Part 54: You Asked For This
You Asked For This
Trajkov waits by the Geneforge manual. He acknowledges your arrival with a small nod, as if he already knows what you've decided.
You hope not. "I have read the book. You need to wear the special gloves and run your fingers across the surface of the Geneforge carefully."
"Excellent. That verifies what Goettsch told me earlier. That was a test. I see now that you might, possibly, be trusted." He breathes deeply and almost relaxes, if only for a moment, before straightening his back even more stiffly than before. "This is what I need from you. This is truly what is required. The book describes the gloves I need to use the Geneforge. Goettsch stole them from me and fled to the wastes at the northwest corner of the island. Go there. Find Goettsch. Kill him. Recover the gloves. And it will be a victory, for you, for me, and for justice."
There is no need to murder Goettsch just to provide some gloves. You came prepared. "I have some questions first. Tell me about your soldiers here."
Trajkov sighs. "I have been very alone. I have had to struggle mightily to steer my course. Some of us were small minded. They refused to see the horrible crimes of your people, longing instead for mere trade and contact with you. They fought to leave this island alone. Others want only power. They use all of the canisters they can, without concern for justice or other goals. They are useful to me, in their ways, though I feel we must find a way to make more canisters soon.
"What will happen if you don't get more canisters?" You think you already know the answer, but knowing Trajkov's thoughts may help you rest more easily at night.
"I fear that my warriors and mages are... well, I should not use the word addicted. It is not an addiction of the body, like for alcohol or tobacco. They will not fall ill if they get no more canisters. No, it is an addiction of the mind. It is the desire of power for more power. That is what my people have. And, if they stop getting more power, I am concerned about how they will react." The Sholai are no different from Danette and Corata and the other Shapers who contributed to the Geneforge.
"Can you give me assistance? Supplies? Canisters?"
"Everything we have, we need. My people will demand all of the canisters and powerful equipment for themselves. You have the whole rest of the island to draw from," Trajkov says. "I would like to help you, but politics intervene. I cannot."
Trajkov's grip over his Sholai is fragile. It's only a matter of time, you think, before someone else unseats him and gains both the gloves and the Geneforge.
"I have a damaged pair of shaping gloves here."
He clearly recognizes them as the gloves from his quarters. He frowns, but doesn't comment on your theft. "Yes. Goettsch found those, but he told me that they are damaged beyond repair."
That's true. You can see at a glance that any repairs you could make to them would only be cosmetic. "That's not true. I am able to repair them and make them as good as new."
He is clearly dubious, but you are extremely convincing. He nods. "Well, if that is possible, repair them immediately. I wish to use the Geneforge without delay."
The Geneforge is much more of a temptation than the elimination of an enemy. It makes sense, in a way; if the gloves are available, then Trajkov can use the Geneforge and possibly make himself more powerful than even his own subordinates -- that level of power is probably required to keep the canister-addicted Sholai in check. Goettsch's presence and his armies of rogues keep the others occupied, so killing him before using the Geneforge isn't just an unnecessary delay, but a real strategic error.
"All right," you say, as though his permission is meaningful.
"Come back as soon as you are ready. I grow impatient."
You use the workbench in the northwestern room, mindful of all the bodies you must step over. You start to try to repair the gloves. They are incredibly complicated, full of machinery and connections. Your considerable skill is sufficient to make them look new.
The gloves gleam in your hands as you return to Trajkov. "The gloves are repaired. However, the presence of your creations will interfere with the Geneforge."
Trajkov's eyes widen when he sees the gloves. Greed prevents him from thinking too hard about your request. "Oh, yes. Of course. Instability. Fine." He waves his hand. His creations obediently file out of the chamber. "Now, give me the gloves!"
You've barely extended them when he eagerly grabs them from you. "At last! After all of the waiting, the gloves are mine. I can use the Geneforge at last!"
Trajkov starts walking to the east without delay. "Come with me. Come watch my moment of triumph."
His moment? He leaves you behind. Your smile, hidden by the shadow of your cowl, is seen only by his back.
Game Text posted:
You see before you the result of all of the labors, the ingenuity, the genius of Sucia Island. It is the great accomplishment of the Shapers here. It is the Geneforge.
It doesn't look like much.
It's a pool of swirling, bitter smelling muck, kept alive and well mixed by several unstable power spirals.
It looks like the substance in the augmenting canisters you have seen all over the island. However, the canisters had special attachments through which the goop flowed into you to alter you. This stuff is bare and exposed.
It glows with barely restrained magical power. It's awesomely powerful, but also very dangerous.
Game Text posted:
As you watch, Trajkov dons the gloves and kneels. Slowly, carefully, reverently, he touches his fingertips to the Geneforge. The greatest accomplishment of your people begins to work your magic on him.
But he is wearing the wrong gloves. When he realizes what is happening, it is too late. The faulty gloves allow the substance of the Geneforge to reach his skin too quickly. As you watch, his flesh bubbles and cracks. He screams.
He lurches to his feet and turns towards you. As he stumbles toward you, the changes continue. His bones bend and his hair falls out. His skin peels off in sheets. He reaches for his sword, but his hand isn't strong enough to grasp it.
Then he falls to the ground at your feet, dead at last. His body dissolves into filthy pink goo. The thief of your people's secrets has received justice at last.
It's a horrible way to die. You can smell his suffering; it's cloying and greasy and you feel that you will never wash it away. But this is the end that you chose for him, knowing well his greed and insecurity. You would have felt the same temptation in his shoes.
He trusted you because he wanted to believe that he could take control of the Geneforge without having to dirty his hands any further.
The Taker amulet no longer lies so heavy around your neck. The charm has turned dark and dull. Perhaps the serviles managed to enchant it. That's a chilling thought. With Trajkov dead, leaving the island may prove difficult.
No matter. You know where the boat is.
You have more pressing considerations right now.
Game Text posted:
You stare into the swirling goo of the Geneforge. The energy of the power spirals keeps the organic material alive and in constant motion. It bubbles, hisses, and steams, waiting for you to act.
Next time: The Fate of the Geneforge
Vote! Today's vote has two questions, so be sure to answer both. You've got until sometime tomorrow -- that is, at least 24 hours, maybe more.
1. With the Geneforge, do we:
A. Lightly touch the surface;
B. Plunge our hands in;
C. Destroy it;
D. Leave it.
2. Regarding Shaper Goettsch, do we:
A. Report Trajkov's death;
B. Murder Goettsch;
C. Abandon him.