[PKMN] SPACE CASE!

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
Out of the Institute, and into the depths...with all kinds of strange feelings on peoples' minds, something just doesn't feel right...

What could go wrong in a mountain's cave system?
Find out now- on SPACE CASE!
EPISODE 18: Down We Go

---

The Institute had been a massive campus, bustling with people and things to do. It had been overwhelming in many senses, and that combined with the exterior of it all gave a strong impression of how vast Mt. Moon is.




And yet, staring down at the actual interior of the mountain, and not just the heavily developed entry point-

STRETCH: ....

 

You are shocked into silence once again.



The Institute had built itself around that singular crater, punched through by a meteorite and leading to that striking spiral structure.



This is not that.



There are tiers, yes, and paths, but the campus you just left behind had some degree of order to it.

They had to design it around some kind of purpose and central fixture. Things were well marked with signage, and some areas even had markings on the tunnel walls, floors, ceilings.


Comparatively, this is a maze, and you can tell by the look on your party's faces that the same realization hit at once.


Having Rappel had once seemed like a necessary annoyance.
But now, as the omastar begins to select the first couple of paths, taking you through a left,

then a right,

then an incline down to the right

and then left left left,

all to get to a more residential-looking route-



You think you understand how people die here without a guide.

RAPPEL: Look alive, my friends!
RAPPEL: This here is one of the closer neighborhoods-
RAPPEL: No touching anything, keep to the lane!

 

She gestures to a pair of grooves in the floor, a semblance of road dividers.

"Sidewalks" lined the tunnel, local mons darting in and out of their residences.

RAPPEL: These are folks' homes, and we're guests along the way.

 

Even her enthusiasm is turned down to a manageable level, clearly not wanting to disturb anyone.

You're surprised she even has that kind of volume control after how excitable she'd been at the campus, but...

EERIE: Can't say I expected people to be so, uh-
FROND: Comfortable?

 

The gloom is grinning wide, taking in all of the homes.

Similar to the travel tunnel entrances, doorways lined the sides of your current paths... but these have levels of personalization.

Carvings, engravings, subtractive sculpting into the rock- wall sconces, tapestries and murals helping to define the individual exteriors. 

Glancing inside uncovered windows and entrances as you pass reveals similarly styled interiors, furniture largely made from the structure of the cave itself.

Any hard edges softened by mats, quilts, blankets, padding-

FROND: From the smell, they're eating good too...
RAPPEL: Incredible, isn't it?
RAPPEL: Cave stews are a necessity down here.
RAPPEL: Tons of fungi, spices, and native flora, all with there unique flavors and aromas-

 

She takes a deep, pleased breath.

RAPPEL: Nothin' like it!
FILIGREE: We had some spaces like this in the quarry, but...
FILIGREE: Usually just as on-site work spaces.
FILIGREE: Spots to take a rest, tend to equipment and talk with your fellow miners...
RAPPEL: Not whole homes, huh?
FILIGREE: Not even close.
FILIGREE: Mines back home felt...so cramped, comparatively-

 

Even with these being tunnels, Filigree is right- the space was incredibly open, more akin to a city street with tiered, multi-floored buildings than a mineshaft.

Even Sweetpea seems comfortable walking, xer own smile creeping in as the party passes by an onix without issue.

SWEETPEA: I can't even get this kind of room in the Institute...
RAPPEL: Course not, these tunnels got made up by big mons just like that one.
RAPPEL: Institute tunnels got help, 'course, but smaller species came right on in and did just as much development once the initial work got done.
RAPPEL: VERY impressive work!
RAPPEL: Bunch'a guys in labcoats have their specialties!

 

 

She pauses.

RAPPEL: ...but building proper all-encompassin' infrastructure isn't on that menu.
RAPPEL: No offense to you, Sweetpea.
SWEETPEA: ...none taken.
SWEETPEA: Trust me, if I had any say in it, I'd be making larger hallways in EVERY facility!
SWEETPEA: I've complained to every higher up I can!
SWEETPEA: No one wants to listen to the intern, though...
MINERVA: But-

 

Minnie looks up from her sled, seemingly content to be dragged behind you thus far.

MINERVA: You're walking all this way just to get to your job...
MINERVA: You work so hard!
SWEETPEA: THANK you for the acknowledgment!

 

Xey let out an irritated croak.

SWEETPEA: All I want is to do a good job.
SWEETPEA: And what do I get?
SWEETPEA: Latte duty.



 

....latte duty?



Minerva nods solemnly, already in solidarity with her new venusaur friend despite your suspicions she has no idea what xey're talking about.



She's doing better today, at least.



Lucid, back to her polite and caring self....cuddly as well, which is not something you want to focus on right now.

It'd be some time before you could get alone time, and you don't expect Rappel to grant that out of nowhere.



....though with the way she and the omastar share conspiratorial giggles, you can't help but feel a sense of dread.



The last thing you need right now is scheming.






Especially not of that nature-



....



After all




You need to lock in.




Focus.



Everyone but you had taken extremely hard hits during Route 3.


Minerva was still out for the count battle-wise, and while you had two new heavy hitters-




at least you FUCKING HOPE SWEETPEA WOULD IF IT CAME DOWN TO IT



-on your travel squad, the idea of your team getting hurt like that again makes your skin crackle unpleasantly.



Which is fine.


It's fine.



It's just stress.




your teeth itch



And you are going to manage it.



The residential neighborhood dwindles, leading to more non-housing intersections.

There's more gaps between peoples' booths and alcoves, some walls decorated and some left bare.

Some mons call out to passersby, trying to hawk wares and travel advice.

RAPPEL: ...don't make eye contact.
RAPPEL: Those guys'll do whatever it takes to pinch a bit o'cash from weary travelers.
RAPPEL: Shameful work.
FILIGREE: ...guess it'd be easy to make a quick buck on people like us.
RAPPEL: How unfortunately right you are, my friend.
RAPPEL: Between tourist traps and maps that get you lost, all in order for one of their "helpers" to come find you and demand a fee for your safe return...

 

Her eyes narrow, disgust ripe in her voice.

RAPPEL: I've got no respect for people like that.
RAPPEL: None at all.

 

....




It's the first time you've heard her actually...negative, about anything.



And something you agree with, at that.


The kind of greed on display sickens you, always has.



The profiteering off of the vulnerable, the sick, and even-

FROND: ...how common is it for people to, y'know-
FROND: uh
FROND: Get?
FROND: In those situations?
RAPPEL: Peril, you mean?

 

He nods, his face a little nervous.

RAPPEL: I won't lie to you all-
RAPPEL: More than I enjoy.
RAPPEL: People do not respect the power of a cave!
RAPPEL: Their immense depths and dangers lying within...
RAPPEL: You need a guide for many reasons, and the most important thing is not just to avoid getting lost-
RAPPEL: But to avoid your life being lost as well.

 

Now it's the rest of your party's turn to look pale.

RAPPEL: I enjoy the thrill of it, of course!
RAPPEL: But many assume that means savoring the risk.
RAPPEL: No, not at all...
RAPPEL: To willingly seek out the danger within a cave is a foolish venture.
RAPPEL: To think you can tame it, equally futile.
RAPPEL: No, I want to understand caves, to know how they form, to study and traverse their treacherous tunnels...

 

She smiles, a bit lost in her monologue.

RAPPEL: The thrill to me comes from learning about the unknown.
RAPPEL: And what a beautiful unknown this mountain is.
STRETCH: ....

 

Your eyes trail to the stalls on the sides of the path.

You didn't notice at first, but the people running the stands glare at Rappel as she passes, lips curling into sneers.

STRETCH: ...I. Am guessing people do not share your opinions.
RAPPEL: Nope!

 

She grins, a bitterness to it.

RAPPEL: Not even a lil'.
RAPPEL: But that just goes for these grifters here.
RAPPEL: Friends and family, I have them in spades!
RAPPEL: Not by blood, no, but by the folks I have cared for and led through these tunnels.
EERIE: That how you get your, uh-
EERIE: Leftovers?
RAPPEL: Correctamundo!
RAPPEL: Leftovers, a night in a nice warm bed, space at the table at community gatherings-
RAPPEL: Most of my personal supplies are gifts from the locals, or stuff I whip up myself.
MINERVA: And that's how your prices are so cheap...?
RAPPEL: Cheap? Hah!
RAPPEL: I prefer to look at it as a public service with a tip.
RAPPEL: I'd do it for free if I didn't have some expenses that can't be paid with hospitality.
RAPPEL: Ain't that the way of it all!
EERIE: go figure...

 

Sweetpea's quiet, occasionally nodding in response to something. You watch xem out of the corner of your vision, a new focus to keep an eye on.



You still don't trust xem.


Xey helped you out of a bad situation, sure, but-

RAPPEL: Look!

 

You whip around, perhaps too suddenly- as if you pushed too hard on a gas pedal, swerving too hard.

Your antennae crackle as you try to ignore Filigree's suspicious stare, locking in on whatever the hell Rappel is pointing out.

She's gesturing excitedly to an informative sign, pointing out specific symbols.

RAPPEL: Now THIS is a stopping point you won't want to miss-
RAPPEL: Right here's a guide to all of the icons used in cave warnings!
FROND: ....that
FROND: looks like a lot of ways to die.
RAPPEL: And you'll want to avoid ALL of them!
FROND: ah
RAPPEL: Worry not, my friend!
RAPPEL: Together we will go over everything here-
RAPPEL: And your worries will be soothed, as you will know all of the ways it is common for adventurers to perish!

 


 

....you don't think that's what Frond was asking for.




But the information is helpful.

You didn't even know half of these.


Minerva looks outright nauseous, tugging on your tail gently to get your attention.

MINERVA: A-
MINERVA: is it really going to be safe for me to-
STRETCH: ...I.
STRETCH: I'll keep you safe.
MINERVA: im not worried about that i mean you carrying me!!!!

 

She frantically gestures towards the sign.

MINERVA: What if you end up getting hurt because of- having to deal with me-?
STRETCH: We'll...handle it...
 

You exhale slowly, considering your words carefully.

STRETCH: ...It won't be as hard as Route 3.

 

Her ears flop, looking even more ashamed and worried.



Shit.



Your smooth moves strike again.

STRETCH: I. I mean-
MINERVA: i'm sorry...

 

Nooo no no no you made her sad not again agggghHHH

RAPPEL: And here's what a signal bell will look like-
RAPPEL: They put these around high risk areas and places likely for adventurers to get trapped!
RAPPEL: If you can manage to reach one of these, you just gotta hold out for somebody licensed to come get you!
FILIGREE: And if it's one of the grifters...
RAPPEL: Do NOT give them your money!

 
 

You're too distracted to hear the rest, kneeling by Minerva's side as best as you can with your hover.

STRETCH: ...no need.

 

Your hand is trembling as you reach over to pat between her ears, current arcing the closer you get to her fur.



Something feels


off


or maybe more correct than you'd like to think about


as you make contact with her head.


Her skin is warm.

You can feel slight twitches in the muscles, largely from her ears and facial expressions.


Your fingers itch.

MINERVA: ....Stretch?

 

You snap out of it.

MINERVA: Are you okay...?

 

Your breathing had gotten heavy without you noticing.

STRETCH: ...just.
STRETCH: No need to say sorry.

 

You pull your hand away, taking some degree of relief in the slight, grateful blush on her cheeks.

STRETCH: Okay?

 

She hesitates, but smiles.

MINERVA: I'll do my best.

 

Both of your attention's drawn back over to the rest of your party, Rappel starting to get moving again.

RAPPEL: Look alive!
RAPPEL: The journey continues!



 

You enter a proper path now, no more businesses and homes to speak of.



Just you and the cave.





....and small talk.

EERIE: All I'm saying, is, like-
EERIE: You're weird, Rappel.
FILIGREE: Eerie you can't just say that
EERIE: What!
EERIE: I'm sayin' it as a compliment!

 

She gestures to the cheery, ghostly looking omastar.

EERIE: She's weird and spooky!
RAPPEL: That I am!
RAPPEL: No offense taken, either.
RAPPEL: I delight in giving people some weird in their day.
RAPPEL: ...

 

She keeps her eyes ahead, able to speak confidently without breaking focus on the environment around her.

RAPPEL: But yes!
RAPPEL: I am aware that there aren't many like me in this world.

 

Sweetpea finally speaks up.

SWEETPEA: ...you're-
SWEETPEA: From the Cinnabar program, aren't you...?

 

Rappel straightens her posture, the venusaur panicking immediately.

SWEETPEA: SORRY sorry sorry that's-
RAPPEL: You've got a good eye on you, Sweetpea!
RAPPEL: Yes indeed, I hail from Cinnabar Island-
RAPPEL: Or, it may be more apt to say that Cinnabar is where I rose from a very long slumber.

 

 

Now your attention is piqued.

RAPPEL: Care to share with the class?
SWEETPEA: OH
SWEETPEA: Uh!
SWEETPEA: W-well, I'm not an expert-
SWEETPEA: But our department has some degree of correspondence with the Pewter program-
SWEETPEA: F-for fossil revival, I mean.
EERIE: ...that's the whole program where you bring bones back to life, right?
SWEETPEA: That's- well, that's a more easily parsed oversimplification-
EERIE: But you put the bones in and a mon comes out, right?
SWEETPEA: ....

 

Xey have to take a deep breath.

SWEETPEA: We can call it that for now.
SWEETPEA: Both Pewter and Cinnabar have facilities where.

 

Xer voice is so, so tired.

SWEETPEA: Scientists bring pokemon fossils, their DNA is extracted-
EERIE: From the bones.
SWEETPEA: And a pokemon is artificially revived.
EERIE: Yeah. They come out of a tube or something.
SWEETPEA: ...sure.
RAPPEL: A simple analogy, yes-
RAPPEL: But one we can work with.
RAPPEL: What if-
RAPPEL: Instead of putting the bones into some manner of device, and creating a new being from the genes harvested...
RAPPEL: There was still a person inside?

 
 

Your eyes widen.



You'd heard of this.


Not...extensively, but.

STRETCH: ...I thought those were fringe stories.
RAPPEL: Incredible how many things are dismissed as such, mm?
RAPPEL: Most folks in my position don't disclose these kinds of thing-
RAPPEL: It's rather dangerous!
RAPPEL: And, let's put it like this-

 

She conspiratorially raises a tentacle to the side of her mouth, not even pretending to whisper.

RAPPEL: I'm not supposed to tell anyone.
STRETCH: Are you like
STRETCH: under.
STRETCH: ...NDA?
RAPPEL: Yes!
FILIGREE: For....being alive?
RAPPEL: That's correct!
FROND: D-doesn't that bother you-
RAPPEL: Deeply!
RAPPEL: And that's why I spill the beans!
RAPPEL: Better to share my story than keep my existence a mystery!

 

Sharing her story...



...it's a miracle she hasn't gotten sued.

EERIE: But that, like-
EERIE: That's crazy.
EERIE: You're tellin' me you came out of a boulder?
RAPPEL: Mmmhm.
RAPPEL: More or less.
EERIE: From ages ago?
RAPPEL: Yes!
FROND: Dude, you're-
FROND: You're a time traveler!
RAPPEL: So I've been told, although I wish I had had a fancy time machine and not a rock...

 

Minerva makes a worried noise.

MINERVA: ....that-
MINERVA: -must have been...lonely.

 

Rappel's eyes soften.

RAPPEL: ...very.
RAPPEL: I am very grateful to have friends now.
RAPPEL: Ah-!

 

There's a fork in the road, Rappel pausing to check her map.

RAPPEL: Left's where we're going.

 

She points to the other side, making sure that the party notes the wave sign above the tunnel.

RAPPEL: That way's an underground river.
RAPPEL: You don't wanna do that one.

 

Filigree shudders, Minerva looking equally unenthusiastic.

RAPPEL: Off we go!









 

There's a downward slope now, Minerva looking worriedly up at you as soon as the elevation starts to decline.



Uh



Hm



There is an issue here.




You do not have any purchase on the ground beneath you.



Hovering is useful for avoiding the rough ground, yes, but- you haven't actually dealt with this sort of thing in years.

Even stairs posed very little issue to you now, one of the few rare perks of turning into whatever this is.



Ideal for someone floating along by themself.



Not ideal for floating with someone still on the ground, affected far more by gravity than you.




You immediately back up to where the ground's more level, Sweetpea noticing before either you or Minnie can pipe up.

SWEETPEA: Oh! Um-
SWEETPEA: You're having trouble, aren't you?

 

You give xem a blank look.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: Yes.

 

Xey lean over to look at your feet, embarrassment and shame sneaking onto your face.



Stop



looking at those.




It's weird.




Your feet are weird and so is looking at them.

SWEETPEA: Well, it makes sense...
SWEETPEA: Prehensile, but affected by some kind of...gravitational anomaly-

 

Xey don't seem to recognize how awkward this is as xey straighten back up, hands on xer hips.

SWEETPEA: I can help!
MINERVA: Oh, Sweetpea, that's...
SWEETPEA: I- I fully, plan on pulling my weight!
SWEETPEA: As promised!

 

One thing is clear from the Route 3 disaster- you are not going to be able to care for her without the help of others.

Sweetpea is the most physically capable out of anyone here- at least, in raw strength and bulk.

Xey don't know you, or your capabilities yet. You hadn't even gotten the chance to battle in front of xem.

To xem, you're



effectively just



another research subject.



Something to study and adjust procedure accordingly.



A science project.





.....





Minnie's eyes are full of gratitude.




You will have to tolerate this.
For now.



Sweetpea's able to cradle the sled between her arms, struggling only with xer own lack of dexterity, and not the golbat's weight.


Minerva seems unsteady at first, but settles in, giving the venusaur a huge smile.

MINERVA: Thank you so much...

 

Sweetpea looks embarrassed more than anything, clearly trying to play off xer nerves.




....xey better not drop her.

You're going to stay close-

FROND: Everything all good back here?



 

You whip around again, smacking Frond in the face with your tail on accident.

STRETCH: SHIT-
MINERVA: ohmygod

 
 

....



The gloom isn't upset at all after he regains his balance, his stunned expression replaced with one

inscrutable to you.




Your chest clenches.


Breath hitching.



You swear you heard him make a sound that was



just



Inscrutable.

FROND: N-no prob, bud!
FROND: Rappel just wanted me to check in.
RAPPEL: IT'S FINE IF YOU NEED TO REST!
EERIE: we've only been walking for like an hour
FILIGREE: Eerie, come on...
STRETCH: ....

 
 

You look up at Sweetpea and Minerva, who give you nods of varying degrees of confidence.

Sweetpea's a little nervous, maybe?

Minerva's much more at ease.

STRETCH: ...we're good.



 

Frond sticks by your side now, all of the awkwardness from a few days ago seemingly resolved.

On.


His end.


It's fine.


Keep it cool.



Maybe Eerie's right.


She has been hanging out with him a lot.

.....



maybe you could really try to bond-

FROND: So, like-
FROND: You're stuck in a rock, clefairies got stuck in rocks-

 

oh no.

FROND: Any connections?

 

ohhh no.

FROND: Is it aliens.

 

He had done this.
SO MUCH.

After you told the clefairy story when you were kids.

And it drove you fucking crazy. He had to ask this about EVERYTHING.

Is this aliens?
Is that aliens?

Of course it isn't aliens it's never fucking aliens people are soooo bad at always assuming it's aliens and it dilutes the actual discussion of aliens and

RAPPEL: I'm here for a reason!

 

You have to clench your jaw shut.

RAPPEL: Plenty o' caves to explore in the big wide world-
RAPPEL: But THIS ONE!

 

She strikes a pose, managing to step around a large rock without looking.

RAPPEL: HAS INTRIGUE!
RAPPEL: ...that specifically pertains to my case.

 

Frond pumps his fist.

FROND: knew it.
SWEETPEA: Mmm...
SWEETPEA: I can see the similarities, at- least from what I've seen in the files I'm cleared for.
SWEETPEA: It's-
SWEETPEA: ....well, it's classified-
EERIE: That just makes it more mysterious, y'know...
EERIE: If you're gonna make us curious, play it off!
SWEETPEA: W-WELL, IT'S-

 

Xey grimace.

SWEETPEA: ....hmph.
SWEETPEA: I can't afford to lose my job, you know...
EERIE: Pff...
RAPPEL: No worries, my friend!
RAPPEL: I've waited a long time to find answers- and I've got plenty of decades left in me!
FILIGREE: ....does fossil...time travel...aging work like tha-
RAPPEL: No idea!
STRETCH: ...hmph.

 

You cross your arms, floating along with your tail lashing.

STRETCH: Why exactly, do you assume-
STRETCH: Aliens. Here.

 

It sounds way bitchier than you intend, but the omastar appears completely unbothered.

RAPPEL: Not an assumption, no...
RAPPEL: What our friend in the glasses is likely alluding to is the study of signals.

 

Oh.

RAPPEL: Extraterrestrial messages traveling across the cosmos-!

 

Ohhh. Okay.

RAPPEL: For decades we have been studying these signals, aided by those who can naturally sense and interpret them...

 

She's


a Lunatic.




...just like you.

STRETCH: ...but those have barely started being decoded.

 

She lights up.

RAPPEL: CORRECTAMUNDO, Stretch!
RAPPEL: Ahh, I knew you were hiding something-

 

Your face heats up, Rappel bounding over with her face lit up.

RAPPEL: You too have been affected by-!

 

You shake your head rapidly, the omastar immediately drawing back.

She doesn't turn her gaze away, staring into your equally unblinking eyes.

RAPPEL: ...or perhaps I'm mistaken.
EERIE: Eh?
EERIE: just like that...?
RAPPEL: I've been told I'm overzealous at times-

 

A slight smile sneaks onto her beak.


The feeling you had when you first hired her is back.



Recognition.

RAPPEL: And now is not the time to lose my composure!
RAPPEL: We have adventuring to do...

 

She returns to the front of the pack, one hand in her pocket as she checks her map.

RAPPEL: My story can wait.
RAPPEL: It-


 

The earth shakes.



Shaking isn't a strong enough word, actually.



It feels like the cave is being thrown around, the earthquake so much more dramatic than those you've felt on the surface.



The ceiling begins to crack, Rappel cussing as



something bursts out of her back




dragging everyone into a dark, tight space.







It's still going.


At first, you can't see-



Only to register the glow of your body, lighting up the faces of your entire party and scaring you out of your skin.



Rappel's looking strained as you realize that you haven't been dragged anywhere, no-



You're being shielded, some kind of dark barrier surrounding the team like a dome.

EERIE: What the FUCK
RAPPEL: S-stay still, everyone-

 

Something hits the top of the barrier, the omastar wincing.

RAPPEL: -and you will all be okay!




 

You hear Minnie whimpering.



Sweetpea's no better, letting out miserable croaks.



Filigree is pressed against Eerie, using the much larger rhyhorn as some kind of additional shielding.



Eerie herself flattens against Sweetpea's leg, likely trying to do the same thing as Fili.




You hear Frond counting.



Shit.



Your own heart is pounding as you pull him in closer, yanking him in by his backpack strap.

He doesn't hesitate to latch back onto you, his counting getting less shaky now.




Ten years.



Ten years of waiting for you-




The shaking stops


only to be replaced with an overwhelming klaxon,


claws digging into Frond's skin






when did you get cl




Rappel dispels the shadowy shield, panting for breath.


The cave tunnel is full of rubble, but it held.


Your own heart is pounding.


You have to get it together.


You have to-

You pull your hand away from Frond,

clawless

fingers stained with his sap-like blood.




You feel sick.



Frond looks it even moreso than you, but



he nods.



He understands.



You struggle to get over to Sweetpea, bracing your antennae flush against your head as you gesture for her to fork over the sled.



Xey immediately oblige, covering up xer own ears as soon as you've wrapped your arms around Minerva, counting to ten over and over as you hear her shriek and cry, the sound too much for her delicate senses.


....



And then it's over, replaced with a booming voice somehow heard even this deep into the mountain.

????: ALL PARTIES ON THE MOUNTAIN-


SWEETPEA: T-the warning system-!



????: THIS IS A LOCKDOWN, SHELTER IN PLACE-



 

A horrible,

gurgling sound,

someone choking on something wet.


Your eyes widen.


No one moves.

????: ....ahem.
 

A new voice takes...what you assume to be the microphone, followed by a shuffling of papers.

????: Incredible how far this reaches, isn't it...
????: A wonderful system for our grand debut.
????: Helloooo, institute staff, visitors, travelers of all ages...
????: This is an OSTEO TAKEOVER!
????: And boy, is it hostile.

EERIE: Wh-

 

Eerie's voice sounds hollow, unable to form words.

????: I'd recommend listening to your former announcer...
????: People getting in the way of this operation...
????: Could get messy.

 

This can't be happening.

????: Let's all just behave!
????: And no one gets hurt.
????: I look forward to your cooperation!

 

The intercom clicks off.

 

RAPPEL: ...shit.




 

---

A lockdown has begun! Osteo getting ahold of the Lunar Institute can't mean anything good...

...especially after that announcement...

No suggestions for the next stretch of episodes- this is a MULTI-PART HELL EXPERIENCE! But how bad can it get?

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!