If I were an imitation, a perfect imitation, how would you know? How would *I* know?

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

[So MarKus's parents aren't the only newcomers on the Chalice!  In fact, there's a man with his own, somewhat antiquated-looking AP Frame as well, and he's looking mighty pleased with himself.]

It's... been a long time, Chalice.

For those of you who were present some months back, we met in space to deal with a Percolatii infestation on a colony.  For everyone else... my name is Gregory Winthrop, a former field commander for TECZ.  It's an honor to meet you all... and please accept my apologies for your troubles the organization has caused for you all.

Had our last meeting not gone as horribly as it did, perhaps none of this would have happened.

Comments

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

Honestly... that may not be the case. A perfect imitation is one that wouldn't even know they were a fake.

... And more importantly, there's a chunk of a few hours between my seeming death and when I regained consciousness. Anything could have happened in that space of time.

[saikyocivrobo]

Are you sure you haven't just spent that time unconscious?

Well, we'll know for sure if you turn into an alien monster at some point. Hopefully that'll never happen.

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

If that does happen... well I suppose that'll settle things, won't it?

Until then, all I can do is live my life as Gregory Winthrop, since I may very well be the man himself, and not an imitation.

[saikyocivrobo]

Until I get any good reason to believe otherwise, that's the interpretation I'm choosing. Occam's Razor.

I don't suppose TECZ would listen to you at this point if you told them to stop pestering that MarKus guy, would they?

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, no.

TECZ has lost sight of its goals, prioritizing MarKus over Percolatii. And they're all too keen on disregarding that the science isn't in on who I am either. To them, I'm a Percolatis and thus just another imitation to kill.

A shame, really... I hear my men were willing to stand down and respect my wishes when we last met.

[saikyocivrobo]

Sounds like the new boss is either stupid or cartoonishly evil. Hopefully the rest of the organization will regain their senses when they realize that.

In the meantime, the best we can do is avoid fighting them lethally when they attack again.

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

Hopefully... but at the same time I doubt they'll be extending me the same favor.

It's not a situation with an easy solution I've found myself in.

[saikyocivrobo]

Don't worry, situations with hard solutions are our everyday bread here on White Chalice. One more won't make things much worse.

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

And I appreciate that! Not too many places in the world a possible-Percolatis can seek refuge right now.

[saikyocivrobo]

If it turns out you still control yourself after turning into a bug, you better speak quickly though. Before everyone starts gunning for you.

[reach-for-self.livejournal.com]

Well, hopefully it won't ever come to that!

[saikyocivrobo]

Hopefully. In the meantime, make sure to tell someone if you can think of some methods of testing which one are you for certain.