For the next twenty minutes, I went play-by-play, explaining the full details of Kelvin and Harvy’s movements, using the highlighters to map out their steps and a red X to indicate their victims.
I also went through the blueprint and marked each of the known locations where they had placed explosives. I painted a full picture of the entire event for Brenden and My father, who digested the information and committed it to memory thanks to their Intellect Stats.
If it were before they had access to the system, I doubt they would be able to retain such information and fine details as I was giving, but luckily, that wasn’t the case.
’Now, back to these explosives in the field, as I said, they were meant to be a means of distraction and an attempt to draw away the first responders; however, it was yet another failed attempt, and instead, they ended up working against Kelvin and Harvy, as the authorities were quickly alerted to the presence of more potential explosives.’
Placing down the highlighters, I took a step back and examined my brother and father, both of whom were now standing around the bed studying the blueprint carefully.
’That’s everything from the Origin Timeline.’
’Now we need to discuss the potential outcomes we will deal with tomorrow.’ When I said this, Brenden stiffened while Dad seemed to be expressionless; he had been floating there in astral form when I gave this explanation to my brother before and had long since prepared himself for whatever happened.
’The way I see it, there are four different scenarios that can play out tomorrow morning. The first is the most obvious and, in my opinion, the most likely, and that is the fact that Arkadia considers the Columbine Shootings to be a fixed point in time. In the event that this is the case, there is absolutely nothing we can do besides be observers witnessing history.’
’As you both know, Arkadia has established that we will get a single warning about it being an FPIT, and if we continue trying to interact with things, the System will terminate us.’ Pausing my statement, I looked over at my father, and he nodded.
No words were required between us, yet a plan was established; if Columbine were an FPIT, he would knock out Brenden and bring him back to the hotel; that way, not only would he not be able to do anything stupid, but he wouldn’t be forced to witness everything, whereas I would stay and be on the lookout for any nosey Returners.
’That brings us to Scenario Two; from here on, all Scenarios will be viewed with Columbine NOT being an FPIT. In this scenario, we have established that there are no other returners present and moved forward from there. If this is the hand we are dealt, then Brenden, you are free to enact on your impulses and stop the Massacre from occurring.’
’You and Dad will work in conjunction with each other to Stop Harvy and Kelvin by whatever means you deem necessary; meanwhile, I will go to their vehicles, wipe out any trace evidence, and then move to their houses.’
’From there, I will systematically destroy any evidence about the suspected attack and make it seem as if the two of them ran away from home to start life someplace else. To be honest, I don’t really care what their families or the police think; my entire purpose is to remove their paper trail.’
’Once finished with that, I will return to CHS and head down to that field, where I will remove the explosives and rendezvous with you both back at the school to get rid of the remaining explosives.’
’In my opinion, this Scenario will yield the most quest progress for the two of you because it will seem as if Harvy and Kelvin vanished without a trace.
’With Scenario Three, no returners are present, and honestly, it will yield the least amount of return because all you need to do is call in a bomb threat or other plausible reason, which will earn a heavy police response to the school. If you choose this option, Columbine goes down as a potential mass shooting, the two shooters will be arrested with ease because we will hand them over like a gift-wrapped package, and no one gets hurt.’
’It still should earn you some rewarded Progress with Arkadia’s descent, but the gains will be minor and lackluster when compared to Scenario Two…which leads us to the final option.;
’Scenario Four…this is the one I am most looking forward to, along with it being the second highest possibility, and that is there are Returners present.’
’Since neither of you has dealt with this type of situation here in the past, let me be clear: I am NOT on board with revealing our presence as beings with powers to the world. Not only will it cause things to become increasingly messy, but we all know what happened in the Origin Timeline, governments fell, and shit hit the fan. All hell broke loose for a time until the law of the jungle prevailed and the Organisations took over.’
’Since we have no way of knowing what side anyone else is on, treat everyone as a hostile entity until proven otherwise, because if we walk into tomorrow and get blindsided by a group of villains trying to make Columbine 10 times worse, I don’t want to be caught with my pants around my ankles.’
’Gear goes on, and we fight, simple as that; you and Brenden can play the hero roles and try saving innocents and whatnot, but the issue is we don’t know what anyone else is planning.’
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’Sure, I will be able to gather that information quickly enough by way of my Talent, but for a few minutes, anything could happen, from the bombs ACTUALLY working and causing massive amounts of damage to Harvy and Kelvin being over prepared the right way this time.’
Not able to contain himself further, Brenden stopped me and interrupted.
’And what about you? If Dad and I are saving people and dealing with bombs and shit, what are you going to do?’
’Me…hm, what I do best, I will put on a show for our fellow Returners, in secret, of course. I will be able to tell what side they are on with ease, and if they are heroes, well, I can assume my Nexus identity; if not….heh, if not, then Xipher could always use a few more puppets.’