h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Or we could go back and get the multi-legged magma-scuba suit and VPB that we used so Zeppo could swim through the magma to get here. Then the problem would be how to get both dogs out of the area in general. We might need to use that submarine.

/* Zeppo sits and stares at the spot where the ping pong ball sank smoldering into the magma. He glances at Ludwig. It seems they are in agreement. */

[Protoman] [checking his programs] Nope, I guess my Robot Master abilities are gone.

You know, I don't think I'll ever forget the look on that Montressor's face as he jumped into the magma - an odd cross between an eager "gotta get it" and a horrified "what the hell am I doing?".

*Looks down and pets Zeppo.*

We really should get that device off your collar, buddy. Just in case.

*Twists and turns the device until it comes free. Zeppo barks and a little while later, some bubbles come to the surface of the magma.*

*red eyes glowing from crevice high in wall above red hot stone soup*

Dog in trouble?

Not so much "in trouble" as "traumatically detained", if you will.

d'E, you mentioned the thermal suits....one of us could go over there in a thermal suit while everyone else stays back. The person going across could carry Zeppo's thermal suit over. I'm pretty sure that Zeppo's suit is "One-Size-Fits-All", so it could probably get Ludwig back over here.

[Protoman] I'll do it.

*waves to exceptionally handsome rat* Hi Styx!

Hi Styx. Stay away from Brooklyn!

/* Hands Protoman Zeppo's eight-legged thermal suit, and the VPB to cover Ludwig's head. */

Be careful now. Montressor is somewhere in that magma. If you feel something grab your leg, scream.

Hi Styx! *wondering if trouble attracts rat or the other way around*

Would we hear the scream, through thermal suit and magma?

[Protoman] I can handle it. At least, if my energy stays at maximum. [enters the magma]


I think that it would be best if we waited until AFTER Protoman got Ludwig in the thermal suit, just to avoid him (Ludwig) getting wet ... from lava.

*musing*
I never thought of lava as wet.

I've always thought of it as more "viscous" than "wet", but I see what you mean.

Okay, Protoman, go for it.

[Protoman puts on his thermal suit, goes into the magma, and somehow gets Ludwig into the eight-legged suit upon his arrival. The two begin to return to the group (Ludwig getting farther ahead) and suddenly Protoman gets pulled under. Guess who.]

Montressor's got Protoman! What can we do?

/* Thinking quickly */

Zeppo, drop!

/* Thinking more slowly */

Oh, that might have worked if he were still wearing that device. Um, Garius, let go!

[Cut to underneath the magma: Protoman vs. Montressor. Protoman has avoided getting actually damaged.]

[Protoman] Kokin!

[He throws a Hadoken at Montressor. If it hits, it will deposit itself inside of Monty's power system, overload his core, and blow him up. In one hit.]

*A muffled sizzling sound comes from beneath the magma, followed by a muffled explosion. A bubble rises to the magma surface and pops with a burp. Various electronic parts and bits of metal fly up out of the bubble and rain down around the room.*

Boy, I hope that wasn't Protoman.

[Protoman comes to the surface.]

[Protoman] I tried the Hadouken! And guess what!

[Roll] It worked?

[Protoman] How did you ...?... Oh.

Well then! I guess that raps everything up but the trip back. We seem to have figured out what the problem with the gear was, saved Ludwig, and gotten rid of several extra Montresser's that were only around due to our disposal problems.

*A few seconds of silence pass while this sinks in*

The trip back may prove to be uneventful and boring. I nominate that we take the slide when or if we get back to it.

*thumbs up to Protoman*

Well, a slide that goes up! Leave it to CLI to think of ~that~!