Those two things can actually go quite well together, DLK!
As for Ari and Demi: But what state was he in when she found him, I wonder. And does she have the medical skill to save him? Considering a lack of drag marks and that he would be quite heavy, especially in that armour, signs actually point to "alive" and "yes".
But then a certain duo is thoroughly know to occasionally throw us a curve ball or two.
There aren't very many people like this, but there are genuinely some people who act like the only thing that matters is their desires. Generally such people aren't capable of plotting a successful coup though, unless they were (closer to) sane at that time and degenerated later.
If at any time you find yourself associating with someone for whom the most noteworthy aspect of Reality is that it occasionally needs to cleaned off their boots ... it is time to start asking yourself some pointed questions about your life.
Most of the ones I've had the misfortune of suffering were rich people. Depending on the nature of your occupation, family or social circles dealing with them may be one of those unavoidable chores, like cleaning the toilet, that is disagreeable but necessary.
It would seem Democlus has been rescued? and looks like Kali stopped at the beauty salon for a new hair style. Could it be that in his conceit Prince Clueless will deliver himself to Dolly and Company?
Naw, it's allright ... I'll pretend that the sign is right and kill him anyways.
Though I don't want to bite him much, I'm scared he might be toxic or something.
... mebbe push him a little bit in front of a train ? :)
Then we begin cutting out organs... Firstly he only NEEDS one kidney. The other needs a 12-guage-ectimy. Then we take a pencil and just put a hole in one of his lungs. gotta make room for the gelatin....
Oh dear I really don't like that douche
Maybe it's Schrödinger's cat behind that door, only it's a really huge, sabre-toothed example, with a hatred of grey-faced cassians and blue-armoured things, and immunity to the experiment's poison gas, which is neurotoxic in this case, and had already been released into the chamber, and will flow into the room causing Dec to lose control of his bodily functions. Dec will be able to watch while the cat tears through his bodyguard, then ambles over to start teasing him...
Setorius: I have already repaired the grosser damage done to your person, sire, and will be able to repair the neural and cosmetic damage given time. But we must obviously ensure that your Contingencies are serviced, or our time will be cut short. And, as per your instructions, the beast that did this to you was destroyed - utterly so - so we cannot therefore hang its hide in front of you and beat it...
[...]
Setorius: The damage to his nervous system is irreparable. I shall continue to keep him alive and able to communicate, and carry on a careful plan of deceit until such time as we are able to... dispense with him. I assume that the cyberneticists are working to their utmost?
Acantha: Of course. And won't you take a seat, Archpriest?
Setorius: No thank you... I have nothing more to convey, and that beast will undoubtedly try to invade my lap if I do. *picks large cat hair off clothes* And I believe the time has come for me to recruit interns... and equip them with lint rollers. *picks another large cat hair off clothes* So, with your leave...? Hail Princess Acantha. *exits*
Lynn: I think someone doesn't like cats. *stroke stroke stroke*
Irene: Doesn't he realise that that will just encourage it? *scritch scritch fluff*
Acantha: He dwells in an entirely different sphere of reason, alas. *cuddle* *massage*
Schrödinger's giant sabre-toothed big cat: *PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*
Yes, it was sufficient established early on that Decimus is not stupid, but his reality keeps changing and that is truly a terrifying aspect of someone in power.
Have to disagree, we are watching someone consider abandoning his carefully crafted set of military-diplomatic plotting and self-justification propaganda in pursuit of dubiously realizable incestuous impulses. That is idiotic.
You're missing it, I think we're getting into 'informed attribute' territory whenever someone says Decimus is intelligent: Have we seen him make even one intelligent analysis or decision?
I don't think that it's the impulses themselves that are making him act that way now. I think that he can't stand the fact that Acantha and Lynn don't follow his every order nor do they think that he's the greatest leader ever. Acantha's openly questioned his orders. Lynn assaulted him (the circumstances won't matter to him).
However, his interactions with Calliope show that his behaviour is part of a pattern. Like any spoiled brat, he can't deal with those who can show him how weak his way is not the right way.
Indeed, all the behaviour of Decimus makes sense when you peg him as being a vain, greedy sociopath who thinks everyone else is stupid and has absurdly excessive notions of his own wit, wisdom and prowess. Very little else explains him wandering through a war zone with a light escort into insecure territory: Even if he has access to magic invincibility bullshit that lets him survive landmines, snipers and ambushes all it takes is a heavy enough deadfall.
Oh, come on, Decimus is on a whole other level of asshole from our mere 20th/21st-century politicians. Trump, Clinton, Obama, Cruz, Sanders, Christie--he makes each and every one of them look like shining pillars of integrity, honesty, humanitarianism, financial responsibility, and sanity.
Oh, there do exist 20th/21th century politicians comparable to this asshole: Kim dynasty of N. Korea, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, Robert Mugabe, Saparmurat Niyazov, Muammar Gaddafi... And that's just for starters.
Actually, Rose, out of all of them, based on the info I've gathered *so far*, Sanders just might actually make a good president. Except for Congress blocking or twisting beyond all recognition everything he tries to do. The only possible exception is the gun control issue. But as far as that goes, he's trying to get onto the democratic ticket, so has to cater to the party line in at least some respects.
He's not a billionaire, isn't in the pocket of any of the SuperPACs, and has a solid plan for each of the major issues he's focused on (which is largely shutting down corporate control of the government, restoring the middle class to above the poverty line, a proper national health care system such as every first world country that isn't the US has, civil rights/equality, and not sending troops to a foreign country under the justification of lies - he supports military action but only when absolutely necessary)
From what I've seen in my researching, with the right people in congress, he could very well be the next FDR (who pulled us out of the Great Depression)
I disagree on the subject of Sanders, velvet, but in the interests of not turning the entire comment section into a showcase for my vocabulary of vulgarity and invective as well as a political fireball, I'll leave it at that.
You're giving Trump credit for not being as insane as a fictional combination of most of the flaws of Adolph Hitler, Commodus and Nero. There are remarkably few people who don't meet or exceed that standard, I think.
Item one: Holy shit someone kill him already. He's like someone made a gene joke out of Joffrey and Hodor, with a Lannister's libido.
Item two: Kali notes the lack of drag marks, which means whoever moved Demo is decently strong. Also probably a medic, otherwise he'd be, well... leaking. And the helm is still there, so Demo probably isn't one of Rose's agents, or he would have taken it. All in all: *not* Ari.
Item three: I don't think Ari would have passed Demo by, certainly not if he was missing. So either she met whoever was moving him (and possibly was the cause of them caring to do so in the first place) or is currently searching close by. I really hope she doesn't run in to Prince Crazy Pants...
Miraiko might've come upon that area and helped Ari move Decimus. The two of them combined might've been able to move him without dragging him, and we know Miraiko's out on vengeance duty. Likely TR's keeping her apprised of the precise moment when Aeneas has control of Decimus' failsafes and she can safely kill him (slowly enough for him to try to release the failsafes and watch them fail, though). So she could've been scoping out around here when she found he was headed this way.
Hm... If Miraiko's target really is Decimus (and chances for that are good), that is actually quite possible. Or that she ran across Democlus and patched him up good enough for him to be able to move on his own when supported.
Seems like a showdown is coming up. I hope that Ari will be safe (...and of course out of the way, tending to Democlus...), and wonder how Aeneas will react to douchie's presence... or how douchie will react when he realizes where he is - and when a certain voice speaks to him: "Welcome to my lair, muahahahaha..." *lol*
I don't think anyone's told him that New Troy are the ones who are in charge of the operation against the palace. I wonder how he'll feel when he does? However, I hope that he doesn't find out until the contingencies are disabled as well as his access to missile control. After all, I suspect that he would respond by launching an all out attack on New Troy.
I hope that he's close enough for TR and Co to grab the audio of that. Having that conversation transmitted to certain other parties (e.g. New Troy, Luna, Ahta, etc) may cause Decimus a few diplomatic problems.
no passive blood stains and no drag marks ? Arianna is a good medic and very strong to carry him or some other person found him or he stopped the bleeding him self and staggered of to find help
It may well be possible that however badly hurt, Democlus may have been able to walk away from there, with Arianna helping him to stay upright and moving. Thus, no drag marks or super amazon strength in having to carry him.
I kind of doubt that, Lukkai. I don't think the armor was totally sealed. Plus he had already put blood down (Kali detected it) but it isn't smeared or leaving a trail away. To me that indicates he got up or someone really strong carried him away.
But should he have been able to get up, there's a decent chance that any blood possibly still running from the wound would now follow his body down towards the feet. And that it would be completely held within the armour or at least take quite a while to soak through those lower parts not yet touched by blood.
So it would be a possible explanation for the lack of bloody tracks. An explanation that would require him to be patched up good enough to move (with or without help).
If I were to hazard a guess just based on what would be the most unexpected fate our authors could toss at us, I'd say Decimus is going to be finally done in by his cat servant as part of a long term plot on her part.
Possibly something involving hair balls.
Alone and undefended, Decimus is forced to the very top of the Black Palace. His goal is simple: A well hidden exit will carry him outside the Palace walls, where he can plot to regain the throne. All he needs to do is descend the obscenely long spiral staircase's thousands of pointy-edged metal steps. He takes the first step...
Suddenly, his pet catgirl dives between his legs, sending him tumbling to the bottom! (Note the trip will take about twenty minutes, as the palace is REALLY tall).
Not to speak for our wonderful creators, but ... no. If you did, it wouldn't be canon. ^_^
Although that does spark an inspired idea for fund-raising: I wonder how much someone would pay for a cameo if they got to be the one to 'finalize' Decimus?
If I won that one I would give it to Julia. If anyone deserves a little payback from Douchimus... }:-D~> As a physician she could probably keep him alive while sawing pieces off him.
Since there is a lot of speculation about what happened to Democlus, I would like to make clear that, while more than capable, I did not pick him up and carry him off. Nor did I use healing magic to repair his wounds and return him to health. Nor was I persuaded to do this by Sheela, who is not now helping him clean up after his ordeal. And I am not currently hiding behind any doors, EMP spell and heavy disintegrator at the ready, or angle grinder to hand; so if Kali is found with her brain fried (along with two partly-disintegrated praetorians) and Dec should happen to receive an angle-grinder lobotomy, I shall have had nothing to do with it. At all. Honest.
>:=|> (Straight-faced Goat is straight-faced, and does not have his fingers crossed behind his back.)
That is a little too SPECIFIC for you to be totally innocent, Goat.
Meh, not like anyone IMPORTANT cares about the Bluebs or Douchimus. As for the rest... miracles happen I guess. ::Shrugs and wanders the other direction::
Thank you - Panel 4 was a HUGE pain in the Butt to make .. Its kinda sad it got reduced to that in size :D you cant see all the fiddly bits and details I added
There has been multiple mention of the "contingencies" and they were even spelled out in detail in Comic 1311 - The Contingencies, 2nd Nov 2015, (Nero, Ahab & Samson). However, I've never seen (or I've missed), exactly how they are to be executed.
Specifically, why can they not be disabled? What is the trigger and who/what controls the processes? Dead man brain implant? Keep alive button? Aeneas? Unknown? Can a repaired Aeneas prevent/disable them?
We don't know. CentComm and Tokyo Rose haven't told us much. Douchimus wouldn't want anyone knowing about disabling them, as 'popular' as he is. We have been told if he dies they engage. If he fails to enter a code at some interval they engage.
Until someone figures out to disable them taking direct action against him is VERY risky. I'm thinking those that know are hoping to force a settlement on him. In exchange for his life, he abdicates in favor of Acantha. The balancing act that would require though is terrifying to contemplate. Things have gotten so bad, they know he has to GO. Even if kills millions. Leaving him in power would kill BILLIONS, he is that power mad. Hitler would be compared to Douchimus, not the other way around. :-P
That makes me feel better. I haven't gone completely senile - only partly.
I knew about the dying part but didn't remember about entering a code part. That would make sense. Otherwise he could be just locked up. He is crazy enough to take everyone with him rather than disclose the code.
But doesn't Aeneas control all the weapons? Or do I vaguely recall a major build up of non-automated arms/non-robotic weapons?
Acantha mentioned a build up of arms, being constructed not under AI control back when they were flying to Aeneas' zone. We don't know all about those weapons, but they probably aren't the city killer type. More arms and armor for his soldiers, I think. The bad ones probably run through Aeneas; however, as long as Douchimus is in power he can probably push the button and as disjointed as Aeneas currently is he might not be able to stop it. :-7
My impression by comic TR & Miraiko's statements to Kyle are that Aeneas, at full capacity, could easily stop Decimus' failsafes, but he's incapable of doing so in his current state.
Additionally, AIS subsystem protections seem like the most likely explanation for why comic TR couldn't disable them herself years ago. So likely Decimus' failsafes are actually part of Aeneas that he doesn't have control over. That also solves the problem for how he could've convinced enough smart people to work on that kind of thing and successfully kept them from leaking the secret to disabling it to SOMEONE that Maxus or comic TR could've found.
It was mentioned by the authors in the comments. Unless he enters codes that he knows every few days, they activate. If his vitals flat line, they activate. I can't remember but there may be other safeguards.
So no one thought the fail safes were imagined or hinted at being real? If something is said and so terrible that people believe without proof then in their minds it is real. But it may be a ruse or bold face lies. Guess we will see some point in the future.
I agree that there is a possibility that the contingencies are a ruse. Even so, I would not be willing to take a chance on what could potentially be the end of the human race on a maybe.
The world is safe. His contingencies only target the city states of the North American continent. On top of that, don't forget that humans live on the moon now.
With his Douchiness, HiFranc, I'm not willing to bet anything on the contingencies being a ruse. Given Douchimus' personality it is easy to believe he would set something up to destroy everyone if he was harmed. Now whether those contingencies will actually work, or like in the case of the Quadium Bomb in The Mouse That Roared maybe the trigger is a dud. :-)
Hmmm, Ceci getting involved with repairing Aeneas and Dolly going elsewhere looking for something just before we get a (likely earlier) timestamp and go back to see Decimus? Why does that sound like a recipe for Decimus & Kali walking in on them (I don't think the blue boys will, I think they'll get to discover Acantha's door/barrel trick first hand).
Too bad Ceci will be too occupied to respond. I suspect she could easily hack Kali to remove her allegiance to Decimus, maybe leaving her allegiance to Acantha or maybe not. At that point Kali could just keep Decimus unconscious while Aeneas gets repaired.
However I'm thinking Miraiko is the loose end that will swoop in to help with Dolly & Ceci occupied.
IIRC, Kali (as are all Cassians), is loyal to the head of NR, whomever that may be. I believe that was part of her discussion with Maxus shortly before the attack on the palace. So, if dickhead is deposed and Agantha ascends, Kali's loyalty would automatically switch to Agantha - no hacks needed.
I believe that they are genuine myself. I'm not sure how well maintained they are, though. After all, I doubt that he would let technicians tell anyone how they work. Therefore, the life expectancy of technicians working on that project may be very short indeed!
I'd thought that Kali is the Livius family guardian with an inhibitor requiring her unquestioning obedience to the head of the family. I thought the other Cassians were inhibited to follow Kali's commands.
But the hacking I was speaking of was for removing the requirement to serve Decimus while he's still alive, in case they need more time with Aeneas for the failsafes. Also it's probably be gratifying to everyone, including Kali, to watch Decimus' reaction when he realizes that Kali is no longer his slave and is going to punish him as she sees fit based upon what her years of service have shown her. Not sure if any of them but Acantha and Ceci would have the stomach to watch all of it, though.
Isn't Ariana still waiting at the tram stop? If dickus and Kali get through the door (most likely), they will find her and, being a slave, Ariana will have to answer their questions. Potentially bad news for our heroes as she knows who is in the party and some of their capabilities - especially that there are two NT operatives, "armed and dangerous". Kali would probably also deduce that they were responsible for Nox's death.
No, Skulker. I was thinking that she retreated down the hall and concealed herself. At least that was her stated intent; however, to me it sounded like she was going back to check on Democlus.
After which, the next sensible move would be to hide, which she indicated she could do very, very well. Her preference for concealment may have had to change slightly to accommodate an acute need for medical treatment, but if they haven't seen her by now, they probably already walked by her.
Oh gosh. I hope the slave girl is alright >_< if they're anywhere near her. Oh gosh... Deck needs decked so hard. I urghhh, everyone is on the move again, man.
Listen up, Jackass, there's something that's waiting for you that JUST TOOK OUT your best killing machine! Catch a Clue! Oops, you missed it!
PS. I'm glad Arianna got to Demiclus before our Rhodes scholar here did.
As for Ari and Demi: But what state was he in when she found him, I wonder. And does she have the medical skill to save him? Considering a lack of drag marks and that he would be quite heavy, especially in that armour, signs actually point to "alive" and "yes".
But then a certain duo is thoroughly know to occasionally throw us a curve ball or two.
So glad I am not him.
Okay guys, I have a plan. Let's put a "This is Kyle" sign on him and let Sheela into the same room!
Though I don't want to bite him much, I'm scared he might be toxic or something.
... mebbe push him a little bit in front of a train ? :)
Thing of the poor train driver!
And the people who'll have to clean the train and tracks!!
Here. Take this.
*hands Sheela a handful of white phosphorus grenades*
That said, it's amazing what you can live through...
... or arms.
... or a penis.
Oh dear I really don't like that douche
(Hmmmm - The Friday cliffhanger be approchin') lol
He can always turn around and go back... wait, he can't do that either, cause there's Miraiko!
Setorius: I have already repaired the grosser damage done to your person, sire, and will be able to repair the neural and cosmetic damage given time. But we must obviously ensure that your Contingencies are serviced, or our time will be cut short. And, as per your instructions, the beast that did this to you was destroyed - utterly so - so we cannot therefore hang its hide in front of you and beat it...
[...]
Setorius: The damage to his nervous system is irreparable. I shall continue to keep him alive and able to communicate, and carry on a careful plan of deceit until such time as we are able to... dispense with him. I assume that the cyberneticists are working to their utmost?
Acantha: Of course. And won't you take a seat, Archpriest?
Setorius: No thank you... I have nothing more to convey, and that beast will undoubtedly try to invade my lap if I do. *picks large cat hair off clothes* And I believe the time has come for me to recruit interns... and equip them with lint rollers. *picks another large cat hair off clothes* So, with your leave...? Hail Princess Acantha. *exits*
Lynn: I think someone doesn't like cats. *stroke stroke stroke*
Irene: Doesn't he realise that that will just encourage it? *scritch scritch fluff*
Acantha: He dwells in an entirely different sphere of reason, alas. *cuddle* *massage*
Schrödinger's giant sabre-toothed big cat: *PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*
>:=)>
His intelligence is not that bad actually.
Now his wisdom stat on the other hand...
However, his interactions with Calliope show that his behaviour is part of a pattern. Like any spoiled brat, he can't deal with those who can show him how weak his way is not the right way.
He's not a billionaire, isn't in the pocket of any of the SuperPACs, and has a solid plan for each of the major issues he's focused on (which is largely shutting down corporate control of the government, restoring the middle class to above the poverty line, a proper national health care system such as every first world country that isn't the US has, civil rights/equality, and not sending troops to a foreign country under the justification of lies - he supports military action but only when absolutely necessary)
From what I've seen in my researching, with the right people in congress, he could very well be the next FDR (who pulled us out of the Great Depression)
Quite honestly.
I think he's arrogant, stupid and does not deserve his position. Nor is he capable of doing what he's planning to do.
But I will give Trump credit where it's due. He's not as bad as Decimus.
Someone turn him into hamburger, please?
There's someone who isn't?
Ah, okay. The Bluebs probably.
Well, those still alive. I get the feeling their numbers have dwindled drastically over the last few hours.
Item two: Kali notes the lack of drag marks, which means whoever moved Demo is decently strong. Also probably a medic, otherwise he'd be, well... leaking. And the helm is still there, so Demo probably isn't one of Rose's agents, or he would have taken it. All in all: *not* Ari.
Item three: I don't think Ari would have passed Demo by, certainly not if he was missing. So either she met whoever was moving him (and possibly was the cause of them caring to do so in the first place) or is currently searching close by. I really hope she doesn't run in to Prince Crazy Pants...
...
*in a very small voice* I hope.
*prepares the fallen hero music montage just in case*
Seems like a showdown is coming up. I hope that Ari will be safe (...and of course out of the way, tending to Democlus...), and wonder how Aeneas will react to douchie's presence... or how douchie will react when he realizes where he is - and when a certain voice speaks to him: "Welcome to my lair, muahahahaha..." *lol*
Bwahahaha
This particular one is locked. :D
But should he have been able to get up, there's a decent chance that any blood possibly still running from the wound would now follow his body down towards the feet. And that it would be completely held within the armour or at least take quite a while to soak through those lower parts not yet touched by blood.
So it would be a possible explanation for the lack of bloody tracks. An explanation that would require him to be patched up good enough to move (with or without help).
Possibly something involving hair balls.
There's also that arch priest Setorius still around.
Suddenly, his pet catgirl dives between his legs, sending him tumbling to the bottom! (Note the trip will take about twenty minutes, as the palace is REALLY tall).
Although that does spark an inspired idea for fund-raising: I wonder how much someone would pay for a cameo if they got to be the one to 'finalize' Decimus?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYpd-2buQc0
>:=|> (Straight-faced Goat is straight-faced, and does not have his fingers crossed behind his back.)
Meh, not like anyone IMPORTANT cares about the Bluebs or Douchimus. As for the rest... miracles happen I guess. ::Shrugs and wanders the other direction::
My first guess that this was Arianna may have been wrong. It could be Maxus and Co. that got here first.
Specifically, why can they not be disabled? What is the trigger and who/what controls the processes? Dead man brain implant? Keep alive button? Aeneas? Unknown? Can a repaired Aeneas prevent/disable them?
A curious mind wants to know.
Until someone figures out to disable them taking direct action against him is VERY risky. I'm thinking those that know are hoping to force a settlement on him. In exchange for his life, he abdicates in favor of Acantha. The balancing act that would require though is terrifying to contemplate. Things have gotten so bad, they know he has to GO. Even if kills millions. Leaving him in power would kill BILLIONS, he is that power mad. Hitler would be compared to Douchimus, not the other way around. :-P
I knew about the dying part but didn't remember about entering a code part. That would make sense. Otherwise he could be just locked up. He is crazy enough to take everyone with him rather than disclose the code.
But doesn't Aeneas control all the weapons? Or do I vaguely recall a major build up of non-automated arms/non-robotic weapons?
Additionally, AIS subsystem protections seem like the most likely explanation for why comic TR couldn't disable them herself years ago. So likely Decimus' failsafes are actually part of Aeneas that he doesn't have control over. That also solves the problem for how he could've convinced enough smart people to work on that kind of thing and successfully kept them from leaking the secret to disabling it to SOMEONE that Maxus or comic TR could've found.
Too bad Ceci will be too occupied to respond. I suspect she could easily hack Kali to remove her allegiance to Decimus, maybe leaving her allegiance to Acantha or maybe not. At that point Kali could just keep Decimus unconscious while Aeneas gets repaired.
However I'm thinking Miraiko is the loose end that will swoop in to help with Dolly & Ceci occupied.
Acantha (and anyone accompanying her) is the only person known to survive such an attempt.
But the hacking I was speaking of was for removing the requirement to serve Decimus while he's still alive, in case they need more time with Aeneas for the failsafes. Also it's probably be gratifying to everyone, including Kali, to watch Decimus' reaction when he realizes that Kali is no longer his slave and is going to punish him as she sees fit based upon what her years of service have shown her. Not sure if any of them but Acantha and Ceci would have the stomach to watch all of it, though.