Darko
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This should say 18th May, since in this and the previous chapter it said 18th.
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I think this supposed to be "in Los"?
"Ana" unless I don't know my Fallout lore.
Thank you, corrected.This should say 18th May, since in this and the previous chapter it said 18th.
They're more used to the screeches and hisses of nocturnal predation, I take it? And interesting to see them working to change the environment itself. Perhaps create plants capable of absorbing radioactive material from the soil and condensing it into inedible fruit, for safe and self-sustaining clean-up, perhaps?18th May 2282
19:35 MTZ
Marcus is staring out into the night as I approach. Thanks to the Garden of Eden Creation Kit research carried out by Diana and Tlaloc, the Mojave is a good deal greener than it used to be. We've even started reintroducing insects based on the genetic samples Diana stored in Paradise. While they're a good deal less fearsome that the mutant insects that have been plaguing this part of America since the war, the new sound they've added to the night is making more than a few locals nervous.
Oh, come now, the new insects can't be that noisy... Or are you referring to the company?"Good evening."
"I'm not sure I'd say the same."
I stop just behind him waiting to see if he's got anything else to say.
So, something of an enigma, then? I mean, if they could create a form that didn't include sterility... They could make a whole new form of Humanity...I first met Marcus when I started researching FEV. A super mutant named Dok-Tor had already told me that the Master wanted vault dwellers because their ancestors didn't have the low level FEV exposure that most of the west coast got when the Great War happened and Mariposa was hit. They and other isolated populations had no antibodies against his mutagen, and so had the 'easiest' transformation. I wanted to see if there was a way to correct the damage interrupted FEV infections caused, so that we could increase the intelligence of mentally stunted second generation super mutants. Marcus was willing to help, but as he wasn't involved in the dipping process himself he didn't actually know all that much. But I've shared what we learned and I like to stop by this sanctuary whenever I'm in the area.
The only place that would accept them, I suppose. 'Normal' humans would have rejected them as monsters..."I didn't really know Keats, back when we used to work for the Master."
"A lot of super mutants worked for the Master."
Gee, well, he looks like a reasonable fellow... I must say, the shoulder spikes add a certain touch."I used to think it was all of them. It wasn't too long ago that I'd never met a super mutant who wasn't created by the Master, or at least created by one who was."
I nod. "Did you know Attis?"
I'm guessing Super-Mutants with higher intelligence got roped in as logistics and science workers..."He was one of the Master's generals. He gave me orders a few times, but I can't say we were close."
"What exactly did you do when you fought for the Master?"
So, Krono's been solving a few of the DLC questlines? I suppose someone has to?"Oh, that stuff doesn't matter. It's ancient history."
I chuckle quietly. "If dealing with Mr. House, Diana and the zetans has taught me anything, it's that a hundred and twenty years is recent for things that can come back and bite us."
You're going to have to sooner or later, friend. Krono won't leave it at that...."Or maybe I just mean that I don't want to talk about it."
I nod. "Maybe."
Without giant wandering monster mutant animals? I would expect so...We enjoy the night for a few moments in silence.
"Going to be a lot quieter around here."
I'm guessing that's not some kind of local tribal hunter? More of a predatory species?"Once the insects have stable populations, we can introduce birds."
"The cazadores will appreciate the food."
...Definitely a predatory species... A large one, from the sound of it...
So, he's not interested in the man he used to be, and would rather be left alone to live out his life in peace? Not that kind of world, big man."Alright Marcus, I've got to ask: you speak Latin and French. You know what an ostrich is, despite there not having been an ostrich in America for two hundred years. Are-."
"That is ancient history." He turns around to face me. "I don't know who I was, but I'm just as capable of making deductions as you are. I stayed smart, which means that whoever I used to be probably came from a Vault. Maybe Vault Eight. Maybe not. Nothing about what I remember about that life makes me want to remember any more. I have absolutely no interest in you doing to me whatever you did to the First to make him think he's still Andrew Shaw. "
Hmm... So the whole mental restoration thing wasn't entirely intentional? Fascinating..."Good, because I actually can't. That was some sort of interaction between the my psychic abilities, the Odious King's psychic abilities and whatever… Ritual he was performing. But I would like to ask about him."
"You probably know more about him that I do."
Purple is a nifty colour, and quite regal, especially given the historical difficulties involving Indigo dyes. I'm surprised Krono hasn't gone in for a nice orange-accented robe, though..."He was wearing a purple robe, like the Children of the Cathedral used to."
"And Keats is wearing a purple suit. That doesn't necessarily mean anything."
Convergent development? Splinters of some pre-war military program? I'm guessing Krono is intrigued enough to bother finding out, sooner or later."But it might. I definitely… Saw something about a Cathedral. And some of his followers had headwear designed to look like psychic nullifiers."
"The Master did experiment with psychic powers. Sometimes, injecting FEV into a human's brain caused them to get strange abilities. But usually they just died. Gideon could hear people's thoughts, but none of the Master's psychics were allowed out of the Los Angeles Vault. I can't think of any reason why a group up in Oregon would wear the robes of the Children. And I don't see how any of the Children could have developed psychic powers."
I doubt the program that created it would put all its research in one place. Especially if there was some manner of cold war on before things went mushroom-shaped...."They could have injected themselves later."
"And where would they get the FEV from? The Citadel was completely destroyed by the nuclear explosion. Mariposa was destroyed as well. Until I met the First, I didn't think there were any other sources of FEV in western America. Maybe not even the world."
Gee, if only its' creators had thought to allow them to reproduce, even at a limited rate..."There aren't any caches anywhere?"
"Not that anyone I ever spoke to knew about. That was why Attis went east; trying to find a new source of FEV, because otherwise there wouldn't ever be any new super mutants."
Would he have been the sort to do so, even as a carrot to egg on loyalty?"But if Keats has been creating new super mutants, he must have taken some with him."
"Maybe. Or maybe Attis found something and shared it with his lieutenants."
Without having the man on hand, there's no way to be sure, I suppose."But why would there be FEV anywhere else?"
"It doesn't have to be a store of FEV. Could be they found a pre-War workshop or laboratory of some kind. What I'm curious about is why you don't know already."
Because they have a code of conduct? They don't like to pry? It's extremely noticeable? Doing it too fiercely causes cranial explosions?"How do you mean?"
"The Master never finished his work on telepathy, but I saw what the prototypes could do. Your people aren't prototypes. You don't have their drawbacks. Sure, you're not any physically stronger than regular humans, but all your people are telepathic receivers. Why not just read their minds?"
Not too many yet. I'm sure Krono has plans to expand the number of psionically active people around. Presumably once local politics have settled down a bit though...I sigh, nodding.
"Yes, we could do that if we could find him, but by the time I even heard that Shale existed he'd already vanished. The regular mutants I can get my people close enough to scan don't know exactly where he is or where the FEV comes from other than 'somewhere in Los'. Using telepathy to hide from a lot of people at once is really hard, to say nothing of robots which are totally immune to it or ghouls or super mutants who can be pretty darn resistant. And there aren't.. that many of us, not trained for that sort of work. Besides, Keats is an ally, and I.. can't be sure that he wouldn't notice. You remember the Master speaking in your mind, right?"
And there's no telling just how sensitive someone is until you try."He had a distinctive voice. Voices."
"Ours don't stand out quite as much. But if you know where to listen-" **-you still hear it.**
So, it's a one-day job - They'll get to it one day. And to be fair, I can see them being more concerned with the current crises than something minor down the line."So there's no way to find out what's going on it Los?"
"The Texans are busy with Santa Anna. Lanius has put his expansion on hold so he can help Mister Sallow. The Republic of the Rio Grande is thanking their lucky stars that Santa Anna was feeling diplomatic. We could breach Los with an army but we don't have one spare." I shake my head. "Unless you've got some insight, the only realistic option we've got is to stop worrying about it and focus on the Legion."
Probably not that big of a one, as far as some are concerned?"'We'? I appreciate that the NCR aren't antagonising my people any more, but I don't care about Caesar."
"There's a difference between being a second class citizen and being chattel, Marcus."
So, is he advocating approaching the Texans about such a project, or is he suspicious that they might already be doing so?"The NCR have already got the super mutant leader they want. But they'll never let anyone make any more super mutants in NCR territory."
"No. But Texas would."
I'm surprised Krono hasn't gone in for a nice orange-accented robe, though
The Shi invented that in Fallout 2.They're more used to the screeches and hisses of nocturnal predation, I take it? And interesting to see them working to change the environment itself. Perhaps create plants capable of absorbing radioactive material from the soil and condensing it into inedible fruit, for safe and self-sustaining clean-up, perhaps?
No. They were being created by the Master. TheThe only place that would accept them, I suppose. 'Normal' humans would have rejected them as monsters...
Sterility wsn't intentional pre-War. They were trying to develop a cure for the New Plague and ended up with feature bloat once the military got interested in using it to enchance soldiers. The Master didn't even know about it.Gee, if only its' creators had thought to allow them to reproduce, even at a limited rate...
The first. The Unity of Austin was already part of the Texas Economic Union before it was conquered, and they were well aware that Keats peacefully advocated for super mutant conversion. While the old Republic of Shady Sands wasn't ever targetted by the Master's army, a lot of major settlements in the NCR were. Allowing them to start converting people -even volunteers- is not politically acceptable.So, is he advocating approaching the Texans about such a project, or is he suspicious that they might already be doing so?
Have you forgotten about the Institute super mutants? They were created by the Institute and released into the wild, and IIRC at least some of them managed to figure out how to "reproduce" by infecting baseline humans with their blood.No. They were being created by the Master. The east coast didn't have any 'wild' super mutants.
Sorry, got the wrong coast. That should have read west coast. Though in actual fact the Institute only started studying FEV in 2178, so there weren't any wild super mutants on the east coast prior to the Master's death either.Have you forgotten about the Institute super mutants? They were created by the Institute and released into the wild, and IIRC at least some of them managed to figure out how to "reproduce" by infecting baseline humans with their blood.
Incorrect, there were Supermutants around Appalachia due to a combination of groundwater contamination and other things.Sorry, got the wrong coast. That should have read west coast. Though in actual fact the Institute only started studying FEV in 2178, so there weren't any wild super mutants on the east coast prior to the Master's death either.
I like this guy."As I said, I can't be certain. But just in case, would you mind carrying some recording equipment as well as the wards? We don't get to record many instances of elemental possession."
Thank you, corrected.'members'
'all of the'
'avenues of'
'onto the'
'reports indicate'
So, lots of poking and prodding with assorted technological and thaumatological instruments. I hope you're not stuck wearing the usual backless tunic they usually give people... You've had enough embarrassment for today (and it's a shame we missed the fun...)10th July 2012
21:23 GMT
That's five hours of my life I never want to revisit.
The sick bay of the Third Principle is a friendly blue colour, and I'm in what I now remember to be the passive mode I adopt when visiting the dentist while the ship's physicians and the Atlantean wizards try and work out how functional I am.
Yeah, no Orange Lantern would ever be so much as one iota less than perfect health for their species, unless some physical trait is so ingrained it's part of their self-image....The lead physician steps away from the bed first. Since I'm not wearing my ring at the moment I'm getting everything translated by an earpiece. Which means that conversation is like listening to a dub; you hear the actual words being spoken a little before the translation starts to come through.
"You're as physically healthy as you were when Lantern Gozzi cloned your current body. I can't see any of the usual signs of dysmorphia or neurochemical instability. Though since your power ring will alter your body to however you want it, neither are entirely surprising."
"That's between you and your priest, I'll tell you now."I smile and nod.
"I don't suppose you've got any idea why I haven't recovered the abilities I gained from enlightenment, have you?"
Uh, OL, did you ever share your baseline data with anyone?"Spiritually inclined member of my species -the ones who don't worship demons made of eyeballs- can show altered brainwave patterns in some situations. I had assumed that 'enlightenment' was a sort of metaphor for extreme selflessness. I can show you how your brain patterns are different to theirs, but I'm afraid that I can't offer an explanation as to why."
"How about how I've changed from my own baselines?"
Well, that's one thing to bite you in the ass, eh? Lesson learned: Always have off-site backups!"If you wanted me to do that, then you should probably have visited a physician and got baseline scans taken."
Damn. He's right. I had plenty of data on my own physiology, but I kept it all on my rings. I never actually bothered getting any sort of standard medical assessment. Have to fix that.
Welcome to the world of Earth Bullshittm... One of the most physiologically diverse species in the universe, rivalled only by New Gods and a few others... Thank you, White Light Entity."Schedule me one once I'm fully mission-fit." I glance at my new ring where it sits on the bedside table. "But once I take the ring off, any problems should start to show almost at once, shouldn't they?"
"Assuming that your body works like those of most humanoid species I've studied, yes. But as-" He glances at Dr. Damon. "-your fellow humans are demonstrating, that might not mean very much."
I cane see it... Things like skin capable of resisting the pressures of the Ocean depths, lungs able to extract oxygen from water and air alike, eyes able to see clearly in ocean depth or surface alike? Understandable, since they're apparently human-plus. Fully functional fish, cetacean or even crustacean bits stuck on a mammal body? Bloody wizards, no sense of right or wrong!For obvious reason, Atlanteans don't really identify themselves as 'human'. I mean, genetically, all of them are at least somewhat human, but the term somewhat loses significance when you're talking about a man who looks like a shark with arms and legs stuck on. Or a man with dolphin skin stuck on, in this case. Mundane physicians can't really work on Atlanteans due to not being able to safely deal with the interspecies elements.
A minor inconvenience for OL. Little trickier for the people studying him, though. There's only so much space, after all. Maybe they can develop contact sensors they can read from a distance!"Thank you for your work. And..?" I glance at the Atlanteans. "Metaphysically?"
They remove their hands or wands from my body. With my tattoos still working, any study of my arcane systems requires direct physical contact.
So... Best Snek took her heart back when he got Qwa'ded? Because that would be the biggest source of Orange Light i can think of...They look at each other as I sit up, then Dr. Wilsone shakes her head.
"You're more there than you were, but there's still a good deal missing. Working from Professor Sephtian's previous study of your soul structures I think that you've regained nearly of the earthly magic you ever had. As much as you're going to get, essentially. But there's still only a fraction as much orange light as there was, and the complexity is massively reduced."
Ah. So, his current soul doesn't quite have the right adaptors at the moment? Looks like he might need to get some upgrades...I nod. "In practical terms?"
"There's enough earthly magic that you shouldn't have to worry about the usual consequences of hollowing... Not that you did anyway." I nod. "You should be able to reproduce without difficulty, resist arcane influences and so on. The lack of some of your exotic structures might relate to your… 'Enlightenment failure', but… Atlantis doesn't really study that sort of psychological shifts in the way we do purely arcane ones."
For one thing, it's easier than more esoteric subjects. More fun, too.Dr. Damon nods. "And they're not about to start, despite the obvious utility."
I shrug. "Sorry. There are only so many researchers, and arcanotechnology is going to continue being my priority for the foreseeable future."
Of course, now he has to work out how to do it safely from the same starting point. The last thing we need is Gozzi going Cake-Man on the galaxy."I don't mind the official focus being on other disciplines; I mind being insulted when I'm pursuing valuable avenue of my own. Are you planning on attempting to help other Lanterns go through the same spiritual transitions you have?"
"Yes, that's what I'm trying to do with Lantern Gozzi."
See, OL. This is why you need to get regular check-ups. You're flying blind into some of the craziest parts of Orange Light Shamanhood."I'd like to scan her. To do a full longitudinal study of her spiritual and psychological shifts. It might help you handle future acolytes."
I nod. "I think that's probably a good idea, but she'll need to agree as well."
Because if he's going to have to do the fleshy weather balloon thing again somewhere else, he's gonna need some time to work up to that, I think...I hold out my left hand and want my ring onto my finger. Ugh, yeah, that's definitely taking more focus that it used to. Less than it did a few hours ago though, so I'm moving in the right direction. I send the earpiece to subspace as my environmental shield reengages. I open and close my left hand a few times before returning my full attention to the wizards.
"So is the rest just gone, or is it elsewhere?"
Probably smeared across the system with the rest of his Subspace stash, depending on whether he had it stashed locally or not.Dr. Damon shrugs. "I can only think of two places it could be, if it still exists. If it even makes sense to talk about it as an object. One is your personal lantern, and the other is what you call 'The Honden of Avarice'."
"I'm not sure where my personal lantern ended up."
Make sure to give her your Subspace keys. Don't want the pocket to go into security lockout mode..."Where did you last see it?"
"I last used it on Maltus, but the subspace pocket I kept it in was tied to my first power ring. Which… Means that it either reappeared when my ring was destroyed and.. almost certainly got destroyed along with my rings, or it's still there waiting for an order to be released. Should be simple enough to check. Illustres to Lantern Gozzi."
I hope he didn't have anything else valuable in it... Can you imagine losing all your treasured stuff because someone wanted to play around with a substance that can wipe out universes in large enough quantities?There's a moment of delay, then her face appears.
"Yes, Illustres?"
"If you've got a moment, could you please check the place where I died and see if my personal lantern survived. It should be in a subspace pocket."
Teacher's pet."At once."
"And thank you again for resurrecting me. Top acolyte marks."
"Eeee! Sempai Noticed me! ...Eh-hem. No-one saw anything, did they, Ring?""Ah-. You're welcome."
Her face disappears and I return my attention to the physicians.
Oooh, that's a big downer. Until he gets back in Best Snek's good books, he's locked out of her house."There's a ritual for making a connection to the Honden, and I know how to perform it, but… I'm not a natural for surviving it any more. I'll need all the same protection you used for the ships, and I'll need a thaumically active world to do it on."
Dr. Damon nods. "You've done this before, then."
As long as she doesn't go all Orange Twilight on the entirety of Reach space, at least..."Not… Exactly like this, but yes." I float myself off the bed and only the sick bay floor. "And since you're the elementalist, do you have any advice on how to approach the Ophidian?"
"You've already established a relationship with her, so it shouldn't be too difficult. She might rage at whoever harmed you, but since you want them dead anyway that shouldn't be a problem."
Her reaction will probably be more along the lines of "My Agent! Who has scraped your paint job! I will destroy them!""But will she recognise me?"
He nods. "Yes, because your spiritual makeup is different and that's how she mostly perceives you. I can't be certain, but I think that she will. She knew you at earlier stages of your development, and your core drives are more or less the same. She might be confused about it for a few moments but I very much doubt that she'll see you as an intruder."
Only by introducing her to the concept of 'Do Not Want'. The question is whether she'd accept that excuse again."And will she try possessing me again? The situation that allowed us to separate last time was a bit unique."
"Based on your history, I doubt it. Your reports made the separation was a mutual decision."
Because losing a potential war asset and the Illustres of the Corps shouldn't get in the way of SCIENCE!"Yes, but she really likes me. If she decides that it will help fix me, she might just do it. She's… Not a great long term planner."
"As I said, I can't be certain. But just in case, would you mind carrying some recording equipment as well as the wards? We don't get to record many instances of elemental possession."
Be honest, OL: How many smart-arse responses did you have to bite back there?
Double Space.
Yeah, no Orange Lantern would ever be so much as one iota less than perfect health for their species, unless some physical trait is so ingrained it's part of their self-image....
Eeee! Sempai Noticed me! ...Eh-hem. No-one saw anything, did they, Ring?"
Be honest, OL: How many smart-arse responses did you have to bite back there?
"As I said, I can't be certain. But just in case, would you mind carrying some recording equipment as well as the wards? We don't get to record many instances of elemental possession."
…
I regard him levelly.
"Sure."
Thank you, corrected.
When Paul was enlightened he likely would not have been at all offended and in fact would have been the one suggesting it. No pause or glare."As I said, I can't be certain. But just in case, would you mind carrying some recording equipment as well as the wards? We don't get to record many instances of elemental possession."
…
I regard him levelly.
"Sure."
That's how devious the Reach plot was. They blew up his memory of the Evil Overlords list.Looks like Paragon has completely forgotten the rules of the Evil Overlords list in his drive for power.
What are you talking about now? What has Paul done/neglected to do that you feel is so disastrous this time?Looks like Paragon has completely forgotten the rules of the Evil Overlords list in his drive for power.
The problem with escalation is that it only works if you have the ability to escalate far enough beyond the other guy that there is nothing they can do about it.If I really knew anything about Fallout and cared about those versinos of Paul, I wouldn't feel like this nerf is lasting too long. If the Fallout and Marvel interludes had been switched, I wouldn't feel so frustrated that this is still going on.
I'm looking forward to a merger with the best snek, and that's really the only snake I can tolerate him handling, and while I joked about Jade blowing up Reach suns (yeah, I know that's not her style), best snek would have no problem with that.
I mean, when best snek collapses the Reach homeworld into a series of five blackholes (because one isn't enough, and six is a waste of her time), they might learn that you don't mess with her boy toy.
Okay, that's fair.That's how devious the Reach plot was. They blew up his memory of the Evil Overlords list.
Evil Overlord List Number 28.What are you talking about now? What has Paul done/neglected to do that you feel is so disastrous this time?
I can't see any of the usual signs of dysmorphia or neurochemical instability.
But just in case, would you mind carrying some recording equipment as well as the wards? We don't get to record many instances of elemental possession.
No matter how tempted I am with the prospect of unlimited power, I will not consume any energy field bigger than my head.