[@DarkwolfX37]

While Aria was initially pleased at everyone’s excitement, that went away as soon as they started assuming she was going. [color=e3bbc6]”I wasn’t going to go. I figured if Summer went with the lot of you, we could relay information with our divining powers. But if she’s staying, I can go along.”[/color] It would give her more time to examine Makoto’s tail, at least. [color=e3bbc6]”Don’t expect much out of me. I’d rather not show up near a Mint operation site. I'll look out while the rest of you search for clues.”[/color] She approached the TV. [color=e3bbc6]”As for how you get there, do what pleases you. I prioritize efficiency, as such…[/color] Aria stepped through the TV and into the relic detonation site. [color=e3bbc6]”Eh, even this is too close.”[/color] She walked away from the aria and out frame for the TV.

But someone else was still in frame.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nIlIbdu.png[/img]

[color=goldenrod]”If you go to bed with an itchy butt, you’ll wake up with a smelly finger.”[/color]

[color=888888]— Wisdom[/color][/center]

The anti-cradle relic site was nothing more than an open road with a crater in the center of it. A very deep, very large crater that might have been made by an explosive. But an explosion would have cast the rubble somewhere. It would have rained dirt and stones all over the place, and the ground would have been deformed by the blast. But the dirt here had vanished. Not unlike that time SOMEONE decided to overcity shift most of a cathedral. Sitting in the center of the cradle was Wisdom, legs folded in a meditative position. She had the tip of her thumb in her mouth as her other held a katana. The blade was just far enough out of its sheath for her to see a reflection.

[color=goldenrod]”Hmmm.”[/color]

[hr]

It didn’t matter who created the portal. At the first sign of one showing up, Binky and Aurora would rush inside. Once the others arived, the talks continued.

[color=baddab]”Alright, we’ve moved.”[/color] Binky dusted themselves off. [color=baddab]”What’s left to talk about? I’ll have to get back in touch with Maura, but I’m sure she’d be up for helping with this.”[/color]

[color=goldenrod]"I’m sure it’ll be good news from Mint once Chloe returns. For as much time as she spends away from the place, she gets awfully mad when she returns and it’s somehow in worse shape."[/color] Aurora nodded at her own comment. [color=goldenrod]"But taking out those eggs should set back their forces quite a bit. But Wonderland will attack again if we can’t do something about their main force. They may seem insurmountable, but there has to be a reason why they’re waiting to attack Penrose. It’s almost like they [i]need[/i] the eggs to get the nexus."[/color] 

Binky held her chin. [color=baddab]”I wonder if Beacon’s ‘death laser’ could be used to take out key targets.”[/color]

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/waJPaen.png[/img]

[color=violet]"Now i’m ‘bout to go defcon 3 on Sanctuary."[/color]

[color=888888]— Chloe Irving[/color][/center]

[hider=Chloe Irving]
03 03 03 03 03
10 10 06 17 04
23/12 | Babe/Baby | Spirit
Mystic orb, Gauntlets | Third Eye, Focused Assault | Horror(!)
Wings, Enhanced Outfit, Big Damn Hero, Blood Magic, Interdimensional Home, Enhanced Transformation
Dominator | Dark Weapon
Marked(?) ??????????????????????????????

6 Gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze
[/hider]

[@Archangel89]

After teleporting away, Chloe checked her messages. She didn’t communicate with Mint much for obvious reasons, but she did occasionally receive messages from other parties. The first message was not a number she recognized, but she knew what it was in reference to. She exhaled and promptly deleted the message. That was one problem she could put off till later. 

A problem that couldn’t be put off until later was Penny, or “Queen Asimov The Builder” as she so modestly named herself. With none of the others around, Chloe could let her mask slip. She allowed herself to scowl before typing up a reply.

[code]How about instead of wasting more time you tell us what you really[/code]

Chloe froze in place. Her annoyance evaporated into a cloud of surprise. 

[color=violet]"It’s the only thing that makes sense.“[/color]

She didn’t respond, she didn’t delete the message. 

…

Oh! She was in Al’s presence, wasn’t she?

Chloe looked at the “girl” that Al had introduced. [color=violet]"Warren James?“[/color] She raised an eyebrow. [color=violet]"Well Al, you did it. You found a girl I’ll have no difficulty keeping my hands off of. I don’t think you have to worry about me taking this one anywhere.“[/color] Warren felt something when the two of them locked eyes. This Chloe girl might have been a junior coin broker, but she was also serving a horror. They couldn’t quite detect a bane, but whatever it was, it was the antithesis of life. 

[color=violet]"But yes, I can chat with them a bit later. For now, the deal.“[/color] Chloe placed a rolled up page on Al’s desk before folding her arms. [color=violet]"It’s not exactly good, but you should be happy it happened at all. The fact that we got anyone to agree to it is a miracle.“[/color] With a “hmph,” Chloe looked away. [color=violet]"We can’t do research on Penrose's magical artifacts. They want to give us less territory and gradually expand it so long as we play nice. Kayli wants anyone who’s become corrupted to have the choice to see her and get that fixed. And of course, they want the violence to stop. So no killing, torturing, or anything like that inside Penrose.“[/color] Chloe sighed. [color=violet]"It’s not ideal, but this could work out well for us in the long term. But the interesting part is that Alicia said that Beacon would sign. Who knows what this could mean in the long run?“[/color] She sighed through her teeth. [color=violet]"But the real interesting development happened as soon as I got here. Our budding queen has been rather combative towards the idea of everyone working together. She’s made it apparent she’d rather try to fight wonderland without our help. I understand the sentiment. She has her own spaceship that she can just fly away on whenever she pleases. Sanctuary [i]is[/i] Penrose to her. But it becomes a bit more chilling when you take her recent message to me into consideration. Try to see past what she’s asking for, because that’s not why I’m sharing this.“[/color] 

[code]

If you bring me, signed and notarized paperwork stating and confirming the nullification of all Debt for Everyone living withing Sanctuary’s boundaries for the past three weeks, up to and including today.

I’ll be willing to come to the negotiating table in regards to Contract terms for Mint presence in Penrose.

This annulment is not, and will not, be considered as part of the contract at large if you choose to comply. It is simply for you and Al to prove your good will.

I will give you three days to make a decision.

Queen Asimov The Builder.
[/code]

After Warren and Al had a moment to look at it, Chloe picked up her phone and threw it into an interdimensional door. It faded away seconds later.

[color=violet]"I forgot she had my phone number.“[/color] She was pretty sure Penny hadn’t hacked her phone, but why take a chance? [color=violet]"So yes, she’s giving us three days. Isn’t that a funny time frame?“[/color] Chloe placed her hands on her hips. [color=violet]"How does she know when Wonderland is going to attack? She was practically begging me to give up that information but it seems like she had it the entire time! Is she working for them?!“[/color]