*label finalattack_start

[b]PAWN TO QUEEN EIGHT[/b]

"All right," Renne says. "Now that we're close to full strength again, what can we do?" She paces a circle around the central console. "Anyone?"

"We could talk to them," Dan suggests.

Renne shoots him a look, but she doesn't stop walking. "Seriously?"

*fake_choice
	#"Negotiation is an important part of war!"
		Dan nods. "They didn't kill us. I don't think they are in a state of total war. They could be amenable to negotation. It's an option."
	#"I think we've gone past negotiation at this point."
		Dan sighs. "They didn't kill us, though. I don't think they are in a state of total war. But it's just an option." He shrugs.

Renne rolls her eyes. "[i]Or[/i] we could attack. The only question is how."

*fake_choice
	#"If we can't attack them directly, what part of them [i]can[/i] we attack?"
		Renne nods, then her eyes widen. "Ah! Everything has a beginning. Maybe that's vulnerable."
	#"You said strength can be weakness."
		Renne shoots you a grin. "I did, indeed. Their strength is their shield, keeping us out. Ah! And keeping something in, perhaps!"
	#"Actually I don't think fighting is a good idea."
		Renne snorts. "Something has to be done, though." She rubs her hands together, still pacing. "Where are they vulnerable? How?"

"I've got it," Renne says. "Paradox energy propagates along timelines. But the shield probably keeps it in. So if paradox enters..."

"It can accumulate and build up," the Professor says. "Probably overload the thing."

"Playing with paradox?" Dan asks. "That sounds dangerous."

"Oh, it is." The Professor smiles. "I think it'll work, though." Leaning back against a table, he sighs and rubs his hands together. "Is that it? Is there anything else we've forgotten?"

*choice
	#"Nothing."
		"Then we have our options," the Professor says.
		*goto after_isa_choice
	*selectable_if (enigma >= 5) #"What about that blonde girl?"
		All conversation stops. Your mentors look at each other. "What blonde girl?" Dan asks.

		The sudden attention is difficult to take, but you force yourself to keep talking. "The blonde girl. She was everywhere! Remember?" You look at Dan. "When we went to Elizabeth's dorm, a blonde girl was in another room." You turn your face to Renne. "There was a blonde girl in the refugee bunker. And! Remember the acrobatic troupe on the spaceship?" You nod to the Professor. "A blonde gymnast!"

		Dan exchanges a look with the Professor. "All those places? And times?"

		Holt suddenly speaks up. "We saw a blonde waitress in 1861 Oklahoma!"

		"And before that, in 2012 Oklahoma!" you say, nodding.

		"But that's--" Renne stops, then she looks at the Professor and sighs. "Oh, you're going to tell me 'nothing's impossible', aren't you?"

		"I'll say one thing," the Professor says. "I have no idea who this girl is or why she's appearing in so many times and places." A frown creases his brow. "She could be a time traveler, of course, but somehow...somehow I don't think that's it."

		"So what?" Renne asks. "What does that get us? I mean, what now?"

		A smile stretches over the Professor's face. "We could go talk to her."
		*goto after_isa_choice

*label after_isa_choice

"I think that's it," Dan says. He moves to the console and flips some switches. "I think the Chaos Agency may be able to track us. I'm keeping us moving through time, but we're going to have to take action."

The three mentors look at each other, then they look at you.

"This is your show, ${name}," the Professor says. "Your time machine. Your rules. What do [i]you[/i] think we should do?"

You look around at your gathered allies. Then you take a deep breath.

*choice
	#"Negotation. I don't think either faction can destroy the other. We have to learn to coexist."
		Dan smiles, nodding slightly. Renne shakes her head. The Professor, though, merely bends himself to the time machine's controls. "I think I know how we can get in touch with them," he says. "Hold tight!"
		*goto_scene final_diplomacy final_diplomacy_start
	#"Attack. Let's wipe out their shield and free everyone!"
		Renne grins. The other two shrug. "Should work," the Professor says. "May not be fun or safe, but it should work. Let's go!"
		*goto_scene final_combat final_combat_start
	#"Investigate that girl. She might be the key to the whole thing."
		Renne and Dan exchange a confused glance. The Professor's eyes glitter. "So be it!" he says, flipping switches. "Hang on!"
		*goto_scene final_enigma final_enigma_start

*finish

