Chapter 53: Life During Wartime

Midnight Burger - Business Goose Media

The Midnight Burger crew faces escalating threats as they uncover Crock's manipulative schemes and prepare for a high-stakes mission. Meanwhile, internal conflicts arise over ethics, identity, and the cost of survival in

Key takeaways

• Crock’s power stems from his daughter’s technology, not divine will

Transcript preview

Midnight Burger will always be free to listen to, but it's not free to make, so please consider supporting us by subscribing on supporting cast, Patreon, or Apple Podcasts. For early access, ad-free shows, exclusive content, and our enduring gratitude. Just follow any of the links in the show notes for this episode. Thanks for supporting The Fable and Folly Network. Here's another show we know you'll love. Abomination. Fire! What exactly happened that day? Surrier, it's not out of control. Chaos. The Raas sending an envoy to Arcaste to negotiate the terms of peace. We're supposed to put on a show of confidence. Haven't we already done that? We've shown them power. The rest is up to diplomacy. Pac-howel media presents the madness of Schartulian. Learn more at Schartruulian. an axe climb into the boom cube and get a one-way ticket to hell. How does it work from here? Do I have to power it up? Or... It's all popping off in Cripetia. The gang is slowly getting back together so that they can finally take on Crock. It is immeasurably difficult to surprise me, Doctor. He's got a great big gun and it's also hoarding orbs for some reason. Remember that one? The headline these days comes from Atha. Kasy, listen closely. It's all bullshit. I realize she says that about everything, but this time she's talking about Crock. Meanwhile, on the other side of the galaxy, Gloria and the midnight Burger B team went hunting for murder beasts, and what they discovered was neither murderous nor beastly. What? The data is telling me. that this creature is a deeply augmented human. How is that possible? Many changes have been made but the base DNA sequence is that of an Earthling. Holy shit. Oh my God. It's just another one of Croix experiments. When are these insane space gods going to stop invading our story and ruining the vibe? I thought we were dineering. Where is Leif again? Come on! Zero J-C-C-C-O! Whatever, I'm sure he'll turn up eventually. Let's start the shift. Okay, they're not. Hey, Voon. Good evening, Gloria. Can't sleep? An earth does not sleep in the conventional sense. We have a recumbent period where our mind consolidates the memories of the day in a more organized long-term location in our mind. Humans do the same, but for an earth it does not require sleep, rather a period of intense meditation. Sleep sounds better to me. I have noticed this in Earthlings. Many of you long period of the day when nothing happens and you are not aware of your surroundings. That is true. And yet you are awake. Yeah, I don't think I'm on diner time yet. Still adjusting. You know, even though you don't sleep, you seem a little sleepless, Boone. I am wrestling with a dilemma. What's up? do not appear to be attached to their planet. I've observed in Fiona, the captain, an affinity for striking out into the stars and leaving your home behind. I think maybe you're observing the more adventurous Earthlings. There are plenty of us who like staying put. My old Sioux chef was like that. Caesar was born in Phoenix, lived there his whole life, and just fucking loves the place. I personally don't know how you get really hyped up about being being but he never wanted to go anywhere. I see. So I may be working from a skewed sample of earthlings? Any earthling who spends a lot of time here is going to be a non-typical earthling, I think. And the earthlings that wish to remain in their place of origin? What is it that binds them to that place? I don't know really. I'm not sure why people feel at home somewhere. I think they feel like they fit, like they're a missing piece of the puzzle, like they're a missing piece of the puzzle like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they felt like they into place. I see. We Earth's love our planet. Our civilization has been a shared project from its most ancient iteration, all of us with a single goal, knowledge above all. It was only when we began to communicate with other worlds that we had to acquaint ourselves with concepts such as war and competition. And you had to leave. Yes, to be a sign that the role of sorcerer after your period of Enlightenment has ended is a great honor and a tremendous responsibility but it is a somber one. We are told, keep ert within you and I have. I'm sensing a butt coming, Boone. This creature that we have taken under our care, it has been greatly victimized, tortured. that Fiona has as well, but Fiona has found a way to escape the victimization and have a life that I feel she is proud of. But this creature will never escape. It is condemned. I know. I don't know what to do about it. To create technology that would do this to another being. It is the greatest of transgressions for us. It cannot stand. I think you and me and all of our friends are trying to stop it right now, Boone. This army that we are facing, their armaments are considerable. We've been doing okay so far. Yes, but they are not designed for individual conflict. They're designed to overwhelm. I believe if we ever face them as a unified army, they would be unstoppable. Not great. As I have said, I carry earth within me. I carry with me the core values of our people. Knowledge, curiosity, respect. I think those are good things to be working with. Have you and your travels ever had to sacrifice your values for reasons you found to be important? Well, I don't think I can think of something off the top of my head, but I'm sure I've had to. everyone does. I've been able to avoid such compromises thus far. And you're worried that you may have to compromise something you believe? I am. Boone, I think it's important to know what you believe. It sounds like it served you well, but there are very few things that are true no matter where you go. Very few things. Very few things. As I have mentioned before, it is against our values to violate another being, including their technologies that are an extension of their personhood. I remember. That being said, if I could forcibly access the systems of this oppressive regime that controls the Cripetia system, I believe I may be able to deactivate their technology. I can forcibly access the systems of this oppressive regime that controls the Cripetia system. I believe I may be able to deactivate their technology. I can disarm them. All of them. There's something humorous. Oh, man. Oh, fucking erts, man. All right. All right. Let's see, man. All right. Let's check out our new location and figure out how we're going to do this. Of course. Oh, fucking hurts, man. All right. Let's check out our new location and figure out how we're going to do this. Of course. Well, at least this is familiar. M reports that the nearby city has an approximate population of 80,000 with technological levels equal to that of the late industrial early information age on earth. What is that? Like, late 70s, early 80s? Approximately. Okay. So, tell me about this plan of yours. There's a high risk factor involved. It will require complicated scans of the enemy's technological environment. M will need to be in close proximity to one of the soldiers for an indeterminate amount of time. We need to kidnap one of them? No, and taking one of them forcibly, there is the danger of them using their teleportation capabilities. I think it best that our maneuvers be clandestine in nature. So we're going to have to do some spy shit, basically. For the highest probability of success. Spy shit. Okay. Okay, let's go loop in the others. Remember that before we parted I installed an implant in your head. Whoa hang on is everything all right kazi I'm sorry hang on Tita has briefed me on your arrival and I believe we have your signal now I'm sorry if this is overwhelming but I have a large amount of information to give you please get something to write with oh shit inside is something wrong pen Great! The space pager. They're unaware of the targeting was confused because of Casper. Casper apparently has on his person some sort of device that mimics the signal of the diner. The space pager. They're unaware of the existence of this device. They think the error is on their end. This seems to have bought us some time. Time is good. But we don't know how much time. Of course. Oh shit. Kossi's making her move on crock. Oh God. I hear you have an irt with you. That's excellent news. Write this down. 1,000, 1,000, 100, 101, 1101. 1, 101. Give this code to the earth. Tell him to scan for a frequency with this identifier. 1,000. 1, 1,000 1, 1, 1,000 1, 1,000. for a frequency with this identifier. One moment. Tell him to ask to be connected to high command. Ask to be connected to high command. I shall. These next few days will be crucial. On one side of the galaxy I'll be consolidating our forces for the assault on Crock's homeworld, while you will be distracting them on the other side. Greetings, I am Voon, sorcerer ID 580 trinary. Please connect me with high command. This is not at all how I wanted to do this. I needed more time. Luckily with midnight burger involved I have a niece or two up my sleeve. The irt has made contact I'm switching over. Greetings saucer my name is kauzy. Thank you for making contact. Of course. Can you connect me with the rest of the group please? I can. Could everyone activate your calm dots please? My what? It's the thing we put behind your ear. Oh, got it. We are connected. Who am I speaking with? Kase? It's me, Phil. Hello everyone, Fiona, I'm glad to see you're safe. Right back at you. As Gloria will tell you, we are in an urgent phase of the war right now. We are being forced to move before we are ready, but there is a plan. To buy us some time, we'll be running interference to keep the enemy confused. How are you running interference? It's a plan that has unfortunately been named. Operation Rodeo Clown. constantly moving around the system, sending the diner's signal from as many places as possible. They will do this using a very odd friend of his. Odd friend? They've insisted they stop by to say hello, but they'll only have a few seconds. What do you mean by stop by? They'll arrive in the parking lot any second now. The parking lot? I don't see anyone. There are no inbound ships. They won't be in a ship. What will they... Whoa! Whoa! Oh, Jesus, I'm still not used to use it. I'm still not used to it. I'm still not used to it. I'm still not used to it. I'm still not used to it. I'm Hey! Oh my God! Gloria! Hello! X! Oh my God! Okay, we can only stay a few seconds. Okay, I'm alive! You're alive! Did you hear about Ava? Yes. I am going to kill her. I know. David! Look at you! Look at you, Space cowboy! How do you like to hue? What is it? I have no idea. Hi guys, I'm X. What's up. Pardon me. Are you an Android. May I can scan you for relevant technologies. You can give it a shot? Okay, I'll see you after the war. I want to hear everything. Okay, hi, Vioa. Hi, we have to go. Okay, I can't believe this works. I know. Okay, we're just gonna criss-cross the system and try and stir up as much trouble as we can. You guys stay thin. Good luck! Crocked the! fly around in a cube? I guess they do now. Now that's done. This phase of the plan has gone into motion. There's nothing for you to do at the moment but to stay safe. Now that you're connected to my network, I can keep you updated. Actually, Kause, Voon's working on something over here. I think we might need to risk going into a nearby city. Working on something? What are we working on? I think Voon may be able to give us an edge. Really. Tell me more. I'm more. I am. I am. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm. course of action to your network. Well, that's a nice change of pace. Nice to be working with someone so organized. I return your sentiment. I'll have a look at your proposal. Gloria, good luck. You too. What kind of trouble are we getting into? What are we even talking about? Y'all, Voon has a plan. Hey, hey, enough already. I'm not a carry-on. in that mass. You will be here. I bet you sound like Truman Capote under there. Ass hats! Where's my cat? Good morning doctor. What's with the rough trade from the bonehead brigade? You've been a bit too adventurous in your wanderings about the castle. I'm a curious person. Is this thing on? Cossi. Listen, listen. closely. It's all bullshit. Very rude of you to listen to my private phone calls. You're only here due to my benevolence, Doctor. That's not true. Is it not? No. I'm here because you like me. I was enjoying your company until he decided to use my daughter as part of your machinations. Macinations. Crock. Come on. Look around. This whole castle is the Super Bowl of machinations. I can't join in? Enough. So, how did it happen? How did what happen? How did you go from being a space god to whatever it is now? How did what happen? How did you go from being a space god to whatever it is you are now? Every power you've exhibited thus far doesn't come from you. It comes from something invented by that brilliant daughter of yours you keep locked in the tower. You're so sure that's what occurred? Yes, Crock. I am sure. You've seen very little to prove this theory of yours. How are you so confident? You're at war. I am. If I had mastery over reality the way you claim to... I wouldn't be at war with anyone. I'd already rule the whole fucking place. So why don't you? It's kind of funny when you think about it. You display a little bit of power and you carry yourself with enough confidence and people will make all sorts of exaggerations about who you are. Look at all your little boy scouts running around this castle. They're all terrified of you. But in the end, you're not that much different from them, are you? I am exceedingly different from them. And then I started thinking about gods, right? The idea of a god? Someone who can shape reality with only the power of their will. And I have to say, the math just doesn't add up. Shaping reality to your will. That would cost a lot of energy. And that energy has got to come from somewhere. All energy comes from somewhere. I'm just riffing in my head right now, but by my calculations, the energy required to shape reality to your will would actually be more energy than is contained in this universe. I see. You think I'm a fraud. Not exactly. I don't think you're You're entirely full of shit. I think you were there at the beginning of the universe. I believe that part. I believe that at the beginning you probably were as powerful as you say you are now. But something happened. Something changed and that made more sense to me. Like a star, at first incredibly powerful, over time. Even Clementine had her limits. We saw that she was drawing energy from... It was Clementine, wasn't it? That's what did you in. You put everything you had left into her in. That's what did you in. You put everything you had left into her in the hopes that's what did you in. You put everything you had left into her in the hopes that she would get rid of us all. How close am I? This mind of mine is capable of a lot of things, Crock. One of those things? Cognitive dissonance, holding two opposing ideas in my head at the same time. I am able to sit here at this table and say that you are a despotic shithead who deserves everything that's coming to you. I am able to sit here at this table and say that you are a despotic shithead who deserves everything that's coming to you. sit here at this table and say I kind of like you crock you we've got a dry sense of humor and you own a castle how about for the first time since the beginning of the universe you actually talk to someone The more you love a thing, the less control you have over it. Poetically, the more you love a thing, the less control you have over it. Poetically. The more you love a thing, the more you want to control it. I had come to love this universe. And the more I grew to love it, the faster it slipped. from my hands. And in the far distance I could see its imminent destruction. I wish to stop it. And my power to prevent that destruction waned with every moment that passed. So you did all this. There is a delightful little story from your planet. A story of Adam and Eve, two innocence from which all of humanity spawned. When they ate of the tree of knowledge, your god became angry and flung them from the garden, which, they must say, is rather petulant. An entire garden you expect people to not eat the fruit. But I digressed. Imagine in that garden there was a not one forbidden tree, but two. The tree of knowledge and the tree of immortality. And if you ate of both, you would have both knowledge and immortality. What does it make you to have both knowledge and immortality? A god. Yes. Given a long enough timeline, immortality and knowledge leads you to Godhood. Though my power had faded over time, I still had immortality. And all I needed was a long enough timeline to return myself to the power I once had. I just needed enough time. speeding everything up. Correct. If I couldn't stop you, I wouldn't have enough time. So you create Clementine. With the last shred of power I had left, I created Clementine. And she worked brilliantly again and again and again. Until along came you and your friends. I have been called many things, but above all I am simply a man that needs more time. Crock, what is the easier thing to do? Spending all of this energy and creating all of this misery in the off chance that you'll be able to save the universe? Or, learning to accept that everything, I wish I was simply a despot doctor. I wish I was the villain you see me as. I wish it was so simple. I truly wish it was a simple. I truly wish it was a simple. I truly wish it was a simple matter of me coming to terms of mortality. But I'm afraid. Indeed, it's not so simple. There are worse things than I, out there in the darkness. Much worse things, indeed. What things? What things? I've learned not to speak of them. I see. A lot of people think that a scientist begins their life with curiosity. That's not how I began my life. I began my life with an admission. I admitted to myself that there are very few things in life that I am in control of, frighteningly few things. Once I admitted that to myself, I was able to death, I am in control of, frighteningly few things. Once I admitted that to myself, I was able to the rest of my life to figuring out why the fuck that is. Why am I given the power to observe the world but never affect it? It's been a good life and it all began with that admission. The universe played a very dirty trick on you, Crock. It convinced you that you could change it. But it's even bigger than you and you still won't admit it The oligarchs blues. There's an old train winding hoar the prairie to that whole girl of mine. Hey, kiddo? How are you doing? I'm okay. I was doing a lot of work with the Vistec and when I stopped to rest everyone told me you were back. I'm back. I can't believe it, said the woman who can predict the future. I'm a little preoccupied these days. Yeah, I heard. If you told me you were hooked up to a bunch of tubes and shit. It's a constant vigil. I'm sure you can imagine how I feel about all that. Unfortunately, it's necessary. so that doesn't mean I'm going to like the idea. They told me you would come back with a very interesting friend. She is very interesting, my friend. She's indestructible and she can travel through space and time. Okay. She was created by my ex-wife in another universe. Uh-huh. For a while she was my enemy. But then she spent several decades at the bottom of a river. Kentucky and now she's my dear friend. How do these things happen to you? I've been saying that for like 150 years. Where are you right now? I'm on my ship. You get a whole ship just for you, huh? We have to dedicate an entire ship to the Vistec because of the power demands. I'm on my ship. You get a whole ship just for you, huh? We have to dedicate an entire ship to the Visttec because of the power demands. The booza you sound really tired. I am. But it's not like someone else can do this. The Vistec has kept us out of a lot of trouble. Not all of the trouble, but a lot of it. You know, a props to you for making a terrifying machine that can predict the future, but honestly, I hate... I hate all of this for you. It's important work. L'Oooza, I don't care. You're a kid. Okay, again, I am so much older than you. I don't care about that either. Did you ever have a period of your life when you were a kid? Was I ever younger? Yes, I wasn't born at this age. No, I mean, did you ever like shake up a kid? of a can of coke and then hand it to your friend and they open it and it explodes and they're like no and you're like a ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I've never done that that sounds mean of course it's mean kids are mean. child, right? I suppose. Well, I guess I still see you as a kid because you were never allowed to be a kid. You never passed through it. I just want you to have a skateboard or something. A skateboard? Yeah. Okay. I'll put it on the list of things to do after the war. Make that a long list, okay? How are you doing? Well, we are currently on one of the many Earths in this galaxy and X and David are inside some dance club. A dance club? They insisted. We're trying to jump every three hours. They wanted to stop for a minute and have some fun. Why aren't you inside the dance club? A dance club? They insisted. We're trying to jump every three hours. They wanted to stop for a minute and have some fun. Why aren't you inside the dance club. question La Busuza. But how are you doing? I'm assuming you heard about Ava. I heard about Ava. I don't want to talk about it. She's given us a lot of really important information. I'm sure that's true but it doesn't matter because I don't want to talk about it. I'm sure that's true but it doesn't matter because I don't want to talk about it. It was very brave of her. because she's whatever the word is for her. It sounds like you're taking it personally. I can't possibly take it personally because I don't want to talk about it, LaBousa. We were supposed to go on vacation. We were supposed to go on vacation. Vacation? Yes. words were said. I don't want to talk about it. Okay. We need to get through this war. Then I can go on vacation and you can