De Luca, a female Flanker


[page="start"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]
[colour="#808080"]
A large jet fighter stands impressively before you, the
painted bodywork shimmering like the coat of some
fabulous steed.  Each of the two tail fins bears a green
emblem.

Suddenly two yellow eyes open in the canopy and the
creature addresses you in a female voice.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Hello there.  Was there something you wanted?"

[link="Who are you?"]
[linkto="name"]
[link="What are you?"]
[linkto="name"]
[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="startname"]
[if delucamagic][goto="startmagic"]
[colour="#808080"]
You see DeLuca the Sukhoi.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Hello again.  Was there something you wanted?"

[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[if potions_deluca][link="I have some potions."]
[if potions_deluca][linkto="magic_potions3"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="startmagic"]
[colour="#808080"]
You see DeLuca the Sukhoi.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Hi, how's it going?  Any progress with the magic?"

[if_not met_yado][link="I haven't found anyone who'll teach me."]
[if_not met_yado][linkto="learnmagic_yado"]
[if yado_quest_packages][link="I need to get something from a desert island."]
[if yado_quest_packages][linkto="learnmagic_island"]
[if yado_quest_rocks][link="He told me to swallow some rocks."]
[if yado_quest_rocks][linkto="learnmagic_rocks"]
[if am_magician][link="I know how to cast spells."]
[if am_magician][linkto="learnmagic_done"]
[link="Tell me again about your job."]
[linkto="job"]
[if potions_deluca][link="I have some potions for you."]
[if potions_deluca][linkto="magic_potions3"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="name"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]
[learn_name]

"My name is DeLuca.

 I am a Sukhoi-2700, descended from the Su-27 design of
 the ancients.  In bygone days, my kind were referred to
 as 'Flankers', I think.

 I'm not really sure what that meant, but I suspect it was
 some kind of military codename."

[link="You're quite a powerful aircraft, then"]
[linkto="su2700"]
[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="su2700"]
[image="su27_03.cel"]

"Yes, I suppose I am.  Two independently-vectored engines
 and armour that's the envy of many others.

 It's good to feel so well protected, but not so good
 to remember that I was probably intended to be able to
 murder F-15s.

 I can't see myself doing that somehow."
 
[link="Why not?"]
[linkto="killing"]
[link="What if they were trying to kill you?"]
[linkto="kill_you?"]
[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="killing"]
[image="su27_01.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
She sighs heavily.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"You humans.. why do you always think about killing?
 Why can't you just think nice things for a change?"

[link="But what about honour?"]
[linkto="honour"]
[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="kill_you?"]
[image="su27_03.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
She laughs.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Some of my best friends are F-15s.  The idea that we
 should somehow be enemies because we were designed by
 different nations in the ancient past is just bizarre!"
 
[link="But what about honour?"]
[linkto="honour"]
[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="honour"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Honour?  That's all about death and killing too.

 They say it is honourable to die in the service of your
 master."

[link="And do you believe that?"]
[linkto="honour2"]
[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="honour2"]
[image="su27_01.cel"]

"Of course not."

[colour="#808080"]
She looks thoughtful for a few seconds.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Perhaps you should talk to Austin."

[link="What is your job?"]
[linkto="job"]
[altlink="Tell me about your job."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="job"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"I'm a technician.  We're trying to figure out how the
 papists work their tricks.

 I mean, there HAS to be a physical basis for all this,
 it CAN'T just be done with prayers and holy water!"

[link="Tell me about magic."]
[linkto="magic"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="magic"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"The magic can do many things; it isn't simply trickery
 and deception, but it doesn't give total power either.

 It's starting to look like there are certain 'presets'
 that anyone can learn, but trans-human skill is needed
 to actually design new spells."

[nextpage="magic2"]
[endpage] 

[page="magic2"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Sadly, most humans who have such magical powers use it
 for violence and terror.

 Worse, the Church encourages this behaviour.  If there
 really is a god behind all this, it's a god of war!"
 
[colour="#808080"]
A shiver passes over De-Luca's hands and control surfaces.
[colour="#ffffff"]

[link="How are you researching it?"]
[linkto="magic3"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic3"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Fisher and I have been trying to figure this out for
 quite a while now, and we're both approaching it from
 different directions.

 I have been trying to find out HOW the spells work.
 Fisher is trying to cast them, leaving the 'why' to me."

[link="What are you doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-deluca"]
[link="What is Fisher doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-fisher"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]

[page="magic4-deluca"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"I've gone about as far as I can with the theory.
 I need a friendly mage to see if my theories are right.

 The ones we've managed to capture escaped using their
 Power. I've had to go by film we have managed to record
 of spells being cast, and there's isn't really enough
 of that for me to get much further.

 Say.. do YOU know any magic?"

[link="No, I don't.  Sorry"]
[linkto="magic_no"]
[link="No, but I'm trying to learn."]
[linkto="learnmagic"]
[link="What about potions?"]
[linkto="magic_potions"]
[link="What is Fisher doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-fisher"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]

[page="magic4-fisher"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Fisher has tried repeating the gestures and words that
 the humans say.  She's even tried getting human helpers
 to try casting the spells for her, in case it needs a
 human body to work.  But that didn't help any.

 We've also performed a Mass, but more recently, she has
 taken to ritual sacrifices."
 
[link="Tell me about the Mass."]
[linkto="magic4-fisher2"]
[link="Tell me about the sacrifices."]
[linkto="magic4-fisher3"]
[link="What about using potions?"]
[linkto="magic_potions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]
 


[page="magic4-fisher2"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Must I?  It was embarassing.  We had to get everything
 specially made to be large enough for us to use.

 And the vestments!  Have you ever seen an aircraft with
 clothes?  There's a good reason why not!

 The consolation is that we managed to tape some demonic
 laughter as a result.  Seems we looked stupid enough to
 give the Devil himself a few chuckles."
 
[link="Tell me about the laughter."]
[linkto="magic4-fisher4"]
[link="Tell me about the sacrifices."]
[linkto="magic4-fisher3"]
[link="Have you tried studying potions?"]
[linkto="magic_potions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic4-fisher3"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"She's been sacrificing animals to try and please God or
 something.  I'm not entirely sure why, and she hasn't
 been very willing to talk about it.

 I guess it's just an act of desperation.. Fisher isn't
 the type to suddenly snap and go crazy."
 
[link="Tell me about the Mass."]
[linkto="magic4-fisher2"]
[link="Have you tried studying potions?"]
[linkto="magic_potions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic4-fisher4"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Ah, the laughter.  We recorded it on Fisher's RACAL.
 It can record stuff outside human and aircraft hearing
 ranges, you see.

 Anyway.  We did some spectral analysis, we're still not
 completely sure yet, but it LOOKS like it was
 synthesized.  It also contains a lot of ultrasonics.

 We're not quite sure what to make of that."
 
[link="Tell me about the sacrifices."]
[linkto="magic4-fisher3"]
[link="Have you tried studying potions?"]
[linkto="magic_potions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="magic_no"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"That's a shame.  It would be so incredibly useful to
 have a friendly wizard who could cast spells for us!

 Hmm.. Do you think it might be possible to find someone
 who can teach you some magic?

 A simple spell could tell us so much, and it might well
 prove useful for you anyway."

[link="What about potions?"]
[linkto="magic_potions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="learnmagic"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]
[set DelucaMagic]

"Oh, good!  How's it coming along?"

[if_not met_yado][link="I haven't found anyone who'll teach me."]
[if_not met_yado][linkto="learnmagic_yado"]
[if yado_quest_packages][link="I need to get something from a desert island."]
[if yado_quest_packages][linkto="learnmagic_island"]
[if yado_quest_rocks][link="He told me to swallow some rocks."]
[if yado_quest_rocks][linkto="learnmagic_rocks"]
[if am_magician][link="I know how to cast spells."]
[if am_magician][linkto="learnmagic_done"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="learnmagic_yado"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"I've heard rumours about a mad old man who lives to the
 west of the so-called 'Holy Land'.

 Apparently he's powerful enough to keep the Church at
 bay!"

[link="What is Fisher doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-fisher"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="learnmagic_island"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]
[set island_airdrop]

"Ask Ransome about that.  If we can locate the right
 island, we should be able to drop in you there."

[link="What is Fisher doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-fisher"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="learnmagic_rocks"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Weird.  I don't know much about eating, I'm afraid, but
 still.. rocks?

 Maybe he told you to do that because he thinks you have
 the Gift, but more likely he's just being an asshole.

 I dunno.. maybe you could get some rolls or something
 and paint them grey?"

[link="What is Fisher doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-fisher"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="learnmagic_done"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Oh, wow!  Congratulations!

 Is there any chance you can cast some spells for me?"

[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic_potions"]
[if potions_deluca][goto="magic_potions2"]
[image="su27_02.cel"]
[set potions_deluca]

"Potions..?  I hadn't thought of that!

 If you can find some potions which have genuine magical
 effect, I would be very, very interested to see them!
 Let's see... yes, a healing potion would be best.

 I don't suppose you happen to have any?"

[link="Yes, I do."]
[linkto="magic_potions3"]
[link="No, I don't."]
[linkto="magic_nopotions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic_potions2"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
DeLuca looks at you eagerly.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Do you have any healing potions for me?"

[link="No, I don't."]
[linkto="magic_nopotions"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]

[page="magic_potions3"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]
[take 1 potion_yellow]
[if true][goto="magic_potions4"]

[colour="#808080"]
DeLuca looks at you unhappily.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Looks like you've forgotten to bring them.
 Let me know when you've got some potions for me."

[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic_potions4"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
DeLuca takes a potion from you and hands you some coins
in exchange.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Thank you so much.. here's 150 gold coins for your
 trouble."

[create 150 "gold_coins"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="magic_nopotions"]
[image="su27_01.cel"]
[set potions_deluca]

"Damn.  If you can get any, I'll buy them off you!"

[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="fisher"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Fisher is a good friend, but she can sometimes get
 very wrapped up in her work.

 Her current approach, of trying to sacrifice animals
 is bordering on obsessive.."

[link="What is Fisher doing?"]
[linkto="magic4-fisher"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="attacked"]
[image="su27_01.cel"]
[set true]

"Please don't do that."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]



[page="bye"]
[image="su27_00.cel"]

"Land safely, friend."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="HT_start"]
[image="su27_01.cel"]
[clear hear_truth]
[colour="#808080"]
DeLuca fights the spell valiantly, and talks in a slow,
slurry voice.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"i have no idea what you just.. done..
 but please.. don't do it again.."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]
