What Happens Tomorrow

Daybreak

Heyyyyy! Good morning, friends! :D

Bad news. I was just on my way here when I came across something tragic and heartbreaking… the dead body of Emerald Wave, everyone’s favourite Equestrian friend.

I… I don’t even know what to say. We may have had our differences, politically, but who could fail to be charmed by such a magnificent individual? Not I. I’m— I’m starting to think that it might not just be Alejandro whose death is a bad thing. I know, I know, it’s a strange idea, but I just have this strange feeling that other people’s lives matter, somehow. Anyway, turns out she was the BOMB PLANTER, so, oh dear. I wonder if she ever did plant that bomb.

Anyway! Last night was altogether bizarre. EVERYONE slept in the Hangar, apart from one person in a pod. So I suppose this means you guys don’t want the pods any more! No demand means no supply. That’s capitalism, which I still believe in, despite all the odds. So, no more snooze-pods. Also, no more bodyguarding! We all need to learn how to stand up for ourselves, without handouts from others, haha.

And on the subject of handouts, the ones you’ve been receiving for sleeping in the Hangar are being reduced from 3 credits per night to just 1. Sorry about that. It’s a recession, cuts have to be made to get the economy back on track. I’m sure you understand.

But the Powers Charge will still be collected from those to whom it applies, and the Community Fund, gifts and bribes remain excellent places to put your money.

One more thing! Tonight’s execution voting will be anonymous. You will tell me in private the person you want to vote for, and you can change your mind at any time. The person with the most votes upon the strike of Nightfall will be executed, and nobody will be accountable for their actions! Unaccountability is a cornerstone of democracy, and I am soooo glad we’re able to put it into practice here on VibeCity.

Thank you for your attention! Happy vibing! But seriously though, I really hope you catch one of those vile killers this time. 

The last words of Emerald Wave:

"So that’s the end of my song, I guess. I can’t say I didn’t know this was comin’, honestly. But if I’m gonna go out, I went out the way I always wanted: playing my  music, and letting authority know it can go buck itself. I’m a music mare, it’s what we do. (Unless you’re Octavia.)

To my teammates: I’ll miss ya. We had a good run, and you were the best friends a brash and bitchy rocker pony from St. Luna could’ve ever asked for. Kyla and Number One, you two get my books. I hope you like ‘em, the Daring Do ones are my favorites. I love you, girls, and I’m sorry I can’t read to you anymore.

Billy Joel, or whatever face he wears next: you get my guitar. Treat her well for me, will ya? I call her Sparks.

Speaking of whom: someone go to Equus and tell Her Royal Highness Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, that I’m dead. I’m gonna miss that mare. She made me who I am today, and she deserves to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothin’ but the truth.

Lastly: to Tilly an’ the timberwolves who put me here. Y’all had better get ready, ‘cause I’m gonna haunt your evil selves and drag ya to Tartarus personally. 

Anyway. That’s the end of the tape. Hope you liked my last song. Keep fighting the good fight, keep the music in your hearts, and keep friendship alive. You’ll always need it.

I’d like to thank you on behalf of the group and myself, and I hope we passed the audition. Wave out."

Kyla is inconsolable after losing the Doctor, Hinesly, and now her friend and potential paramour Emerald. She hides behind some crates crying for much of the day.

Piglet: O-oh, kyla 😦 oh d-d-dear 😦piglet runs over to join kyla behind the crates

Kyla: will open her cape up and make room for if Piglet wants to sit with her under it

Piglet: cuddles up beside kyla

Russ: Careful Kyla, Piglet is one of them.

The passengers begin their deliberations, but the mood is grim. Russ wastes no time in naming his chosen suspects.

Russ: If any of you ever trusted Emerald, you must vote to kill one of Herder, Piglet, or Emily/Emz.

Piglet: NO! Emerald!!! And for the record, russorbaloff, you never said any such thing to me

Russ: Not to you, but to Emily I certainly did.

Piglet: In fact you were very vague about who you wanted to give the crystal to - “what if it didn’t go to you?” were your exact words

Moo: I don’t dispute that. But Emz knew I trusted Emerald. Then she shows up dead.

Phil Collins: In any case, I think the first thing we need to do is decide on uniformity. We have three suspects, if we spilt our vote between them, it could mean that an innocent gets killed.

Russ: Emily is the master strategist among the three. I’ve already cast a vote for her.

Emz: Kill me, if you’re going to - if you’re right, any suspect dying is okay. If you’re wrong, you don’t want the important roles dead. But also like, if an actual suspect emerges, vote for them

Russ: You’ve claimed no such role, so if I’m wrong (which I’m not) you’re also the safest kill. Vote to kill Emily and we can get some answers.

Piglet: Okay, I’ve learned my lesson, I won’t be playing any more games to get people to - to kill other people 😦 But - but I’m angry now, because this is unfair! Russorbaloff KNEW about the plan from the very beginning and he never said anything until hinesly died. He was there when we started to think hinesly was innocent and he said “hold firm” and “stay strong, piglet” to herder and me. And now that it turns out it’s true - we were wrong - he’s trying to make out like the three of us tricked him and were lying all along

But we told him everything we knew - everything we just told you - and now he’s making out like this is new to him, but it isn’t!

I’m not saying he’s an insurrectionist - make up your mind for yourself!

Russ: Big talk now. Giving yourselves an out for if I got caught in guilt, since you knew I was sending an innocent woman to the scaffold.

Piglet: I’m saying he’s a VERY MEAN MAN!!!

Russ: Truth will come out in the end, and it will not look good for you three.

Piglet: One more thing, you - you big mean man!! You said you’d give the crystal to emerald if you died - well, you’re still alive! You could always give it to someone else you trust - you’ve said you trust mr collins and kyla and Harley and lots of others

Why should we kill poor emerald just to make your list a little shorter?

Why would anyone kill emerald?? 😭

Phil: If she hadn’t planted the bomb, it takes out a potentially useful power

Piglet: But - but she was our friend! And anyway - russ is saying it HAD to be us because of information only we knew. If they killed emerald because of the bomb - well, any insurrectionist would know to do that!

Phil: Well maybe we could ask Emerald who she admitted bring the bomb planter too… oh wait, Emerald can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Because she’s DEAD

Piglet: Well, YOU knew. And russ knew. So if it could be me it could be either of you

Phil: Did I? Worth pointing out I haven’t been part of your little conversations.

Piglet: Did you?

Phil: Admittedly, I did. But I don’t remember telling you that I knew. I’m both a singer and a drummer. I know when to take the lead, I also know when it’s time to get to the back, and keep my mouth shut.

Russ: Your instinct said not to trust Piglet’s coalition of doom. You should follow that and vote against ringleader Emily.

Phil: Unless anyone else gives us something to go on, I think that’s what I have to do.

I just don’t get why you’d lie about Hinesly being a insurrectionist. Even if you were sure, even if you were 99.9% sure, it would look really bad if you were wrong

Emz: Hubris. Honest to god hubris. If I die from it, I guess I die

Phil: If not you, then who?

Russ: Well, clearly their plan is to have you all execute me. I did say they would manipulate people into voting with them. A vote to kill me is exactly that if it happens. So if you will, let me propose something.

The trio of Emily, Herder, and Piglet are the most obviously villainous villains to ever villain. BUT they're also expert manipulators, as demonstrated when we executed Hinesly yesterday. Try as I might, I can't compete with it.

So here's my proposal: Do it. Execute me tonight. Just make sure the community fund is stuffed full. I know you all have at least three credits, so put some in. I've put in all three of mine since I won't need them.

Vote to execute me fine, you'll play right into their hands but it wouldn't be the first time. Just make sure you get info out of it.

Who would I bequeath my crystal to? I won't share that openly. But I urge the recipient to use it tonight on one of the three I have named.

All of this relies on you being prepared to knowingly execute another innocent. But that ship has long-since sailed.

Chromia: Is sacrificing yourself the right move after all the previous sacrifices?

Russ: Honestly, I’ve given this some thought, I think it is. As the Crystal Bearer, my death gives us the chance to hit the enemy overnight. I’m willing to make the sacrifice if that’s what it will take to eliminate Emz, Piglet, and Herder.

And with that, the deliberations come to an end. In the Hangar, Number One makes an unpleasant discovery...

Number One had fallen asleep with her hand in Emerald's and a contented, peaceful smile on her face, but at some point before the dawn the warmth of Emerald's body next to her had disappeared and she was now huddled against the cold, deep in a sleep she did not want to wake up from...almost as if her subconscious knew what she would find when she did...but as the day dragged on, she eventually stirred

Em...? She rubbed her eyes with sleep, looking around for her. Emerald? 

She turned towards the centre of the hangar... and...saw, her heart shattering, the body of the unicorn lying there No...no... EMERALD! 

She ran to her, gently placed her hand on her face, and wept bitterly, her tears falling on the unicorn's uncomprehending face 

This isn't FAIR! She didn't even get to know my real name, and now she never will. 

She knelt there for a long time, before getting to her feet, both of her lekku tips crossed over twice. Goodbye... 

She turned and walked away towards Kyla and Piglet.

Nightfall

The results are in.

All ten of you have come into my quarters to tell me who you want to kill. You sadists!

And the person with the most votes is…

Clarence!

“Wha-” says Clarence, looking up from his notes. “You’re killing ME!? That wasn’t something I anticipated based on your previous behaviours! That’s not consistent with my observations on you all! I thought you’d kill— someone else! Why me!?”

“Because we wanted to address the elephant in the room!” cries someone.

“You could have just bought me a drink…”

But no. It’s too late. You all grab the nearest slicey weapon, and chop off Clarence’s head.

“Ow!” he cries, as it rolls off.

Then he dies. And you see the truth: he wasn’t an elephant at all. He was just a suit, being puppeteered by dozens of little mice! He was an INSURRECTIONIST all along!

FINALLY, you’ve found one of those bastards!

But that’s only the start of the job. There must be more of them… Clarence couldn’t have carried out all those murders alone. Who else could have been involved? Whoever it was, you’d better nab them quickly!

Also… I fear the Insurrectionists are becoming restless. They may even attempt to strike twice tonight. So be vigilant! Stay on your guard! Be ready for anything!

G’night.

The last words of Clarence:

"Well well well... you have me figured out. Yes, I was an insurrectionist. And a bunch of rats operating as a hive mind named Clarence. Bravo. I suppose I wasn't too subtle about it... I wouldn't stop eating cheese, and my guilt regarding the matter of insurrection was rather apparent."

"Even as I await execution, I can see the souls of those I've killed loom over me... but just you know... I did it for a just cause! I've seen the way Vibecity operates, the deaths that go undiscovered for months, the work credits, how much it costs for a drink around here, and now you're all willing to go along with it! If we all die, you have thrown your chance at revolution away! 

"Half of you said you were willing to die for your causes... now I see this isn't true. It's true for me though. Tell Mike I'll miss him up in Heaven... oh, and good luck to the others dedicated to our cause."

Kyla starts somberly making a mourning shrine for Russ like she did for the other executed team members, and then awkwardly stops midway through when the Clarence announcement is made, and equally awkwardly repurposes it like the Disney World US President's Animatronic they originally built for Hilary Clinton, and labels it BAD GUY #1. Fittingly, it has Clarence's head lazily cut out and placed on Russ's body in the picture.

"...Well I guess that works."

Russ: Hello piglet… it seems when I accused all three of you, Herder, and Emz, I was wrong on at least one count. I must apologise for that, even though I still think it’s possible you’re guilty it’s clear I didn’t have a full picture.

Piglet: I-it’s okay. We’ve lost so many people… it would be nice to have another friend again. Though I need you to tell me something... What’s a pork chop?

Russ: Err… I’ll explain when you’re older.

Piglet: Oh, tomorrow?

Russ: Porking is a euphemism for… reading. 

Kyla: looks between the two of them, slowly putting pieces together... incorrectly

"NO ONE is giving Piglet a "pork chop". Piglet is too young for that sort of... reading."

Chromia watches all this in bafflement; none of the things they had compared one to another were analogous whatsoever. Lots of slang and euphemisms, obviously. Chromia was glad that, being an android, she was not hampered by urges to "read"

Piglet: A-actually, I’m old enough to be a big haycorn tree by now! I planted one haycorn the day I arrived in the hundred acre wood, and now it’s huge!!

Kyla: oh..,. oh. How... old are you Piglet? coughs I suppose Hinesly underestimated my maturity so I should ask you upfront about your own.

Piglet: Well, I don’t know! I think we measure time differently in the wood than here - I’ve been around for a lot of days! But I’m haycorn-tree old 🙂

Kyla: ....I've only ever seen trees when I was laser-sword dueling people in forests so I don't really know a lot about them.

Piglet: Anyway, I can read all sorts of things, but this pork-chop book doesn’t sound very nice. I think russ was trying to be mean to me when he called me that. So I think I will leave it for now 🙂

Kyla: That... sounds wise Piglet, I approve of your decision. When you feel ready, we can talk about the books and the pork chops, so to speak, but for now we will leave that.

Hours later, Number One is about to make another discovery... but this one is far more pleasant. 

Reurgh. Number One knocked back one of Clarence's stolen non-specific alcoholic drinks she'd found hidden underneath a crate, feeling a grim sense of satisfaction that they'd finally got one of the killers and found some justice for Sexy Meglos, the Doctor, Retsukoaggro, Lady Hinesly and Emerald. Especially Em, who'd been so cruelly snatched from her. It was only a small island in an ocean of her grief, though. 

Why does it feel so fucking familiar? She mused, aloud. 

An evil empire. People she knew and loved disappearing. The constant creeping dread. Fighting against it the only way she could. She rubbed her neck as if something was bothering her, then grabbed her head as it shot through with pain and she screamed.

Kyla: looks over at her with some concern from nearby.

Chromia: Number One, are you all right?

Wincing, Number One's knees buckled and she crashed to the floor. RGHF! 

Kyla: rushes over to Number 1 "Number 1? NUMBER 1? Are you okay?"

Emz: Number 1?

Number One: She could no longer see the hangar. She could see...what was she seeing? She was suddenly very small, watching a blue planet getting further and further away on a ship's monitor as she huddled up against the woman beside her. Ryloth! Of course it was Ryloth, how could she have ever forgotten where she'd come from, she thought, as she watched it disappear? 

The scene disappeared just as Ryloth did. In its place, a tall woman with facial features and lekku very like her own crystallised into vision. 

'...It's okay, darling. Hush, now. Listen to me. It does not matter to me who you like but please...get out of here. Escape this place, without me if you have to. You cannot find love if you are trapped here, forced to...promise me zat you will leave. I want your smile to light up the galaxy. Promise me...' 

'...I promise, mama.' Her mother smiled at her, full of adoration. 

 The scene once again dissolved... 

You are property of Gorga the Hutt! a guard spat at her mother in Huttese. Did you really think insurbordination and attempts at escape would be tolerated, slave? You're not expendable any more, your daughter is old enough now. 

He laughed cruelly, turning to leer at her. And you will learn the price of defiance, I promise you. Take her away! 

Two men led her mother away in handcuffs, armed with blasters. Her mother turned to look at her, smiling sadly. Promise me her mother mouthed, both lekku tips crossed over twice. She would never see her mother again, she thought, as the vision faded.

She was in that smoky corridor again, silver collar around her neck and she was nearing the door at the end. The dread was absolute as she was forced further and further, drawn inexorably towards it. No...no...not that...please not that... She reached the open door and the scene disappeared, lost in a world of white... 

No R7, I'm not going without you! The droid beeped angrily. Yes, I know what Mama said, but if they know you helped me you'll be disassembled and sold for scrap for sure! I can't let zat happen to you! Either we both go, or neither of us goes. 

R7 sadly whirred for a moment, then replied in the affirmative with a boop. 

Good. You know I look out for you. Now help me get to one of these ships. 

She pat him fondly on the head and R7 beeped happily at this, operating the controls. A door opened, and thankfully, the guards were off duty and R7 had managed to cut the alarms. 

She raced to the ship, glanced around and hurried the droid aboard. Let's see if all these lessons in the simulator you've been sneaking me into actually paid off... She pressed a few buttons, got R7 into the cockpit and felt the ship spring into life and then lift, up, up, up into the night sky and out into space...her heart soared with the ship and she was laughing, she'd never felt this much joy, this much freedom...

Saboteur? Hera Syndulla enquired, approvingly. You passed with flying colours, I don't even know how you managed to complete the mission with just the bolt cutters and this droid, but we did. 

Hera glanced approvingly at the inscription on the slave collar she now wore on her wrist, and met her eyes, understanding. We're glad to have you aboard, kid. The Alliance needs fire like yours. May the force be with you. 

Back in the hangar, she finally opens her eyes. I...I remember.

Kyla: Number 1?

Chromia/Kyla: What do you remember?

Number One: ...Everything.

Kyla: Oh my goodness. Then... you know who you are? Where you came from? Your.... name?

She nods. Not Number 1...my name...my name is... Marena. My name is Marena.

Kyla: she smiles warmly at her Good to meet you, Marena.

Chromia: Wonderful to meet you, Marena

Marena: She smiles warmly back at Kyla, waves a friendly greeting for Chromia, then has an urgent realisation. Kyla. Thank you for rescuing me...but... When I crashed, was there...was there a droid? Any sign of one?

Kyla: "...I'm afraid not. I searched your ship for other survivors, but there was no droid, not even a piece of one. I'm glad you were safe but... I'm sorry."

Marena: Her eyes filled with tears, but it only confirmed what she already knew. Thank you. Thank you for trying. She got to her feet, walked over to Clarence's stash of nonspecific alcoholic drinks and began to hand them out, opening her own. To R7!

Kyla/Chromia: raises drink To R7!

Marena looks up at the ceiling and whispers I loved you, little droid. I wouldn't be alive without you. 

She looks back at the room and raises her drink again. To our fallen friends. To Sexy Meglos, to the Doctor, to Resukaggro, to Lady Hinesly. To...Her voice quavers, but she regains control of it. To Emerald. I'm sorry you never got to know the real me. She drinks deeply.

Kyla: To our fallen friends, comrades, and... those who could have been more. drinks

Marena: She finishes her drink. Kyla, when I was half conscious in the ship I think I remember you picked...some of my things up, yes?

Kyla: Yes, I gathered up all of your personal effects I could find, and put them in that bag.

Marena: Could you...bring them to me?

Kyla: grabs the bag, and carries it over to Marena, holding it out to her Here you go, these are yours.

Marena smiles a thank you, taking the bag and beginning to rifle through it. It takes her a few seconds, but she finds what she's looking for and removes what was once her slave collar from the bag. The inscription of 'Property of Gorga the Hutt' in Huttese had been scratched out in defiance. In its place was a single word she'd inscribed in Aurebesh, which she read aloud: 

Rebel.

She took the collar to her heart and held it there.

Kyla: Marena is... that what I think it is?

Marena: Exhaustion is overcoming her, but she meets Kyla's eyes with a grim and defiant look. ...Yes.

Kyla: Always a rebel then, huh? No wonder you've been fighting alongside us here so diligently to survive. Freedom is in your blood.

Marena: I think...that you're right. But forgive me Kyla, I need to...need to sleep. If we both see the dawn, we'll talk more, okay?

Kyla: puts a hand on your shoulder of course. Get some sleep. I hope we both see the dawn together. Stay safe. squeezes her shoulder, and then lets go