Evan Pattison - Neptune 2: The Search For Neptune

Evan Pattison
Neptune 2: The Search For Neptune
Без лейбла
09 ноября 2023
0:33:23

Об альбоме

Как и первый альбом, Neptune 2 является продолжением игры, которой не существует.

Присоединяйтесь к бывшему заклятому врагу Нептуна в его путешествии по торговому центру, танцевальному клубу с привидениями, замерзшим джунглям и многим другим местам в поисках Нептуна, который исчез вскоре после событий оригинальной, э-э, "игры".

Каждая песня вдохновлена ​​определенной эпохой игр и игровой музыки, и с ней связана короткая, плохо написанная история, которую вы можете просмотреть в деталях песни.

Трек-лист

1. Press Start To Begin (Title)
2. Old Reflection (Opening) Клик

Finally free from prison, I set foot outside for the first time in over ten years. During that time, I'd thought a lot about what I would do if I were ever freed. It's hard to bear what I'd done, but with time and therapy, I'd grown to be a new person.

Surprisingly, an old foe had agreed to pick me up. His hovercar was messy on the inside.

Less surprising was his curt nature. "Where do you want to go?"

"Down to business, as usual." I paused, thinking about my answer. "There's someone I want to talk to."

"Oh? Who's that?"

I hesitated again. "Neptune. Do you know where he is?"

A long silence followed. A frown took shape across his aging face. "No one's seen him since you..." He trailed off, obviously not knowing how to proceed.

"It's OK. You can say it."

"Well, you know, since you kidnapped his partner. And his dog. And you did sorta, you know, subjugate The City on Patzig IV. Just that. How did you manage to get out, anyway? It's hard to believe they'd just let you walk, given everything that happened."

"Good behavior," I said. "I'm a new man!"

"Uh-huh. Well, I believe you, or I wouldn't have agreed to pick you up. Tell you what: why don't we head to the shopping mall and get you some new clothes?"

"Sounds good. But you never answered my question."

He started the hovercar and looked at me again. "Sure I did, Doc. He vanished. He's gone. He took his partner and left for another world, I'd guess."

"I see. Sorry. Hey, could you please not call me that anymore? Bad memories."

"I get it. I don't like it when people call me by my titles, either. I go by Rhett these days."

As we sped away, I knew I wasn't giving up. I just had to find Neptune.

1. Let's Go Shopping! (Shopping Mall)Клик

It was immediately clear that something wasn't right at the shopping center. "Is that smoke?"

"Sure seems that way. When you were taken into custody, your henchmen formed different factions and now they regularly cause trouble all over the planet."

I sighed. "I'll take care of them."

"How exactly? You're not exactly in fighting shape. You don't have armor, weapons, or *anything.*"

"Well... you could help with that."

"You want me to arm the most dangerous criminal this star system has seen in the past two decades?"

"It's for a good cause. And I want to help heal the damage I caused."

Another moment of silence came, followed by a deep sigh. "I believe you." He pushed a button on the dashboard, and the trunk of his hovercar started to open. "I thought you might ask, so I brought some basic gear. Check the trunk."

"...Did you bring me here because you knew there was a riot in progress?"

"Just gear up and get moving. Sheesh, not even Neptune argued as much as you."

1. Equilibrium (Shopping Mall Boss)Клик

The armor that Rhett gave me wasn't as good as the stuff I was used to wearing, but it would do. And it would have to, because the shopping mall was a mess of rubble and fire.

I powered my way through the rioters, my identity thankfully shielded from view thanks to my visor. When I finally reached the far end of the shopping center, I was greeted by an old friend, Hawk. He was one of my commanders. Hawk was born with the power to commune with the spirits of the dead, and was naturally a terrifying foe. I lowered my visor, and he lowered his mask.

"Ha! So they let you out."

"Yeah." I swallowed, and took a stance appropriate for the brawl I knew was to come. "Care to guess why?"

"I'd guess it's because you're a goodie two-shoes now. I guess you always were, underneath all of the jealousy." He smiled smugly. "And now, I guess you want to find him."

Scowling, I took a step toward Hawk's position. "What do you know?"

"Come on, Doc. This is a video game, in theory. You know the drill. Defeat me, and maybe I'll tell you."

We traded blows for a while, his spectral attacks leaving scars on my spirit. Neither of us left unscathed, but in the end, I was victorious. Sprawled on the ground, he looked up at me, and raised his hands toward the sky, smiling.

"You're as good as ever. But I don't think you'll find him. He's a galactic superhero. Everyone's trying to find him, mostly for revenge." His words echoed down the now-deserted halls of the crumbling shopping center.

After a moment, I spoke. "I'll find him. But not for revenge."

Laughing, he lifted his head from the ground. "Head to to the old nightclub. It's abandoned now, and spirits haunt its halls. The ghost of a child lives there. If I recall, she knew Dr. Khan. If anyone knows anything, it might be the her."

"Can't you just, you know... ask her?" I waved my hands around, performing mock-supernatural magic.

"Yeah, but I don't feel like it." He kicked himself off the ground, and started to walk away, but looked over his shoulder. "Don't get carried away, Doc."

"Psh. No guarantees."

1. The Monster Ball (Haunted Disco)Клик

People used to dance here, but nightlife had become less popular in our star system, so the few that still partied went off-world for nights out.

Specters and spirits now called this place home, making it an extremely dangerous place to be. But I was determined.

Inside, I found a lonely ghost with no interest in haunting me, violently or otherwise. I greeted her warmly.

She answered with a question."Hello. Are you here to dance?"

Amused, I smiled, and chuckled. "No, thank you. I'm here to ask about a friend of mine. His name is Neptune. He's... missing. Do you know where he might be?"

"Neptune? The superhero? The last I heard, he saved a local power facility from some bad people and then disappeared."

"What bad people?"

"You know, Dr. Musician's henchmen. Some of them still did bad things after he was sent away."

"I see. Thank you, I guess I'll be going."

As I turned to leave, she spoke again. "Wait! Most of the power plant's under water now. There were lots of explosions and a landslide and then... Well, anyway, you can swim, right, Mister?"

I approached the ghostly child again, smiling. "I appreciate your concern, but I'll figure it out."

Time to give Rhett another call.

1. Deep Learning (Submerged Power Plant)Клик

"I appreciate that you want to do good stuff, Arty, but this is the last time I give you gear for free. If you want more, you'll need to get a job so you can pay me for it." I recalled Rhett's complaining as I approached the shore.

Power lines had fallen into the water, making occasional sparks dangerous. Additionally, local wildlife had begun to mutate thanks to chemical spillage. At least, that's what I think happened. Whatever.

I pushed the button on my new bracelet, and a diving suit materialized around my body. I checked its systems, and everything looked good.

Under water, I challenged the newly mutated sea monsters and eventually reached a clearing within the submerged buildings at the plant. In front of a door leading to an even deeper facility, was a familiar magical staff. It was Neptune's.

Neptune's staff was an extraordinarily powerful weapon. It channels the spirit of its user's heart, and is capable of healing and destruction.

I picked it up off the sea floor, and held it tight to my chest. A tear fell from the corner of my eye, and my suit's visor began to fog.

In front of me stood a towering mechanical doorway. /How am I going to open this?/ I thought.

As if on command, Neptune's staff came to life in my hand. A powerful blast of magical energy flew from its jewel, causing an explosion on impact.

After cautiously walking through the facility doors, I swam upward into a dry area.

1. Computer Says Whoa (Biotech Facility)Клик

Unsure what to do next, I put in a call to Rhett.

"I've entered a massive biotech research facility. What's the deal with this place? Another supervillain?"

"Uh, no. Nothing so unscrupulous. The power plant used to stand in an area that was suitable for whatever kind of research the scientists were conducting here. Anyway, you found Neptune's staff? You realize of course I'll be wanting that. I created it, after all. It's Star Defense property!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Anyway, there's an extremely sophisticated network of computer systems here, and some of them are still active. Do you think there might be security camera footage?"

"...Arty, you're starting to worry me a little bit, here. Neptune doesn't want to be found, least of all by you. It might be time to let it go."

I sighed, and ended the call after a brief goodbye. If I could get to the core of the facility, I might be able to figure out where to go next.

1. The Indecisive Battle (Facility Boss)Клик

After working my way through a seemingly endless technological maze, I arrived at the core of the facility. I approached the computer, and started pushing buttons in a sequence which to an observer would appear to indicate I know what I'm doing.

The computer asked for a password, an obvious problem.

/How about... "password123?"/ Nope, that didn't work.

After a few attempts, an error was printed to the console that read "WARNING: Further attempts to access this system may result in a boss encounter."

/Psh, you can't scare me,/ I thought, and then made one more try. "ILuvNeptune," predictably, didn't work. Alarms sounded, and the lights dimmed red. The console began to raise itself toward the ceiling, and transformed into a mechanical monstrosity.

/Seems like there could have been a better way to protect the computer core,/ I thought.

But there was no time for thinking now. One wrong move and I'd be robot food.

1. Bossa Do Shopping (Shopping Area Clear)Клик

I rummaged through the remains of the fallen machine and found the core at the center of the pile. I couldn't access any of the data immediately, but if I could access a computer, I could hopefully extract some of the information I needed.

As if on cue, my hoverphone rang.

"Hello? You there?"

"Yeah, I'm here, what's up?"

"Well, I thought you might like to know that they've completed repairs at the shopping mall. Management asked me to convey their thanks. They want to give you a gift certificate. Maybe you can use it to buy some actual clothes. You can also, starting now, visit the mall between adventures to upgrade your weapons and armor, I guess. Cool, right?"

"That was fast. It's only been a couple of days. How did they fix it up so quickly?"

"Arty, we live in the future."

"Yeah, true." I paused, knowing I was about to annoy the poor guy again. "Hey, uh, can you give me a ride?"

A sigh. "Sure. I'll pick you up in 50 centhours. Don't be late."

After ending the call, I swam to the surface. While waiting on the side of the road nearest the shore, I looked down at the staff I'd collected at the bottom of the sea. I would find him, no matter the cost.

-

I thanked Rhett again and entered the shopping mall. I bought a few items of clothing, mostly because Rhett offered to let me keep Neptune's staff for a while if I agreed. Apparently I was starting to smell.

Immediately following that, I purchased a small, used computer from a local shop. Without even leaving the store, I plugged the core module into the laptop, and accessed the security camera footage.

After a few minutes of looking through old videos, I found it: a video of Neptune, taking out some of my henchmen. Just as he was about to cuff one of them, they escaped his grasp, and started running toward an exit. "You'll never take me alive! If you want to defeat me, you'll need to find me first!"

I paused the video, rolled it back, and zoomed in on then henchman's face. I recognized him as Jimmy, a resourceful and extremely ambitious member of my ranks. Last I heard, Jimmy had a hideout in the tropical biosphere a few hours away.

I closed the laptop, and checked the watch on my wrist attachment. The next train was leaving in only 25 centhours. No time to waste.

On the platform, I thought a lot about what I'd say to Jimmy when I found him. He wasn't exactly the nicest guy in the world. As I boarded the train, I saw the silhouette of a cloaked figure against the sun. Was he watching me? I wasn't sure.

1. Tropical Chill (Frozen Jungle Biosphere)Клик

Upon exiting the train car, I was shocked to see the biosphere had almost completely frozen over. None of the other passengers disembarking seemed surprised or concerned.

I waved to get the attention of a passerby, who suspended his hoverbuds and asked what I needed.

"What happened here? Why is it frozen?"

"Buddy, do you live under a rock? The temperature control systems were abandoned here years ago."

I thanked him, and then walked out into the frozen jungle. I didn't have a coat handy, so my diving suit would have to do.

-

After making my way to Jimmy's hideout, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door to his shack. There was no answer. After several minutes of trying to get his attention, I reasoned that the place was abandoned and used Neptune's staff to blast a hole in the door.

As I expected, no one had been here in quite some time. A layer of dust covered the unfurnished room. On the ground, there lay a sheet of paper.

I picked it up and began to read:

/Dear Jimmy,

It's been a long time since we saw you. I heard about your new job. Head of the Patzig IV Hotel and Casino! Your grandpa and I are so proud of you.

We'd love to come see the place, but we heard on TV that you can't even get inside without a reservation, and that you can't get a reservation unless you're a celebrity. Don't they make exceptions for family?

I'm so pleased that you're turning your life around, but could you visit home every once in a while? We miss you.

With Love, Grandma/

A letter? Pretty old-fashioned. Anyway, I guess I'd have to try to find a way to get into the hotel. But I'd have to find a way to get off-world first. And, well, I'm a former felon, so that might be challenging. I still had friends with ships that run... "illicit" cargo. I was sure one of them could give me a lift.

1. Mischief Makers (Inside the Casino)Клик

Landing on the surface of Patzig IV was surreal. As a criminal with an empire spanning multiple planets, I had lead a crime ring so large that it had mostly supplanted The City's elected leadership. Today, it was thriving.

I was happy to see it.

The City's hotel and casino was famous across the galaxy and regularly hosted politicians, celebrities, and diplomats. Gaining entry would be no small feat. That's why I wasn't surprised when security promptly threw me ass first into the street.

As I stood up and dusted myself off, I turned to see a cloaked figure run into the alley between the hotel and the supermarket next door.

/Is that the same person I saw on the train platform?/

I followed him into the alley only to find he'd vanished. But a window into one of the second-floor hotel rooms was cracked open a bit.

I climbed up the fire escape and peeked in the window and discovered the room was empty. Once inside the room, I opened my backpack and changed into the new clothes I'd purchased earlier, and then slipped out of the room and into the hallway.

Reasoning that most of the guests are accounted for by hotel staff, I decided to try to find Jimmy without being seen by them. That's right, baby, we're doing a stealth level.

-

I found Jimmy's suite, and knocked on the door. He answered the door this time. When he opened the door, his eyes widened as he began to call for security.

"Shh! Shush! It's me! Ar... Dr. Musician."

"Holy heck, man! They let you out of prison?"

"They did, and I've risked a lot to be here. So please listen to me."

He paused, and looked me up and down. "Come inside. You have 5 minutes."

Inside the lavish hotel room, we took seats facing each other in front of an ornately decorated fireplace.

After an awkward silence, I cleared my throat. "I'm... looking for Neptune. You're one of the last people who saw him. Do you know where he is?"

"...How did you know that?" he asked, obviously concerned.

"It's a long story and I promise I'm not stalking you online or whatever. Please."

"So, I guess you know that I told him to find me. I expected him to show up at my hideout in Viati Tropics. But he never came. I discovered later it's because he retired. When I realized he wasn't coming, I thought a lot about what I wanted out of life, and how much time I'd wasted trying to defeat him."

"All right, but do you know where he went?"

"...Yes. I've got friends nowadays with information, so out of curiosity, I had an associate look into it. He's living on an asteroid in this star system."

I sat for a moment, digesting this information. "Do you have the coordinates?"

"I'll have them sent to your hoverphone."

"Thanks, it's nice of you to help me out here. I, uh, don't suppose you have any ideas on how to get there?"

He stared blankly at me for a while, and then spoke, his voice becoming louder and more frenzied with each word. "It's crazy that I gave you this information to begin with. I wouldn't normally do this, you know. But believe it or not, I owe you. Your little syndicate gave me food, shelter, and in a way, community during a time where I had nothing else. There was a time in my life where I really looked up to you. I don't anymore. I think you're an awful, awful creature who'll do whatever it takes to get what you want. Even now, after you've been released from prison, you're violating the terms of your release by leaving your world and coming here. You broke into my hotel, for crying out loud! No, Doc. I won't help you get there. You're lucky I don't call Star Defense Police. Consider the information a debt repaid, and get the hell out of my hotel."

I looked down toward the floor, and nodded. "I'm sorry. Believe it or not, this is all about me trying to... do something good."

"Believe it or not? Ha! I don't."

-

I left -- now through the front door -- and received a data transmission with coordinates as promised.

1. Relapse (Infiltrating Star Defense HQ)Клик

I was getting impatient. The associate who'd given me a ride to this planet had already left, and Rhett wasn't answering my calls. I needed a ship, and I needed it now.

There was only one way. I was going to break into Star Defense HQ and "borrow" my ship back for a little while. Even if it got me thrown back into prison. Even if I...

Whatever.

Fortunately, it would be easier to get inside than it was to get into the hotel. Star Defense's HQ orbits Patzig IV, and they host guided tours of the facility once a week or so. All I needed to do was board a civilian transport, sneak away from my tour group, break a few security encryption codes, reach the contraband storage hangar, and well, you know the rest.

How hard could it be?

1. The Search For Neptune (Spacewalk)Клик

Running from the security guards pursuing me, I entered the entry codes for my ship and wormed my way into the cockpit. There wasn't a lot of fuel, but there was enough for the short trip to Neptune's asteroid. I was so close. I could feel it.

The countdown timer began as the guards entered the hangar. They were too late to stop me now. I'd already hacked the airlock controls. I was getting out.

Once I had clearance, Star Defense's defense systems activated, intending to destroy me. I began taking heavy fire. I hadn't considered that they'd try to take me out, but I guess I should have.

I was already closing in on Neptune's asteroid, but I knew my ship wouldn't survive. I had been so stupid. I had miscalculated. I was emotional. Desperate.

I crawled out of the cockpit and into the emergency storage locker, where my emergency space suit was waiting just where I'd left it.

Stepping into the airlock, I took a deep breath. The door opened and I was blown immediately into the vacuum of space moments before my ship exploded, singing my air supply and throwing me hurling through the empty dark.

But I could see it now. I could see the house. I could see his windows. I could almost touch it. I reached out toward it, and fell asleep as my oxygen supply depleted.

1. Finding Otherwhere (Final Encounter)Клик

"Wake up, Arty."

My eyes shot open and I sat straight up. The emptiness of space surrounded me, but the ground beneath me was solid. Dirty. Uninviting. Cold. But solid.

Cast once again against the sun was a the cloaked figure I'd seen earlier. As he stepped into view, the light moved to illuminate his face. It was Rhett.

"What are you... where are we? How am I breathing?"

"We're on Neptune's asteroid, Doc. XR-247, to be precise. Not a very poetic name, but poetry isn't what he wanted when he came here. You can breathe because I installed a biosphere generator here. There's air, there's gravity, and if you look over there," he said, motioning towards a modest house, "you'll see that there are even grass and trees."

"You... installed it? You knew where he was the whole time?"

"Oh, come on, Doc. It was, like, so obvious. Everyone knew but you."

"Who's everyone?"

"Never mind. I brought Neptune here soon after you were imprisoned to help keep him safe from those who might want to hurt him. That includes you."

"I... I don't want to hurt him."

"Oh, I think you very much do. I saved your life because I think everyone deserves a chance to live. I thought that maybe there was a chance to talk some sense into you. But if you try to approach Neptune's home, I /will/ stop you."

"But... I've come so far! I've been through so much. I've given up any chance I'll ever have again at freedom. I'm going to talk to Neptune, and I /will/ reach him!" I unsheathed Neptune's staff, and pointed it at him.

"Come on, Arty. Give me everything you've got!"

1. The People We Were (Ending)Клик

Panting, we both collapsed into the dirt, both wounded, but still moving. Rhett was winded, but I had energy, motivation, and drive. I stood up, and started to walk towards Neptune's home.

I hobbled, and creaked, and limped toward my goal. I was nearly there. Just before knocking on the door, I peered through the window. And inside, I saw him.

Without his power armor, he looked different. He'd lost most of his hair, and his face was no longer the spry, young superhero I'd once known.

But there was more. Someone else. A lover, or a partner. On a sofa, watching an old movie. Eating popcorn. Laughing.

And Kyle, their dog, he was there too. Older. Graying around the muzzle. Sleeping at their feet.

I don't know why, but I froze.

"You can't do it, can you?"

I turned around slowly, tears streaming down my face. "I..."

"He's taken, Arty. He has someone already. Even if you hadn't hurt him, you could never have him. That's not how love works."

"I don't want him! I did once. But I don't anymore. I just want to... apologize."

Silence filled the air for an uncomfortably long time as Rhett's expression softened somewhat.

"Apologize? I mean it when I say I think that's noble of you. But you caused Neptune a lot of trauma. Do you think that if you walk through that door now, he'll see the version of you that exists today, or will he see the villain who ruined his life?"

"I... don't know."

"I think you do. He's happy now. He never fully healed, but he's living. He has his loved ones by his side to help him. If you walk through that door, you'll only succeed in opening old wounds."

I took Neptune's staff out, looked at it one last time, and then slowly approached Rhett. He held out his hand, and I gave him the weapon.

"I'm so sorry. I just... I needed his forgiveness."

"No one owes you forgiveness. Don't seek forgiveness. Seek to do better, and maybe it will find you. I know you feel alone. But you're not." He reached out and took my hand.

"Thank you."

"Yeah. You know you're going back to prison, right?"

"Yup."

"OK, just so we're clear. I'll try to make sure you get better accommodations this time."

FIN

/For Damian/

Ссылки

• https://evanpattison.bandcamp.com/album/neptune-2-the-search-for-neptune