A Goodwill Tour, Part 3

The party approaches The Collective, which Lim’Dul recalls is a place where robots and humans alike go for mechanical upgrades or repairs.  As a robot, Optimus skips the line and is graciously allowed to bring his squishies (humans and other biological creatures) with him.  They enter a peaceful, logical space that is not unlike a well-kept hospital.  Optimus is shown to the operating room where the robots will rebuild his memory banks.  He brings Nyridius and Lim’Dul with him, while Little Rock, Azkadelia, and Horace wait in the waiting room.

As the memory modulator is turned on, Optimus begins to see the memories that had been blocked:  Months ago, Optimus was a secret agent for The Collective, tasked with ensuring the security and stability of the local region.  Disguised as a human, Optimus infiltrated a group of flame cultists.  These cultists worshiped Nyridius (in his fiery form), and sought to bathe the whole world in a purifying fire that would empower them and obliterate their enemies.  Optimus located their secret base, and discovered their plans for how they’ll call forth this fire… but then he got high with some hippies and forgot it all.

Optimus was about to access the lost memories of the flame cultists’ plans and location when something happened – one of the robots in the operating room was actually a flame cultist in disguise, and he produced a fiery red crystal that had some strange effects.  Its presence nearly drove everyone present berserk… everyone except for Nyridius, who found its presence invigorating.  Robots throughout the collective were driven mad, and the party, separated into two rooms, was forced to engage them.

Although Little Rock, Azkadelia, and Horace had little trouble eliminating two powerful robots while being bombarded by mounted laser guns, the other group faced more challenges.  Two robots went into rock ‘em sock ‘em mode, pummeling Nyridius and Optimus, while the flame cultist utilized lighter fluid to blow flames at Lim’Dul. 

Once the other three came to their aid, however, the party had little trouble out-gunning their enemies.  In fact, the party was able to interrogate the flame cultist.  Through his half-crazy ramblings, they learned that the flame cultists’ headquarters lies far to the south.  After they got what they could out of him, they kicked him down the “extra limb disposal” hole.  However, they soon found themselves trapped; the mass hysteria incited by the flame cultist’s crystal blocked the only exit.  The party was faced with one option… jump into the hole themselves in the hopes of escaping The Collective.