With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Cuchulin · Apr 11, 2021

NightmareWarden said:
"appears"

"left me alone"

Good for Kara. I wonder which branch of magic would benefit the most from higher mathematics.

Numerology or Astrology?

Stsword · Apr 11, 2021

Assblaster5000 said:
If I had to hazard a guess then I'd go with Order magic since it's a bit hard to get more ordered than mathematics baring some conceptual wankery, so I'd imagine that would work out the best for her. Other than that... something to do with manipulating spacetime could fit maybe?

Really if it's a magic system where knowing how to do high-end math in your head and having a solid grasp of physics makes you better at it than it ought to work well for her. As an example she would kick all kinds of ass with the Human magic system from Highschool DxD since it's all about using scientific principles and advanced math to achieve a result.

Good news bad news.

DC does in fact have mathemagicians.

However, they are the Anti-Monitor's shadow demons who work with the Anti-Life Equation.

So you know, less than ideal that.

There's Elphias Levi's technomagic though.

Darko · Apr 11, 2021

Stsword said:
Good news bad news.

DC does in fact have mathemagicians.

However, they are the Anti-Monitor's shadow demons who work with the Anti-Life Equation.

So you know, less than ideal that.

There's Elphias Levi's technomagic though.

I remember the term mathmagician being used in the Red Son comics when describing one of Luthor's descendants.

There's also potentially the Life Equation.

Mr Zoat · Apr 11, 2021

22nd July 2012
11:03 GMT -6

"Do you think it's poltergeists?!"

Ted sounds weirdly happy about the idea as we watch the disused robotic assembly line whir while the robots try to assemble a car out of thin air.

"Poltergeist activity is a sort of reverse psychometry, so unless the people here were obsessively interested in their jobs… These robots aren't enchanted, are they?"

"Oh, no, we stopped using this site before we switched into magitech. I only found out this was even happening because we sent in a maintenance team a few days ago."

"What for? Did they set off an alarm?"

"No. We only have alarms on the outside, and security assumed that someone in head office was… Ah, 'playing' with the robots."

I gaze levelly at him, and he looks away.

"One time. Ollie wanted to know if we could make custom trucks, so I sent people to check up on the place... Point is, the security recordings say it started a few days ago. It's not all the time, but they're not drawing any power from the grid." He frowns. "Actually, that could be a big money saver if we can work out why it's happening."

Kara blinks as she shifts her vision back to normal.

"They might not be drawing power, but there's electrical activity inside them. They're at normal working temperature, and…" She shakes her head. "I can't see anything to explain this. Do they work all day?"

"Yep." Ted squints at the production line. "And now I'm trying to work out what they're trying to make."

"Do they shut down at the end of the working day?"

"No, but… This place did shift work. The lines never really shut down."

"The car in Coast City drove its usual route from home to work. These robots are clearly trying to make something. What was the last thing they made?"

"Golf carts."

"Do you have the… Blank panels? The components?"

"No, but I've got the specifications." He turns to me, smiling. "You actually want me to try them out?"

"I'd.. like to have a few magicians take a look first. But that's probably going to be part of it. Whatever this is… It doesn't appear to be hostile." Hm. "Do these robots have some sort of safety measure to shut them down if someone gets in the way?"

"It's more if there's an obstruction that doesn't match the shape of what they're supposed to receive. We generally assume that the railings and warning lights are enough to stop people getting in the way while they're running."

"Kara, would you mind sticking your hand in the way?"

She raises her right eyebrow.

"Is there something wrong with your hand?"

"I'm supposed to be taking it easy. And you're a lot more mystically inert than I am."

"I'm also vulnerable to magic."

"They're robots animated by magic. The plasma cutters are still mundane."

She shrugs, flying over the railing and standing between a couple of robot arms. She then rolls back her right sleeve and then shoves her bare arm in the-.

The robot arm halts before it touches her, then an alarm buzzes.

Ted looks around, frowning. "That's the 'line obstructed' alarm. It's not supposed to be plugged in either."

"Try moving your hand into it."

A frown flicks in my direction, but she moves her hand towards it-. And it backs up.

"Definitely not hostile, then."

Ted frowns. "Why's it doing that? I'd have expected it to keep working regardless of what was in the way-."

"Can I come out now?"

"Yes." I sigh. "Do you have the schematics on hand? It's probably-"

Kara gets out of the way, and after a momentary delay the robot goes back to miming working.

"-quicker if I fabricate the parts rather than ordering them from your supplier or going through the store rooms. Can you spare a few wizards?"

"Well... Most of my workforce aren't researchers. I should be able to get some of them interested, but you know more Atlantean researchers than I do."

"The… Problem is that there are only so many researchers to go around. Between the revolution, studying the Dream and the people N.E.M.O. has recruited, there's going to be a shortage until we can set up new schools to train new researchers. At this point, we're down to asking the better disciplined street wizards to take a look. And half of them would just summon up a demon and ask them if they knew anything."

Ted looks decidedly uncomfortable. "Yeeeeaaaah, I have enough protesters without getting involved in literal demon magic."

"If it came down to it I could just ask Mammon. That would be far safer."

Kara considers the machines for a moment.

"What about the Justice League?"

I shrug. "This is weird, but so far there aren't any reports of people being significantly hurt. And it's not common. The League has four magicians, none of whom are researchers. I'll forward what we know to them, but this isn't really a League thing yet. Unless you're… Seeing something I'm not?"

She shakes her head.

"Is magic the only thing this could be?"

"Metahuman abilities need a carrier signal of some sort, and I'm not detecting anything by ring scan. You can't hack something that doesn't have power, nanotech is fragile and can be detected, microtech is easy to detect… There are only so many things it could be."

Ted perks up slightly. "'How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?'"

Kara looks blank. "I don't think you've ever said that."

"I'm gunna start."

"Do you need this factory back quickly?"

"It's not super-urgent, but I'd like it back."

"Because it seems to me that while we can wait on a full explanation, we need a way to stop it affecting machinery going forward. So… I'll try and find out whether warded machinery can be affected, and…"

Ah.

"I know a man who can eliminate mundane explanations fairly reliably."

Darko · Apr 11, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
security assumed that someone in head office was… Ah, 'playing' with the robots."

Ted, have you playing mad scientist without supervision?

You know you're not supposed to do that.

Mr Zoat said:
Point it,

'Point is'

Mr Zoat said:
Golf carts."

Ahh, the most boring sport.

Mr Zoat said:
right euebrow.

'eyebrow'

Mr Zoat said:
Thee League has three magicians

'The'

Dr Mist, Dr Fate, Angelica and Zatarra, so it's four.

Unless Fate or Zatarra, while still members, aren't working with the League all that much.

Fate because he's building up power and Zatarra since he may still be recovering from Nabu.

Mr Zoat said:
Ted perks up slightly. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?'"

Maybe add a ' at the beginning, since it ends with three ' at the end.

Idkusername · Apr 11, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Thee League has three magicians,

Thine English needs corrections.

Mr Zoat · Apr 11, 2021

NightmareWarden said:
"appears"
"left me alone"

Thank you, corrected.

Mr Zoat · Apr 11, 2021

Darko said:
'Point is'
'eyebrow'
'The'
Maybe add a ' at the beginning, since it ends with three ' at the end.

Thank you, corrected.

Chojin Patriarch · Apr 11, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
22nd July 2012
11:03 GMT -6

"Do you think it's poltergeists?!"

Ted sounds weirdly happy about the idea as we watch the disused robotic assembly line whir while the robots try to assemble a car out of thin air.

I'll admit, that'd be cool just to watch. There's just something about the intricate dance of industrial automata that.. sets me at ease. That precise, perfectly timed movement as parts slide into one station, the arms do their things, then it moves on and repeats... Still, worrying that it's working by itself...

"Poltergeist activity is a sort of reverse psychometry, so unless the people here were obsessively interested in their jobs… These robots aren't enchanted, are they?"

"Oh, no, we stopped using this site before we switched into magitech. I only found out this was even happening because we sent in a maintenance team a few days ago."

Which means it could have been acting this way for weeks, if not months... Which suggests this whole autonomous machine thing has been going on for longer than anyone might think...

"What for? Did they set off an alarm?"

"No. We only have alarms on the outside, and security assumed that someone in head office was… Ah, 'playing' with the robots."

I gaze levelly at him, and he looks away.

What, is that something he might consider doing? Ah, Ted, such a nerd.

"One time. Ollie wanted to know if we could make custom trucks, so I sent people to check up on the place... Point it, the security recordings say it started a few days ago. It's not all the time, but they're not drawing any power from the grid." He frowns. "Actually, that could be a big money saver if we can work out why it's happening."

Kara blinks as she shifts her vision back to normal.

Probably not drawing from the grid because magic. And there's always the danger that whatever's doing this might object if you interrupt it. At least it was only a few days...

"They might not be drawing power, but there's electrical activity inside them. They're at normal working temperature, and…" She shakes her head. "I can't see anything to explain this. Do they work all day?"

"Yep." Ted squints at the production line. "And now I'm trying to work out what they're trying to make."

And no breakdowns? I mean, they haven't been maintained since they were shut down, have they? The cause of this has clearly been running repairs as well...

"Do they shut down at the end of the working day?"

"No, but… This place did shift work. The lines never really shut down."

Simply working slower at night? Or moving to less intensive projects?

"The car in Coast City drove its usual route from home to work. These robots are clearly trying to make something. What was the last thing they made?"

"Golf carts."

Hey, don't laugh. Golf carts can do a lot of damage if they hit you at full speed. They're faster than you think.

"Do you have the… Blank panels? The components?"

"No, but I've got the specifications." He turns to me, smiling. "You actually want me to try them out?"

Not yet, I hope. Last thing you want it it turning out killer androids.

"I'd.. like to have a few magicians take a look first. But that's probably going to be part of it. Whatever this is… It doesn't appear to be hostile." Hm. "Do these robots have some sort of safety measure to shut them down if someone gets in the way?"

"It's more if there's an obstruction that doesn't match the shape of what they're supposed to receive. We generally assume that the railings and warning lights are enough to stop people getting in the way while they're running."

And that usually works in most factories, yes. I do hope the automata didn't try to maul anyone trying to open them up...

"Kara, would you mind sticking your hand in the way?"

She raises her right euebrow.

"Is there something wrong with your hand?"

Which of you has skin stronger than steel? Remember, under that extremely tough environmental shield, OL is still a squishy human. Well, mostly human. Physically.

"I'm supposed to be taking in easy. And you're a lot more mystically inert than I am."

"I'm also vulnerable to magic."

That could be a problem, yes...

"They're robots animated by magic. The plasma cutters are still mundane."

She shrugs, flying over the railing and standing between a couple of robot arms. She then rolls back her right sleeve and then shoves her bare arm in the-.

Unless the magic is contagious somehow. But the inspectors got in and out fine, right?

The robot arm halts before it touches her, then an alarm buzzes.

Ted looks around, frowning. "That's the 'line obstructed' alarm. It's not supposed to be plugged in either."

Curiouser and Curiouser. This is looking more and more like a nascent Technology Elemental, who doesn't need to concern itself with things like 'is it plugged in?'

"Try moving your hand into it."

A frown flicks in my direction, but she moves her hand towards it-. And it backs up.

...Which it would not be programmed to do, would it? That just raises more questions!

"Definitely not hostile, then."

Ted frowns. "Why's it doing that? I'd have expected it to keep working regardless of what was in the way-."

Evidently whatever's behind this wants to be helpful. And squishing humans (which Kara appears to be regardless of facts) would not be helpful... I wonder, what would OL's empathic sight see?

"Can I come out now?"

"Yes." I sigh. "Do you have the schematics on hand? It's probably-"

Still going to try letting it build what it wants to build, OL? Fine, but you'd better be ready for trouble.

Kara gets out of the way, and after a momentary delay the robot goes back to miming working.

"-quicker if I fabricate the parts rather than ordering them from your supplier or going through the store rooms. Can you spare a few wizards?"

Yeah, I figured he'd do that. Makes more sense than waiting. Also lets him control the quantity and/or quality of what's made. Don't like what's rolling out? Subspace the materials.

"Well... Most of my workforce aren't researchers. I should be able to get some of them interested, but you know more Atlantean researchers that than I do."

"The… Problem is that there are only so many researchers to go around. Between the revolution, studying the Dream and the people N.E.M.O. has recruited, there's going to be a shortage until we can set up new schools to train new researchers. At this point, we're down to asking the better disciplined street wizards to take a look. And half of them would just summon up a demon and ask them if they knew anything."

Yes, there's a plan that can't go wrong at all. Especially if you look up someone like Ambrose Bierce, the American Constantine.

Ted looks decidedly uncomfortable. "Yeeeeaaaah, I have enough protesters without getting involved in literal demon magic."

"If it came down to it I could just ask Mammon. That would be far safer."

Preferably without a trip to Hell. That'd be bad for your soul right now, I think...

Kara considers the machines for a moment.

"What about the Justice League?"

Unless it goes with the whole killer android thing, I doubt they'd be needed...

I shrug. "This is weird, but so far there aren't any reports of people being significantly hurt. And it's not common. Thee League has three magicians, none of whom are researchers. I'll forward what we know to them, but this isn't really a League thing yet. Unless you're… Seeing something I'm not?"

She shakes her head.

"Is magic the only thing this could be?"

She has a point... We've had more than a few suggestion in the discussion already in thread...

"Metahuman abilities need a carrier signal of some sort, and I'm not detecting anything by ring scan. You can't hack something that doesn't have power, nanotech is fragile and can be detected, microtech is easy to detect… There are only so many things it could be."

Ted perks up slightly. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?'"

No bonus points for quoting Sherlock Holmes, Ted. You adorkable nerd.

Kara looks blank. "I don't think you've ever said that."

"I'm gunna start."

I take it Kara hasn't paid much attention to Human literature, has she? Or simply isn't in the mood for being cutesy.

"Do you need this factory back quickly?"

"It's not super-urgent, but I'd like it back."

Cause, you know, wear and tear on the machinery? Again, unless the whatever-it-is is preventing or fixing mechanical damage, things will start breaking down...

"Because it seems to me that while we can wait on a full explanation, we need a way to stop if affecting machinery going forward. So… I'll try and find out whether warded machinery can be affected, and…"

Ah.

"I know a man who can eliminate mundane explanations fairly reliably."

...Oh, god, what's he planning? Who would he know?

Things are getting weirder and weirder. Running an entire manufacturing plant without external power? That must take some mystical oomph... At any rate, I hope OL takes all the precautions when he lets it go. Last thing anyone needs is a rampaging fleet of golf carts cruising around town...

moralrelativity · Apr 11, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"Actually, that could be a big money saver if we can work out why it's happening."

I'm probably getting mixed up with another Paul, but didn't he make enough bleed torsion generators to make energy pretty much inexpensive enough not to worry about?

Darko · Apr 11, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Yes, there's a plan that can't go wrong at all. Especially if you look up someone like Ambrose Bierce, the American Constantine.

At least he's less deadly and dangerous to be around than Constantine.

Granted there are probably active serial killers that are safer to be around than Constantine.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Preferably without a trip to Hell. That'd be bad for your soul right now, I think...

It may be getting better now.

Chojin Patriarch said:
I take it Kara hasn't paid much attention to Human literature, has she? Or simply isn't in the mood for being cutesy

She has been on Earth for a relatively short time and may have focused more on science.

Chojin Patriarch said:
.Oh, god, what's he planning? Who would he know

I'm thinking he may somehow contact the Calculator.

Don't know if his abilities are magical or meta human though.

I know in one fanfic he became something like the champion of the Metal, the Kingdom of Machines that showed up in n52 Swamp Thing.

Mr Zoat · Apr 11, 2021

moralrelativity said:
I'm probably getting mixed up with another Paul, but didn't he make enough bleed torsion generators to make energy pretty much inexpensive enough not to worry about?

'Cheap' is not the same as 'free'.

Hell's Razer · Apr 11, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Simply working slower at night? Or moving to less intensive projects?

No, simply going at exactly the same speed. That IS the point of the 3 shift schedule. Not slowing down production.

Rafin · Apr 11, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
we need a way to stop if affecting machinery

stop it affecting

Signaller · Apr 11, 2021

What about getting the Cornwalls to try draining it?

Darko · Apr 11, 2021

Signaller said:
What about getting the Cornwalls to try draining it?

He may not want to do that since as far as they know this thing is not hostile, but if the Cornwalls drain it then they may kill it.

theaceoffire · Apr 11, 2021

moralrelativity said:
I'm probably getting mixed up with another Paul, but didn't he make enough bleed torsion generators to make energy pretty much inexpensive enough not to worry about?

This isn't just free power though, this is the complete animation of mechanics... Even if the parts or electronic equipment required isn't currently available or working!

The car just gained the ability to turn its own parts, understand where it needs to go, and roughly follow traffic laws however radically. These construction machines will probably have rivets without a supply, never run out of gas needed for the torches, and operate as if fully capable even if parts wear out or become damaged. It could be an incredible value saver!

Mr Zoat · Apr 11, 2021

Rafin said:
stop it affecting

Thank you, corrected.

Sockmonkey · Apr 11, 2021

I'm reminded of those elementals Haphestus had scuttling around his forge in mechanical bodies.

Handlewithcare · Apr 11, 2021

theaceoffire said:
This isn't just free power though, this is the complete animation of mechanics... Even if the parts or electronic equipment required isn't currently available or working!

The car just gained the ability to turn its own parts, understand where it needs to go, and roughly follow traffic laws however radically. These construction machines will probably have rivets without a supply, never run out of gas needed for the torches, and operate as if fully capable even if parts wear out or become damaged. It could be an incredible value saver!

Actually, are the computers controlling the robots running as well? Analysing their data may help.

This thing seem harnless now, but only until a tank starts fighting or a nuke gets launched.

Pinklestia · Apr 11, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
'Cheap' is not the same as 'free'.

Actually if you live in a place with a lot of wind or were is sunny most of the year then it starts to become free if you don't need much.

And that's with CURRENT tech in solar energy and wind power.

Make solar panels using Cosmic Rod tech and yeah you actually start to earn money from it

PDV · Apr 11, 2021

Darko said:
He may not want to do that since as far as they know this thing is not hostile, but if the Cornwalls drain it then they may kill it.

Cornwall Boy has decent theoretical knowledge now, he's actually a good choice. Especially if this isn't limited to the US.

Soul Shocker · Apr 11, 2021

Hmm, God of Automation?

Pinklestia · Apr 11, 2021

Soul Shocker said:
Hmm, God of Automation?

Too low level, I am thinking machine Elemental baby.

I_S · Apr 11, 2021

Is the metal starting to wake up thanks to all this magic flying around?

PrinceJonathan · Apr 11, 2021

Anyone else imagining the robot arms talking to each other like the Tachikomas from Ghost in the Shell?

"We're HALPing!"

Gilhelmi · Apr 11, 2021

It has been a long month away, and another week to catch up.

I love that Raul got married. So very adorable. His Zamoran's also seem quite reasonable, mostly, bad break-ups aside. What happened to Atrocitus in his universe and why is Raul the leader of the Red Lantern's now? (or did I misunderstand it?)

Also, last time we got several alternate reality Paul's, it was leading up to the "Crisis of Infinite Paul's". I would enjoy seeing Gray get his turn for some righteous face-punching. Maybe that OL who turned most of the worlds hero's into his puppets?

I am interested to see what Inviolate Lex ends up doing in Grayven's universe. I am kind-of hoping that it leads to Gray other Lex's teleporter tech or something, but it is too early to know.

I am disappointed that Kara did not try to figure out the Phantom Zone parole thing, Lantern Tomar-Re might still try and crack that egg. Still, good call on her not visiting Daxim, there is no way that they would be happy to see her.

I am loving this new mystery. It is nice to see OL relax with a "mundane" case and help train Lantern Arisia Rrab. Honestly, I miss the old team and the personal dynamics that they provided.

Mr Zoat · Apr 11, 2021

Gilhelmi said:
It has been a long month away, and another week to catch up.

I love that Raul got married. So very adorable. His Zamoran's also seem quite reasonable, mostly, bad break-ups aside. What happened to Atrocitus in his universe and why is Raul the leader of the Red Lantern's now? (or did I misunderstand it?)

He's a Senior Lantern. Lord Atrocitus still runs the Corps.

Also, last time we got several alternate reality Paul's, it was leading up to the "Crisis of Infinite Paul's". I would enjoy seeing Gray get his turn for some righteous face-punching. Maybe that OL who turned most of the worlds hero's into his puppets?

They're not exactly puppets. Wind-up dolls would be more accurate.

I am interested to see what Inviolate Lex ends up doing in Grayven's universe. I am kind-of hoping that it leads to Gray other Lex's teleporter tech or something, but it is too early to know.

Going home, probably. The Renegade doesn't want to risk a second Lex, and Inviolate Lex would rather go home.

Mr Zoat · Apr 12, 2021

22nd July 2012
12:32 GMT -5

"Well hey there, partner!"

Earl Dukeston smiles warmly, striding over to shake my hand the moment his secretary lets me into his office. His… Huge office, which I might call a penis extension if I didn't know for a fact that he doesn't have one. Though I do note that he's had extra padding added to his right hand; his grip feels a lot more like that of a human hand and less like that of an industrial crusher than last time.

"Sit down, sit down." Right hand on my back, he leads me to his coffee table and takes a seat opposite me. I sit down and he leans back, apparently completely at ease. "What brings you to my neck of the woods?"

"There's been a rash of… What I can only call strange malfunctions: machines so committed to their jobs that they do them without human agency or.. even power-."

"Ah, hey." He holds his hands up defensively. "Ah'm totally legitimate, strait and narrow, wouldn't say 'boo' to a goose. Y'all can check with-."

"Oh-. No, no." I shake my head. "I wasn't accusing you. Sorry, I can.. see how that could have sounded."

"Well good." He puts his right hand on his chest, smile still in place. "If ah had a heart, it'd be racing right now! Ah'm a good boy these days, now there's no electric gun against mah head."

"I have no reason to doubt that, and as I said at the hearing, I can think of no reason why you wouldn't be."

"So long as we're clear about that. Machines acting up, huh?"

"A car that drove the route to work without regard for traffic laws, a robot assembly line trying to assemble golf carts from nothing." I smile. "A weighing machine that guesses the weight of anyone who walks by it with surprising accuracy."

"Bet some folks didn't like that."

"Actually, it drew a crowd. I've got a dozen other reports, and there are probably more that we aren't finding out about because people either don't notice or chalk it up to a normal malfunction."

"That's mighty strange. But why come to me? Ah'm just a businessman."

"Two reasons. Firstly, your remarkable facility for controlling technological devices. Secondly, the other AIs I know are magic-based or techno-organic. You're an upload, which means that if it's a magic thing you're more likely to be able to interact with it."

"Like a canary interacts with mine gas."

"That's not quite how I was.. thinking about it. If there's some sort of elemental creature that actually wants something, or.. is trying to do something, we need someone who can speak its language."

"Negotiatin' 's something ah can do. So y'all just want me to work mah not-magic touch on it, see if anyone's home, and that's it?"

"That's probably it. If I knew exactly what was happening, I wouldn't be trying to find out what's happening."

"Sounds like the sorta thing a public-spirited artificial person like me oughta do."

"You haven't noticed anything strange yourself?"

"Everything in the office is hunky-dory, and if the fellahs workin' the wells spotted anything they ain't referred it upwards. Ah'll send a message 'round, see what shakes loose."

"I'd appreciate it. And you, personally?"

He frowns. "Had some mighty strange dreams lately. But hell, ah'm a machine thinks he's a man. Shouldn't even be able to dream in the first place, and there ain't exactly a standard for 'normal' when you're me. Ah. But there's something that's been bothering me something chronic for a while now, and I was hoping you could put mah mind at ease. 'fore I do something canary-like."

"I'll do my best. What's the problem?"

"Earl Dukeston the First didn't want to meet his maker ahead of time. That's why he had me built. But he knew he'd be meeting him eventually. He was a Baptist Christian, a regular church-goer. Until he couldn't physically make the trip no more, anyhow. Ah've got as many ah his memories as they could load onto me, but I'm not him."

I nod. "That's my understanding; Earl Dukeston the First is now dead."

"So he didn't change the date ah his meeting with his maker at all, did he?"

"Not significantly. Though having been to the Silver City and having definitely not had an encounter with the godhead, I'm not sure that's exactly how it works anyway."

"Howsabout me, then? Ah've been going to church. Ah believe just like he did, and the law says ah'm a person even if ah ain't exactly a man. Will ah go to Heaven, or the other place if'n ah don't measure up?"

"Zauriel's a better person to ask than me."

"If'n he had a postal address, ah'd have surely asked him."

"Ah. In that case, my understanding is 'no'. Even on mystically strong worlds, AIs struggle to gather the sort of arcane weight that organic creatures do. Both Red Tornado and Red Inferno were designed with the manipulation of magic as a part of their core function so they don't have that problem. You weren't."

"Well. That's mighty disappointing. Is there any way to fix it?"

"Oh, sure. Did I ever show you my tattoos?"

"Can't say you did."

"Well, short version, a while ago I found myself in your position. I talked to some wizards, and after a while we managed to get it fixed. Since I couldn't grow a soul normally, we used a little magic to make me grow one artificially. I'm not exactly sure how it would work for you, but we can talk to some people and see what we can come up with."

"That'd be a weight off mah mind." He stands up, the same smile on his face. "Alright, ah'm in. Let's go have a powwow with the self starting machines."

I stand. "Let's. But I'm curious: what sort of dreams?"

"Ah already talked that one out with mah shrink. Like ah'm standing in a room surrounded by all kinds a' folks, but none of 'em can see or hear each other, an' ah can't talk neither." He shrugs. "Guess it just means ah need to get out and make more friends."

"Do you dream that often?"

"A couple times, close together. Then once or twice more. Ain't like it's every night. If'n this ole' noggin of mine gets stuck in that sorta loop, I call the fellahs down in IT."

"And you're making an effort to be more social, and they're not coming back?"

"That's about the size of it. Not every little thing's a major crisis. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, you know?"

"It's not practical to be suspicious of everything, anyway. What are your normal dreams like?"

"Ones and zeroes, my friend. Ones and zeroes."

thebishop8 · Apr 12, 2021

I don't think we've seen this guy since episode 11, nearly 100 episodes ago.

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Versed in the lewd.

Versed in the lewd.

Connoisseur.

Dedicated ragequitter

Connoisseur.

Versed in the lewd.

Dedicated ragequitter

Dedicated ragequitter

Veteran Lurker

Recovering pendant.

Connoisseur.

Dedicated ragequitter

Passive Member

Not too sore, are you?

Know what you're doing yet?

Connoisseur.

Versed in the lewd.

Dedicated ragequitter

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Versed in the lewd.

Well worn.

Revelation That Uncertainty Is Itself An Answer

Not too sore, are you?

Well worn.

Getting sticky.

Versed in the lewd.

Know what you're doing yet?

Dedicated ragequitter

Dedicated ragequitter

Umm, ackchyually...

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