S1-179
The 'gravity' of the situation

2:34 PM
08/04/3273

Yionus's moon, Zuter - IMC testing site Echo-918
Chamber 137

Music
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Briefing Room & Ambience Theme

It was yet another new day, and Michael thought it best to show Cayde around the most frequented dimension accessed through the World Gate. "What's this about some other dimension you guys seem to like so much?"

"We call it dimension 9, but they know it as Undertale. We've made a good name for ourselves in that dimension, and we've even made a few friends."

"Oh, this I have to see."

"I knew you'd be excited to see something new. Rocco, what's the status of the World Gate?"

"{Dual-reality synchronicity emitters are functioning properly. I'm getting a headache keeping track of all this stuff... not that I have a head. I guess that's why we have Marvins looking over the World Gate.}"

Michael then picked up Dimension Key 9 from the container to the right of the console, grabbing a Chrono-extractor as well. "Well, let's roll."

Dimension 9 - Undertale
Planet Earth - Mt Ebott
The Ruins

Music
Undertale - Ruins

On the other side of the World Gate, a dimensional rift opened, with Michael and Cayde stepping out. Michael then turned back, reaching for the Key, which then zipped right into his grasp with a CLUNK against the shock-absorbing palm of the Chrono-extractor, closing the portal. Rocco then stored both the gauntlet and the Key.
Looking around, Michael noticed that the Titan Tunnel had progressed significantly since last time.

Cayde saw the button of a buzzer on a nearby wall, and then pressed it.

In a matter of seconds, a familiar voice was heard. "Heya."

Cayde turned back in surprise, seeing a certain short skeleton. "Uh... What?"

"Hi, Sans." Michael greeted casually.

"How have you been doing, Michael? Slay anything interesting lately?"

"Just Variks's malfunctioning Servitor in the Prison of Elders. I wasn't alone. Cayde and Ada were there too, and Cayde was the Field Commander, so he was calling the shots."

"Field Commander, huh?" Sans was intrigued.

"Dr. Hammond himself appointed me as Field Commander."

"Who's Dr. Hammond?" The skeleton wondered.

"Dr. Hammond is the founder and namesake of Hammond Robotics, and the subsequent founder of the IMC."

"So the founder of the IMC appointed Cayde as a Field Commander."

"In person."

Sans's eyeholes went wide. "Must be quite an honor."

"An honor I have no desire to seek out. I will only take up the honor if Dr. Hammond sees it best to call upon my presence." Michael added.

"Anyway... Need a shortcut?" Sans offered.

"Let's head on up. C'mon, Cayde."

Dimension 9 - Undertale
Planet Earth - Mt Ebott
The Surface

Music
Super Mario Sunshine - Bianco Hills

Once Sans brought Michael and Cayde up to the surface, he headed back through another of his 'shortcuts'. "How did we..."

"Don't ask." With that, Michael made his way to the skeleton residence, followed by Cayde.

Upon arrival, Michael spotted Gaster sitting in the backyard. "Howdy, Gaster."

"Hello, Michael. Welcome back. Sans told me you were here."

"Did he now?"

"He also told me about Cayde here. It's nice to meet you, Cayde-6." Gaster greeted, extending a hand.

"Just Cayde. There's not a 6 in my name anymore." Cayde said, returning the handshake.

Sans came out, his blue hoodie gone. "Ready for another comparison session, Michael?"

"You bet. What's on the agenda this time?"

"Blue magic."

"The Light is not magic."

"Imagine blue magic as a form of gravitational manipulation."

"Gravity, huh? Well, the Traveler DID alter gravity when it terraformed various planets, making them capable of sustaining life."

"I see. I'm guessing you have the Traveler's capabilities as a result of the Eye of the Traveler?" Sans surmised.

"That is a logical assumption, when you consider the fact that I can shift the very terrain with a wave of my hand."

"You can do what...?" Cayde was amazed.

Sans reached his hand out, causing that heart-shaped soul to appear in front of Michael, remaining a solid blue, and the Pilot was suddenly lifted into the air. Michael focused his Light to open the Eye of the Traveler, searching for a power he has yet to tap into.

Music
Destiny - Traveler's Promise

The Eye of the Traveler glowed, and the very air around Michael turned heavy, forcing him back to the ground, the fingertips of his left hand now aglow with the Traveler's energy.

"Whoa! OK then!" Sans exclaimed, ceasing his blue magic. Smirking, Michael reached out toward the short skeleton with his left hand, turning his wrist by a clockwise quarter. The air around Sans turned on its side, and the skeleton fell on the wall of the house, standing up sideways. "I'm standing... on a wall. That's interesting." Michael's fingertips stopped glowing, causing Sans to fall from his standing position on the wall and land face-first on the ground. "Ow."

Music
Super Mario Sunshine - Bianco Hills

"OK. THAT was awesome." Cayde remarked.

"I agree." Gaster seconded Cayde's opinion.

"I did not know I could do that. It just... came to me." Michael said, looking over his left hand. With that little session over, Michael approached the small skeleton. "Sorry about that." He apologized.

"No worries." Sans shrugged it off.

"How are Frisk and Asriel doing?"

"Those two lovebirds? They're doing just fine."

"Wait..." Michael paused for a bit. "They're a couple? I thought they were..."

"Siblings? Nah. They already talked about it two years before your 'expedition'."

"I remember the expedition. The 18th of April in the year 3272. That was also when I introduced Error and Ink Sans to my team."

"Nice. How's the fight against the Fallen and Cabal in the 'European Dead Zone' coming along?"

"Aborted. Humanity has abandoned Earth, and the Traveler came with us. Basically, we just packed up and left."

"I see." Sans nodded in acknowledgement. "When do you think you'll be going back there?"

Michael shrugged. "I don't think we ever will. The war between the Fallen and Cabal is still raging on, despite Earth becoming nothing more than a brittle husk. We took what's ours and moved it from Earth to the Frontier."

"I guess it was for the best. If the Frontier is as well-defended as you say, then you'll have nothing to fear."

"Michael, can we get going? I'm pretty sure I have a scheduled patrol mission... on Nessus."

"I'm sure Failsafe would love to see you alive and well. Sans, care to give us a shortcut?" Michael asked.

"Say no more."

2:57 PM
08/04/3273

Yionus's moon, Zuter - Low orbit

Music
Destiny 2 - View from Orbit

After returning from dimension 9, Cayde headed out for his patrol mission, assigned to him by Aurora Unit 242. Michael got on his own ship and started plotting a course to the Dreadnaught, but before he could engage the jump engine, Rocco got his attention. "{I just received word that the Dreadnaught is on the move.}"

"It is?"

"{According to the projections, it looks like the Dreadnaught is coming here.}"

"The Dreadnaught is leaving the rings of Saturn?"

"{There's also a voice message... from the Shadow. Playing it now.}"

The Shadow's voice was heard from the recording. "All IMC units, this is the Shadow. It has come to my attention that the full-scale evacuation of Earth is over and done with, and the Traveler has departed from Earth's solar system. In response, I find that the only reasonable coarse of action is to accompany you. I will have the Dreadnaught set on an indefinite orbiting loop around the entirety of the Frontier, keeping a vigilant watch over your perimeter day in and day out. Guardians, if you remember the Dreadnaught's weapon, then have no fear, for it shall forever stand between the Frontier and the forces of chaos, destruction, and evil. As a benevolent king, you have my word."

Michael looked outward, seeing the Dreadnaught en route to the Frontier. He took manual control of his ship, then flew toward it, flying along the side until he reached an entrance.

The Dreadnaught
Altar of the Shadow

Music
Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded - Castle Oblivion

As his ship flew by, Michael was transmatted out by Rocco, appearing near his other half, who seemed visually different. The Shadow had skeletal wings.

"Death! How have you been?" Michael greeted.

The Shadow's focus shifted from one of his Echoes back to his main body. He turned to face the pilot, and if he had lips, the Shadow would be smiling at his arrival. "Michael! Always good to see you!"

"I see you've been... drinking some Red Bull?"

"Huh? Oh! The wings! Heh heh. Yeah. No, I haven't been drinking any Red Bull, despite what the announcer said in those pre-Golden Age commercials. 'Red Bull gives you wings'... my bony foot! Oh, and the wings actually allow me to fly! What's new with you?"

"I unlocked another of the Traveler's abilities."

This peaked the Shadow's interest. "Is that so?"

"You... did what? Which one?"

"Check this out." Michael extended his left hand toward the Torch Hammer of a nearby Taken Minotaur, causing it to float in the air.

The Shadow looked on in astonishment. "Whoa!"

"Gravity... You've tapped into my ability to manipulate gravity?! You surprise me yet again."

"Cool, isn't it?"

"Immensely." The Shadow then jumped into the air, his skeletal wings keeping him airborne. "Care to see what I've done with the Skyburner's ship?"

"Ooh. This should be good. Let's see it." With that, the Shadow tore open an Ascendant rift, effectively creating a shortcut.

The Dreadnaught
Ascendant Docks

Once Michael and the Shadow appeared in what was once known as the Hull Breach, the Pilot saw massive and extensive changes. The Cabal ship had been stripped for parts, and said parts had been used to completely renovate the sector into a docking chamber.

"You used the Dantalion Exodus VI to turn the Hull Breach into a ship dock?!" Michael exclaimed.

"Yeah."

"Incredible...!"

"Oh, and up there is my ship." The Shadow pointed to the Waning Star, which was docked at the top of the chamber.

Needless to say, the Shadow has not only evolved, but he's also been quite busy.

The ability to control gravity... Oh my cotton socks!

See you next time, guys!