trans_9 | Loud noises in the City [Open]

For the keen-eared to hear, there's shouting and loud voices coming from the lab opening cut high in the side of the Jedi Temple. Those new to the area, or possibly GLADOSed for an extended period of time -- in short, those who haven't learned to tune this sort of thing out -- might even be able to make out words, if they listened.

"No! That was not a command!"

"Command entered! This section of the laboratory is now being guarded against all intruders."

"Oh, for the sake of--"

"Warning! Intruder, leave the premises or face the wrath of arcane fury!"

"...I'm an intruder. In my own laboratory. You've got to be--"

"You have ten seconds to comply!"

"End instruction! Keyword: Sielwode."

"Keyword override is locked out for protection. You have 5 seconds!"

A few seconds passed.

"Why does it always have to end like this?"

A moment later, flame belched out of the laboratory opening, as a low thump heralded the fireball's detonation. Another moment later, the elf drifted out of the cut and to the ground, waving away the smell of brimstone and scorched defective golem with a miserable look on his face.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I know. I'm not honestly expecting to destroy them in one spell." He sighed, looking back up to his lab. "But it seems all of my major resources have been curtailed. I'm unable to summon, for example; something about the ship or the medium it travels through makes other planes unreachable. That would have made a monumental difference in numbers and capabilities. Nor can I contact outer plans to ask questions and glean answers... so thus far I feel I have accomplished nothing. And that galls me."

<Dude, you've still got more firepower than most people on the ship. Spare a thought for the rest of us mere mortals who can't can't use the Ultimate Spells of Flaming Death, or whatever it is that you do.>

"I have, actually," the elf mused, half-to-himself. "I was working with my roommate, Stephen Valkonan, on a weapon that would provide for personal defense and offense to those without magical training, but after a delivery of ludicrously potent weapons, that kind of took the wind out of our sails."

<Ah, so you're only happy if you're the one to give everyone ludicrously potent weapons, is that it?>

"Well, it did rather spoil the reveal," Aibghalien said. "Not that we don't plan to introduce the weapons anyway, but it irks me to be unable to do something not easily replicable by others. If that is egotism, so be it, but I didn't pursue a discipline specifically known for versatility to be unable to provide at least some meaningful help in a crisis."

<Except for all you know, yours will still be more effective,> Marco noted. <For all the tech those GIA guys have got? They're still not winning this war. I told you man - we don't need more firepower, we need to find their weaknesses. Fight smart.>

"Or, alternately, mitigating their strengths. That's why I've been pursuing golem research... to increase our numbers, which right now is their strength. Beyond that... they seem to fall to anything substantial. It is their sheer overwhelming numbers that give them the advantage everywhere."

<You'd be surprised how much damage a small group can do against a much larger and more powerful enemy, if you play your cards right,> Marco said dryly. <I for one would suggest investing in giant cans of bug spray.>

Edited 2011-01-08 03:04 (UTC)

"Hmm. You know, that's actually a good idea, in modified version..." You've only given him more horrible ideas, Marco.

Marco however, was just grinning.

Well okay, he wasn't actually grinning. Not even Marco could managed to do that when he had a beak. But he was thinking about grinning.

<See, who needs laser weapons when you've got giant bug spray? Or magic giant bug spray, if you're the one making it.>

"Well, I could certainly attempt to modify a basic cloudkill spell to utilizing a specifically inimical toxin... but I'd need further data on their biology..." He stopped abruptly, frowning. "And a disintegrate spell is more effective than any of those lasers, the lasers just have the advantage of greater usage and greater ammunition."

<Riiiiiiight,> Marco said. <I'll just sit here and pretend that made sense, shall I?>

"Er, which part didn't?" Aibghalien asked. He was very used to having a translator for his ramblings.

<Dude, I don't know the first thing about magic. How about I just take your word for it that it'll work, and we leave it at that?>

The wizard sighed in resignation. "I seem to get that reaction an awful lot."

<That would be because you spend a lot of time spouting off mumbo-jumbo, dude.>

He cocked his head, staring at Aibghalien. He'd been in morph for a while now - he'd have to fly off soon so he could demorph. <Well, if you're not about to keel over anytime soon, I gotta get back to catching the thermals.>

"I spout off mumbo-jumbo, what's a thermal?" Aibghalien muttered. More clearly, he said, "I do appreciate your concern. It isn't everyone who would show such, after all."

<Hey, you didn't think that birds just fly around on dead air did you?> Marco said, managing to not explain anything. <And come on, I can't let you turn into a piece of toast. Who else are we gonna get to make that giant magic bug spray?>

"I have very little experience in bird flight in general. I suppose one day I ought to assume that form and attempt it, now that you've made me curious..." Aibghalien stroked his chin thoughtfully, laying out days of experimentation and effort in his mind.

<Hey, whatever floats your boat. Just don't fly into any windows. Man, that is never fun.>

Lifting his wings, Marco got ready to take off. <Anyway, I gotta fly. Catch you later, Elf-man!> he said, before launching into the air.

Loud noises in the City [Open]

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