page 377 – astonishingly low stakes
So, I was torn. On the one hand, the obvious choice here would be for Megaweapon’s tampering to put the whole ship in danger. After all, we need SOME kind of action after all this talking and more talking, and imminent peril is probably the most effective means of generating tension ever. But on the other hand, Avatar’s point is valid. Knowing what we know of Cap’n Crosby, he WOULDN’T allow dangerous mad science onto his ship unless he could be sure it’d be safe under any circumstances. Yes, it drained any and all tension from the situation, but since when do Nitpickers care about that?
But here’s the thing: I think the page ended up working by accident, and I don’t mean in the “haha, you thought this was going to be dramatic!” sense. Check out how disappointed Trigger ended up looking, that cracks me up! I think he secretly enjoyed finally getting to be a real World Saver during the Mad Scientist Convention, so of course he’d be a little let down that doesn’t get to save the day again. I dunno, maybe it’s just me, but I really love that.
(I also love the pointless lettering in this page. In theory, it’s the sound effects, but there’s no way to read it while it’s in the background like that. It’s just there to look cool. I make no excuses, but also no apologies)
And speaking of Trigger, plus Layla, NEW VOTING INCENTIVE!
(Historical Notes: This is one of the larger entries in my Big Book Of Stuff I Was Smart Enough To Know I Shouldn’t Do, But Not Smart Enough To Actually Avoid)
Not to mention that Megaweapon wouldn’t sabotage something in a way that would destroy the ship that Megaweapon himself was on.
(Presumably the fact that he knows enough about mad science to know how to screw up all these devices means he knows enough about them to know what his tampering would do. Of if he didn’t, he wouldn’t tamper with them in the first place – The Megaweapons of the world generally make sure their antics only harm other people. It’s not any fun if you actually get hurt, yourself!)
Also: Poor Trigger. 🙁 Don’t worry, that ship never goes too long without being in imminent danger of total destruction, you’ll get another chance to save it eventually.
You never know, if he knew Dr. Hector had a sufficiently sturdy Personal Escape Pod or something similar, Megaweapon actually MIGHT destroy the ship he was on just to be able to watch it blow up around him.
It’s reasonable to assume that Dr. Hector always has a very sturdy escape pod or long range teleporter or something similar ready whenever he takes Megaweapon anywhere. He knows what that little monster is capable of!
Mad Scientists probably keep a good exit strategy on hand just as a matter of course.
I’m going to be contrary here. That is a fantastic punch line. Hahaha