Rifts Adventure - IC Thread

[Sherwood]

Raven holds up a hand and says, "Let's not go off half cocked. We need to verify that we have an actual vampire here before we try and kill him. Besides, I'm sure that Dreamy will have an opinion on this when she gets done with her meditations. We need to work together as a team to make sure no one gets hurt besides the undead."

 

[Eonivar]

Ajax nods in the affirmative at Takuma's question. "Aye, I am all for slaying the bloodsucker, we just have to be careful, this is a settlement where many innocent people live. We get swinging and blasting around and this settlement and those within could be reduced to a pile of rubble. It would be beneficial if we could draw Turner and his lackeys out but I suspect they will keep within their shield of innocents like the cowards they are. So we will need to be precise in our strike."

 

[Purr]

Owl does not always respond to you with direct words, instead giving you feelings, images and impressions that must be interpreted by Dreamy in order to understand her patrons' desires. Sometimes the message is not clear, but today it comes to you like a bolt of lightning from a clear day in the form of a cold, dark chill in the night with a pair of red, glowing eyes set over sharp fangs that drip with blood. Vampires. It must mean vampires threaten this town.

Psychie

What?! There are Vampires threatening Turner Town?! Dreamy inwardly shrieks in excitement and joy. Great Owl, you can count on me! Thank yooou!

Starting with this Rab Colson fellow. While alone, Dreamy casts See Aura (in her case, probably Sense Aura?) and as she makes her way back, she focuses on the man who approached them out of nowhere. Sure, she didn't think this Colson fit the vampire bill given his actions, but why take a chance? Vampires were at least as cunning as humans... and the lack of warmth on her skin along with her own carefully-kept time schedule told her it was nighttime.

When Dreamy returns to the camp, it is with a spring in her step and a Cheshire grin upon her face as bright as the moon's surface. There is an electricity in her voice, an excitement that has not been present since the team first met Jake Turner.

"Friiieeends? Guess whaaat?" she licks her teeth like a cat on the hunt. "Oh wonderful Owl, the very same force whom without whom we would all still be languishing in Atlantis, has just informed me that vampires... threaten Turner Town! If Turner is among them, that makes him fair game, wouldn't you say?"

Of course, by now, if Colson did turn out to be both a vampire and an enemy, well, there would be no allowing him to return to his own side, would there? Some things just had to remain secret in the night.

 

[Sherwood]

Raven looks up at Dreamy and nods, saying, "Well, our new acquaintance Mr. Colson has informed us that Jake Turner and three of his people are undead, and thanks to Owl, we now have some confirmation that this is true. No offense meant, Mr Colson, but we hardly know you and we are putting lives on the line."

He looks around at his companions, then asks, "Mr. Colson, can the job you are wanting to hire is for wait long enough to eliminate these undead? And on that note, just what is the job you are offering, and what kind of compensation do you offer?"

 

[Psychie]

Purr When Dreamy uses her See Aura on Rab, here is what she senses in the bold print.

Seeing an aura will indicate the following:
• Estimate the general level of experience. Low (1 -3), medium (4-7), high (8th and up).
Medium to high
• The presence of magic (no indication of what type or the power level).
No magic
• The presence of psychic abilities (again though, not the type or power level).
No psychic powers
• High or low base P.P.E.
Low PPE
• The presence of a Possessing Entity.
No possessing entity
• The presence of an unusual human aberration and/or indicates a serious illness, insanity, or that the individual is not-human, could be mutant or supernatural, but does not specify which.
Normal human, albeit a bit old, but in good health
Note: A psychic can not tell one's alignment by using this power.

When Raven asks about the job offer, Rab smiles. "I was wondering when you were going to ask about that. I am escorting my nephew on a rather hazardous trip, and have discovered that I am no longer capable of providing sole security to keep him safe. The mind is willing, but these old bones of mine just can't do it anymore. Adventuring is a task for the young, and I'm more than a few years past my prime."

He lets out a sigh of an old man remembering when he was younger and continues. "Oleg (that's my nephew, by the way) needs to be in Germany in five months time in order to be present for an important religious ceremony and I cannot fail in my responsibility to get him there.

"In order to get there on time, I am willing to provide you all with fresh armor, plenty of ammo for your weapons, and repairs as needed for your robot horse and truck. In addition to that, I have twenty thousand credits to give each of you right now, with an additional twenty million each once we get to New York City. I will arrange sea transport to Europe, and finally, once we get to the church you will be rewarded with being able to select either a sizable cash reward or being able to select one of several magic items that the church keeps there, some of which are powerful holy relics."

"How does that sound to you?"

 

[Eonivar]

Ajax's pointed ears picked up the distinct words 'New York City'.

He stepped forward next to Raven and get a good look at this newcomer who did not seem to be exactly how he presented himself. There was disbelief in his voice.

"New York City? I have heard that place is cursed, a ruin decimated by pre-Rifts wars. Not even the Coalition dares going there because there is nothing there worth taking. Who there could even have the capacity to make such an impossible trip across the sea without serious magic? And even then, if you have access to such magic, why go there when you can find a nexus anywhere and travel from there?”

 

[Sherwood]

Raven is a bit surprised at the intensity in Ajax's voice, and it shakes him a bit. "I have no personal knowledge of the area, but from what I'm hearing, it is not going to be a easy trip to make. I must insist on some more information about this leg of our journey, and exactly how you plan on getting us to our destination in Germany."

 

[Psychie]

Rab nods at Ajax's outburst. "All that is true and even more that you do not know of. What I can tell you is that there are places in and around the old city that are safer, one of which is a hidden outpost of the church that I follow, one that is well protected from the terrors of the world around it. From there, we will travel by sea on a ship captained by a smuggler that my order had used in the past to transport people to and from our main temple in Germany. There are risks involved, but that is why I am approaching you. You strike me as a bunch of adventurers that can handle themselves and get me and Oleg to our destination."

 

[Purr]

"In order to get there on time, I am willing to provide you all with fresh armor, plenty of ammo for your weapons, and repairs as needed for your robot horse and truck. In addition to that, I have twenty thousand credits to give each of you right now, with an additional twenty million each once we get to New York City. I will arrange sea transport to Europe, and finally, once we get to the church you will be rewarded with being able to select either a sizable cash reward or being able to select one of several magic items that the church keeps there, some of which are powerful holy relics."

"How does that sound to you?"

As Dreamy listens, she begins to play with her hair. Her long, curly, beautiful hair - hair that she was never allowed to have when the Splugorth captured her. Hair that both hides a lumpy secret and is a fantastic reminder of her incredible journey from a 2,000 year old slave from a race of slaves to a free woman who can finally decide her own fate. Under the moonlight she has never seen, Dreamy ties her her hair back and begins to collect it all under her hood, all the while listening to the conversation between the men in her party and this aged father Rab Colson.

Within herself, she has a different conversation entirely with a being who is more part of her than even Owl is.

"Lumpy!!" Using the rapport they share, Dreamy thinks happily to the dear and good-hearted emotion-fed symbiote she shares her body with. "Are you feeling this?! New York City! The danger-filled and unpredictable land of my senseis! The American birthplace of the Ninja Undead Hunter clan! And maybe after Turner Town we can go there! Can you believe it?!"

Ajax's pointed ears picked up the distinct words 'New York City'.

He stepped forward next to Raven and get a good look at this newcomer who did not seem to be exactly how he presented himself. There was disbelief in his voice.

"New York City? I have heard that place is cursed, a ruin decimated by pre-Rifts wars. Not even the Coalition dares going there because there is nothing there worth taking. Who there could even have the capacity to make such an impossible trip across the sea without serious magic? And even then, if you have access to such magic, why go there when you can find a nexus anywhere and travel from there?”

"Errr... except Ajax. I wonder what makes him happy? In eight months, I can't recall at the moment ever seeing our resident elf smile."

Rab nods at Ajax's outburst. "All that is true and even more that you do not know of. What I can tell you is that there are places in and around the old city that are safer, one of which is a hidden outpost of the church that I follow, one that is well protected from the terrors of the world around it. From there, we will travel by sea on a ship captained by a smuggler that my order had used in the past to transport people to and from our main temple in Germany. There are risks involved, but that is why I am approaching you. You strike me as a bunch of adventurers that can handle themselves and get me and Oleg to our destination."

Dreamy's hopeful expression is a truly beautiful sight to behold. She locks her fingers together in joy. "Oooh! New York City!" She speaks the name as if it belongs to a god. Lifting her chin to the sky, she recites.

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"*

*

Spoiler: The New Colossus.

by Emma Lazarus. 2 November, 1883.

The New Colossus - Statue Of Liberty National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

"New York City! The one spot in all of the old Americas I've always wanted to visit! Have you been there before, Mr. Colson? Have you beheld the Mother of Exiles? Is it true they have a gigantic statue of a woman with a torch and book, all in the name of freedom? Oh, blessed freedom! The greatest sensation of all to a homeless, tempest-tossed soul like me!" Dreamy takes a deep breath with her entire being as a dream of hers is given sweet voice to fill her huntress's ears.

Then, the moment fades as she sighs. It is a sigh of longing. Her smile fades but it is not replaced by sadness. Instead, there is a grim smile across her ruby lips as she turns sightlessly toward Turner Town.
"Mr. Colson," Dreamy declares. "To visit New York City... and Germany too... whose traditions and tales are older than all of the former United States? You have named the two most dangerous and storied realms I have ever wished to visit upon this planet Earth. But... before my selfish desires and long-felt dreams, I must put something else first." Dreamy turns to Rab Colson, not looking at him, but not looking past him either. It is like she is looking at nothing at all.

"The dreams and futures of others. I have a sacred obligation, sir. One that I must fulfill, a cornerstone to who I am now." Dreamy reaches and grips the wooden scabbard of her Silver Slayer No-daichi. "I must deal with the vampires who threaten Turner Town before I take on any other quest, even quests of my own heart's desire. My totem tells me vampires threaten Turner Town. You say Jake Turner is a vampire. What proof do you have that Turner himself is vampyr?"

Indicating Raven, Ajax, Takuma, and Sylvie, Dreamy's tone is now all business. "Team, I can go no further toward's Colson's request until I have at least investigated the vampyr threat. It sounds like you're in. If the threat turns out it is too tough for us, my duty commands that I strengthen myself and return here when able. However, if we are able to free Turner Town and abolish the threat, then and only then am I allowed to do as I please. Do you follow me?"

To Rab Colson, Dreamy adds. "Mr. Colson? Our chances of beating the vampires would be improved if we could ask for an advance from you? Say, the repair of our armor and replenishment of ammunition? That would also go a long way, at least for me, to strengthen the ties we will seem to need to help you and your son, Oleg. What do you say, sir?"

 

[Psychie]

Rab thinks for a minute before responding. He finally says, "I would have been surprised if you had told me you wish to leave here without dealing with the vampires first. That is the kind of thing one expects of a Cyber Knight and the companions he chooses to travel with, and why I came to you to ask for your help. I must tell you that I only know of the threat of the vampires thanks to Oleg. He has the ability to sense such things thanks to his mental gifts. He was able to see that Jake Turner is one of the undead along with three of his closest guards."

At this point, Rab leans back in his seat and says, "If you are willing to give me your word that you will help me get Oleg to Germany, I would be willing to give you your advance by restocking your munitions and fixing your damaged armor. Do we have a deal?"

 

[Purr]

In response, the Altaran beauty snaps her fingers once in the hopes of getting the attention of her friends. Dreamy raises her fist to about hip level, and with one deep nod, extends her thumb upwards in a thumbs-up gesture.

Silently she waits, still as a statue, to learn their minds on the matter.

 

[Sherwood]

Raven looks at his companions, then back to Rab. He says, "I don't want to promise something that we cannot guarantee. Vampires by their very nature are hazardous creatures to deal with, and in combat there are few certainties. But this is hardly my decision alone to make. If you would excuse us for a minute, I would like to discuss this with my companions before giving you our answer."

 

[Psychie]

Rab smiles once again. "Of course. I will go check on Oleg and be back to get your answer in, say, an hour? If that is acceptable, I will see you then."

If there is no objection, Rab gets on his aging hover cycle and starts it up before flying off into the night.

Once the sputtering hover cycle is out of sight, Sylvie works her way out of Raven's hair and says, "Vampire problems. Not a good thing." She hiccups, then says, "I can help. I know some good magic that can keep the undead at bay. I just need to sober up a bit before doing that. After that, are we going to help this Big? He seems nice enough for a Big. Not mean like Jake Turner."

 

[Sherwood]

Raven is quiet as he thinks, his had resting on his chin. He finally says, "I am of mixed feelings here. On one hand, this offer helps us to resupply and get our equipment fixed. On the other hand, this will lead us into some fairly hostile territory. Are we up for it? I don't want us blinded by greed when it will mean our lives being lost. What are your thoughts on this, my friends? Can we help Rab Colson and his charge to get to their temple?"

 

[Purr]

Once the sputtering hover cycle is out of sight, Sylvie works her way out of Raven's hair and says, "Vampire problems. Not a good thing." She hiccups, then says, "I can help. I know some good magic that can keep the undead at bay. I just need to sober up a bit before doing that. After that, are we going to help this Big? He seems nice enough for a Big. Not mean like Jake Turner."

Dreamy nods in Sylvie's general direction. "Sobering takes time, but I know we can count on you, sweetie!"

With Colson off on his way and giving her team their hour, Dreamy lounges lazily content in her decisions, the orange light of the campfire gently bathing her in its comforting glow. "Raven, you've already heard my heart on the matter. I'm duty-bound; my path is clear. But if you'd like to hear more," she grunts as stretches her healthy limbs, "I'm game.

"I find myself longing for details. Not only those that we'll need to know like who this smuggler in New York City is in case he has some sort of past with any of the factions we're linked to." Her fingers mingle with the grass. "I would like to know more about this church Mr. Colson and his son are attached to. I'm curious about Oleg's supernatural abilities.

"But not so much Mr. Colson's - I Sensed his Aura on the way back from my prayers with Owl - Colson's clean. No magic, psychic powers, no possessing entities. He's in good health and he's more experienced than we are, and I don't mean in terms of age, but in the number of plateaus he's climbed." Dreamy sighs a pleasant sound. "I... think I trust him. I would like to hear of his own life's adventures the same way I'm still eager to hear yours. I love stories!"

"If we accept Mr. Colson's offer, we have five months to complete it. Anyone have any idea how long it will take to cross by ship the... what do they call it again... the Atlantic Ocean? I have it on good authority that if we follow the old Interstate 95 highway northward, or whatever is left of it, we might be there in less than a week, general hostile encounters included.

Dreamy gives a little smile. "But I meant what I said - I would act on what Owl told me were I alone. It's part of being an Undead Hunter. Takuma? Ajax? Where do you stand on the matter?"

 

[Eonivar]

Ajax eyes narrow at Rob's explanation and description of their potential journey. He had been all around New York and the Garden during his training as a squire, he had never heard of a 'Church' or smugglers out of the area. He had to figure out this guy's allegiance as his and his 'Church's' presence could be a threat to the order and perhaps had a chance of discovering the Garden.

After Rob left, Ajax turned to Raven and the others. "I do not like this, but I am curious about this gentleman's 'church' and transportation over the sea. So I say we take the job if anything to find out his real intentions, if they turn out to be evil, we dispatch him as we have done so with the others."

 

[GunMan2]

The Cyborg looks at the man's back as he left. "Now why would a guy like that even want us to deliver a person to the desolate New York" he was tempted to accept the assignment, cause if he got new armor, parts and weapons from it and on top the big bucks then that sounds like a dream. A too good to be true dream

"But not so much Mr. Colson's - I Sensed his Aura on the way back from my prayers with Owl - Colson's clean. No magic, psychic powers, no possessing entities. He's in good health and he's more experienced than we are, and I don't mean in terms of age, but in the number of plateaus he's climbed." Dreamy sighs a pleasant sound. "I... think I trust him. I would like to hear of his own life's adventures the same way I'm still eager to hear yours. I love stories!"

He looks to the crazy owl lady "You should not be too not be too trusting. This sounds good like a bit too good" He said as he took off his glasses half of his eyes to look at her to look at her directly. "How much you think he is not just trying to using us and then discard up?"

 

[Purr]

He looks to the crazy owl lady "You should not be too not be too trusting. This sounds good like a bit too good" He said as he took off his glasses half of his eyes to look at her to look at her directly. "How much you think he is not just trying to using us and then discard up?"

Dreamy cannot notice Takuma's body language (or facial expressions if he has those/is built that way), but she can understand his voice and tones far better than the average person. Dreamy stares off to his left and into the darkness past the campfire as she listens. Then something he says makes the warrior giggle. Dreamy slowly and meaningfully ponders aloud.

"Takuuumaaa. In fact... everyone. Please consider the following? You..." she accurately indicates Takuma, "... a human being in a robot body are talking with me, a reborn warrior from another age and dimension... while we are in the company of a fellow..." her finger drifts towards Raven then Sylvie then Ajax, "... who can create a psychic sword that can slice through a house... along with a mythical, magical fey-girl... and a star elf - a being not even native to the planet Earth. All of us together. O.K.. Got all that?"

Dreamy continues to smile in a good-natured fashion.

"The person we are talking about, Mister Colson, is... as far as my magic and natural senses can tell... more normal than any of us here. Great Owl, my ancient and wise Native American totem who freed us from lives of slavery, is largely in agreement with him. With his son, Mister Colson has more to lose than any of us here. He approaches us with information that could get him killed if the vampires were to learn a word of it. This effectively puts his very life and the life of his beloved son - two things I'm sure he values quite dearly - in our hands.

Dreamy taps her nails. "If we, who are indebted, even falsely, to Jake Turner were to turn Colson in... he, at the very least, would no doubt die at vampire's hands. Fearfully, painfully, probably slowly. If he doesn't get to watch them kill his son first. And Mister Colson, a person devoid of psychic or magical powers rode up alone...

"... and all three of you doubt him?"

Folks whose eyes don't function, Altarians included, sometimes wear their emotions on their faces. They don't think to hide them from others; it often never occurs to them. So it is with Dreamy. For the past eight months, she has been as honest as she can be with the whole team. You can see supporting evidence of her feelings plain on her face.

"My friends... do you know something I don't? Does he wear a tattoo or gang colors I can't see or something?"

And so it is now as she appears friendly-but-confused, and very willing to hear rebuttal against the evidence she has willingly and openly presented before you.

Eonivar GunMan2 Psychie Sherwood

 

[Sherwood]

Raven lets out a small chuckle. "Dreamy, please understand, it is not that I am doubting him. Well, perhaps a little bit. I must admit, the whole situation is . . . curious . . . to me. He is willing to put a lot on the line in order to have us help him. I confess that this would solve many problems for us, but perhaps I am just being overly suspicious of a good thing. We just got burned by our last job, and I don't want to fall into the same with Rab Colson. I am not against the idea of taking on this offer. I just want to make sure we are not being blinded by the prospect of the money being offered. It is a real struggle for me, thinking of getting some sort of holy item as payment for getting Rab and Oleg to this church in Germany."

He stands up and starts to pace back and forth. "I will certainly do my best to personally verify if Jake Turner and some of his people are in truth vampires, and if they are, they will be dealt with, and having our gear repaired and ammo resupplied would certainly help out with that. That is another thing that I'm trying to keep in perspective as we contemplate this job offer. From my perspective, I am not seeing any reason why we shouldn't take the offer, and I am worried that I am overlooking something."

 

[Purr]

. I am not against the idea of taking on this offer. I just want to make sure we are not being blinded by the prospect of the money being offered. It is a real struggle for me, thinking of getting some sort of holy item as payment for getting Rab and Oleg to this church in Germany."

Dreamy turns in the direction of Raven's voice, sound being a little different when one is wearing a hood on a hoodie. She nods to her teammate, not in a natural way as most folk do but a little too sharply - like one still getting used to the act of nodding.

"Oh, if it is greed you're concerned about, you are welcome to bury that worry with me, Ravey. With Undead Hunters, this is like asking a Cyber-knight to perform an honorable act in the name of your code - the reward is in the doing. I would hunt and destroy these vampires for free.

"Besides," she runs her hand along the length of her short sword, "I find I'm... still getting used to the idea of owning property..." Dreamy sighs. "... instead of being the property owned. You would think in eight months of freedom, I might be used to this? Nuh uh! Not this girl!" Dreamy looks in the direction of the last place she touched her robot unicorn. "Even Troy is something I'm still used to owning. I keep expecting one of my Splugorth masters to come around the corner and order me to report to another master. To be their property. For years at a time.

She aims her hood towards Raven and for once is looking directly at his face when she asks, quite innocently, "What's the real difference between 20,000 credits and 2,000,000 anyway?"
Sherwood

 

[Eonivar]

Ajax glances over at the Altarran sympathetically. He vividly remembered this first few months of freedom that occurred over ten years ago after being a Splugorth slave. The concept of owning something versus being owned had been very difficult for him as well.

His voice was surprisingly soft for the elven knight who was usually a hard, stoic, and serious being.

“It takes time to get used to being free, Dreamy. I was a slave of the Splugorth too many years ago. I have felt as you have."

His face seemed to harden back to its usual serious scowl. "There are a lot of red flags with this seemingly normal human that wants to hire us. A normal human with connections to the region that was formerly called 'New York'? First of all, only someone familiar with the Pre-rifts history of that region would call it New York. I travelled that dangerous region when I was a Squire and there were many times I barely escaped the dangers there with my life. And Furthermore, knowing someone in that same region who can transport us across the sea? It was my understanding the only way across the sea was via magical portal. Is there some way one could modify their Aura to appear normal?"

The elf shook his head and sighed. "My vote would be to take the job just so we could find out who this man and his church is. The money, repairs, and ammunition is fine, but this stranger makes me very curious as to what his true nature is, we have dealt with worse situations in the past. Let's take care of the bloodsuckers here and then accompany this person north."

 

[Sherwood]

Raven shrugs, and admits, "I don't know enough about transportation across the ocean to know the details of what is available to be used. I had always thought that there must be some kind of sea trade because there are some NGR gear and equipment available to consumers here in the Americas, but for all I know, they use magic to make that transport possible. Apparently, though, there is some kind of sea transport being made or else this Rab Colson wouldn't have mentioned it, saying his church has been using this smuggler for some time to make the dangerous journey."

He stops his pacing and looks to his comrades. "So! It sounds like we are going to take Rab Colson up on his offer. Are we in agreement in the terms that he is offering? Or do we make a counter-proposal?"

 

[Purr]

The elf shook his head and sighed. "My vote would be to take the job just so we could find out who this man and his church is. The money, repairs, and ammunition is fine, but this stranger makes me very curious as to what his true nature is, we have dealt with worse situations in the past. Let's take care of the bloodsuckers here and then accompany this person north."

Dreamy's pleasure at hearing this is clear on her face. "Now that is a much different tone than what I heard before... and I find it to my liking. Thank you, Ajax."

He stops his pacing and looks to his comrades. "So! It sounds like we are going to take Rab Colson up on his offer. Are we in agreement in the terms that he is offering? Or do we make a counter-proposal?"

"Well... I would like to hear from everyone involved. Whomever risks should have a say." Dreamy rises and kind of saunters straight toward the Cyber-knight, her index finger extended and seemingly aimed right at him. But upon her nearness, it becomes clear she is specifically pointing at Sylvie the fairy.

"How about you, missus Silly Wings?" With the gentleness of a falling rose petal, Dreamy playfully "boops" Sylvie's nose with the tip of her finger (not her fingernail).

"And you too, Mister Metal-bones?" she adds in Takuma's direction.
GunMan2 Psychie

 

[Psychie]

Sylvie eyes cross as she watches Dreamy's finger grow closer and closer until it finally boops her on the nose, and she sways a bit. "Actually, it is possible to alter a person's aura. The person just has to have some mental powers to be able to manipulate their biorhythms. But why would he do that?" She giggles a bit, then says, "I like the idea of going off to see the world. It sounds like fun. Even if it means working for some strange Big. He seems nice enough. For a Big, that is. Not like you are nice, Dreamy. I'd never let some strange Big call me Silly Wings and not do something about it. But you? You are a friend, so it's ok. It even sounds nice when you say it." Sylvie smiles up at Dreamy.

"Are we going to go with this Rab fellow?"

 

[GunMan2]

Takuma's cyber eyes glowed softly at the fire before him and dimmed a bit before they light up. "Well take the deal, could not be worse than our present situation and if it turns out we did make a deal with the devil. We will burn that bridge when we get there" He giving his most logical opinion his old processor was able to handle