46-01 - It's all in the presentation.
Hah! Classic. "I have good news and bad news. Technically it is the exact same news, but the consequences both good and bad require it to be listed twice." :mwaha
This one got me laughing. XD I'm guessing there are both good and bad aspects to this situation? Hence the way Daryil presented it?
Quote from: Infranscia on January 12, 2024, 01:11:09 AMThis one got me laughing. XD I'm guessing there are both good and bad aspects to this situation? Hence the way Daryil presented it?
That's the thought I had, but we'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Daryil's aforementioned presentation put me somewhat in mind of the Cat from
Red Dwarf. "*mournful tone* We ain't gonna find 'em [Kryten and Rimmer]. They're gone, buddy. But look on the bright side. *suddenly chipper* They're gone, buddy!"
Quote from: Infranscia on January 12, 2024, 01:11:09 AMThis one got me laughing. XD I'm guessing there are both good and bad aspects to this situation? Hence the way Daryil presented it?
Daryil had to hide the fact that he faked Richard's Dad's death and couldn't tell him about it so it would be convincing. This had the knock-on effect of giving Richard undeserved trauma.
Quote from: Starcat5 on January 12, 2024, 05:21:55 AMQuote from: Infranscia on January 12, 2024, 01:11:09 AMThis one got me laughing. XD I'm guessing there are both good and bad aspects to this situation? Hence the way Daryil presented it?
Daryil had to hide the fact that he faked Richard's Dad's death and couldn't tell him about it so it would be convincing. This had the knock-on effect of giving Richard undeserved trauma.
That is technically a possibility, but I'll wager five quid it's the more likely scenario of Daryil uploading Callahan's soul into an android body. I'm content to leave the question of how he retrieved the soul after the execution to be answered in the next page.
Quote from: ProfesseurRenard on January 13, 2024, 03:11:31 AMQuote from: Starcat5 on January 12, 2024, 05:21:55 AMQuote from: Infranscia on January 12, 2024, 01:11:09 AMThis one got me laughing. XD I'm guessing there are both good and bad aspects to this situation? Hence the way Daryil presented it?
Daryil had to hide the fact that he faked Richard's Dad's death and couldn't tell him about it so it would be convincing. This had the knock-on effect of giving Richard undeserved trauma.
That is technically a possibility, but I'll wager five quid it's the more likely scenario of Daryil uploading Callahan's soul into an android body. I'm content to leave the question of how he retrieved the soul after the execution to be answered in the next page.
Sucker bet in my favor. Remember, the body had a non-functional brain, and Daryil has been experimenting with non-standard Avatars. 44-01 (http://project-future.xepher.net/epsilon.php?strip=44-01) through 44-03 (http://project-future.xepher.net/epsilon.php?strip=44-03) heavily imply more is at play than a simple Android body as well.
46-02 - This is a bit like berating the Pope
There we go. One emotional cocktail of Happiness, Sorrow, Hope, Despair, and Cubi knows what else. Served up fresh to an audience who is not enjoying it one bit. >:3
Quote from: Starcat5 on January 18, 2024, 04:05:01 PMThere we go. One emotional cocktail of Happiness, Sorrow, Hope, Despair, and Cubi knows what else. Served up fresh to an audience who is not enjoying it one bit. >:3
This of course being why Syd and Sheila were brought along, in case they're needed to provide emotional support.
Quote from: Starcat5 on January 18, 2024, 04:05:01 PM46-02 - This is a bit like berating the Pope
There we go. One emotional cocktail of Happiness, Sorrow, Hope, Despair, and Cubi knows what else. Served up fresh to an audience who is not enjoying it one bit. >:3
On another note, I owe you five quid.
46-03 - Confessions of a Clan Leader
Not much to add here. Just spelling things out to the wee bairn. And no, I didn't pick that expression just to be verbose. It just popped into my head while typing, and then I spent 20 minutes trying different spellings in Google until it offered up the correct one. :erk
Quote from: Starcat5 on January 25, 2024, 10:30:02 PM46-03 - Confessions of a Clan Leader
Not much to add here. Just spelling things out to the wee bairn. And no, I didn't pick that expression just to be verbose. It just popped into my head while typing, and then I spent 20 minutes trying different spellings in Google until it offered up the correct one. :erk
Aye, Scots terms have their charms.
Quote from: Starcat5 on January 25, 2024, 10:30:02 PMNot much to add here. Just spelling things out to the wee bairn.
To be fair, it would look bad if Daryil wasn't seen to apologise to Richard for putting him through the emotional turmoil of thinking he's lost a parent and not being able to tell him otherwise.
And, even though Callahan is liable to spend the foreseeable future in the base where they can protect him and provide the support he needs not to relapse into murder and certain execution, having Richard blurt out about his father still being alive would still complicate matters.
It helps them that the Prof assumes that Callahan never existed, but if Richard challenges that viewpoint, then he may behave unpredictably, especially if Lady Finch isn't there to sway his opinion.
46-04 - How to fake someone else's death
Panel three: The word bubble is pointing towards the wrong character.
Quote from: Starcat5 on February 01, 2024, 08:25:23 PM46-04 - How to fake someone else's death
Panel three: The word bubble is pointing towards the wrong character.
That'll have to be fixed when I get home tomorrow
46-05 - Trust exercise
Well, that is half of the economical truth. I presume that the other half will show up next week.
Aye. 14-07 has Daryil saying "Remember, Callahan, I put you up to this" re: breaking a clan tenet. That sounded to me like he was "voluntold" to do the job, especially with his nebulous "past deeds" mentioned in 14-08.
Good show with the foreshadowing, with Daryil reacting so strongly to "Callahan's" death! It was very easy to read as a clan leader's reaction to losing a member, which I'm sure was what it was passed off as by Fa'rana! Honestly, I'm pretty impressed Daryil was able to stay lucid and cogent.
Especially given the energy expenditure likely required to grow a full adult-sized clone of someone that fast! They probably didn't have the clone on ice in the 24+ years since Callahan last got in touch with Daryil, and it can't have been more than a few months since this started... not to mention there were probably quite a few false starts. Biological tissue is a lot more finicky with assembly than machine parts. x3; Fella was probably sipping on Soul Food at a rate unseen since his pre-ascension days.
Quote from: Liatai on February 08, 2024, 11:58:36 PMHonestly, I'm pretty impressed Daryil was able to stay lucid and cogent.
Especially given the energy expenditure likely required to grow a full adult-sized clone of someone that fast!
To be fair, they have machines for 3d Printing the clone, so the "energy expenditure" for Daryil was limited to piloting the organic drone. Not that the tech in question has been mentioned since the pre-Epsilon days. Either way, the power required came out of a wall socket, not the Clan Leader.
Quote from: Liatai on February 08, 2024, 11:58:36 PMAye. 14-07 has Daryil saying "Remember, Callahan, I put you up to this" re: breaking a clan tenet. That sounded to me like he was "voluntold" to do the job, especially with his nebulous "past deeds" mentioned in 14-08.
We get to hear more about that later, but short version is he offered to be Daryil's sleeper agent in exchange for keeping his head on. That will be next chapter as we have to catch up with Finch first.
Ahhh, that all makes sense! Cool cool. :3
46-06 - The shoe drops
Look boss man, I know you like your terror with a side of confusion, but this clearly mock punishment to wipe the slate clean really should be handled better. The boy has enough mental scars as it is, and may very well panic and act out on incomplete information just like his mother did. -_(\
Quote from: Starcat5 on February 15, 2024, 09:23:32 PM46-06 - The shoe drops
Look boss man, I know you like your terror with a side of confusion, but this clearly mock punishment to wipe the slate clean really should be handled better. The boy has enough mental scars as it is, and may very well panic and act out on incomplete information just like his mother did. -_(\
On the other hand, if Richard is ushered out of the room, will he truly believe that his father has earned forgiveness, or will he spend the foreseeable future worrying that Daryil is suddenly going to bereave him?
Quote from: Tapewolf on February 16, 2024, 04:22:07 AMQuote from: Starcat5 on February 15, 2024, 09:23:32 PM46-06 - The shoe drops
Look boss man, I know you like your terror with a side of confusion, but this clearly mock punishment to wipe the slate clean really should be handled better. The boy has enough mental scars as it is, and may very well panic and act out on incomplete information just like his mother did. -_(\
On the other hand, if Richard is ushered out of the room, will he truly believe that his father has earned forgiveness, or will he spend the foreseeable future worrying that Daryil is suddenly going to bereave him?
We agree on the end point, but not the leadup. In that last panel Richard thinks that Daryil is going to bereave him
right now! Soothing the boy's nerves by informing him that Capital Punishment is off the table would have been the smart play. Remember, his mother was being given a way out, but panicked and lashed out before receiving full clarification.
On the other hand, "It seemed like a good idea at the time"
is the unofficial Cubi motto. :mowtongue This is all entirely in character and I'm just snarking and throwing popcorn at the screen. Want some? *Offers bowl*
Quote from: Starcat5 on February 17, 2024, 10:45:55 AMOn the other hand, "It seemed like a good idea at the time" is the unofficial Cubi motto. :mowtongue This is all entirely in character and I'm just snarking and throwing popcorn at the screen. Want some? *Offers bowl*
Oh, don't mind if I do. I love emotion flavoured popcorn!
Quote from: Raskahn on February 17, 2024, 01:13:08 PMQuote from: Starcat5 on February 17, 2024, 10:45:55 AMOn the other hand, "It seemed like a good idea at the time" is the unofficial Cubi motto. :mowtongue This is all entirely in character and I'm just snarking and throwing popcorn at the screen. Want some? *Offers bowl*
Oh, don't mind if I do. I love emotion flavoured popcorn!
Fear or anger?
Quote from: ProfesseurRenard on February 17, 2024, 03:05:32 PMQuote from: Raskahn on February 17, 2024, 01:13:08 PMQuote from: Starcat5 on February 17, 2024, 10:45:55 AMOn the other hand, "It seemed like a good idea at the time" is the unofficial Cubi motto. :mowtongue This is all entirely in character and I'm just snarking and throwing popcorn at the screen. Want some? *Offers bowl*
Oh, don't mind if I do. I love emotion flavoured popcorn!
Fear or anger?
Fear, dangit! My profile banners have gone.
Relevant since I had the clan tattoo in there, among other things.
Ooh, got any confusion and a side of relief? :9
Quote from: Liatai on February 18, 2024, 04:40:21 AMOoh, got any confusion and a side of relief? :9
We shall see.
46-07 - I'm starting to think Daryil might be winging this.
Quote from: ProfesseurRenard on February 18, 2024, 05:55:02 PMQuote from: Liatai on February 18, 2024, 04:40:21 AMOoh, got any confusion and a side of relief? :9
We shall see.
Well, there's the confusion, judging by Richard's face. X3
46-08 - This is why they like wearing those gloves
Lovely page, but do you want ants insectis? This is how you get ants insectis. X3
The poses are fantastic, great job Merlin! The hug at the end feels very warm. Poor Richard must be so overwhelmed though X3;
Quote from: Liatai on March 01, 2024, 01:36:28 PM46-08 - This is why they like wearing those gloves
Lovely page, but do you want ants insectis? This is how you get ants insectis. X3
The poses are fantastic, great job Merlin! The hug at the end feels very warm. Poor Richard must be so overwhelmed though X3;
Yep. I myself am marveling at Callahan being made to fetch a drink that Daryil admits to hating. Though it has been awhile since Daryil did something this eccentric.
Ok Jeremiah, pick your words carefully. You know Lady Finch is under a lot of stress right now, and has a hair trigger at the best of times. The last thing you want is to trigger a freakout that would do your Mother proud. :mowdizzy
46-11 - Persuasion check failed
Damn it Jerry, what did I just say?!? That's it, you're off the negotiation team! :U
Ah, Lady Finch, continuing to speedrun the trip down the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" waterslide to deeper and deeper trouble. ^.^;;;;
I know it's because they're all pretending that Lady Finch's trip to Taun HQ is being done voluntarily without duress, but... *claps to emphasize each exclamation* This! Is why! You cuff! Prisoners! During! Transport! X3;;;; Even if she was taking this trip of her own volition, she's a succubus, Jerry! Going to meet a clan leader, or at least higher-up members of a clan as old and storied as Taun's, is going to be a nerve-wracking experience in the BEST of times! The last thing you want while driving are wild wing tentacles reacting subconsciously to your passenger's duress and mucking with the steering. Are 'cubi restraining cuffs standard kit in a Taun troubleshooter's gear? I'd hope so... if not, this is coming up in annual review, Jerry...
(Come to think of it, I wonder if that's a common problem for 'cubi driving... especially those with living clan leaders and thus tentacle heads. Imagine getting cut off in traffic and then having to deal with your wings getting in the way trying to flip the other driver the bird, yank the steering wheel, bite the other driver, slam on the brakes, etc....! X3)
Quote from: Liatai on March 22, 2024, 09:44:12 AMI know it's because they're all pretending that Lady Finch's trip to Taun HQ is being done voluntarily without duress, but...
I think, if he expected to be taking a prisoner, he'd have arrived in an armoured vehicle with an escort. At the time he assumed he was either going to be taking back a cheque, or a head. A captive didn't really figure into things.
But yes, he could probably have done a better job here. As for cuffing her, note that she grabbed the wheel and attacked him with her hands - so the only way bracers would have improved things is by strapping her hands behind her back as if for execution. And that's not going to calm her down either.
True! Very true. I guess I was thinking about handcuffs in her lap, but yeah. Still would have been relatively easy for her to yank the wheel. I think about little details like this in the things I like, a lot, and I like these comics, so. X3
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2024, 09:56:10 AMQuote from: Liatai on March 22, 2024, 09:44:12 AMI know it's because they're all pretending that Lady Finch's trip to Taun HQ is being done voluntarily without duress, but...
I think, if he expected to be taking a prisoner, he'd have arrived in an armoured vehicle with an escort. At the time he assumed he was either going to be taking back a cheque, or a head. A captive didn't really figure into things.
But yes, he could probably have done a better job here. As for cuffing her, note that she grabbed the wheel and attacked him with her hands - so the only way bracers would have improved things is by strapping her hands behind her back as if for execution. And that's not going to calm her down either.
Especially not when she's already having 'daymares' (wish I could think of a better term than that) about bikers being hanged alongside their motorbikes and four-chopper guillotines. Only question now is how badly it's going to go for her now.
Quote from: ProfesseurRenard on March 22, 2024, 02:04:58 PMEspecially not when she's already having 'daymares' (wish I could think of a better term than that) about bikers being hanged alongside their motorbikes and four-chopper guillotines. Only question now is how badly it's going to go for her now.
That stuff is canonical - she's recalling a documentary she saw once. However her self-insert with Jerry is not (that part is absolutely a 'daymare')
As for Jerry not taking precautions, it occurs to me (Remember, I wrote the original story 12 years ago) that Jerry hasn't actually seen Finch snap like that, I don't think. Expecting the number 2 figure in a clan hierarchy to act rationally seems a safe bet as well.
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2024, 10:28:03 PMAs for Jerry not taking precautions, it occurs to me (Remember, I wrote the original story 12 years ago) that Jerry hasn't actually seen Finch snap like that, I don't think. Expecting the number 2 figure in a clan hierarchy to act rationally seems a safe bet as well.
Very true! This was something I was going to mention in my earlier comment, with Lady Finch being prone to violent outbursts when overwhelmed -- but then recalled he hasn't actually seen her flip out! The closest he's seen was her defensive tentacle raising on this page (http://www.projectfuturecomic.com/epsilon.php?strip=42-08). As far as he's seen, she's been fearful, but deferential, and
mostly professional, in a murderous way. (Honestly, being a Taun troubleshooter, he's probably seen similar behavior from more bloodthirsty 'cubi on the regular. :U ) She was also the one who talked the Professor into letting him call his mom.