

>>Populara
>>Lanco Hotel
Pappas: ...

Belen Pappas sits in the lobby of the hotel, wearing a grim expression on his face.

Yuri: Ensign Pappas!

Pappas: Oh, hi, there.

Tatiana: You look pretty upset. Is anything wrong?

Pappas: Well...

The screen fades out and in as Pappas relates what he knows.

Yuri: Commander Ioannou?!

Kira: No, it can't be...

Torlo: Cadmus! That son of a--!

Tatiana: Ensign Pappas, can't the Security Agency do anything about it?

Pappas: No, I'm afraid their hands are tied.

Yuri: ... But what was Commander Ioannou doing there by himself, anyway?

Nia: That's right. It's time to spill the whole can of beans, Pappas. We don't have time to play.

Pappas: I don't know what you're talking about.
You're still a terrible liar.

Nia: I said don't play games! You guys have been acting squirrely with us ever since we helped ya with that Kreios Pirates thing. Just what are you hidin' from us, exactly?

Pappas: ...

Nia: ...

Pappas: Fine, I'll tell you everything I know. We owe you that much, after you put your lives on the line against the pirates. But you have to keep everything I tell you strictly confidential. Is that clear?

Yuri: Yeah, of course.

Pappas: Okay. Here goes. Yuri, do you remember that time we first met in space?

Yuri: yes, let's see. The Kreios Pirates were attacking that private passenger ship.

Pappas: That's right. Well, Nikolao Garni, the Lanco family steward, was aboard that passenger ship. And Jezefo Lanco's granddaughter, Katida Lanco, was on that ship as well.

Ian: The granddaughter of the president of Lanco Warship Manufacturing?

Nia: So that's what that was all about, huh? What the Kreios Pirates were really targeting that day with the girl?

Pappas: that's right. And they got what they were after, too. Ever since then, we've been trying everything we can think of to get her back. We've been calling her "Prisoner X."
At least Prisoner X wasn't someone more dangerous.

Ian: It all makes sense now. No wonder you resorted to cooperating with a pirate like Celina Sioufas! You must have been pretty desperate to do that.

Pappas: We were. But after we heard Warden Glaucus's confession, we knew we were too late with the pirate operation. Katida had already been shipped off to Cadmus under the human trafficking scheme they had going on.

Yuri: And so that's why Commander Ioannou went to Cadmus, to negotiate with him.

Pappas: That's right.

Yuri: What are you going to do now, Ensign Pappas? Do you have a plan?

Pappas: Well, like I said before, the Security Agency's hands are tied. Besides, Cadmus is protected by the powerful fleet his father built up, and he never leaves that planet of his. Without Commander Ioannou, this operating is pretty much over.

Tatiana: this is horrible...

Pappas: I'm going back to Kalymnos. And I'd advise you people to just forget about this whole thing.

Tatiana: Hey, wait a minute!

Pappas: ...

Without looking back, Belen Pappas walks away.
Sorry, Pappas, we don't forget, and we don't forgive.

We visit the tavern to process what Pappas had to say.

In the tavern, we see Garni still hanging around.
>>Talk to Nikolao Garni.
Garni: Oh, hello, young people. I'm very, very sorry to hear about what happened to Commander Ioannou.

Yuri: Ensign Pappas told us what happened. He was murdered by Cadmus while he was trying to save Katida Lanco.

Garni: Yes... he took the negotiation role upon himself, hoping to improve the relationship between Kalymnos and our nation.

Yuri: Huh? What does Katida Lanco have to do with the relationship between Kalymnos and Nova Nacio?

Garni: Well, I'm sure you're aware that there is quite a bit of tension between the two nations.

Yuri: So I've heard.

Garni: Mr. Lanco was always troubled by that fact, and so he tried to do something about it. He began a campaign of promoting economic and cultural exchange between Kalymnos and Nova Nacio. To help further that aim, Miss Lanco and I were sent to Kalymnos as part of an economic delegation.

Torlo: And so then the ship was attacked by the Kreios Pirates, and Katida Lanco was kidnapped? That's cold!

Garni: Yes, indeed it was. And then Cadmus began threatening Mr. Lanco, insisting that he put a halt to his campaign of exchange. We believe that was actually the objective of the Kreios Pirates and Cadmus all along.

Torlo: But I don't get it. Why would that Cadmus want the tension to get worse, maybe even turn into a war?

Nia: Who knows? I heard Cadmus is a dimwitted second-generation feudal lord that's never even stepped foot off his own planet. I doubt a blockhead like that could ever come up with the idea of stirrin' up a war on his own.

Yuri: ...

Kira: What are you thinking, Yuri?

Yuri: Hm... Nia, remember how you told me about Article 11 of the Space Pioneering Law?

Nia: Hey, there ya go, kiddo! You're gettin' used to the way things are done in the sea of stars, aren't ya?

Kira: Huh? What are you two talking about?

Nia: Article 11 of the Space Pioneering Law. "The feudal lord of an autonomous dominion must bear all responsibility for the defense of his territory alone." In other words, if an autonomous dominion is attacked by pirates or private citizens... the feudal lord ahs to handle it himself, without any outside help.
And gee, where could a group of heavily armed private citizens be located?

Kira: But--

Ian: Yuri, you couldn't possibly be thinking...
You should know him better by now.

Yuri: That's right. We invade the Dominion of Spetses with our own fleet!

Kira: Yuri...

Torlo: Okay, now you're talkin', my man! We gotta kick the Grus outta that guy! Get him back for Commander Ioannou!

Garni: But wait a minute, people! Cadmus's military strength is by no means paltry, you realize!

Ian: That's right! We're talking about an entire dominion, here! Do you really think we can wage war against an enemy like that?!
Why not, it worked out last time, and we didn't have anything bigger then a destroyer then.

Yuri: Official organizations aren't free to do anything. That means it's up to private citizens like us.

Garni: Master Yuri...

Ian: No way! I'm absolutely, positively against it! Just because you've fought a handful of pirates and won, now you think you can do anything. You're overestimating yourself!
You're free to get off at any point. Preferably in space.

Yuri: Ian, it's not a matter of over estimating myself. You saw the images of that Lugovalian fleet, too, didn't you? The Elgavan government may not realize it yet, but the day is going to come when we're going to have to stand against them. And when that day comes, we can't afford to have the nations of the Small Magellanic Cloud waging petty wars against each other.

Ian: But...

Yuri: ...

Ian: All right! All right! You win! If you've thought it all through to that extent, I'm behind you, Captain. But I still say a frontal attack isn't going to work. Let me watch how it goes and see if I can come up with a plan.

Yuri: Thanks, Ian. I'm counting on you.

Ian: Yeah, well... Don't.
I agree.

Garni: Thank you for doing this for us! I vow to one day repay you for all you've done!

Yuri: No, you don't owe us anything. We're doing this for ourselves.

Nia: That's right, Gramps. Besides, we haven't really done anything yet! You can thank us when it's over.

Garni: .. Yes, ma'am.

>>Talk to your friends.
Conversation #1
Nia: You're really growin' up right before my very eyes, kiddo.

Yuri: Thanks to you, Nia.

Nia: Me? I haven't done a thing. I gotta say, though. I can't wait to see how you're gonna turn out.

Yuri: I guess we'll both have to just wait and see.

Conversation #2
Tatiana:We got a message from Ensign Delis. He says Commander Ioannou's body was sent from Spetses to Nova Nacio.

Ian: Apparently, Cadmus issued a statement that Commander Ioannou was an unlawful intruder into his dominion, and had been dealt with.

Torlo: Yuri... We can't just leave it like this. We gotta stop that scum Cadmus!

Yuri: I know. I'm not going to let him get away with it. Trust me on this.

Conversation #3
Kuchin: When I was young, I went to the Dominion of Spetses once with the Medic Organization.

Kira: What was it like?

Kuchin: Back then, it was a very nice country, and the region was stable. That nation never would have done anything like this in those days. Just what happened to Spetses, I wonder...
A psychotic taking leadership tends to change things, for one.

We leave the tavern and the planet. As we're boarding the ship, we receive a visitor.

Tatiana: Yuri, there's somebody here to see you.

Yuri: Huh? I'm kind of busy right now, getting ready to ship out.

Nobelo: I'm sorry to bother you.
Oh, it's you.

Yuri: I've met you before, haven't I?

Nobelo: Yes, at the Lanco Warship Manufacturing branch office. I'm Adorinda Nobelo.

Yuri: Nice to meet you. But what brings you here?

Nobelo: Mr. Garni told me the story. You're going to try and rescue Miss Lanco. Is that right? Well, I'd like to come along, if I may.

Yuri: What?! Why would you want to do that?

Nobelo: I've known Miss Lanco ever since she was a little girl. I won't be able to rest until I see that she's safe. Mr. Lanco gave me permission to take the time off. Please let me come with you! I can work as part of your crew.

Yuri: ... All right, fine. Welcome aboard, then!

Nobelo: Thank you, Captain! I hope I can be of some use to you!

Adorinda Nobelo joined your crew!
Nobelo has the skills All-Seeing Lv 1 and Amateur Chef Lv 3. She gets assigned the Head Chef position, bumping Kira down to Server. Yuri's fallen behind on his Combat skill, so Torlo gets promoted to Security Chief, and Barberis becomes the new Security Officer.

The Void Gate to Spetses is now open, but there's a very easy to miss event on Riveli, so we head their first.

>>Riveli
>>Guard Post
When the party approaches the post of the board guards, several soldiers eye them sharply.

Torlo: This kind of creeps me out.

Yuri: Me, too.

Kira: Yuri, look. There's Captain Valso.

We talk to him.

Valso: Ah! It's you. Nice to see you. I heard from Nikolao Garni that you'll be traveling to Spetses. Is that right?

Yuri: Yes, that's right. There's the matter of Commander Ioannou, you see. And we want to keep war from breaking out between this country and Kalymnos. I mean, we want to try, at least.

Valso: I may be a military man, but I agree with you on that point wholeheartedly.

Tatiana: Do you dislike war, Captain Valso? I mean, even though you're in the military?

Valso: That's a common military stereotype: the warmonger. SOme men talk big, but when the shooting starts, they always run for cover. Of course, there are those who actually crave war, to quell their inner anger, or because they believe it will help somehow.

Tatiana: Yes, I guess so...

Valso: But this hatred between us and the Kalymnians has gone on far too long, in my opinion.

Tatiana: Yeah, I see what you mean.

Valso: Oh, I almost forgot.

Yuri: What's that?

Valso: Here's a little something for you. It's a letter of introduction to the fighter design company on Riveli. They just sell blueprints for models meant for export to Elgava, but they should help you in your campaign against Spetses.

Yuri: Thank you for this, Captain!

Valso: No, thank you! It is disgraceful that we have our hands tied like this. With all that you're doing for us, it's the least we can do for you.

If we talk to Valso one more time...

Valso: Nations actually have militaries in order to avoid war, you know. People rarely go out and purposely try to eat poison or get stung by bees, right? At least, healthy-minded people, anyway. Showing the other side that it would be fatal to make a strike is what invariably keeps the peace. So I suppose you could say I joined the military to defend the peace.
Peace through superior firepower.

Yuri: Wow, I never thought of it that way!

>>Fighter Comapny.
At the reception desk, the party hands over Vilchjo Valso's letter of introduction.

Employee: This is from the captain? Right this way, please.

We pick up two new designs, the Skoryi and Orlan. Up at the shipyard, we remodel the Sharanga to take on a new squadron.

The Skoryi is a Striker, and it is slightly slower, less dourable and with a shorter flight time then the Grif. But, it does have good Anti-ship capability, and we haven't had any problems with fighters so far. The Orlan is an Interceptor, and is basically a slightly better Grif - small increases in flight time, anti-air capability and speed.

We go ahead and buy a squadron of Skoryi for use - we'll see if we run into fighter problems.

Fully prepared, we head for the Spetses Void Gate. It's time to start a war.

Spoiler: Picking a fight with Valantin (click to show/hide)

Well, this is a nice linear little sector. Let's hit the first planet in our campaign, Leucas.

Oddly, the planetary information calls it an 'Elgavan' planet. Maybe the original Cadmus hailed from Elgava?

On the way, we're intercepted.

Kira: Here they come, Yuri.

Yuri: The Spetses defense guard, huh?

Looks like it. They're also using unfamiliar designs. They also start firing without a word.

Nia: They look like Nova Nacion ships. And I see a carrier too. Underestimate them and we're done for!

Yuri: Got it. All hands, prepare for an anti-ship, anti-air battle! Watch out for enemy fighters!

It's not exciting. Our bombers keep their fighters busy while we one-shot the carrier and it's escorting destroyers.

Yuri: Whew...

Ian: They might have called for reinforcements. We had better keep moving.

Yuri: Yeah, I know. Let's head out.

Meanwhile, at the Capital Planet of Spetses...

Cadmus: Hm? Somebody has invaded my territory? Then what are you waiting for, Admiral Beleko? Send a complaint to whatever nation they belong to at once!
Decisive action there.

Beleko: They appear to be private citizens, I'm afraid. To be on the safe side, I'm asking for your permission to dispatch the Spetses fleet.

Cadmus: Whaaat? And leave my personal guard short-handed?

Beleko: But, sir--

Cadmus: All right, how about we do this, then? I'll let the defense guard know they're here. Tell them to be on their toes. Run along, now. Off you go!
It's always handy if your opposition is crazy and incompetent, and unwilling to listen to their competent advisors.

Beleko: Yes, Lord Cadmus.

We run into a few more patrols of border guards on our way to the planet. Their ships are fragile, but hit a lot harder than the old Kreios pirates.

>>Leucas
There's only a tavern to visit, so we do so.

Kuchin: Ah, Captain. Here you are!

Wearing a grave expression, Feodor Kuchin comes into the tavern, apparently searching for Yuri.

Kira: What's the matter, Dr. Kuchin?

Kuchin: I took a tour of the neighborhood, and found out there are some very serious diseases going around here. I think the feudal lord's didrty dealings have driven the price of medicine up so high, people can't afford to buy it. Captain, could we possibly donate some of our ship's medical supplies to the people here? About 500 G or so worth?

We have nearly 200,000 G. in liquid cash. I'm sure we can spare that much.

Yuri: Okay, sure. I'll make the arrangements.

Kuchin: Really? Oh, thank you! I'll make another round and provide as much care as I can. I'll be sure to come back before it's time to ship out.

With that, Feodor Kuchin rushes out of the tavern in a hurry.

You paid 500 G! Yuri's Fame increased by 100!
Material rewards for good deeds.

>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: All the young people around here have been hauled off to Fort Cadmus for forced labor. They're still saying they need more hands, though, so lately, they've been buying people off the slave market.
How big is this fort, anyway?

>>Talk to your friends.
Conversation #1
Nobelo: I'm sorry about the other day, treating you like a little kid and all. I never imagined you really were the captain of a real ship and crew.

Yuri: That's all right. It's pretty much the standard reaction.

Nobelo: Well, as long as there are no hard feelings. Do you want some candy?

Yuri: Uh, no, thanks.

Nobelo: How about this packet of pocket tissues, then? By way of apology?

Yuri: Uh, okay. Thanks.
Well, she's trying at least.

Nothing much more to do, so onward to the next planet.

Mid-way, we run into a firefight.

Kira: Yuri! There's a battle going on ahead!

Yuri: Huh? Are they fighting pirates or something?

Kira: One reading I'm getting is huge. That's no ordinary pirate.

Yuri: All right. Let's get close enough to get a visual.

Oh hey, it's the guy who was taking a run at Celina last time.

Yuri: It's Valantin's Corsair! What the Grus is he doing here?!
Grus, he's ballsy. First Celina, now Valantin?

Torlo: Never mind that, my man! Look who he's fightin'! He look familiar?

Yuri: Uh, let's see...

Torlo: That's the guy that was askin' for it from Celina back in Kalymnos. Remember him now?

Yuri: And now he's trying to pick a fight with Valantin?! What, is he crazy?

Tatiana: What should we do? He's going to get crushed.

Yuri: Maybe we can at least help him get away... All right! All guns, get ready to fire! Target the Corsair! Just a warning volley!
Never mind, Yuri's just as ballsy.

We're firing over the bridge of Valantin's ship.

Kira: Yuri, the Corsair is starting to pull back.

Nia: Probably just got tired of his game, that's all. We can thank our lucky stars he decided to be nice.

Yuri: I guess you're right.
There's no 'guess'.

A tone sounds.

Yuri: Huh? A communication?

Cico: Hey, what's the big idea, getting in my way like that?! Oh... It's you guys again!

Yuri: Yuri, captain of the Bugbear. That was pretty reckless of you to try and take on Valantin with that one little ship.

Cico: huh?! What the Grus do you know about it anyway?! What, are you gonna try and tell me you've fought him before?

Yuri: I have fought him before. And just like you, I didn't stand a chance against him.

Cico: ... Tsk. Just don't get in my way next time!

He cuts off communication.

Yuri: Hey, wait a minute!

Kira: He cut us off.

Nia: Hm. He's got a pretty competitive spirit... Picks crazy fights... Remind ya of anyone we know?

Yuri: No. Who?
Hahahaha.

Nia: Now, who could I be talkin' about? Geez.

[C-SH4M4N]

A nation has got to be pretty crappy when it resorts to locking up your VIPs in the prison system in order to protect them.

Grunt: Chief! We can't protect the VIP from the pirate attacks!
Chief: Crap, if anything happens to the VIP, our nations will go to war. What should we do?
Grunt: We could lock her up in our max security prison. That place is impenetrable!
Chief: You mean to say that we should lock a foreign VIP in our prison system? And that said prison boasts greater defenses than our own headquarters and seat of government? Not only that, but also that the latter places can't withstand a pirate attack?
Grunt: ...
Chief: ...
Grunt: W-Well, when you put that way ...
Chief: MAXIMUM WARP! WE MAKE FOR THAT PRISON, ON THE DOUBLE!

[Sirus]

Except Katida (I assume that's who you're referring to) wasn't sent to the prison for her protection. She was captured by the pirates and sent there because that was their base of operations. Then she was sold to Cadmus because of the whole human trafficking thing.

Come on, man, keep up

[Hanzoku]

To be fair, if the prison planet wasn't corrupt and a pirate base, that wouldn't have been a bad plan.

[C-SH4M4N]

Except Katida (I assume that's who you're referring to) wasn't sent to the prison for her protection. She was captured by the pirates and sent there because that was their base of operations. Then she was sold to Cadmus because of the whole human trafficking thing.

Come on, man, keep up

True that, it's been some time; dust's collecting on my memories of the game. I thought we managed to save her during that pirate attack we intercept (and later get a new crewmember from), when we hit the ship attacking the passenger liner.

... ... Waaaaaaait a minute. Wait wait wait waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait. I DID attack that ship and I think the game goes differently under that route! Pretty sure the text changes, among other things.

Will have to recheck on my next work break.

[Hanzoku]

If I recall from my first run, there is some text change, but she still ends up getting captured. There's no way she isn't later captured and sent to Cadmus, as that sets up the whole Spetses sequence. Otherwise, we'd never have had a reason to go there.

[Neonivek]

It is sort of the rules of these games... There are only TWO people allowed to have brains: The villain and the hero

And even then they aren't going to use them the vast majority of the time.

[C-SH4M4N]

If I recall from my first run, there is some text change, but she still ends up getting captured. There's no way she isn't later captured and sent to Cadmus, as that sets up the whole Spetses sequence. Otherwise, we'd never have had a reason to go there.

Nah, didn't mean that; she always gets shipped as slave. But I was under the impression that my game went like this:

• I attack the ship attacking the passenger liner, thus saving the VIP.
• Kalymnos decides to THROW FOREIGN VIP INTO CUSTODY. FOR ITS OWN SAFETY, OF COURSE.
• The conspiracy is unraveled. Hilarity ensues when the top brass realize they have just handed the VIP on a silver plate to the very group they were avoiding.

Hey Hanzoku, what's the biggest damage number your ships are hitting during fights? Any cool noteworthy setups on any of your ships?