A/N:
SkyNote: Hi I'm sick-
SDNote: And I'm sicker.
SkyNote: So anyway, due to technical issues, I am now without a laptop. SD will be posting this, I guess, but expect slower updates. Probably. And oh, FTs were a pain in the neck.
Chapter VIII: Hanging By A Thread
"I see." Nodding, I bring up the map once more. "Then would you like to pick an area?"
"How about the Storage Room, then?" Kaede shrugs. "It'd make sense if it were cleaned up now, right? And if it isn't…"
"Well, let's not dwell on that." I grin. "Alright then. Let's go."
LOCATION: STORAGE ROOM
It's… clear, surprisingly. Arc's corpse is no longer there, and even all the blood has been cleared away.
The image of Mikaze propping a dead Paladin over her shoulder bemuses me. Surely that didn't happen, did it? I mean, how could she have moved a six-foot knight, who was in armour to boot?
But the equally-confused look on Kaede's face at least tells me that I'm not alone in this confusion, thank god.
Of course, we aren't the only people there.
"You two." Mutsuko inclines her head as we enter. "As you can see, we're one Paladin short-"
"But we're definitely not short on ghosts, at least!" Someone else finishes, even as I see Rin too enter the room from the corner of my eye. Mutusko looks somewhat annoyed, but shrugs it off.
She goes over to talk to Kaede, leaving me with Mutsuko. Let's see now...
==Free Time!==
Free Time with Mutusko?
[Alright, why not?] [Perhaps it's not such a wise idea to bug her...]
Ayumu: So, what's up?
Mutusko: ...If you don't count the fact that there's a corpse missing, then no, nothing's up.
Mutusko: Why the question though?
Ayumu: I dunno. Just felt like asking.
Ayumu: Well, I haven't really been informed yet, but why exactly are we here on this ship?
Mutusko: ...I forgot you were amnesiac.
Ayumu: She looks exasperated for some reason.
Ayumu: Yeah, I'm sorry, if that makes you feel any better.
Mutusko: In any case. We're… the last ones. The last Super High School Level talents who have the capability to be the Super High School Level Hope.
Mutsuko: Makoto Naegi and Junko Enoshima are both dead, anyway. Besides, you could say that if we have the capability to be Hope, the reverse is also true.
Ayumu: ...They thought an amnesiac could inspire hope?
Mutusko: I don't question the people in charge. I'm just here to do my part.
Mutsuko: Besides...I believe it was mentioned before, you're the only one we don't know. We were gathered about a week before we boarded the ship. Even for Nicol, who came last, had at least two days of interaction.
Mutsuko: ...It's actually difficult to tell if you haven't yet already picked a side.
Ayumu: I don't even know what the benefits are to supporting either side. Heck, I don't even know why I should pick a side.
Mutsuko: Perhaps it's only that you've forgotten. We're neutrality for now, so to speak. But with this Mutual Killing Game… people will fall to Despair, even on this ship.
Mutsuko: It's just a matter of time.
Ayumu: Well then. Guess I can't stop that - best I can do is hope I don't.
Mutsuko: Hm. I wouldn't use the word 'hope' so casually if I were you. Neither would I use 'despair'.
Ayumu: Is it really all that taboo?
Mutsuko: Indeedly so. I suggest you watch your back around here.
Ayumu: Alright, alright, no need to tell me.
Ayumu: Guess I'm going to have to be careful with what I say around these parts.
Ayumu: But at least Mutsuko wasn't outright antagonistic about it.
Ayumu: Oh, right. Speaking of Mutsuko…
Ayumu: By the way, have you tried the Slot Machine yet?
Mutsuko: About that… well...
Conversation was fairly brief after that. Seeing as we had no leads to go on, we split up again outside the storage room, with Mutsuko and Rin going one way, and Kaede and I going the other.
"I guess… well, I don't really know where to next," Kaede sighs, and I shrug in return. "Let's just… walk, then?" His reply is a slight nod, and we head out of the Storage Room and onto the deck.
Surprisingly, though, there's someone I thought I'd not meet waiting outside the Storage Room. Kyoya was leaning against the wall, and greeted Kaede with an acknowledging nod. His gaze doesn't leave me, however. "Could I have a word, Umemoto?"
"What word?" I respond out of habit.
He gives me a look that says 'really?', but walks off to a short distance away. "Are you coming, or not?"
==Free Time!==
Free Time with Kyoya?
[Let's… hear what he has to say, I guess] [And subject him to more bad jokes? Nah]
Ayumu: Alright then, what's going on?
Kyoya: It's about the motives.
Ayumu: He's looking at the far-off horizon. It's uncharacteristic-
Kyoya: Are you planning on killing?
Kyoya: Wait, what am I talking about? Right, you wouldn't answer anyway.
Ayumu: No, I mean, why would I even kill anyone?
Ayumu: I don't even remember what my secret's supposed to mean. Amnesiac, remember?
Kyoya: You could be lying about the amnesia… actually, just forget about it.
Kyoya: It's not worth it.
Ayumu: ...What's not worth it?
Kyoya: There's no point in discussing what's the point of the motive. Neither it is worth is to discuss anything with anyone, because there's no telling who's going to kill.
Kyoya: I thought you'd have figured that out already.
Ayumu: Yeah, but at least I'd be able to convince some people not to.
Ayumu: Really though, why so serious? Does the motive really affect you all that much?
Kyoya: That's up to interpretation. Personally, I wouldn't like to see people die for it.
Ayumu: I don't think anyone would like to see people die for it. Besides, you could always rule yourself out as a suspect.
Ayumu: What's your letter say?
Kyoya: …And why should I answer that?
Ayumu: Because…You're a nice guy and you don't mind sharing?
Kyoya: Nice try, but no. In case you didn't realise due to your observational skills, or perhaps the lack thereof, I tore my folder up in the trial room.
Ayumu: Well, okay. But still, it's gotta be about a person, right?
Ayumu: All of the letters so far have had to do with someone important to us, so…?
Kyoya: You say that as if you've seen other letters.
Ayumu: He looks wary now.
Ayumu: Course I have. Not telling whose, but, I have.
Kyoya: …Heh, not something I'd expect from you, but alright.
Kyoya: I did indeed glance at my folder before ripping it up. And it did indeed mention a person.
Ayumu: And?
Kyoya: ...I honestly don't see a reason to continue, unless of course, you want to start first.
Ayumu: My letter involves one of the people aboard this ship. That's all I'm comfortable telling you, because I don't even know who that person is. No name, nothing.
Kyoya: I suppose that's a given, considering your amnesia. Well, mine concerns a family member not on board the ship.
Ayumu: That seems to be a given for everyone else I've seen...Which one?
Kyoya: ...My younger brother.
Ayumu: He somehow seems a little…hesitant? Is that right?
Ayumu: So, I suppose they're killing him unless someone on this ship bites the dust?
Kyoya: Unfortunately. For now, I can only wish someone else has a bigger need to murder than I do.
Kyoya: I don't want to resort to anything drastic, after all.
Ayumu: …
Ayumu: You do that. Best of luck.
Kyoya: I don't suppose you'd kill for whomever that person on board is?
Ayumu: …
Ayumu: I'm not answering that.
Kyoya: Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Kyoya Akita - Level 1!
Kyoya seems to treasure the people on this ship underneath that cocky exterior, at least, though his motive does give cause to worry. Like all else, he's hesitant about sensitive issues, and seems to care a lot more for his younger brother who is set as the motive this time round, but it feels as though I've barely learnt anything about him.
He leaves without a farewell, and as I glance back to Kaede, the Technician shugs. "I can safely say Kyoya never lets anyone know him or the secret behind his magic, so…"
I shake my head. "It's fine." It still bugs me that some people aren't being quite as trustful of me as I would have hoped, but considering I don't remember anything about myself, maybe there might be something they know about me that I don't.
Oh yeah. Memories. *sigh* This is starting to get real repetitive...
"Well, I guess, where to next?" Kaede asks, and I shrug. "Anywhere's fine."
He thinks about it for a few moments.
==Select!==
Locations:
Mess Hall
Storage Room
Antichamber
Generation Room
Students' Quarters
Selected Location: Students' Quarters
"...Uh…" I raise an eyebrow. "Okay, sure, why not."
He merely smiles.
LOCATION: STUDENTS' QUARTERS
It's with a smile on his face that he drags me over to a pale pink door. "Let's watch the SHSL Lolicon in action."
I swear to Arceus, Kaede, if you start that too-
"If you're looking for Akuma, she's in the Mess Hall." Surprisingly, it's Yumi who exits the room with the pale pink door, and her expression is unreadable as always.
I cough awkwardly, but Kaede takes no hints. "Right. Would you like to watch the Lolicon do his work-"
"Kaede-" I begin, only for Yumi to leave the Students' Quarters as if nothing was said.
Rude much?
Still, without giving me much time to dwell on the murder, Kaede drags me to the Mess Hall. I seem to be getting dragged along a lot today, come to think of it…
LOCATION: MESS HALL
Inside the Mess Hall are Akuma and surprisingly, Shiori hasn't left. But honestly, I'm never going to make peace with that Asshole.
Kaede gives me a "what are you waiting for" look, and I sigh. But the near-silence is broken by Akuma herself, who gives me a small wave from her seat at the table. "Ayumu-niichan…"
==Free Time!==
Free Time with Akuma?
[She's too adorable to resist.] [There's actually a reason to say no...?]
Ayumu: Is something the matter, Akuma?
Akuma: …
Ayumu: She's not looking me in the eye. I guess something's up for sure.
Akuma: ...the same as everyone else…
Akuma: It's the motive.
Ayumu: Oh. Oh dear. Akuma, have you been crying?
Akuma: ...No, Akuma has not.
Akuma: Akuma doesn't cry.
Ayumu: I see.
Ayumu: Well, she's obviously lying.
Ayumu: Look, Akuma, you don't have to lie to me. I know you're afraid of what could happen to the person in your letter, but have faith.
Ayumu: They can't possibly target all our families at once, right?
Akuma: ...Maybe they could… Akuma thinks that if they could board this ship, then maybe… they can do anything.
Akuma: Akuma doesn't want to lose… what's most important.
Ayumu: What's most important…
Ayumu: If only I knew what was most important. And how to get it back.
Ayumu: There, there. It's okay, alright? I promise I'll try to find a way around this all.
Akuma: Alright…
Akuma: Thank you, Ayumu-niichan.
Ayumu: She's hugging me. The feeling is foreign, but fairly comfortable…
Ayumu: Her hold on me's pretty strong though. Maybe I'm just not used to being hugged.
Akuma: (*sniffs*) Akuma just doesn't want to lose her dad… Ever since Akuma's mum died, he's been the only one to take care of her all this time.
Akuma: If he dies, he's never going to get a Nobel Prize! Akuma just can't let that happen!
Ayumu: Oh. More family matters.
Ayumu: Sigh… They even gave Nicol someone he can't remember who was probably family and not me? What happened to my mum and dad, huh?
Ayumu: Akuma, calm down. I'm sure your dad will be fine.
Ayumu: For now, stay strong, alright? Big girls don't cry.
Akuma: …
Ayumu: Oof!
Ayumu: She punched me!
Akuma: Bakayumu-niichan...Akuma's already a young woman.
Akuma: …
Akuma: But thank you very much. Thank you for being here for Akuma.
Ayumu: She's hugging me again. I guess I'll just let her do so for now.
Akuma Ankoku - Level 1!
So it would seem that Akuma has got a motive related to family as well… I wonder what happened to mine… In any case, it would seem that Akuma's really concerned about her father, given that he was the sole person who brought her up after her mother's death. And hopefully, her hugs don't bruise.
She's noticeably more cheerful, waving goodbye as Kaede and I leave the Mess Hall - but not after I drop by the kitchens once more. Kumiko's gone, but the oven is turned on.
Hopefully… there's more apple strudel.
"Hey!"
It's down in the hallways nearer to the intersection between the Storage Room and the Students' Quarters when he storms up to us, or rather, me.
I turn, as Illa storms up to me. "I'd like a word, Ayumu." His voice reveals the barely suppressed… anger? Irritation?
Oh dear lord.
==Free Time!==
Free Time with Illa?
[Oh god, what now?] [Maybe if I just don't talk, he'll go away...]
Ayumu: Okay, Illa, tell me directly, what's going on?
Illa: ….are you a Lolicon or no?
Ayumu: He looks stern, surprisingly.
Ayumu: To be honest, I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I'm not. Why the question?
Illa: ...I'm watching you.
Illa: You better keep your hands off Aika. You'd better.
Ayumu: If I may ask… what do you mean?
Ayumu: Uh oh… he looks really angry now...
Illa: You had your hands all over Ankoku earlier, did you not?
Ayumu: Wait-
Illa: That's exactly what I mean. Stay away from Aika.
Ayumu: ...I wasn't aware that was a rule aboard the Dawn Rider.
Illa: There isn't. But if she gets hurt, I'm going after you.
Ayumu: Chill out, man. I swear on the fact that I don't even remember if I'm remotely straight or not that I have no reason to want to hurt Aika, nor take her away from you.
Illa: Good, I-
Illa: Wait, what do you mean, 'take her away from me'?
Ayumu: Whoops. Freudian slip. Quick, think of something smart, think of something smart-
Ayumu: So… Who's been targeted in your motive?
Ayumu: Nailed it.
Illa: ...I see no reason to tell you.
Ayumu: Huh. Well, then you have another option - why are you being so protective of Aika?
Illa: …
Illa: What was your first question again?
Ayumu: Who's the unlucky relative of yours?
Illa: Not a relative.
Illa: ...An entire orphanage.
Ayumu: Oh. Well, ain't that a surprise. Never took you for the orphan sort.
Illa: ...That's what most people think. Besides, it doesn't matter.
Ayumu: How so?
Illa: There's no way this motive can be real.
Illa: This ship is completely isolated, so there's no way she can kill them all.
Ayumu: Good to see at least one person here believes that as well.
Illa: ...So, you're implying that everyone else is worried about that piece of paper?
Illa: ...That's low, even for them.
Ayumu: Not everyone. And besides, if Mikaze managed to get on the ship, who knows what the group benefacting her can do.
Illa: You're missing my point. This ship is isolated.
Illa: Even if she managed to get on, how will she get the signal off to her group outside assuming that there's no murder?
Ayumu: …
Ayumu: You have a point there…
Illa: Right. I've answered your question. Now do me a favour and stay away from Aika.
Ayumu: Yeah, sure, whatever, you can have her to yourself, you-
Illarion 'Illa' Utkin - Level 1!
Okay, now I'm seriously getting annoyed by how many of them have 'people that are dear to them' listed under motive - everyone but me. In any case, it's really concerning that more than one life is resting on Illa's shoulders… and he seems a tad too concerned about Aika.
Okay, maybe not a tad.
The sun had set by the time I had finally escaped from Illa's wrath. Maybe I shouldn't have used that joke, but in my defense, he had it coming.
Beep.
With a small grimace, I pull up the interface - only to see a message from Kumiko regarding dinner.
"So, you're finally done angering Illa?" comes the dry question from Shiori- Wait, where did Kaede go?
"The Technician went off to cool down the rampaging Instrumentalist," was the blunt statement as he proceeded down the hallway without waiting for me to catch up.
Rude, but then, I don't know why I expected anything less.
He doesn't seem eager to make any more conversation, and frankly, neither am I, so the silence remained till we reached the Mess Hall. And boy did the silence break in the most awkward way possible.
"What just happened here?" Shiori mutters, and I snort. "Doesn't take a genius to see that shit went down, obviously."
He "tch"ed, but leaves, though my gaze never leaves the now food-covered table. And when I say that, I mean that the table is laden with dishes - especially pastries - and not that a food fight just occurred with the table being the sole victim.
It's... Strange, I suppose, to see everyone - or almost everyone together in an empty room.
Not quite the room itself being empty, but rather, the atmosphere being blank. Small idle conversations were audible and ongoing, but the fact that everyone was feeling an imminent overhanging sense of doom was clearly written on all faces.
I take a seat, and somehow get dragged into small conversation with just about everyone present.
Surely, if I can find someone who seems just a little hesitant in their attitude towards me...
I can figure out who that person is, right?
...
I'm starting to get mildly annoyed now. No one seems to be avoiding me for whatever reason at all, meaning no one is a clear suspect for the person who took my memories.
Perhaps I should make my letter public so that the thief can confess now and save themselves from tomorrow's death-
"Attention all students - the time is now 10pm. The Cafeteria doors will now be locked."
Or, well… I guess it's bedtime, then. I look down at my finished plate - what did I even eat?
"Tomorrow morning. Let's all gather here in the cafeteria again…so we can make sure that everyone's okay." Yumi suggests, and she's replied with mostly stiff nods. "Alright then. Farewell," is her parting statement as she leaves the hallways - somehow, it sounds like more than just a casual goodnight greeting.
Come to think of it, it sounds strangely final…
We all clear our plates and walk back towards our rooms. I wave my hand over the fuchsia-coloured door to let myself in.
I get a better look at the insides of my room. There's a small bed with two pillows, as well as a brown wardrobe standing against the fuchsia walls. Along with the desk that I now place my Ecto-Goggles, rose, flask of coffee and relatively full fanny pack in, there's a modest table-lamp, a rack of stationary, and some paper. Built into said desk was a drawer, which I opened.
Wow. There's a lot of cool shit in here. Ahem, pardon my language.
Along with the portable nailgun tucked away to one side, I see a collection of gears and wires, just waiting for me to get my hands on them, along with duct tape, WD40, glue, and...pipe cleaners?
Ooh, fuzzy. I like these.
Closing it, I shed off the layers of my clothing, looking into the wardrobe to see if there's anything to change into. Surprise - there are rows upon rows of my own outfit, arranged neatly by clothing type, and a few spare sets of flannel pajamas. Picking one at random, I put it on, pleased to see it fits.
I trudge to my bed and flop down on it. Today's been a rollercoaster ride of a day, and while I'm no closer to figuring out who I am, I guess there's always tomorrow.
I don't have a lot of time, though. Unless I can figure out the identity of my mind-napper, my past life is toast.
Grumbling, I lay my head on the pillow, and attempt to sleep. It doesn't come easily, but soon enough, I drift off.
"What do you mean, he's back?" The black-haired male, identified to be Shi, dried off his hands on his labcoat that had clearly seen better days. "Who's back?"
"Alyn's managed to get out a message," stated the girl, who turned a monitor around to face the other two, ignoring the soft gasp from the man identified as Ryuuga. But the expressions of relief soon turned to those of perplexed confusion, and even what seemed like a hint of frustration.
For the message read as follows:
Leaving Helgard in a day. Gunslinger Kai Inoue, Aristocrat Arthuria Yang and Butler Aesoth R'skel left of Base Three. Raid conducted on the Despair base there five months back by dead operatives. Yuuna Park confirmed dead. Information sent by usual channels. -Alyn
"Yuuna Park…? Dead?" Shi shook his head, almost as if unwilling to believe the news. "There's no way… she's on board the Dawn Rider, isn't she?"
Ryuuga nodded, a grim expression on his face. Turning back to the monitor next to him, he brought up a file on-screen, fingers flying across the keyboard and typing up a storm. "Our last footage from the ship before contact was cut off."
True enough, the video started playing, showing a black-haired figure jump onto the deck. And in another instant, the feed cut off with a muffled gunshot.
"Wait… she drew a gun…?" The girl questioned, her heterochromatic eyes narrowing. "Pause the footage at that moment, and see if you can get a good shot of the gun model-"
"Ahead of you on that count, Ryuenji." With a smug smile, Ryuuga pulled up an image file. "Her gun is a Desert Eagle .44, and guess who's the only operative we know who holds a gun of that model."
"So she's here too, huh…" The girl named Ryuenji flipped her chessboard to her floor, frustration evident on her face. "At this rate, we can't get them out-"
"I don't know what Alyn was thinking, but if his words are to believed, then we either have a twin, or an impostor." Shi cuts in tonelessly. "Look at that image. This person matches all the details we have on Yuuna Park, right down to the build and grey irises."
"So... There's a possibility of an eighteenth person," Ryuuga mused, his gaze landing on the girl who had just stabbed the blade of a small dagger into the white queen of her chessboard. "... While the alternative is, well... Let's just say some students have gray irises as well."
"We might have a problem."
The heir to the Forensics Expert title, Joshua Meadows, put down the pair of headphones he had been wearing. "The first motive is a doozy. Especially because he doesn't remember her. That, and he's… you know."
"Well, isn't that perfect."
The girl by his side, Puppeteer Airi Matsunaga, crossed out the last name on a small notebook. "I suppose that means we have to give up on him?"
"Not necessarily." He twiddled his fingers. "If I'm lucky enough that he remembers working with the best of the best, he should be able to provide treatment."
"Even then, would he do it?" She pointed out. "You do realize that at present moment, thanks to that bitch Mikaze, he probably doesn't even trust anyone on board the ship?"
"What's he gonna do about it? He volunteered - he knew the risks he was taking."
"Fair enough." She looked worriedly at the monitor. "Do we even have an extraction route planned for when he does regain his memories?"
"We'll just make the trip ourselves." He grimaced. "For now, I sense movement aboard the Dawn Rider… I think the first murderer is making their move."
Seconds later, a body on a rope could be seen swinging from the railings of the ship.
"Nailed it."
It appears to be sometime past midnight when I wake up again; a thirst for water in my throat, and the strangest nagging feeling in my gut.
I can't really put my finger on it, but it's just tugging at the back of my collar as I pour a glass of water from the pitcher by my bed.
Something feels...wrong.
I shrug and take a sip, when something crackles to life.
"Congratulations.
A corpse has been discovered, and Night Time won't be over until ten minutes later.
Have fun finding the location of the corpse."
…
Wait, what?
Jeez, I never knew Mikaze's announcements could reach our staterooms. I wonder where she even broadcasts them from in here-
What the hell am I talking about, I'm missing the point here.
Someone else is dead.
I quickly pull on my vest - no time to fully change, I need to get to the bottom of this, and fast.
My mind chooses that moment to flashback to the series of events that occurred earlier today.
"Alright then. Farewell," is her parting statement as she leaves the hallways-
Oh bother, don't tell me.
I rush out of my room, thinking, I swear to whatever gods that may be listening, if Yumi's really murdered someone, I'm going to give her a stern lecture when I get my hands on-
"Oof!"
The next thing I know, I've run into someone, and knocked them over. The pressure of their chest against mine indicates I've collided with a girl.
Because of course, the gods are unhappy with me. Go figure.
Shaking my head to clear my eyes of stars, I look down to see I've landed on none other than Mutsuko. I'm actually surprised - knowing my luck lately, I would have expected Akuma or Kiyoko.
It is then she also opens her eyes.
She takes one look at me, one look at how the two of us are positioned, and her face reddens up instantly.
As I get up quickly, I make a mental note of what she's wearing - her unzipped jacket over a similar pair of flannel pajamas - before I get flung away by the-
WHAP!
-the force of her slap. Ouch, that hurt.
I get up, and, wincing due to the newfound pain on my cheek, rub both it and the back of my head. "Ow… Mutsuko, that was completely uncalled for."
"You landed face-first on me - I'm pretty sure that was justified," she snarls in anger, with the slightest hint of… was that embarrassment?
I shake my head. "Regardless, the two of us are out for the same reason, right?"
She immediately fades back into a mask of cool, as she replies, "The announcement."
"Right. Shall we split up?" I suggest, straightening myself. "We'll cover more ground that way."
"You take the Generation Room, I'll take the Storage Room, and if there's nothing there, we'll try the others." She immediately orders, and I nod. "Done." And with that, we speed off for the main deck.
Turns out, we didn't have to go that far.
"Ayumu-niichan…"
Turning a corner, we spot a short figure just by the railings. The blonde hair doesn't make it any easier to identify her, but the nickname gave it away.
"Akuma thinks she's messed up. Big time."
In her hands, leading directly to the railings, was a piece of frayed rope.
Uh oh.
A/N:
DeadlyThunder195: what can I say about Nicol and his amnesia? I'm unoriginal. Heh. I do believe exams are probably a nice way to go, though...At least it's mostly peaceful.
Psychotic is indeed a good way to describe Mikaze. But how psychotic is a different question, heh.
You're jumping a little too far ahead, be careful you don't fall off the cliff. Heh. It might not be a memory, and he might have indeed not met them before. So, assuming that's the case, how would the feeling of knowing have come about?
Joshua is Charles's son, yeah. And if I may mention it again- the ship is completely isolated. C:
Limeade Space Dorito: You seriously do pick pretty good free times. Rin may already be dead, just saying. Bakayumu is... Meh. C:
Dingus: shhhh. No spoilers, friend.
DarkRubySparks: Aika is the epitome of sa
And shhhhh Hellspawn will not rule.
And no, not the Grinch. He's... Casey Stargazer. Ty ty.
Updates will remain sporadic, unfortunately. :( However, I hope you continue to enjoy this, tyvm. Poll's up - who do you think got sent overboard this time? Kthxbai.
