Chapter 8 Text Transcript
Chapter 8
MHE – PAGE 192
Ulrich:
(Ah!)
Phineas:
What what??
Ulrich:
Mm! It’s nothing. My-my foot cramped up.
Can we go yet? It’s difficult to keep time down here. I feel like we’ve been sitting for ages.
Phineas:
How’s that smoky stuff looking?
Ulrich:
It’s, uh. . .
It’s still.
Phineas:
Still what?
Ulrich:
No I mean it’s just. . . sitting there. It’s not moving at all anymore.
Phineas:
Do you reckon they’re asleep?
Ulrich:
If you don’t know that I sure as hell don’t.
Phineas:
Well I’m feeling pretty good now, anyway!
Let’s get out of here so
MHE – PAGE 193
Ulrich:
What’s happening?!
Phineas:
. . .
Huh.
Ulrich:
Where is he?
Phineas:
They ran.
Ulrich:
Oh.
Phineas:
Looks like a way out though!
Look how bright it is out there!
Ulrich:
Slow down! They might be waiting to. . .
(Sigh. . .)
What do you see out there?
Phineas:
No people out here, but I think these are your guns!
Ulrich:
DO NOT TOUCH
Phineas:
There’s a note too.
Ulrich:
Meine lieblinge! Did they hurt you?
Phineas:
Let’s see:
“Head right to find the exit. Do not leave before sealing this wall. -C.”
C? Who’s-
Ulrich:
Considering I’ve just become armed, I suggest you choose your words very carefully.
Phineas:
I didn’t say nothin’.
MHE – PAGE 194
Ulrich:
Come along.
Phineas:
Wait a sec, Constance said we need to close this up before we leave!
Ulrich:
If it’s so important he should have stayed to do it himself. I’m not cleaning up his mess.
Phineas:
I dunno, he underlined it like four times.
It seems like it might be kinda important.
Ulrich:
What do you suggest then?
He just blew the damn wall apart, there’s nothing to close it with!
Phineas:
I could move this thing I bet.
Ulrich:
There’s no way you could move this thing Phineas.
Phineas:
I’m gonna move this thing.
Go stand over there.
Ulrich:
Please!
You couldn’t even stand up a few minutes ago!
Phineas:
Yeah well
I’m feelin’ real good now.
Ulrich:
Didn’t you try commanding earlier and it didn’t work?
What about-
MHE – PAGE 195
Phineas:
Come on you big bastard
MOVE IT!
Ulrich:
Good god.
Phineas:
Ah, yes, though I know it must seem that way sometimes, be assured I’m but a humble human~
Ulrich:
I’m horrified at the sight of all this strength in the hands of a complete moron like yourself.
This world is doomed.
Phineas:
Aw admit it, I’m super cool
Ulrich:
(Heh)
Phineas:
(Don’t be mean!)
Ulrich:
That was still stupid of him. What if you WERENT a total monstrosity?
Phineas:
I’m surprised he even came down here all by himself.
This place feels all kinds of wrong, wrong enough that the workers feel it the way you felt Hazard before. . . even the light is. . . it’s squirming.
Ulrich:
What does that mean to us lowly mortals, oh enlightened one?
Phineas:
. . .
Know how I said the ground has a heartbeat?
Even from down here it should flow in the same directions, it’s usually really predictable. But. . .
It feels like we’re inside the heart. It’s pulsing all around us.
I think it knows we’re here.
MHE – PAGE 196
Ulrich:
Ach, See? What a waste.
Why would they abandon all this after going to the trouble of digging it out? It’s valuable.
There’s probably thousands just rotting away in this cart.
Phineas:
Yeah it’s, uh. . .
Tain:
(Found you)
Phineas:
. . . Uh oh.
Ulrich:
Uh oh? Uh oh wha. . .
Phineas, what. . .
!
Your shadow-!
Phineas:
We gotta go.
MHE – PAGE 197
Ulrich:
Phineas what IS THAT?!
Is this what you were. . . Why can I SEE it now??
Phineas:
Come ON!
ULRICH MOVE YOUR FEET!
Ulrich:
The w. . .
The walls are changing. . .
Phineas:
Ignore it!
Just go!
Tain:
(false false false false)
Ulrich:
Oh WHAT is that NOISE?
Tain:
XXXXX
Ulrich:
Are those words??
IT BURNS!
IT’S IN MY HEAD!!
Phineas:
It’s NOT.
MHE – PAGE 198
Phineas:
They’re trying to trick you because you’re a threat, they need you to panic.
I won’t let these things take you, pull yourself together.
You got this. Focus on me, focus on what’s in front of you. Talk to me Ulrich.
Ulrich:
U-uh looks like an opening, over there?
The other s-side of the chamber!
It-it’s far away but if we hurry maybe we can. . .
MHE – PAGE 199
Ulrich:
See there? That must be. . .
Phineas-?
Oh SHIT.
God DAMN it.
You fucking idiot!
S-stop!
STOP IT!
Get away!
MHE – PAGE 200
Ulrich:
. . .
Wh. . .
What am I supposed to. . .
Tain:
(Heh Hehe Heh)
(HAAAAAAAA)
MHE – PAGE 201
Tain:
RUN
BOY!!
RUN!!
Ulrich:
Gh!
Tain:
(Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!)
MHE – PAGE 202
Ulrich:
I’m sorry!
I’M SORRY!
I don’t even know you!
It’s not my fault you’re stupid enough-!
I shouldn’t even BE here! This isn’t what I – !
I’m sorry but I. . . I TOLD you. . .
Bel:
Oh, you’re hopeless.
You’re just too good for all this, Weiss.
I can tell.
(Hmm – hmm)
You can’t bullshit a bullshitter.
Ulrich:
You knew!
I told you – !
I TOLD YOU! I’M NOT – !
MHE – PAGE 203
Tain:
(AIIIIIEEEEE!!!)
Ulrich:
Hand off.
I saw her first.
MHE – PAGE 204
Tain:
(SKREEEEE!!)
Ulrich:
Oooh nononono hey hey
Don’t pull this shit Kidd, come ON.
I came BACK for you, you can’t be –
MHE – PAGE 205
Ulrich:
. . .
(Th – there’s no. . . )
Are you kidding me?!
Tain:
(. . . ?)
(. . . FALSE. . ?)
(FALSE!!)
(FALSE LIIIGHT!!!)
Ulrich:
(Tch)
NO.
You’re not getting away so easily.
I will be god DAMNED if EITHER of us is going to die down here in the dark!
I’ve been looking for TOO LONG to lose you here like this!
I won’t accept it!
Phineas:
(. . God damned. . . )
MHE – PAGE 206
Tain:
(HAAAAAAAA)
!!
MHE – PAGE 207
Tain:
(Hush now)
MHE – PAGE 208
Gideon:
Hey hey hey. Don’t cry. You’re here you’re back, you’re okay.
It’s alright if you can’t talk yet, gimme your fingers. Just count for a sec.
You did real good. I’m impressed!
Phineas:
Bit I – I threw up on the rug!
Gideon:
Aw that’s fine, some people lose like, whole fingers and toes and stuff. Just your lunch ain’t so bad. And now you know what to expect for the next time.
You’ll be able to handle it no sweat.
Phineas:
Next time?
Gideon:
Got nothin’ to be scared of, Little Rooster. You know what they feel like now, but you know what you feel like now, too.
Just hang on reeeal tight to the you and nothing can touch ya.
Long as you do that. . .
MHE – PAGE 209
Gideon:
You’ll never have to be scared of anything.
Phineas:
This again.
Starstone:
Pathetic!
You, who call yourself a commander of the universe.
What worth is your will if your own words won’t obey you?
MHE – PAGE 210
Starstone:
Your defiant look is ill-suited for one so weak.
I tire of it. Act or die.
Phineas:
I’ve. . . been
Here, before.
Starstone:
If you have passed here before you were not worth my notice. I do not recognize you, tiny commander.
Phineas:
I’ve DEFINITELY been here.
Starstone:
Then I have forgotten.
Phineas:
Not me.
MHE – PAGE 211
Phineas:
Wh. . .
(Ahm)
Where are you? Who am I talking to?
Are you this light, here?
Starstone:
How rude. Unsurprising.
If this is too difficult for you to handle. . .
Do you find this form
More acceptable?
Phineas:
Are you-
You’re-
You’re that big starstone outside, aren’t you?
Starstone:
That is, in fact, the uninspired title you have assigned us, yes.
Phineas:
But you’re. . . Sentient. . ?
Starstone:
Splintering a consciousness does not kill it.
Our lives burned bright long before humans’ did, and will continue to do so after you’ve gone, whatever you try to do to us in the interim.
MHE – PAGE 212
Starstone:
Though, due to my size, I’m quite rare.
You should be honored by the chance to speak with me.
Phineas:
But we, if you
We use starstone for energy, does it. . . does it hurt you?
Phineas:
Right now, there are billions of living things inside you, feeding off of your body.
Do you notice them?
Phineas:
What does that-
Ugh, no, I don’t.
Starstone:
Why?
Phineas:
They’re tiny! They don’t ma-
. . .
No. I don’t notice them.
Starstone:
So.
Phineas:
If I’m so small then why did you call me here?
What do you want from me?
Starstone:
As if YOU could offer ME anything. . .
MHE – PAGE 213
Starstone:
You insult me! As if I’d waste the effort to summon an insect such as yourself!
Your hold on your spirit is so weak you were drawn here only by my presence.
YOU came to ME.
Phineas:
That’s why
The stone, of course commanding doesn’t work right down here.
Starstone:
Because of the interference of the humans here, my siblings and I have awakened and begun to reclaim this place, infusing even the red soil with our essence.
Every particle in the air, every vein in the earth around you, each pulls your errant soul in a different direction.
It is in the nature of celestial bodies to pull towards each other, even while we are. . . displaced. We are avaricious by design, as you’ve undoubtedly learned.
On the surface, where we are fractured and tempered and nearer the sky, you hardly notice us…
But you, here. .
A creature so unrestrainedly steeped in the chaos raging between the turning earth and the surging sun that you yourself shine.
Assailed from every side by beings who are starved desperate for a light just like yours. . .
Oh, Phineas.
You must be so tired.
Your heart should have burst the moment you entered my chamber.
Phineas:
My heart’s doin’ just fine, thanks.
MHE – PAGE 214
Phineas:
That explains why I could, ah, in the. . . hallway. . .
That was your light I felt, you overrode everything else long enough for me to. . . ! Can’t remember
Starstone:
You will look at me when you address me, commander.
Phineas:
Oh why, so you can-
Starstone:
You carry something on your back I don’t recognize. Show it to me.
Phineas:
What- you don’t RECOGNIZE-
Starstone:
Are you ashamed?
Phineas:
No. Never.
Starstone:
Then show it to me. I’ll accept it as an offering of gratitude for allowing you to live so far.
Phineas:
I ain’t thanking you for anything.
But I think I will show it to you, because I want you to understand exactly who you’re dealing with.
Get a good look.
I want you to remember this.
MHE – PAGE 215
Starstone:
A sun’s claim, undoubtedly, but. . .
What sun is this that owns you?
Phineas:
None.
It’s MY mark, I don’t belong to anything.
This was Gideon’s symbol and now it’s mine. Not hard to grasp, is it?
Starstone:
Crow Gideon?
Phineas:
What, you remembered HIM? A human, even?
Starstone:
The keeper has proven himself a titan among termites.
Particularly to me and my siblings.
But even apart from that history, stars always recognize their own.
That you’re unaware of Crow Gideon’s significance shows how much YOU lock.
Phineas:
You ‘bout done staring?
Starstone:
A flickering in your confidence? Have you since had
Second thoughts?
Phineas:
Of course not. I just. . .
You can’t usually see it like this.
The other one, either.
Starstone:
Typical. Your species is so short-sighted.
You consider the subjective vanity of a mark before objective significance.
Phineas:
(Oh please)
Starstone:
A scar is only proof of what you’re capable of surviving.
Phineas:
Don’t talk at me about scars.
Starstone:
A mark like that is not so easily won.
Few who challenge the sun escape as whole as you are, if they escape at all.
Surely, luck favors you.
Phineas:
!
Oh SHIT.
ULRICH.
MHE – PAGE 216
Phineas:
I had a friend with me is he here did he
Starstone:
The other’s soul is still quite firmly rooted in his vessel and won’t be taken by such measures.
A security you, in your ignorance, have exchanged for your blasphemous ability.
Phineas:
By where. . .
Where. . . I can’t. . ?
Starstone:
I suggest you focus on the present.
Don’t worry.
Converse with me yet.
Phineas:
What were. . .
What were we. . . talking about?
Starstone:
I’ve gathered you intend to steal away my sibling, who powers the derelict’s ship.
Phineas:
More code talk? Why don’t you just call him Hazard?
Starstone:
A mask worn doesn’t change the face underneath. Neither, then, does a false name change an identity.
Phineas:
Right.
How long’s it been since someone kicked your ass?
Like an honest-to-god life altering ass kicking.
Starstone:
A ship’s heart isn’t as strong as I am, or course, but it’s still enough to kill a commander much your senior, if it wishes.
Though, judging by our communications this stone is. . . different.
It says such ridiculous things.
It has lived too long as a satellite, perhaps. Its mind is gone.
Phineas:
Well I can handle it, no problem.
Starstone:
Can you?
MHE – PAGE 217
Phineas:
I gotta be, a starstone ship is the only way I can get through Kairos Crossing.
Starstone:
Kairos Crossing? What business could YOU POSSIBLY have there?
Phineas:
I’m gonna take the sun.
Starstone:
(HA!)
(HA! HA! HA! HA!)
Phineas:
Ah-! S-stop it!
Stop!
Starstone:
What?!
After that threat you have the nerve to cower in front of me??
Hold your head up commander!
The title is wasted on you!
The smallest burst of spirit is enough to take you to your knees, you’re not fit to command anything!
You cheated destruction once only to leap back into it! How stupid can one human be?
Your arrogance is boundless, it is offensive in its disproportion!
MHE – PAGE 218
Phineas:
I AM arrogant
Because I’m BETTER!
Don’t you DARE talk down to me.
I want the sun,
I want everything that comes with it,
If I have to command an entire god damned fleet of ships to do it then that’s what I’ll do.
I don’t know WHAT gave you assholes the idea that you get to call the shots around here, but-
-that’s all gonna change real soon.
You listen to me!
You and all the rest of your bullshit pantheon, whatever’s out there that thinks they got a right to tell ME I don’t MATTER!
I’m coming for you.
I’m gonna hang up new stars and they’ll shine brighter than you ever did.
Any of you wanna cross me I’ll rip you right out of the sky.
I’ll smash you to dust and your dying light will mark my path across the clouds.
You’ll be constellations in MY system.
MHE – PAGE 219
Phineas:
Your alignment with me is your choice, but if I have to start by making you bow to me right here I will.
Do we understand each other better now? You done playing games?
Starstone:
. . .
Phineas:
SPEAK!
Starstone:
. . . You would have me. . . announce you.
You wish to. . . focus the eyes of heaven upon. . . yourself.
If the coup is truly your intent, you must know. . . in your heart, that. . .
Those you invoke are already aware of. . . you.
They have heard your protests.
They do not care.
Phineas:
Neither do I. This isn’t me asking for their validation.
It’s a declaration of war. If they wanna ignore me they can pay for it later.
This is already more mercy than you things deserve.
So we gonna go a round or what?
I got things to do.
Starstone:
. . .
MHE – PAGE 220
Starstone:
(!!)
(!!!!!!!!!)
If you really believe that
You and I are equals.
I could help you out of your current predicament, if you wish.
Phineas:
What are you talking about?
Starstone:
Time runs. . . truer, here.
Slowly, to you.
But in your world, currently. . .
Your physical manifestation is comatose, and under siege.
Your companion is trying to carry you to safety, but. . .
His current ability is not enough to defend against the underlings.
Phineas:
. . .
Starstone:
You’ll both be overtaken soon.
Phineas:
SEND me BACK!!
NOW!!
Starstone:
I already told youuuu. . .
MHE – PAGE 221
Starstone:
Nothing’s keeping you here but your own inability to escape my gravity.
Simply manifesting yourself here and speaking with me is draining your energy.
I am draining your energy, just being near to you.
Even you can’t hold out indefinitely.
If you don’t find your way out soon, you’ll drift off. . .
And I. . .
Will eat up
Everything that’s left of you.
Would-be god.
Phineas:
Well, what? You’re made of light too.
Why don’t those things come after you?
Starstone:
Even creatures as wild as the Tain are not stupid enough to attack their own.
MHE – PAGE 222
Phineas:
Their own-?
What?
Starstone:
If a light lives,
Should not the shadow it casts?
Phineas:
W. . .
Wait so, those monsters and YOU are. . .
You’re wasting my time.
You’re trying to distract me again.
Starstone:
Ooh, finally the human catches up.
Although,
Nothing I’ve said is untrue. This information could prove useful to
Phineas:
Oh my GOD
SHUT UP!
. . .
I commanded you earlier, before they started chasing us.
If you energy’s what’s creating them then I can use it against them, too.
I’ll use YOU to get us out of here.
Starstone:
Do as you like, if you’re able.
MHE – PAGE 223
Starstone:
It should be no problem for someone as strong as you act.
Phineas:
Watch it.
Starstone:
I doubt you’ve ever had to channel something as powerful as me.
And so close to the source, besides.
I hope for your sake you have a strong enough spirit to match that brass mouth of yours.
If you fail to harness it properly, that amount of energy will rebound with enough force to rip you apart from the inside.
And that will be the end of you.
Phineas:
That’s nothing new
Starstone:
You know, this is a terrible risk to take for the sake of someone so much less valuable than yourself.
If you were to allow the Tain to take him, you might-
Phineas:
We go together or we don’t go.
I’m out of stuff to say to you.
Let’s get this show on the road.
MHE – PAGE 224
Starstone:
(At your command, then.)
Phineas:
(Yes)
You are