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Versed in the lewd.
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This arc is doing much to endear Kalmin to me, on a non-superficial level unlike his quirks.
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"Yes, I fully understand that trading qwa matter is not the same as selling neural impactors."
"I didn't know we were still making those."
selling neural impactors."
"I didn't know we were still making those."
"Some aliens from the matter universe are buying them. Varnathon had me dust off the designs
Figure this is the same one that in the renegade side of things built the red ring for Grayven's ally.
He glances aside and for a moment and the gate begins swinging outwards. Thick armour reinforced with force fields, though since the main defence is the Thunderer garrison I imagine it's more so they aren't bothered by weak attacks than a serious all-out attempt to build as strong a defensive structure as they can.
Halfway seems enough time to determine whether they're merely lost, or making an approach to the bore. Any closer, and I'd be questioning the response times of the garrison...11th July 2012
06:08 GMT
The guns train on us and the Thunderers begin to gather as we cross the plaza, Kalmin in the lead and me toddling along behind him like an obedient minion. We're about half way across before-
There we go. And if they haven't recognised Kalmin, they must be very new or very stupid.
To be fair, that assumes Kalmin has any kind of distinct aspect to his garb that marks his rank.Like the symbols of Japanese noble families, or some other manner of rank insignia. As for political leaders... Personally, I don't care who's running my country. As long as they don't mess with my money or my day-to-day life, I'm cool.Kalmin doesn't stop, which makes sense if the q'ardajin have a feudal arrangement. Kalmin isn't going to take orders from a feudal inferior. Or maybe he just thinks that they should damn well recognise him without being prompted. I wouldn't be able to name the Prime Minister before Margaret Thatcher but I could name the one before Cameron. And I'd probably be a bit surprised if another British person couldn't.
And I doubt there's an Amazon who can't remember the name of the queen before Hippolyta.
He sounds surprised. I take it word of OL's last visit spread, but not the results?A Thunderer with a slightly fancier helmet appears on the battlement, prompting the shouter to step back. Fancy hat watches Kalmin for a moment, then raises his right hand in greeting.
"Weaponer Kalmin. Not dead, I see."
And that's quite a statement from a Weaponer. Anyone who has the courage to still be watching this play out from the borders of the plaza must be thinking up some nasty rumours already.This time Kalmin stops and looks up.
"No. Varnathon proved to be a disappointment."
Remind me, who're the higher rank: Thunderer or Weaponer? Are the former the soldiers, and the Weaponers the people giving them orders? Or is it the other way around?The lead Thunderer's face twitches. Yes, he thinks that Varnathon should have killed Kalmin too, but more to preserve good order than as a punishment for failure. Having two High Weaponlords adds confusion to the chain of command. And increases the risk of infighting. But by that same token he doesn't particularly want to be involved if two Weaponers are going to go at it.
"I was referring to the Lantern attack."
From the sound of it, no, they did not."Did anyone have the courage to actually check?"
"I… Don't know, Weaponer. I wasn't assigned-."
That may sound weak, but who knows what weapons Kalmin is carrying other than Qwa-bolts (if he needed anything else.) I bet this guy, the garrison commander if I'm not mistaken, would rather not have his gates blown open today...
The joy of all-concealing power armour. The longer he can pass unmolested, the less effort he needs to get where he wants to go.He glances aside and for a moment and the gate begins swinging outwards. Thick armour reinforced with force fields, though since the main defence is the Thunderer garrison I imagine it's more so they aren't bothered by weak attacks than a serious all-out attempt to build as strong a defensive structure as they can.
"Is that a new robot design, Weaponer?"
I'd say the latter plays the largest part, though. Although, if they had detected biological matter, they might well have assumed Kalmin's worked up a combat cyborg rather than an automata."Maybe. I haven't decided if it's worth anything yet."
Huh. I suppose that between the anti-sensor systems in my armour, my tattoos and the fact that they don't want to press an irritable Weaponer, they probably can't tell that I'm a living person.
Any other stupid questions you want ignored, friend?"Do you require an escort, Weaponer?"
Kalmin doesn't look up this time, preferring to just march forward.
The joy of a forced stealth mission. And right after you're coming off a free respec..."No. This is a dispute between Weaponers. If I can't protect myself then I deserve to die."
I didn't expect him to care about how far I'd have to fly to get to an anti-matter to matter transfer portal, but now that I've identified it as an issue I'm thinking about it. I don't think they destroyed the one we used last time, and since it's in 1417 it's probably one Kalmin made anyway… But if the Thunderers decide to come after me that's going to be a pain.
And now I'm hearing the Robot from 'Lost in Space', but with a Received Pronunciation British accent...The lead Thunderer doesn't bother speaking further as we enter the fort, the gate shutting behind us. Kalmin seems to know where he's going, so I continue to play the part of a dumb robot and follow him. Actually, ring? Robot voice.
Compliance.
"Directive, Weaponer?"
Or rather: "Are we about to have trouble?" I would have hoped that Varnathon's response would take longer to arrive..."I'm out of date with Weaponer politics. My former allies naturally abandoned me when I fell from grace, but I don't know who is allied to Varnathon and who is merely cooperating with him. In practical terms, there's no reason not to simply walk up to the workshop of an old colleague or two and try to-. Ah."
"Threat assessment, Weaponer?"
Well, that's a time-saver. No need to go looking when an old flame comes to you.He taps his left bracer, and my armour's communication system receives a stream showing a female q'ardajin in protective overalls. She's bald, with either cybernetic or bioengineered eyes.
"High Weaponlord Kalmin. It is a pleasure to see you again."
"Weaponer Lysis. This is a surprise."
Well, you have hardly been subtle in your progress, Kalmin. I suspect if they have a civilian news system, it's broadcasting live updates on his location..."That I'm talking to you, or that I know that you're here?"
"Either. You're sponsoring Thunderers, now?"
Her old clothes? Wait, let me guess... Skimpy, so that her opponents aren't looking at her hands."I've infiltrated monitoring systems worldwide. Varnathon decided that he wanted to keep me where he could see me."
"I told you that your old clothes were impractical. What you're wearing now is much better."
...Well, that's an image. Kind of disappointed Mr Zoat didn't add such a pic. Assuming one exists..."Varnathon wants me where he can see me due to the fact that I was tutored by you, not because he wants to keep seeing me in thigh-boots and a bikini. He knows perfectly well that I'm the only person likely to actually miss you."
"Foolish sentiment. I thoroughly deserved to be cast down."
Man, with all this build-up, he's going to have to be something spectacular to live up to the 'evil vizier' hype..."I didn't say that I actually did. Varnathon isn't… Like you."
"I know."
I suspect the only reason there isn't any red there is the momentary shock of those words..."Kalmin, q'ardajin don't do counter-coups. You haven't done anything that would make the Weaponers give you your old title back. Varnathon is… Reasonably popular with-"
"Varnathon is selling qwa matter."
"-the Counc-. What?"
Easy, Kalmin, you're preaching to the converted. No need to go off on her when you could save it for Varnathon.Her eye configuration makes it impossible for her eyes to widen, but the movement of the flesh on her face makes it look like she's trying anyway.
"I've encountered it on two occasions. The gun could have been a war-prize, though not sending Thunderers to recover it was sloppy. But they had more than that. I tolerated weapon sales when I was High Weaponlord, and when I heard that Varnathon was increasing mercantilism I just rolled my eyes. But this is qwa matter, a sacred gift to the q'ardajin people from the-."
Sounds nasty. And out-of-date from the way Kalmin said that."Yes, I fully understand that trading qwa matter is not the same as selling neural impactors."
"I didn't know we were still making those."
Think they'll be calling for his head before long? Then again, Weaponers. If they want his head, they'll try and take it themselves..."Some aliens from the matter universe are buying them. Varnathon had me dust off the designs. But that's besides the point. The other Weaponers won't stand for Varnathon doing anything like that with qwa matter or qwa energy. Even the ones who aren't as faithful as you will be horrified for strategic reasons."
"Can you communicate the news to the Council?"
Would be kind of hard to miss the Council catching fire with rage all at once...She glances behind her for a moment before replying.
"Yes, though I doubt that I can do that without Varnathon noticing. If you're intending to act covertly-."
Were you not watching his approach? And I suspect he wants it known that he learned this info from his allies."I'm not."
She smiles. "No, of course you're not. Am I allowed to conceal that it came from me?"
These two get on so well..."That's up to you. I'll quite understand if you want the pleasure of killing him yourself, but I would personally be far more satisfied if his misdeeds were revealed to the entire Council and that… Would probably be more difficult if you were detected."
"I will prioritise my own safety, then."
...It's a pity Kalmin has no time for romance..."Very well. I will speak to you in person when I meet with the rest of the Council."
"Kalmin… It's good to see you again."
"Don't get sentimental, Lysis. We have work to do."
Thank you, corrected.Paragraph needs to look like this. Your spacing is off in the actual story section.
She looked like this.I'm imagining the Qwardians four legged, like the ones from Green Lantern First Flight so "thighboots and a bikini" was an...interesting image.
Remind me, who're the higher rank: Thunderer or Weaponer? Are the former the soldiers, and the Weaponers the people giving them orders? Or is it the other way around?
Her old clothes? Wait, let me guess... Skimpy, so that her opponents aren't looking at her hands.
Then again, Weaponers. If they want his head, they'll try and take it themselves..
Welp, this promises to result in regime change. Either the Council kill Varnathon, he kills them or they kill each other. Whichever way it goes, Qward is going to be looking for new leaders... I wonder if Kalmin has any interest in returning to run things, or if he'd put a trusted and suitably pious student in charge...
That may not be a good thing.
If he puts an actual believer then the universe will have to face a religious fanatic who wants to destroy everything instead of a merchant who just sells weapons.
"Yes, I fully understand that trading qwa matter is not the same as selling neural impactors."
"I didn't know we were still making those."
"Some aliens from the matter universe are buying them. Varnathon had me dust off the designs. But that's besides the point. The other Weaponers won't stand for Varnathon doing anything like that with qwa matter or qwa energy. Even the ones who aren't as faithful as you will be horrified for strategic reasons."
Remind me, who're the higher rank: Thunderer or Weaponer? Are the former the soldiers, and the Weaponers the people giving them orders? Or is it the other way around?
The comic that covered the period where Guy first got a yellow ring said that the High Weaponer was their ruler, and the Thunderlord was his de facto second.Thunderers are the ones who use the weapons, the Weaponers are the ones who make the weapons.
As for who is higher ranked, there is no innate bias in Qward society.
Whichever faction is in charge is the one that succeeded in the latest coup. Very "My successor will be whichever one of you is strongest," to paraphrase Alexander the Great.
The Thunderers were in charge when Crisis happened, the Weaponers ripped control from them when the failure of Crisis weakened the Thunderers.
I assume Zoat used the same level of social darwinism here and that the Weaponers have just been in charge for a while now, rather than Qward having an actual caste system that just puts weaponers on top.
Explain the joke?https://twitter.com/AnimatedJL/status/952018948723216385
https://twitter.com/AnimatedJL/status/952019075894595586
I almost missed that, been a long time since I saw that show.
The comic that covered the period where Guy first got a yellow ring said that the High Weaponer was their ruler, and the Thunderlord was his de facto second.
Ah, nearly. The Renegade said 'They don't make these any more'.Zoat's referenced it twice in this fic, that I remmeber. Once in a Renegade segment and once in this last chapter with Grayven and Kalmin respectively commenting "that they didn't know they were still making those."
Roval didn't lead a Thunderer rebellion. Heck, Thunderlord Brikan was one of the people whose actions caused him to snap, kill Varnathon and grab Highlord Rengar's gear from the display stand.Then there's Commander Roval leading a thunderer rebellion against the Weaponers and taking over Qward.
Ah, nearly. The Renegade said 'They don't make these any more'.
Roval didn't lead a Thunderer rebellion. Heck, Thunderlord Brikan was one of the people whose actions caused him to snap, kill Varnathon and grab Highlord Rengar's gear from the display stand.
Those weren't specifically Thunderer children. They were Qwardian children completing their primary education prior to assignment. That was why Warmother Dacua was complaining about her son's placement.Because Brikan was nothing more than a rubber stamp that let the Weaponers walk all over the thunderers, including giving up thunderer children to the medical experiment camps.
Which left the Thunderers his support for his little coup, and it was certainly the Thunderer base he was speechifying to when he went on about returning Qward to the good ol' days of being a feared military superpower.
Ah, nearly. The Renegade said 'They don't make these any more'.
I hold my left arm out to my side and take a neural impacter out of subspace. They don't make these any more. I had to put it together myself based on Father Box's directions. Originally designed by the Weaponer Vaxmeth, they never really gained popularity in his target markets and for good reason. They're poor value for energy against most targets, not readily portable, technologically delicate…
In fact, the only thing they're really good against… Is Lanterns
Some aliens from the matter universe are buying them. Varnathon had me dust off the designs
One of his scatter guns disappears as he takes a neural impacter out of subspace. "Pretty sure I haven't. I was saving this for Sinestro, but I guess you'll do for a… A triaoouhuhhah."
Eh, not really.
The Blue Beetle scarab's programming was of the "infiltrate the planet from within" that the Reach started because of losing to the GLC.
So they lost to the GLC at least 4000 years ago.
In four millenia they really ought to have come up with their own anti-GLC weapons.
And honestly I'm not sure how effective neural impacters would be against the OLC anyway.
Neural impacters sound like the kind of thing that rattles the noggin, makes it hard to think.
For green lanterns dependent on willpower? A nasty countermeasure.
But orange lanterns, dependent on desire? I don't think rattling the noggin would make it harder to want something. And in fact I would think that wanting to be able to think straight would be one of the first things an orange lantern hit by one of those things would desire.
Zoat, am I wrong in how I imagine the neural impacter to act? Would it affect a blue, orange, or star sapphire the same it would a greeny?
Sounds like the Fallout wasteland may have a gestalt psychic field similar to the 40K WAAAGH!Something I've noticed about the strange little tribes who focus on one aspect of old world culture; they get almost supernaturally good at it. The Tubeheads -even just regular townspeople- are strangely charismatic, the Hangdogs can command dogs better than any dog trainer I've ever seen, the people of Two Sun are amazing drivers and I hear there's a bunch of weirdoes in Roswell with actual psychic powers.
We use 'First Nation' for the most part.
'Native' or sometimes 'Aboriginal' gets used too.