When alone with L.C., Nissa looks deeply concerned. Is L.C. joking, or is there something really there? Like a tumor?
She holds L.C.’s hand…
…and admittedly, she is taking advantage of her beauty. If there’s nothing to worry about, perhaps L.C. will just see this as a gesture of love (which it is).
“Scarlet can communicate via telepathic link. She’ll need to sit down. I think it’s very disorienting to her, but we did test our ability to combine our powers. I had a feeling it would work. I mean—it shouldn’t surprise you, since you knew Verve’s telekinetic power would work on the microscopic Bombshell.
“So if there’s anything you need to say to me when I’m literally inside your head, it might be possible.” Nissa gives L.C.’s hand a gentle squeeze and smiles sweetly.
Kai feels guilty as well - for not approaching Nissa earlier and offering a supportive ear, or shoulder. Kai makes a mental note to correct that oversight before they go haring off to their next adventure.
"Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding something, but it sounds like these twins are not our jurisdiction, so to speak. If they are an immediate danger, I would of course help stop them, but otherwise I would like to focus on our main mission. I still find the part about a giant nazi octopus difficult to believe - not the giant octopus bit, but the... I mean, how would that even work? I know cephalopods are pretty smart, but there's a few hundred steps between stacking rocks and adopting a human ideology that is rooted in concepts that are entirely alien to squids!"
Kai sighs. "Anyway, we need to explore that area and try to find the missing piece."
L.C. nods and flips through a few screens before playing a recording of Channer talking about what he saw down there, "... and, then this tentacle or something grabbed Big Red and slapped him around. I cranked my lights but I still couldn't see anything but black tentacles and ... I know it sounds crazy, but I saw a swastika. I can't explain anything more ..."
"So," says L.C. dubiously, "Nazi Octopus."
Ian passes along the print-and-program specifications for the device to L.C. who forwards them to Kai. It's something that Kai would be able to produce but Engineering and Computer checks will tell us how quickly. The device converts thoughts to images, reading minds much in the way telepaths do and the visual information it extracts converting it to 3D digital images for holoprojection or screen. To a certain extent it relies on an AI to fill-in-the-blanks.
“The Thin Spot guys know I very badly want to show Dr. Preston what the world looks like at the subatomic level. I don’t know what you scientists could do with that information. For me it’s…”
She smiles. It’s the kind of smile as if she has a joke in her head that only she gets, but she’s gonna tell it anyway.
“…beautiful.
“That’s really all that matters to me. I get to see something no other person can see. I want to share this view of the world.”
"I had been wondering how the world looks like to you since you explained your powers to me, so I'm excited to help with this. Besides, it seems like a fun technical challenge!" Kai then turns to Dr. Preston. "Let me know if you'd like me to prioritize something else, boss. Depending on when we want to go on that underwater expedition with the Thin Spot, I think I'll want to take a look at outfitting their vessel with some anti-octopus measures."
"Or maybe we should come with diving gear... how deep was it again? I guess that's what the mechs were for, because it was too deep for diving gear?"
Nissa adds to Charles’ suggestion. “If the mech can be modified for my size, that’ll help. Also, it might be a good idea to have an escape pod that accommodates my other size. Like a Bombshell that propels me to the surface, powered by the solar radiance of my Stellar Mote form!
“Or… diving gear.” Nissa admits, “That’s probably a lot easier to pull off on short notice.”
“Alright then… whenever there’s time either before or after our next mission, I look forward to showing you a whole new world.
“I swear, there’s a song for that from my 20th Century Film Class. Probably the Disney Princess unit.”
The godling was listening to all the talk of diving toward Atlantis, deep in thought. "I should shoot a prayer to Poseidon and see what he thinks. Wouldn't want to step on the flippers of The God of the Sea. Do we have a budget to sacrifice a bull? I hear they can cost anywhere from $1500 to $3000 dollars."
"I had been wondering how the world looks like to you since you explained your powers to me, so I'm excited to help with this. Besides, it seems like a fun technical challenge!" Kai then turns to Dr. Preston. "Let me know if you'd like me to prioritize something else, boss. Depending on when we want to go on that underwater expedition with the Thin Spot, I think I'll want to take a look at outfitting their vessel with some anti-octopus measures."
L.C. answers, "As much as we all want to see the world from Nissa's point-of-view, I think exploring the supposed Atlantis site where RSL found the wand is a bigger priority. Channer said he made a focused extra-dimensional radiation detector using an omnisium needle. Kai, can you do the same?"
"Huh, I like to swim, but I'm strictly an amateur." Gristlethorn says slowly aloud. "Do you think they make swimwear in my size?"
Nissa adds to Charles’ suggestion. “If the mech can be modified for my size, that’ll help. Also, it might be a good idea to have an escape pod that accommodates my other size. Like a Bombshell that propels me to the surface, powered by the solar radiance of my Stellar Mote form!
“Or… diving gear.” Nissa admits, “That’s probably a lot easier to pull off on short notice.”
** spoiler omitted **
L.C. comments, "We have two mechs to pilot. Is there anyone else with piloting experience. You have the ability to shrink down and do your thing. It might make sense to have two others pilot and you tagging along."
Ian pipes up, "We could try to retrofit the Starfish for the deeper depths. Then we could take all of you. Or, don't you lot have access to military vehicles. How about one of those new experimental submersibles?"
"Huh, I like to swim, but I'm strictly an amateur." Gristlethorn says slowly aloud. "Do you think they make swimwear in my size?"
L.C. hears Charles and Gristlethorn and Ian's questions about diving gear. "I'll call New Washington and see what we can get."
Kai does a double-take at Theo's question. "You mean, a real bull? But why? Poor creature. Can't we, I don't know, burn some incense instead?"
But then quickly returns to the matter at hand. "Radiation detector, right. I'll see what I can do. And then I can help Ian and the crew with the retrofit. Unless we're getting a different ride into Cephalopolis."
Kai does a double-take at Theo's question. "You mean, a real bull? But why? Poor creature. Can't we, I don't know, burn some incense instead?"
But then quickly returns to the matter at hand. "Radiation detector, right. I'll see what I can do. And then I can help Ian and the crew with the retrofit. Unless we're getting a different ride into Cephalopolis."
[dice=Engineering]1d20+15
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The godling was listening to all the talk of diving toward Atlantis, deep in thought. "I should shoot a prayer to Poseidon and see what he thinks. Wouldn't want to step on the flippers of The God of the Sea. Do we have a budget to sacrifice a bull? I hear they can cost anywhere from $1500 to $3000 dollars."
L.C. deadpans, "I really don't know where I'd even put that on the budget. Are you eating it afterwards, because Food is a line item ... especially when travelling. Maybe I could put it under 'Intercultural & Diversity Initiatives'."
After sketching a few ideas for a while, Kai gives up. "I can't figure out how to prevent the power source from interfering with the detector itself. I tried several types of shielding, but then it stops detecting altogether! Can I have a word with Channer? Perhaps he can share his design."
Meanwhile, the issue of anti-octopus protection remains, whether they will be taking the Starfish or another submarine vehicle.
Kai does a double-take at Theo's question. "You mean, a real bull? But why? Poor creature. Can't we, I don't know, burn some incense instead?"
L.C. deadpans, "I really don't know where I'd even put that on the budget. Are you eating it afterwards, because Food is a line item ... especially when travelling. Maybe I could put it under 'Intercultural & Diversity Initiatives'."
"Well, back in the 'good ol' days', Poseidon's preferred sacrifice was a healthy bull. I figured if we are to delve in the mystery of Atlantis, we should get the permission of the god where it's kept, under the sea."
"My thought process was sacrifice the bull by the Harborwalk, with some incense, and lay it all out for my Exalted Uncle," Theo said matter-of-factly.
While making his 'shopping list' for the Poseidon prayer, Theo walks by the room Kai is having her video conference and stops. "Hey Kai, how's it going?" The godling said with a wink. Looking on the screen, Theo comments, "Hey, you're the Channeler guy. Nice digs. Whatever Kai needs, help her out. She's good for it."
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Nissa sees what’s up, so she tries to add to the charm, and take the liberty of buIIshitting Channer.
“The Dudes abide…”
It’s not her best bluff, but she goes on anyway:
“…by the law.
“Ain’t that right party dudes? I’ve been telling my special lady you guys’re all right, and you certainly ain’t about to let the Nazi Octopi occupy—” Octopi breathe water. “—the eastern seaboard!”
So what’s in it for them?
“Give all the info Kai needs and I’ll put in a good word. In fact, I’ll put in TWO good words:
“Conjugal visits.”
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Channer smiles a bit at Theo, obviously remember the beer pong tournament, which was the most epic of all beer pong tournaments, ... and, then, Nissa gets in their with a classical reference ...
"Okay, look, these HISS guys are still mocking us about the Nazi octopus thing, but I'm telling you we were attacked by something and I saw a swastika. It was pretty dark and just a blur of tentacles, but that's what I saw. Maybe you can prove that we weren't making this up. Down in the crevice there was a building ... it was totally covered in sediment but it was giving off a lot of trans-d radiation ... Tosh left Big Blue One in diving gear and got just inside the door of it before the Octopus attacked the mecha. Tosh found the crystal inside ... he said there was some weird shit in there ... some skeletons in diving gear ... we would have stayed, but that's when the Herr Octopus attacked! I had to fight the thing off for, like, two minutes while Tosh got back in Big Blue ..."
Channer seems to be sincere about this but also confused and a little freaked out.
He pulls himself together, "I'll share my design with you, on two conditions. One, you acknowledge its brilliance. Two, you bring back some video of that swastika to prove to these guys that I'm not crazy."
Nissa sighs in relief. She feared that overplaying her bluff with the conjugal-visit line would end in her b~!&$ily yelling NOT WITH ME!!!, blowing the whole—
“Deal” she replies, adding with sincerity, “And you dudes are brilliant. There’s nothing unbelievable about a Nazi octopus, considering all I’ve seen this month alone. We’ll make sure you get the credit for warning us of this threat.”
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L.C. comments, "We have two mechs to pilot. Is there anyone else with piloting experience. You have the ability to shrink down and do your thing. It might make sense to have two others pilot and you tagging along."
"Can't say I"ve piloted a mecha before.... Much less sspent much time in the ocean-Outside of Ocean-Rescue and Infiltration training sessions. Which now that I think about it. I assume water is the same here. Gravity seems to be." Pondering that for a moment, and how dreadful it would be if he suddely found out the water here is extra heavy, extra light, or explosive, magically creates giants, or apparently inhabited by some kind of god?
"but I've had standard pilot training. I might be able to manage. I'm not sure how well my dart rifle would work underwater anyway... Well except on myself anyway."Flipping his communicator to the other's visions "octopuses are these things right? They're.. edible? Can we eat the nazi octopus? I've never had one. Also... Could you not sacrafice the nazi octopus as well? Or is that a fouxpaux-like stealing a refuge camp's food, then donating the food later?"
Nissa sighs in relief. She feared that overplaying her bluff with the conjugal-visit line would end in her b@%*$ily yelling NOT WITH ME!!!, blowing the whole—
“Deal” she replies, adding with sincerity, “And you dudes are brilliant. There’s nothing unbelievable about a Nazi octopus, considering all I’ve seen this month alone. We’ll make sure you get the credit for warning us of this threat.”
Channer explains the trick with the omnisium needle. It's nothing Kai wouldn't have figured out eventually. He's no slouch in the Engineering department, but he's not as amazing as he thinks he is.
"but I've had standard pilot training. I might be able to manage. I'm not sure how well my dart rifle would work underwater anyway... Well except on myself anyway."
Your dart rifle might not work underwater, but the mecha have harpoons ...
Charles is glad enough to just sit back and watch the discussion. There's a reason he preferred working with animals, and a lot of people talking all at once reminded him pretty well of what that reason is.
Privately, Kai still thinks there's no such thing as a Nazi octopus. Sure, there is probably a giant octopus that made its lair there, why not - but Kai is pretty sure that it does not subscribe to 20th and 21st century Nazi ideology. The swastika was very likely left by humans, and the presence of the octopus is just an unrelated f...
Or...
...Is it?
"Um, Nissa. These twins, Flora and Fauna... which one was Fauna? And what, um, abilities do they have?"
Could there be a connection? The others had mentioned a lab in Turkey. Did Turkey have a reputation as a haven for the more extremist ideologies?
"Thanks for the design, mate. It is brilliant, couldn't have done it without you. I don't know how you think of all this stuff, genius mind, friend."
Once the engineer's block is solved, Kai leaves the others to argue about the culinary merits of cephalopods and gets to work.
“As far as I know, both twins speak to nature. Fauna’s the boy-twin who communicates with animals, and Flora’s the girl-twin who speaks to plants.”
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[dice=Bluff, -ish]1d20+7
[dice=Engineering]1d20+15
Kai is easily convinces Channer he is brilliant. He doesn't need much convincing.
The trans-d detector is still giving Kai problems.
Something occurs to Mackie's little brother, Dann, "Hey, if we're going looking for Atlantis, we'd better get going. It's a full moon on Monday and that's when the thin spot is thinnest. I mean, we still might get readings, but it's better to hurry. If we hurry, we can get down there Sunday night and roast a pig on the beach if we're still trying to appease Theo's uncle."
“The Bahamas a-gainnn?” Nissa responds playfully.
Zellgato will certainly help Kai with their endevors. Its a great way to prep and gather info for himself as well. He'll follow Kai's lead.
If Kai accepts it, he'll also give kai some vitamin doses for clearer thinking. (If you accept you also gain +2 Enhancement bonus)
Potential buff Aid Another's +2, +2enhancement total +4
With the help from Zellgato and with or without the biohack, Kai is able to pull a workable Trans-D scanner together.
Kai is glad both for Zellgato's help and the vitamin dose.
The design is only the starting point. They need to figure out measurements down to the micron, the effects of variable flux through the radial containment brackets and the exact inverted wave profile of the triolic converter.
Kai enters the parameters into the lab computer and presses "Start". After several seconds, Kai loses patience. "Too slow." Spending a few minutes to quickly write a script for distributed computing, Kai starts running the calculations on all the available computers in all the labs at Boston Theoretical.
"Too slow." Kai grabs a pen and some graph paper and starts doing old-school manual equations.
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Thanks to the help, Kai was able to put together a Trans-Dimensional radiation detector similar to the ones Red Shirt Labs used.
It's the pen on paper that lets the mental juices really flow. Kai's mind sees through the assumptions and overturns the linearity in Channer's design. Kai's design is to Channer's what the automobile was to the horse and buggy, what the iPhone was to the old pocket calculator, what Pangalactic Gargleblaster was to all other cocktails ... it's something new and better.
The RSL's design detected T-D Radiation in a very narrow area. Kai's design is omni directional and will show T-D Radiation everywhere. It would be like, instead of shining a 'flashlight', Kai turns on the lights.
While the RSL's design could only detect radiation of one channer or more--he named a unit of the radiation it gives off after himself--Kai's design will detect even 1/10th of a channer of T-D radiation, but this can be adjusted to cut out 'noise' if there are too many faint sources.
Zellgato will get lost and eventually step back as Kai throttles up and starts going full bore, multi system computing. Doing a quick scan.. to be sure he didn't overdose or cause an issue with someone from another dimension and all. Making a note to later learn more about "superheros" biology.
Kai's design will detect even 1/10th of a channer of T-D radiation
Theo, now dressed as The Olympian, passes others as he leaves Boston Theoretical. "Bye guys. Off to the talk with my Exalted Uncle Poseidon. May not be back. See you all again, I hope." Theo leaves with a plastic bag containing The Chalice and a sharp knife from the kitchens.
First, Theo takes a cab to Ritual Arts, a new age store on Harvard St in Brighton. Once there, the overdressed superhero buys some special herbs and crystal focuses, along with various water-inclined gemstones.
After his shopping, The Olympian takes another taxi down to Carson Beach. The day is overcast, but not too breezy by the ocean. The superhero sets up right to the water's edge and begins laying out the gemstones and crystals around The Chalice while tearing apart the herbs and placing them in the Chalice. Once that part was done, The Olympian takes the sharp knife and cuts into the meat of his palm, allowing the blood to drip freely into The Chalice, enough Theo was willing to spare without going light-headed. Wrapping his hand in a bandage, the godling lights a match from a book of matches he brought, and lights the contents of The Chalice on fire.
After his invocation, The Olympian blows out the fire within The Chalice and submerges the Chalice under the waves.
Theo, now dressed as The Olympian, passes others as he leaves Boston Theoretical. "Bye guys. Off to the talk with my Exalted Uncle Poseidon. May not be back. See you all again, I hope." Theo leaves with a plastic bag containing The Chalice and a sharp knife from the kitchens.
First, Theo takes a cab to Ritual Arts, a new age store on Harvard St in Brighton. Once there, the overdressed superhero buys some special herbs and crystal focuses, along with various water-inclined gemstones.
After his shopping, The Olympian takes another taxi down to Carson Beach. The day is overcast, but not too breezy by the ocean. The superhero sets up right to the water's edge and begins laying out the gemstones and crystals around The Chalice while tearing apart the herbs and placing them in the Chalice. Once that part was done, The Olympian takes the sharp knife and cuts into the meat of his palm, allowing the blood to drip freely into The Chalice, enough Theo was willing to spare without going light-headed. Wrapping his hand in a bandage, the godling lights a match from a book of matches he brought, and lights the contents of The Chalice on fire.
** spoiler omitted **
After his invocation, The Olympian blows out the fire within The Chalice and...
Poseidon smiles on one of his many nephews.
As Theo slips the chalice under the waves, the sky darkens, the waves heighten, the sea storms, and lightning flashes. All that could be taken either way, but the rhythm of it feels like your uncle's saying, 'go get them, son'. There isn't any other physical manifestation of Poseidon's will other than the odd meteorological behavior and the good feeling Theo gets from it.
Zellgato spends any excess time....on wikipedia version, tour guides and such for the area they are traveling to. Simply put-He is trying to learn as much about the natural occuring sea life and or physical events in the area. This new world is not the same as his-but even in his world, underwater is not something he has fair knowledge of. Underwater makes him nervious; he effectively hasn't much tools outside of mecha. His usual weaponry won't work. So knowledge will have to be a tool.
It does occur to Zellgato, perhaps the building has some spare weaponry that is water-able. At the least maybe they have spare flares. He should follow up on that prior to leaving. However, this train of thought is heavily derailed as he discovers the David Attenborough-style person documenteries and ends up veging out in his room.
The Olympian bows low toward the Endless sea before him. "Thank you, Exalted Uncle", the godling whispers to himself.
Theo turns around to leave Carlson Beach to find even though he preformed a ritual on a public beach, it was a moment just for family. The Olympian smiles to himself.
While in a cab heading back to BT, Theo decides to be proactive and call Nissa and L.C.
"Great news, ladies. We got Poseidon's approval. We have been green-lighted for Atlantis. The way is clear. I'm on my way back."
Nissa, being a religious person herself, decides to take Theo’s devotion to his divine uncle as a shining example. She’s pretty sure meditating in the form the Dawnflower granted her is proper worship…
But she’s not in a state of grace.
Instead, she asks for a private moment with L.C.
“I’ve been trying to be strong for you, and not bring you my problems when you almost… and Greer…” The molten gold welling in Nissa’s eyes will flow any second.
She makes no effort to hide what can’t be hidden—
—but her training as a model at least helps her control her voice, and make herself appear approachable, if not inviting. She wants to be held.
“I’m so sorry I kept this from you, L.C. It’s been eating at me for days. I… I killed four men.”
She looks L.C. in the eyes. Even if she’s being held, she looks up, grief-stricken and remorseful.
“I was trying to ram them out of the lifeboat. Verve made it float in the hope they’d stop firing their machine guns. I was flying the Big Banana. I went to ram them so they’d fall and drop the guns. It worked, for the two that just fell. I just didn’t think about the propellers.
“And… at the time, I didn’t care. I thought I might waste time, and you would die, L.C.”