Puzzle Box [closed]

[cityship]

Neuropathy sat to one side of Engingeering, dark save for the blue glow of the monitors on all sides displaying brainwaves and technical readouts. Above, trolleys hanging from the framework are sillouetted against the sporadic glow of neurons firing like so many shooting stars. Those who have never been to this area before might wonder why they've never bothered, but to those who have it's just another day at the office.

Comments

[splendid_roman]

"I've poked around in Stacy's insides a few times, so I know it won't be easy." It wasn't going to stop him, though. "As long as someone can tell me what to do, I'll do it."

[aboutthatevac]

Kerrigan said nothing. There was no need for her to brag or introduce herself in her home universe and she saw no reason to do so now.

[half_a_soul]

There's bragging and there's letting people know what you do.

Which is why Jono raises his hand, then makes a motion between himself and Kerrigan. Telepaths. Because it might actually be necessary information.

[monster_san]

Fuu had been there from the beginning, although she had remained quiet. Although she was now in the Programming department, she couldn't claim to know very much about psychic powers or the particulars of Stacy, although it seemed that Stacy herself might not have all the answers either.

It seemed like a big risk, to try and open her mind more. But Fuu would rather be optimistic about Stacy's wishes. She had intervened in the attempted Punishment, even if it had taken a long time.

"I don't have psychic powers, but I do know quite a bit about computers," she said. "So I can help with the, er, surgery."

[bequiet_hescreamed]

Clef addressed Aibghalien's question first. "I intended to start immediately, but if you require time to prepare there is no specific time constraint."

He turned to Kaya and paused for a second in consternation.

"Someone else would probably be better suited to explaining both the technicalities and the dangers involved."

Ian, for example. Maybe even Fuu. Truth be told, neither task he had put forth was in his area of expertise and he had hoped to gather a group of people who were way better at both of them. In that, he was fairly sure he had succeeded. If he was wrong... well, that would teach him to act on his crazy ideas.

After doing a quick count of those assembled he added, "I will stay with the psychic group. There are fewer of them, and I have some abilities in that direction."

[thedetectiveprince]

"If I may offer my aid as well," Naoto spoke up, having listened to the conversation silently. "I have been inside Stacy's system before." Not quite the happiest of memories, truthfully, with the talking tigers and the loss of one of their teammates. It only made her more eager to help out here.

"Her system is rather unique in many regards." In many, many, many regards. And yet...the entire prospect was still incredibly interesting to her.

[kaya_waterwave]

"I wouldn't expect any less of Stacy's components," Kaya said. "After all, I was there during the time the pirates came and we had to throw them off the ship. If there is anything we can do to help get her back to controlling herself, believe me, I'll do what I can."

Unique? That was one word for it.

"What CAN we do?"

[wizardsaregodtier]

"I currently have my usual broad spectrum of spells prepared, which will allow for a response against most troubles we could face," Aibghalien said with a shrug. "That being said, a day to prepare would allow me to prepare a much more specific set of spells to address the challenge more directly. I leave it to your discretion as to which would be best."

[splendid_roman]

"Stacy has defences inside her," Ian said, since Clef had mentioned the dangers. "I don't think she's keen on anyone poking about in her, which is fair. But it's a good idea to be prepared for anything that will chase or throw us out of wherever we are."

[aboutthatevac]

kerrigan looked directly at Clef. "How much planning have you put into this?" She asked in a way that made it clear she doubted he had done any.

[half_a_soul]

Probably 'bout as much as normally happens 'round 'ere. It was pretty much 'muttered', but Jono shook his head. On the other 'and, we ain't got a lot to lose at the moment, neither. This is probably our best time t' try this.

[hullo_sweetie]

"Just tell me what I need to do and I'll get it done." River was usually pretty good at following orders. At least when they made sense. Didn't mean she wouldn't variate slightly.

[bequiet_hescreamed]

Clef regarded Kerrigan for a moment, as if to emphasize that he was not going to dignify her question with a direct response. It was pretty obvious from her phrasing that she wanted him on the defensive, and he was a bit too old to fall for that trick.

She had a point, however; this mission (if you could call it that) was not as extensively planned as he would like. The potential consequences for poor planning burned his mind weighed on him heavily, as he had seen them firsthand before. They couldn't afford to lose teammates or risk damage to Stacy, and since this was his first significant project he had a personal stake in not bungling it up.

On the other hand, a little flexibility - especially in the initial stages - could make up for a world of sins in the prior planning department. That in mind, he turned to Aibghalien.

"We can afford to wait a day if you think it would significantly increase our chances, and if the others are willing," he said. That was another thing that could make up for a lot - not making unilateral decisions.

"I called you all here primarily because I was not comfortable discussing details over the omnicomms, filtered or otherwise. It is imperative that we begin soon, but not necessarily immediately."

[kaya_waterwave]

"In that case, we can talk about it here," Kaya said, "but in all honestly I think it would be a good idea to see what we can manage to do now. It's well and good to be talking about it, but surely we can pool our resources and find a way to make a foray in this now."

That, and really, she had no idea how long she had until security came and brigged her. She HAD played a part in the attack on the Daligig. It was only a matter of time. She wanted to be as useful as she could in the meantime.

[wizardsaregodtier]

Aibghalien nodded. "I'll demand no courtesies, then. It's true enough that even a day's delay might cause this information to leak."

[monster_san]

"What if we could distract Stacy somehow?" Fuu said. "If we sent some kind of decoy into a distant area of Stacy, that could keep her defenses occupied there instead of on those of us infiltratating her other pathways." A robot, perhaps, or even a magical illusion? She knew that Clef was capable of a great deal, and Marsai most likely as well.

She wasn't quite so sure about starting immediately. An information leak could happen, but... "If we do this today, we need to be very careful," she said, obvious as it was. "A failed attempt could raise the alarm as easily as a careless word in the mess hall."

[bequiet_hescreamed]

Clef nodded in agreement.

"I can create an illusion to act as a decoy," he said. On the other hand, an illusory decoy might not be all that convincing if Stacy's defenses were looking for possible physical threats, and if her psychic abilities allowed her to see past standard illusions.

"Although, on second thought, it might be easier and more effective to project the impression that the away team is somewhere other than where they are."

[aboutthatevac]

Kerrigan didn't move as she spoke. Her arms were still folded in front of her and she kept her distance from the group.

"At least you're capable of some forethought. Stacy is a powerful psychic and when defending herself she will work to detect a threat from every angle. Tricking her into believing we are on a mission will be difficult." In other words she hadn't yet thought of how they could do it.

[wizardsaregodtier]

"Most of my illusionary capability of late has been expended on similar diversions, but their primary focus has been against the Daligig and so forth, not the ship proper. It may be impossible to fool Stacy, particularly so long as we are wearing..." He tapped his robe, indicating the plantsuit underneath. "Objectionable as it may seem, we might have to trust that part of her that seems to be on our side."

[half_a_soul]

Jono stirred from where he was standing. I've got a fair amount of experience with hidin' meself an' others psychically. One of the first things me teachers taught me, hidin' in plain sight. Should be able t' keep a small group of us hidden while we're workin' on Stacy.