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<taylor>...Hello?</taylor>
<taylor>C'mon this gotta work!</taylor>
<taylor>C'mon!</taylor>
<taylor>Work dammit!</taylor>
<taylor>I got this thing hooked up to the connection this time</taylor>
<taylor>Hello?!</taylor>
[[What's happening here?]]<taylor>Wait, is it...?
Is this who it think I is?</taylor>
[[Taylor?!]]<taylor>No way! Its you!
It's been forever! Literally!</taylor>
//Taylor is laughing//
<taylor>I didnt think my Q-Comm would work anymore, this thing is so cracked and damaged
but I havent replaced it, havent gotten rid of it
I bet you're wondering whats happened and where I am
You're probably thinking "Oh Taylor! Its been over a year! You and that evil twin of yours had fallen into a black hole! What happened!? Why dont you have more MREs?"
Dont worry, I ask the same dear lifeline</taylor>
[[Still sarcastic as ever Taylor]]<taylor>You still love me</taylor>
//Taylor is smug//
<taylor>-So I bet you're wondering what happened to me?
Well, I've... been making absolutely terrible descisions for the past year or so and T2 was my only voice of reason, but... they're gone</taylor>
[[Bad descision?]]<taylor>Yeah so, this is gonna need explaining to you then
So, mid fall into the black hole. I forced that green out of T2's hand. I only got that far before the black hole sucked us in. We got spat out on the other side of the galaxy barely known to man kind.
Anyways, we both woke up and found an abandoned ship. We got aboard, repaired it and spent the next year or so jumping around stations and planets, stealing loot, gaining supplies and overall making a name for ourselves.
Anyways, we decided to go back to U3316, where it all started. T2 and I hated that place with every ounce of being in us. We went back to end it all. We were loaded with weapons and plans. We were gonna dodge that EMP blast that knocked out the Varia so long ago, land on that rock, run in, line that dump with bombs then get out as fast as possible.
...
We didn't know it was gonna end so horribly</taylor>
[[What happened?]]<taylor>Plan went wrong, so so horribly
You see, they had some fresh astronauts to use as puppets and it took me by surprise.
So when we were in the peak planting the bombs. They surprised us and ambushed us, we tried holding them off. But there were alot, I mean a dozen atleast. T2 and I were holding them off the best we could. One got me from behind, managed to just barely get inside, instead of my mouth mind you, but my eye. It hurt.
I thought it was over insantly, I was done. Then something orange had flown by from what I could barely see and the occupier was gone. T2 had used his plasma daggars
(yes T2 has those)
-Had slashed away the occupier. Only to get grabbed by an Occupied and dragged away. I had to run and I hated it. I mean, T2 saved my ass right? I had to help now! But I knew I couldnt, just-
...agh! I hate thinking about it now. Anyways I got back aboard, didnt set off those mines, sustain some damage to myself and the ship. Now for about a week I've been running around and trying to get a signal or station to refuel and recharge.</taylor>
[[Is that why you contacted me again?]]<taylor>Yeah, your judgement is best when it comes to this.
But my ship is too badly beatened to go back imeadiately. I need to make repairs
then stop at a station, yes a space station, to be rearmed and take back T2.
I never thought myself to say this, but I miss T2
. . .
Wow that would of been very hard to say a year ago</taylor>
[[Very]]<taylor>Indeed
Honestly, over the year, they became more of a partner then anything. A paradox, somewhat infected, partner in crime
Its great to have a person with the same thought process as you
Damn Ive been lonely</taylor>
[[I can tell]]<taylor>Huh, that obvious then?
...
I need help and to be honest, I can't do it alone
My ship needs to be repaired and stocked
I'm not exactly sure how long I can last with my limited stock and I need to find the nearest space station
Now thinking about it, I'm not sure how you can help much
Keep me company until then?</taylor>
[[Of course]]
<taylor>Good, thanks so much
Speaking of which-</taylor>
<noise>"""BEEP BEEP"""</noise>
<taylor>Huh?</taylor>
[[What's that?]]<taylor>Proximity alarm, what else?
Bwah, is that... something shiny?
Why is it that every time I contact you, something shiny shows up
You're a magic lad
... Looks like a space ship
Shit</taylor>
[[What's wrong?]]<taylor>A space ship is bad news, I should be undetectable right now. But someone found me
And I'm a sitting duck
Dammit, damn it all
It better not be those Greens again
I gotta prep, it's heading right for me</taylor>
<noise>//static//</noise>
<taylor>Huh?
The comms.. Oh!</taylor>
[[The comms?]]
<taylor>They're trying to read through and contact me!
Should I respond?</taylor>
[[Yes]]
[[No]]<taylor>If you say so</taylor>
//Taylor is clearing their throat and listening in//
<taylor>...</taylor>
<sergeant>Captain Taylor, formerly of the Varia. We request contact with you and to board your ship
May we proceed?</sergeant>
<taylor>Err..</taylor>
[[Ask who they are]]
[[Ask what they want]]<taylor>Smart, most likely
Damn, they're really trying to get through</taylor>
<noise>//static//</noise>
<sergeant>Captain Taylor, Formerly of the Varia, we request contact with you and to board your ship
May we proceed?</sergeant>
<taylor>...
Hell, I shouldn't respond
Just let them assume I'm a ghost ship and theres nobody actually on here</taylor>
[[Respond]]
[[Keep quiet]]<taylor>Got it
Captain Taylor, receiving you
Identify yourselves, then I'll let you board
(god this feels so cool)</taylor>
<sergeant>Of course. We are the PWG Elite company, we were ordered to collect you on the behalf of the Permeanent Working Group, PWG</sergeant>
[[Ask what they want]]
[[Ask how they know your here]]<taylor>Captain Taylor, receiving your request
Before you board, answer me-
What do you need from me?</taylor>
<sergeant>We were sent by an organization on Earth to retrieve you for a mission, one that we thought would intrigue you
If you're wondering about occupiers, dont worry. None are infected here</sergeant>
<taylor>They know about Greens</taylor>
[[Who are they?]]
[[Ask how they know your here]] <taylor>A-Aright
Captain Taylor, receiving your request</taylor>
<sergeant>Greetings, Captain. We're only picking up one life form from your ship. Wasn't there two of you?</sergeant>
<taylor>Yes, was. I am working on it</taylor>
[[Ask who they are]]
[[Ask what they want]] <taylor>...</taylor>
<sergeant>Taylor, we can read your presence in there. We know your there</sergeant>
<taylor>Shit
C-Captain Taylor here, receiving your request-</taylor>
[[Ask who they are]]
[[Ask what they want]] <taylor>How'd you find me?</taylor>
<sergeant>Tracked your patterns of navigation, pretty hard. But Corporal is good at tracking
May we board?</sergeant>
<taylor>...</taylor>
[[Fine]] <taylor>Who are you?</taylor>
<sergeant>We are the PWG Elite company, we were ordered to collect you on the behalf of the Permeanent Working Group, PWG
Will you let us dock now?</sergeant>
<taylor>...</taylor>
[[Fine]]<sergeant>Thank you, sincerely</sergeant>
<taylor>They've approached the starboard side of the ship, locking onto the sides
About to enter the Ready room
God, I'm scared
What if it's the space FBI? Or worse, Greens?</taylor>
[[Dont worry]]
[[I trust it'll be alright]]<taylor>Got it, I'm calm, I'm calm
I'm calm
...
Two of them, I'm keeping them in the Ready room
Let me just grab my pist-
GAH!</taylor>
[[TAYLOR!]]<taylor>I hope so
This is gonna suck so much if we're wrong
Two of them boarded the ship, I locked the ready room just in case they try something
I'm going to meet them, let me just grab my pi-
AGH!</taylor>
[[TAYLOR!]] <taylor>Hhhh, I forgot about my arm
Ow, that hurts
My arm got sliced up during the confrontation. Still hurts
But I'm ambidextrous, we're all good here
Pistol in hand, heading down the hall, approaching ready room...
Its unlocked
There are two astronauts here, not marines. Different uniform and coat of arms
No green, they have big block letters with "PWG" stamped on the front. Their suits are tinted a deep red-</taylor>
<sergeant>Hello Captain, you can lower the pistol. We aren't occupied. Quite opposite</sergeant>
<taylor>It's a mans voice, reminds me of Bos. The second astronaut hasn't said anything, they're smaller then this guy</taylor>
[[Don't trust them]]<taylor>I'm a lot of things but stupid isn't one of them when it comes to this
What do you want?</taylor>
<sergeant>You need to come back to Earth with us</sergeant>
<taylor>...</taylor>
[[Taylor is nervous]]<sergeant>What's the matter?</sergeant>
<taylor>... I can't go back to Earth
I just can't
No way in hell your getting me to go</taylor>
[[Taylor is grimacing]]<sergeant>Why is that?</sergeant>
<taylor>Well... yknow, the law n all..
I'll get arrested! From all the hijacking I did, stealing and everything</taylor>
<sergeant>The law has no place with us
... You're hesitant. What is scaring you?</sergeant>
<taylor>Shit, this guy sees through me like a window
N-Nothing!</taylor>
[[Taylor...]]<taylor>What?
I... can't go back
... What will they think of me? My family...
I failed them all, I failed Colby, Trotter, Adair, Aya, Bos, Aries, Donald, Shepard, Mari... Every single one of them
I even failed myself
I thought I did what I was suppose to do back there, but I chose all the wrong choices
So how can I go back? Better to waste away in space</taylor>
[[Dont say that]]
<taylor>I'm not wrong</taylor>
<sergeant>I apologize for intruding, but this is important. It's a matter that I'd feel that you'd be happy helping with</sergeant>
<taylor>Fine, whats the job?</taylor>
<sergeant>As the PWG company, we've been fighting Greens for centuries. We recently learned that you could quite possibly be the final link into destroying them</sergeant>
<taylor>You... want me to kill greens?</taylor>
<sergeant>The Green Queen, specificly
We've already enlisted help of others like you. Some that the person on the other side of your Q-Comm might know</sergeant>
[[Who?]]
[[You're bluffing]]<sergeant>Two folk, they were in sorry state from what I last heard. They're working on a third
Other then that, I have a suspicion that you lost your companion to the Greens recently, no?</sergeant>
<taylor>I-.. Yes, I lost 2 earlier this week</taylor>
<sergeant>Figured. If we're lucky, we can bring them back. We have our ways</sergeant>
[[Taylor, can you go with them?]]<taylor>You're.. bluffing</taylor>
<sergeant>I can confirm that I am not in fact bluffing
I can explain further more on the ship. But now, we need to act fast</sergeant>
<taylor>Yes, we do</taylor>
[[Taylor, can you go with them?]] <taylor>I can. They know you. There's more people like me, right?
Maybe I can pay it all back and fix it back
They offered a way to bring people back after being occupied
I... god I hate saying this, but I have no other choice
I have no choice</taylor>
[[You can do it Taylor]]<taylor>Thanks, I'll make due with what I've got</taylor>
<sergeant>I appreciate the cooperation, Taylor</sergeant>
<taylor>Right, understood</taylor>
<sergeant>Before we proceed, I'm Sergeant, codename Mamba. This is Corporal, codename Haywire</sergeant>
<taylor>Great, I'll keep it in mind. You already know who I am
In all my wonderful glory</taylor>
[[Taylor is smirking]]<taylor>Wait, what about my ship?</taylor>
<sergeant>Nothing, we need to get your arm checked up and make sure your not infected
...
Your eye...</sergeant>
<taylor>Woah, woah hey hey hey! Im not infected! The stupid things stabbed my eye during our fight, now its all weird and green!
Oh god, Corporal is reaching for a weapon and Sergeant looks like hes gonna deck me.</taylor>
[[Stand still!]]<taylor>I am still!
Hey dont do anything! See? My other eye is fine!
They're glancing at each other and relaxing</taylor>
<sergeant>We apologize for that... Its been hard</sergeant>
<taylor>Understandable, I'd freak out too</taylor>
<corporal>We should get that checked out</corporal>
<taylor>That was Corporal, they're pretty soft spoken.</taylor>
<sergeant>Agreed, c'mon bud. Lets get it fixed up. You are looking a little beatened up</sergeant>
<taylor>Thanks, it's a signature look</taylor>
[[You're a dork]]<taylor>Damn right
It's my coping mechanism that works
A third entered the room.
They're smaller then the others, same uniform but the red cross symbol is plastered on their arm
They're a space medic</taylor>
<sergeant>Take a seat, Doc can get you fixed up</sergeant>
[[Sit down]]
[[Stay standing]]<taylor>If you insist</taylor>
//Taylor is taking a seat//
<taylor>Ow, damn that hurts
Can't you be a little nicer?</taylor>
<medic>Be happy it is not infected, as deep as it is</medic>
<taylor>Male voice, russian accent. Just so you know
Whuff, thanks doc</taylor>
[[Feeling better?]]<medic>Suit yourself</medic>
<taylor>Gah! Damn, can't you go a little easier?</taylor>
<medic>It would be easer if you sat down</medic>
<taylor>Fine, fine, yeesh
The doctor is a man, soft voice and russian accent. Just so you can keep note
ow, ow ow ow ow owwww</taylor>
<medic>hush</medic>
<taylor>yep got it no problem</taylor>
[[Feeling better?]] <taylor>Yeah a little
Better then earlier
Thanks again doc</taylor>
<medic>No problem</medic>
<sergeant>Great, Doc get back on the ship. Taylor, we can give you enough fuel to make it back to Earth, you can pilot your ship. Just stick with us-</sergeant>
<taylor>Promise me one thing</taylor>
<sergeant>Hm?</sergeant>
<taylor>When I get back to Earth, promise me that no one knows that I'm back
Its only your company that knows I'm here</taylor>
[[You're truly this scared to see your family?]]<taylor>Scared isnt the right way to put it.. Just
Ashamed
I'm ashamed to see them again, they'll never look at me the same again
Nothing is normal anymore, nothing will be normal ever again
Everything changed when I stepped foot on the Varia, nothing will ever be the same again
And I just cant go back to them after everything thats happened and what I've done
Best not to talk about this more</taylor>
[[Right]]
<taylor>Yeah
Im ready, lets get this bad boy fueled up and we can head out</taylor>
<sergeant>Got it, Captain</sergeant>
<taylor>They've left again through the airlock
Am I doing this wrong?</taylor>
[[Not at all]]
[[Yes.]]<taylor>Thanks, I appreciate it
I'm sitting in the navigation room, checking the ship
Huh, they must of had access to the fuel, it's getting raised
They seem legit, I trust them
Even as untrustworthy as they seem, they didn't have reflective glass for helmets
I could see their eyes
and they weren't green
I trust I made the right descision</taylor>
[[What now?]] <taylor>Its too late to go back on it
As much as you dont trust them, I think we made the right descision
I could see their eyes, they didnt have reflective glass for their helmets
They were telling the truth, they didn't have glowing green eyes
I know you dont think the same, but I believe I made the right descision</taylor>
[[What now?]]<taylor>I need them to fuel, which should be soon
After that, we'll take the ship back to Earth. Dock it and whatnot
Then I'll help these people and get out
Get T2ylor back and we can go back on our way</taylor>
[[Taylor is prepping]]<taylor>Huh, turns out we weren't too harm from our solar system
Nonetheless, this is gonna take a day of travel at the very least
I've got tunes to keep me occupied, and T2's saber still needs to be repaired and-</taylor>
<tom>mrrowww</tom>
<taylor>Oh hey Tom</taylor>
[[Is that a cat?]]<taylor>Eh, sorta
Tom's a duplicate from my cat from Earth
Except this Tom is completely robotic
He's still a good boy
He liked 2 better then me
Heh
...
Dammit</taylor>
[[What's up?]]<taylor>I miss them all
I hate the idea of having to go back and all
But I also miss everyone back on Earth
I wonder if my brother and sister still miss me
Or if they've moved on
For all they know, I died with the Varia crew
But I didnt, I'm still here
I wonder if my poor mother is doing okay
But she has the rest of them
And maybe its for the best that I dont go back and see them
If i see them... I might not be able to save T2
I cant do that, after all they've been through
I am not abandoning him</taylor>
[[I understand]]<taylor>Sure you do
But then again, I barely know you
I cant say to judge then
...<taylor>
<sergeant>Captain Taylor, we're ready to head back. Are yoou ready?</sergeant>
<taylor>Oh!
Yes i'm ready Sergeant, just disconnect from my ship and I'll let you lead</taylor>
<sergeant>Affirmative, Captain</sergeant>
<taylor>They've disconnected
Well Lifeline, this is it
Im heading home, after a full year in space
Pretty sure thats fucked up my body one way or another</taylor>
[[I believe it has]]<taylor>Ah damn
Well, what do I have to lose
(dont answer that, I have a lot to lose)
On that note, engines are primed and ready
Stabilizers are a go
Tom, c'mere
I dont want you to run off when we start
There we go, all set
...</taylor>
//Taylor is hesitating//
<taylor>Before I go, I need to tell you something</taylor>
[[What is it?]]<taylor>I need it
I have to say thank you, dear lifeline
I dont think I would of made without you
so thank you, for being with me in the worse of it all
Wouldn't have made it wothout</taylor>
[[That's pretty sincere of you]]<taylor>You know it
Just... stay by my side for this, one last time
Not literally by my side, you know what I mean
We're gonna be in for a ride
Last adventure together?</taylor>
[[Hopefully]]
[[Last adventure time!]]<taylor>I have no doubt about it
Maybe this will be the last time I'll need to contact you
Surely you wont mind that?</taylor>
[[I'll miss you]]
[[It was good knowing you]]<taylor>Hell yeah! Adventure time!
Heh, I suppose this might be the last time I'll need you ever knowing wisdom
Surely you wont mind that?</taylor>
[[I'll miss you]]
[[It was good knowing you]]<taylor>That's... nice of you</taylor>
//Taylor is blushing//
<taylor>But we shouldnt be saying our goodbyes now
We have a long road ahead of us
One thats gonna have challenges
But in the end, we'll win
Win... not really win
I just need to get 2 back
I can't have them going through all that again
Never again</taylor>
[[That was poetic]]<taylor>Oh c'mon, you sound like I'm going to die!
Dont be like that
I wont die! I refuse!
I gotta save Taylor, I cant let them go through all that again
Never again, never again will I let them suffer
They went through all of that, more then I have
I've had it easy compared to them
I need to save them</taylor>
[[That's noble of you]]
<taylor>Thanks, I have nothing better to do in space
But then again, I was a science student, not an english student
...
Its time for us to go
Everything has been powered up, the PWG company is already making a move on. It's about time I follow
Communication will be off and on, depending where I am
I will talk later
For now, I gotta travel
Good talking to you again</taylor>
[[I wish you skill]]
[[I wish you luck]]<taylor>As so it seems
It's not noble, I just owe Taylor my life
Simple as that
...
Its time for us to go
Everything has been powered up, the PWG company is already making a move on. It's about time I follow
Communication will be off and on, depending where I am
I will talk later
For now, I gotta travel
Good talking to you again</taylor>
[[I wish you skill]]
[[I wish you luck]]<taylor>Thanks, I'll need it
This will be no easy task
But I plan on getting it done
No matter what happens
...
Until then
Keep in touch</taylor>
[[Taylor is busy]]<taylor>Heh, thanks a lot Lifeline
It'll come in handy
We're in for an adventure again, I know it
But I vow to bring back T2
No matter what it takes
...
Until then
Keep in touch with me</taylor>
[[Taylor is busy]]
Emerald Star: End of Prologue
Thank you for playing! The game will be further updated in chapters
There is no set dates for further releases, updates will also have more advancements on development and a functioing auto save
Until then, enjoy this short chapter for Emerald Star. This story definitely has more to unpack.
Blessed be
-lightlysketchedI'll have to thank Sugar-Splenda and pekiasrocc for the intial motivation and inspiration for the making of this game. This game also takes heavy inspiration from So Said The Stars by pekiasrocc, (please go check them out!)
Without the Cosmic Constair contest on Deviantart back in 2019. I wouldnt have this idea. This was the start of the game idea and the first (albeit bad) concept design of pirate!Taylor.
Lifeline game series belongs to 3 Minute Games, written by Dave Justus. All characters and story points belong to them.
---
"""Lifeline: Emerald Star"""
^^by lightlysketched^^
^^Version 1.1^^
[[Start Game]]
[[Credits]]
[Incoming transmission]
[Accept transmission?]
[[y]]
[[n]][Receiving Message. . .]]
. . .
. . .
...
...
<taylor>...ey?</taylor>
<taylor>..ny... ere?.. ello?</taylor>
<taylor>...ome in! I..I'm here!</taylor>
[[Im receiving]] [Transmission rejected]
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
[[REWIND]]<taylor>When I went into that blackhole, I saw something
It's been on the back of mind ever since I got out
Nothing about my science education can explain it
It was...</taylor>
[[Are you okay?]]
[[Can't explain?]]<taylor>I'm okay
Just thinking
And I still can't explain it</taylor>
[[Take your time]]<taylor>I still can't think of a reasonable explantion other then delusions of a mad man
and I'm not mad, I'm perfectly sane!
Well maybe not at that time but I'm sane now
ah... I'm procrastinating again</taylor>
[[Take your time]] <taylor>When I fell in the black hole, everything imeadiately went white, I got blinded for a second, T2 was still with me
Everything was moving, the walls were pulsing and moving. Yet it seemed to stay still all at once.
It was freezing cold, so cold I could feel it through my IEVA suit
It was cold, so cold that it //burned//
Yet I could see I could see the small silhouette of a child, wearing some sort of long cloak and cape. Like a mage
The kids back was turned, watching a door and as I processed what I saw, the door opened
There was another person, an older girl. Wearing an old dirty green cloak
She was reaching out to him, who reached out in turn
They shared some words before things got... strange
She turned, pointing her hand at me, and my body moved on it's own. It felt like I was thrown. But nothing was touching me. I could feel T2 being moved too
-At the time I did nothing, as what could you do when you were feeling the unknown after effects of spaghettification and still in a state of shock-
Soon as we were thrown, we were back in space, alone and ouside of the black hole. But this time next to an abandoned space ship.</taylor>
[[Seriously?]] [[Sounds familiar...]]<taylor>I'm dead serious on what I saw, but that could of been delusions of... space...
Yeah, I can not explain that whatsoever
Damn space hallucinations
...
Hm? Oh I'm ready to go</taylor>
[[Good luck, Taylor]] <taylor>You are a magnet for weird things
(me included!)
But theres no way I could explain this
It could of been nothing but delusions
Space delusions
Nothing more
...
Oh I'm ready to go</taylor>
[[Good luck, Taylor]]