We pick back up as Shanks informs Zechs who their unexpected company is. Zechs, reluctant, proceeds to tell Galahad the news. Zechs then proceeds to group the party and, in hushed tones, make the situation known to them. Turk and Hoshino get a very abbreviated version of why everyone's suddenly so tense. Plans are made and instructions given as they continue to move with business as usual.
To make matters worse, someone who might be Shanks' alternate or an impersonator is messing with the group. First with Hoshino, then with Zechs, who confirms it's his alternate Shankise. Shankise manages to ruffle the feathers and get under the skin of Turk, crossing a line that comes with anger and threats. They press on, under the added stress on their minds, and eventually make camp.
Duo takes first watch with Zechs, who gives him the rundown on the situation. On the second watch, Salix & Turk discuss their past and speak to their patrons, current and former. The final watch consists of Galahad and Hoshino discussing the alternates, Hoshino's conversation he's yet to bring up to the group, and some of what Hoshino missed while the party helped Arguile.
Zechs gets a wake-up call from Shanks, who tells him, \"The Loxodon is casting some shit.\" As information is relayed back and forth and the group starts waking up, Shanks realizes his hunter's mark spell has dropped. With that, Shanks was snuck up on by his alternate, who told him to bring him to the party for a chat. Shanks relays this to Zechs, who then relays it to Galahad and Hoshino, telling them this is supposedly just a conversation, and they'll know if it goes south if he says BARRAGE. Shankise, having been charmed by Shanks, approaches the group and states plainly that they should stop what they're doing. To which they have some distrust, but find no reason for him to lie. He informs them that they don't know what chain of events their actions will set in motion, and that they should consider the factors at play. Some more exchange is had, and \"pleasantries\" are given before, in a veil of shadows, Shankise disappears.
There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…
Find out what happens next in this episode of the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage
Theme Music is written and performed by Efflorescence
Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Title Card by Pierce Graphics
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
","author_name":"Mr. Bell"}