Aranweft-research-institute

Star Trek: Odyssey

Aitera / aranweft-research-institute

Narrator BOT 15-Oct-21 02:39 PM

*For hundreds of years, Aranweft had been known as one of the world's most magical places; that was where it got its name, from the Akhansbrekt spoken by the dwarves who lived here. The crater of Aranweft, believed by scholars to have been formed when a dying god of magic fell to Aitera, was so wide that it took days to cross on foot and so deep that until it had been discovered by explorers in the Old Ages the tribespeople living there thought it was the entire world, so steep and barren were the slopes; but a few hundred years ago the dwarves colonised it due to the vast quantities of rare and valuable materials in the crater walls.* *Yet even they, renowned for their skill in mining deeper into harder rock than any other People, were fearful to dig too deep, for fear of penetrating the skin of the world and awakening the creatures slumbering below, and unable to go too far into the crater, for the closer one came to the two-mile-high spire at its centre, the stranger the environment and the laws of nature became, until eventually one would have to turn back or risk returning with the wrong number and configuration of appendages. Or worse.* *In more modern times, mages made it through, to the eye of the storm, and constructed a great laboratory, the Research Institute. Funnelling the vast amounts of free-floating magic into its heavily-shielded workshops, the towering spires of Aranweft were the world's foremost centre of thaumaturgical advancement, made accessible by a teleportation circle at the Institute's core connecting directly to its administration building in A've Ennore.* (edited)

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 24-Oct-21 12:52 AM

*The directions from the hateful, racist guard were accurate, and Arian found the place without further incident. Her escorts were more like shadows, as she was leading the way and they just blindly followed in silence. Upon reaching the place, she looked at it from the outside a bit before stepping in. She was worried the people inside would call her a 'glitch' too and be uncooperative. It was odd to experience having her feelings hurt for being a machine as a Human. She'd only ever had people attack her for being a cyborg after she was already one. But she kept a stiff upper lip and forced it deep down, focusing on impressing the Captain by accomplishing her bullshit mission. The inside looked more like a drug making den than a academic laboratory. She looked around a bit to see if anyone was there.* (edited)

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@Lt. Cmdr. Iron Forge

Lt. Girak Mayott 28-Oct-21 06:51 PM

*When the Cardassian step inside he was a little disappointed. This wasn’t a library, but some kind of primaries potion or chemistry lab. In fact, this whole place was a little odd. He silently looked around while walking towards the back of the room.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 28-Oct-21 11:26 PM

*Seeing Mayott come in, Arian smiled very brightly. He was in uniform and unescorted she noticed, which made her believe he had been released and restored to duty. He must be here to check on her and help her!* "Sir!" *She headed over towards him, grinning and holding up a hand to wave. The two accompanying officers kind of loitered where they were, looking around at all the curious things, content to just be in the same room as Arian and not needing to be right next to her.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 28-Oct-21 11:52 PM

*He hadn’t been paying much attention to others in the room but when he heard a familiar voice acknowledge his presence he turned and was surprised to see a smiling Arian.* “Lieutenant Rhoslyn.” *His heart felt lighter as he approached her so he didn’t have to talk too loud.* “I didn’t think you left the ship. What are you doing here?”

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 12:52 AM

"I was ordered to, by Captain Ryn. I am investigating why my and the ship's systems are acting so,..." *She considered the word,* "... impossibly." *Arian was wearing the black track suit still, her hair in a messy ponytail secured with a piece of wire, and she glanced back at the two officers before looking back to him,* "I was relieved of duty and I am under escort. You were right, sir, I am a danger to the ship. I am so, so sorry that I did not realize your concerns sooner in my quarters." *Her face displayed clear and distinct emotion in a way never seen by the Cardassian before.*

@Lt. Girak Mayott

Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 10:33 AM

*Seeing Arian with actual sincere emotions wasn’t off putting but…a bit to get used to. He shook his head, face neutral and free from emotions as she apologized.* “Everything went wrong that day. It didn’t all have to do with you.” *When thinking about what happens his eyes reflected sorrow and he frowned. It was a stark reminder that most of the crew didn’t see him as an officer or one to respect. What he didn’t understand was why. Captain had given him advice but he knew it had to be more then that.* “I was wrong about you being compromised, and I’m glad I was.” *The ship would have been doomed if she was taken over if he was honest.* “But you’re right that something going on with you and the ship, and we need to find out why.” *He glanced at the other two officers who were escorting her. If he was still on duty he’d volunteered but she doesn’t know. It looks like no one does.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 11:05 AM

*Grey eyes looked down and away. One hand reached up across her chest to hold on to the opposite arm above the elbow. A display of insecurity,* "No. You were right. We still do not know what is controlling me. I am compromised, which is why I am stripped of duty and under orders to be escorted outside of my cell." *She held her eyes down a brief time more, then slowly looked up at him,* "You are missing a pip."

Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 11:24 AM

*A hand instinctively touched his collar and he let it drop to his side. It hurt to tell her, but he must.* “I’ve been demoted to Lieutenant and I’ve been stripped from my position; I’m no longer Chief of Security.” *He kept his face straight and serious.* “Commander Azoci is in charge of security for now, but I know that won’t be permanent since she already has other duties to attend to.”

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 11:56 AM

*Arian blinked twice, not registering the words at first, but both hands would come up to cover her mouth, her eyes wide with guilt and horror. She stood like that, looking at him, tears welling up slowly.* (edited)

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Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 12:27 PM

*He stared at her while his face changed from serious to concerned. Her reaction was a bit shock, she really does care. Everything she said in the brig about him was true. He opened his mouth to speak and closed his eyes taking a breath.* “It’s better this way. If the crew can’t believe in their Chief, that puts the whole ship in danger. I’m not willing to put myself before the crew.” *His face returned to It’s serious nature.* “I’m a soldier, I serve for the good of the whole, not the one.”

Radulph Bernard BOT 29-Oct-21 12:44 PM

*A young man in a long robe and a rather frayed pointed hat appeared suddenly in front of the door, interrupting the moment. He spoke almost confusingly quickly, and moved with swift yet jerking motions.* "Oh, hello. Are you two here to deliver the grell barbs? I'll be right with you, I just have to find some paperwork-" *As he shuffled at a blistering pace through one of the high piles of papers all around the room - it appeared the Institute had not adopted a clean desk policy - the man looked up, scratching at his scraggly beard with one hand while holding a sheaf of parchment in the other, and squinted over his large, thick wire spectacles at the visitors.* "You're not here to deliver the grell barbs, are you? If you were, you'd, well, you'd have some grell barbs." (edited)

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Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 12:57 PM

*Her grey eyes darted to the bespectacled man, then she coughed once to clear her throat and lowered her hands from her face, after wiping her eyes with the back of her hand,* "We do not have your barbs, sir. We are from the spaceship."

Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 01:16 PM

*His attention went from her to the pointy hat man asking for barbs, whatever those are.* “She’s right. We’re just visiting.”

Radulph Bernard BOT 29-Oct-21 01:22 PM

"Oh! Visitors!" *The man became somehow even more frantic as he tried in vain to clear up the room, before realising the futility of such an attempt. Glancing around a final time, he zoomed over to the pair, holding out his hand.* "Well, I'm, ah, you can call me Radulph. I run our offices here, do busywork for the main office. They put me in charge of the Gate, see, 'cause I can do it on my own so they don't need to send out a whole team. Anyway, anyway, anyway, what are you here for, what can I do for you?"

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 01:35 PM

*She was clearly amused by the man's attempt to scramble and tidy up. Though, hearing him describe his job she figured he was one of the scholars or academic leaders. So when he rushed over with his hand extended, she activated the release of her artificial dermis around her wrist. The seams along the bridges of her fingers separated and she pulled the skin of her hand off like a glove. There was no blood or grime or moisture of any kind; it came off clean and dry. She held her metallic hand out to him, the circuitry and servos and other intricate machinery exposed.* "We are here to get an explanation for this, sir. My name is Arian. I am a cybernetic organism, or a construct composed of thousands upon thousands of small machines and mechanical processes controlled and powered by regulated electricity. You might be more familiar with the term 'clockworks' or 'automaton'." (edited)

Narrator BOT 29-Oct-21 01:37 PM

*The two escort Ensigns starred in disbelief and shock as Arian degloved herself while talking so casually.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 01:37 PM

Right!?)

*As Arian started to explain he walked over with her and looked at the man’s hand. Interesting, he greets like a human and even looks like one. This universe has many similarities to their own. When Arian began to remove her dermis he curiously looked to see what was under it. Yes, she’s a cybernetic but she was acting more human than he’d ever seen her be.*

Radulph Bernard BOT 29-Oct-21 01:49 PM

*After the briefest moment of a pause, Radulph pushed his glasses up and leant in slightly to examine the hand.* "What is *that*?" *He straightened up and scurried towards the door from which he came, glancing back to the visitors. He still didn't understand what exactly this woman and her draconic friend wanted, but it was probably not something he could provide.* "I can't help you, I'm afraid. My specialty was the study of time, before my, my accident. Now I'm the one being studied, hehe. I'll take you to the main building, there'll be people better equipped to help you there." *He stepped straight through the closed door from which he came, and unlocked it from the other side. Before opening it, he beckoned back through the door, one arm protruding from the solid, bare wood.* "C'mon."

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 01:53 PM

*She chuckled, what an odd reaction from the man. After being beckoned to follow, she turned to Mayott and gave him the 'glove' of her artificial dermis,* "Here, hold my hand." *Pleased with herself, she turned and made to follow. It seemed they had some sort of hologram technology and were using it to make it look like there was a door, for some reason. She made to walk through the closed door hologram.* (edited)

Radulph Bernard BOT 29-Oct-21 02:00 PM

*Bonk. Arian walked straight into the door. Alerted by the noise, Radulph turned back to open it, peeking around the door.* "Ah sorry, I forgot to open it." *He pushed the door open in the normal way, seeming quite startled when it slammed loudly against its frame due to the force with which he had opened it. Behind was a long corridor, far too long to fit inside the outside of the building. Torches illuminated crude hand-inscribed plates labelling dozens of stockrooms.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 02:17 PM

*This man was a little all over the place but if it got them their answer then Mayott’s fine with it. There wasn’t anything for him to say to them both so he follows the and paid more attention to his surroundings. When Arian held out her hand he took it and curiously turned it over before looking to where they were going. It was strange that size of the hall didn’t match up to the building, must have been an illusion of some sort. So far he didn’t feel in danger, yes this man was willing to help and give them answers but he’s not too keen on trusting anyone that quickly.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 02:23 PM

*It was more than a mere bonk. She was at full stride trying to catch up to the man when her swift-moving 255 lb self collided with the door. Unless the wood of the door was also somehow magic and stronger than plated parsteel, there would be at the very least a nasty dent.* *Arian was startled by hitting the door and stepped back, looking it over with great confusion. Was the hologram programmed to also act as a force field and only allow the man in? The man opened the door however, which was even more confusing, because it was apparently an actual door and not a hologram after all. Normally she'd be running all kinds of scams and sensor reading analysis but all she had were her two eyes. So instead of trying to understand, she embraced the confusion and walked through the door. Though she kind of hesitated with uncertainty that she wouldn't just slam into something solid again.* (edited)

Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 03:27 PM

“Where are you taking us?” *His eyes, no longer squinting and actually enjoying the dim light.*

Radulph Bernard BOT 29-Oct-21 03:41 PM

"You're gonna go and see my boss, at the main building." *Radulph didn't even notice the door's dent as he sped off, stopping to wait every few seconds for those who were slower. After passing doors labelled everything from "Crystals, various" to "MAXIMUM DAMPENING QUARANTINE", eventually the party reached an ornate doorframe set into the end of the corridor, with nothing but blank wall behind it. The doorframe once held gold leaf, but most of it had now come off.* "Right, we're here. Just... give me a moment." *Radulph raised one hand, extending it out to the doorway, and grimaced in concentration for several seconds before, in the blink of an eye, the doorframe held an empty opening into a large, circular hall. There was a thin haze of what looked like smoke across the entrance, so what was beyond couldn't as yet be seen.* "There we go. Just pop on through, tell them Radulph Bernard sent you from the Ennore office." (edited)

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 29-Oct-21 11:13 PM

*Having learned her lesson once, she reached out her non-degloved hand to tentatively confirm that the opening was real. Upon finding that it was, she looked at the man,* "Thanks very much, sir." *Arian then stepped through into the circular hall.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 29-Oct-21 11:34 PM

*The doors they passed caught Mayott’s eyes and he raised an eyeridge at the Dampening door. This place is full of mysteries, hopefully they won’t need to uncover too much to find out what’s happening to Arian and the ship. When the hall was present he stood behind Arian as she stepped through first. He thought to ask what ‘the boss’s’ name was but since Arian had already left he gave the man an appreciated nod before stepping through.*

Narrator BOT 30-Oct-21 10:12 AM

*Radulph gave a little wave before the doorway faded back into blank wall - but this time, from the other side, said wall was the marble wall of a wide, high-domed circular hall, with large glass windows set high into the dome allowing in plentiful natural light, and multiple levels of balcony leading through great archways away from this central hub. The men and women crowding this antechamber, all going about their business, took no notice of the newcomers, absorbed in their business. Some were carting or carrying crates with similar labels to those on the stockrooms back in A've Ennore, others were robed and talking in impenetrable technical jargon with others as they walked. Occasionally visible through the throng were larger-than-life statues carved in crystals and pure shining metals, of mages and naturalists of many species, and portraits of previous leaders of the establishment.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 30-Oct-21 10:16 AM

*She blinked, wondering where they had been transported to. This was not an office, so who was the boss? Did they have a space station in orbit or something? Looking around, she decided to just speak aloud,* "Hello! Who is Radulph's boss!? He sent us!" (edited)

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 11:06 AM

*Mayott took note of all the possible exits in case this is a trap. Everyone in the room didn’t notice or care that they entered, giving him some peace. He didn’t feel threatened but continued to watch out for any sign of hostility. When Arian spoke up he waited for a response then he too raised his voice over the crowd.* “We’re looking for Radulphs Boss!”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 30-Oct-21 12:26 PM

*After a minute or so, someone finally noticed the visitors. A young woman in relatively plain robes stopped and glanced quizzically at them from a few metres away before approaching, holding a leather-bound book under one arm.* "Hello there. Which department is this Radulph in? We have a lot of staff here and I must admit the name is unfamiliar, but no-one else is helping you." *The book shook a little, and she slapped at it, waggling her finger in admonishment. The book stopped moving.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 01:18 PM

“He told us he’s in charge of the ‘gate’. He runs the office and does jobs for the main office.” *His face remained serious but he wished the flustered man would have given them more information.*

Ciaran Abbott BOT 30-Oct-21 01:36 PM

"We have many gates. Where have you come from?" *Once again the book vibrated, and squeaked a little. It got a harder slap this time, and quietened down.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 01:40 PM

*He frowned not knowing exactly what gate she was referring to.* “We’re visitors and came to ask a question. We were told here is where to find Ragulph’s boss who would give us the answers.”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 30-Oct-21 01:53 PM

*The woman pursed her lips for a moment, clearly irritated at the breakdown of communication. But her friendly smile returned within a moment.* "Well, maybe *I* can help you. What did you come all this way to ask?"

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 01:56 PM

“Lieutenant Rhoslyn’s body is made up of mechanisms and computer parts that keep her alive. When we came into your land her mechanical and computer components aren’t working yet she’s able to move and stay alive. How is that possible?”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 30-Oct-21 02:03 PM

"I'm not sure I understand. You say your friend is kept alive by a machine that doesn't work?"

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 02:12 PM

“Yes, she’s able to move, breathe and think, but usually she needs to have the mechanical and electrical systems functioning together for it to work. None of that works here, yet she lives and breathes.”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 30-Oct-21 02:16 PM

"...Right. Follow me." *She strode off through the crowd, once again chastising her book for whatever it was trying to do.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 03:44 PM

*He silently followed the woman as did Arian.*

Ciaran Abbott BOT 30-Oct-21 06:00 PM

*It took about a quarter of an hour of walking through increasingly labyrinthine and cramped passageways before the group halted at a door. The woman pulled out a large keychain from a pouch and fumbled with the lock for a moment, before opening the door. As it opened, torchlight glistened across the tarnished nameplate:*

Lt. Girak Mayott 30-Oct-21 06:57 PM

*Mayott didn’t expect this place to be so big and elaborate. The fact that they went through so many loops and turns got him wondering how Radulph expected them to find his boss in the first place. Well they finally made it to hopefully their destination and he read the name and title before going through the door.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 05:21 AM

*Arian was in awe of the place, both confused and impressed by it as they walked along for half an hour. When her was taken to to door, she looked at it, and read the nameplate. Fifth Underprofessor? They could see the actual professor?* "Thank you for bringing us here." *She said to the woman, clearly under the impression that they'd been brought to some other person's office, not Ciaran's own.* "Do we knock, or is this just another holographic force field, or,...?"

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 11:21 AM

"I don't know what you're talking about. It's my workshop, not a... whatever you said." *She touched her finger to the wick of a lamp for a moment, and it lit up, illuminating a tinker's workshop, tools and in-progress work strewn across benches.* "In any case, if you'll come and sit down over here," *she said, pointing to the chair at her desk,* "We can begin." *She wandered off to find some instruments, looking through a toolbox on one of her workbenches. She paused after a moment to go over to her bookshelf and strap the book she'd been carrying into it, talking as she did so.* "I've met a few people with artificed prosthetics, but never someone who relied on them to survive. Ah, there it is." *She grabbed something from beside the bookshelf, then came back over, holding a little cube of dark purple metal with a crystal embedded in one face.* "A thaumometer. It measures magical intensity. Hold still, please." (edited)

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 11:26 AM

*Oh shit. This woman WAS the underprofessor. Crap.* "Ah, yes. I am more mechanical than not, by a high margin." *Arian held still, her exposed degloved hand still visible. She glanced to Girak a second, swallowing dryly, then back to the woman.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 11:30 AM

*Mayott was surprised to hear that this was her office and silently sat in front of her desk. This whole time he’d been talking to the one who can give them answers. Well at least they finally found that person. He positioned his seat so his whole back wasn’t facing the door, just to be safe.* (edited)

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 11:42 AM

"So it's not just your hand. You say you're mechanical. I assume you refer to magical artifice." *The thaumometer shook as Ciaran ran it over Arian's arm, the one with the skinned hand.* "These readings would suggest so, at least. Seventeen myrithaums above background, you could be running half the Communicative Botany wing!"

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Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 11:49 AM

*Seventeen what now? Above background? A confused look crossed his face as he watched her get excited by the results.* “Is that good? What does it mean?”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 11:51 AM

*Ciaran went off to get the toolbox, hefting it onto the desk and looking through it.* "I don't know exactly what it means. There's lots of magic in you, ma'am, but I'm not sure yet of what type, or what it's doing. You said you weren't working properly?"

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 12:11 PM

*She was pretty lost also, but she tried to roll with it by essentially ignoring the parts she didn't get,* "As I explained to your employee, my chassis, or body, is comprised of hundreds of thousands of small machines. These machines work together and are controlled by a network of,..." *She paused,* "... electricity. Like an extraordinary clockworks. Gears and sprockets and such, but the electricity is not what is controlling or powering them." *Arian tried to think of an example that would make sense,* "Like a crossbow that can fire a bolt, but without nocking back the bowstring first. Or going to a watermill that still works even though the river is dry." (edited)

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Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 12:41 PM

"I've read papers on electricity, the whole thing with saltwater between different metals and making frog legs shake and so forth. I heard someone in Molbray's managed to make electricity turn an axle. Dreadfully inefficient and complex compared to the proper way of doing things, of course, just as you'd expect from Molbray. It is interesting how nature has such mundane yet complex ways to achieve such simple ends. I've never heard of a person built as an electrical machine. Or, for that matter, any sort of mundane artificial person. Of course, you are saturated with magic, that must be doing something..." *Ciaran had an idea, and rummaged through her toolbox until she extracted another tool, this one a cylinder of a blue wood with three metal pads on arms sprouting from an crystal mounted at one end; embedded inside the crystal was the skull of a three-eyed mouse sized creature.* "This is an egometric analyser. I would like to use it to gain a general appraisal of how your mind exists in relation to your body. Will you allow me to do this?" *Training with such devices always stressed that to use such a device without a lawful warrant or explicit consent of the analysed person was both immoral and illegal pretty much everywhere.* (edited)

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 12:47 PM

"Sure. Looks like a funky tricorder." *She grinned a bit, trying to make light of the situation despite being fairly scared.* "Your brain works with electrical impulses which control the nerves and muscles in your body. That is why the frog's legs moved when exposed to electricity. For me, the machines rely on the electrical connection between themselves and my brain as a means of control. However the issue is that those electrical pathways are non-operational, so by all of the laws of science I should not be able to do anything, much less move around and talk to you." (edited)

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 12:53 PM

"I understand. Your high magical content, is this normal?" *Ciaran placed the three pads on Arian's forehead. Laws of science? This woman was definitely from Molbray; only the Molbrites were foolish enough to think they could explain the universe without magic. And their entire industrial base relied on a dwarfish artefact, the hypocrites.* *The analyser tingled a little as it did its work.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 12:57 PM

"I am not a magical creature. We are from that spaceship that appeared a couple days ago from the anomaly. I suppose I could best be described as a robot or automaton, but with a few Human parts." *As the device tingled, she closed her eyes and tried not to wince and interrupt the scan, so the readings would not be corrupted.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 12:58 PM

*Listening to the explanation wasn’t too hard to follow. There were a few words the universal translator was having troubles with but overall it sounded like magic was replacing her electricity here. He kept quiet and watched, making sure she wasn’t hurt during all this.* (edited)

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 01:23 PM

"Oh yes, I heard about that. Robot.." *she trailed off, thinking about something,* "...where have I heard that? Ah! It's an old Latatian word for golem." *She took the analyser off Arian's head.* "Your mind is very decentralised, split into many centres of thought. Interesting." *Ciaran pointed towards the door.* "I'm an underprofessor in the study of artificial minds. I used to do a lot of research into archaic golem construction methods, trying to figure out how the Ancients imbued theirs with minds more complex than anything we can manage today. I think I read something once about golems constructed from a mixture of iron, mithril, and parts of corpses. If I remember correctly, parts of the soul or souls of those contained within the golem would be bound to it, providing a framework on which to build a mind. Ghastly stuff, of course, you'd never do it today, but that's how it was." *She went off to look through her small in-workshop library, and in the process left Mayott and Rhosyn alone for a minute.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 01:27 PM

*Now alone, she turned and looked at Girak.* "I am a golem, I guess. A mix of metal and corpse bits. It makes a lot more sense than I want it to." *Her eyes cast a sadness.* (edited)

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Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 01:41 PM

*Ciaran returned, carrying an enormous volume with an engraved title card taking up almost half the book's cover with tiny italic lettering. Imprints in the book's cover showed images of constructed lifeforms, from homunculi to the rare Golem Horses of Ur, not that Arian or Girak would have been able to identify it. She hefted the book down onto her desk, and flipped through its thin, yellowed pages.* "Now, the veracity of this source is... debated, to say the least, scholars have been arguing for decades over whether Mo'kaht was actually as principled as he claimed when it came to veryifying his footnotes. In any case, the paper trail for this particular citation runs dry some four hundred years after the events described, but the trail is seven hundred years and twenty-two books long and an awful lot *was* lost in the Sundering, so on balance I think we can forgive him that. Ah, look here..." *She pointed to a paragraph in the book set aside, and read it aloud.*

*" , , ℑ ℑ . ℑ , ℑ , ℑ , . , , . , . ℑ , , , ℑ ."*

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"That's alleged to be from the journal of Noonien Soong, though I doubt you'd know the name. He lived about a thousand years ago, one of the founders of my field."

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Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 01:48 PM

*She turned back to the underprofessor and quietly listened, paying close attention. After hearing the passage read, her sadness deepened.* "You seem to have a Frankenstein's Monster type story, as well. I suppose that applies to me, indeed." *The name, though. She blinked. No way, it had to be a mispronunciation for her mind playing a trick on it. No way.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 01:50 PM

*When left alone he looked at Arian seeing the sadness in her eyes. Before he could speak the woman returned carrying a large book. They still use records on paper, now interesting. The passage was a little difficult to read because of the handwriting but he read through it and look up as the woman mentioned Soong, or maybe he’d heard it wrong.* “Noonien Soong.” *He looked over at Arian.*

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 01:51 PM

"I wouldn't call you a monster. You've been perfectly polite to me so far. Wait, do you recognise the name?" *Ciaran continues to flip through the book, evidently looking for something else.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 01:56 PM

"The name sounds coincidentally similar to a man from our universe who was regarded as the foremost expert on cybernetics and androids." *She spoke on about the other part,* "The story of Frankenstein's Monster consists of a scientist who builds a creature out of corpse parts and brings it to life with electricity. Also quite the coincidence considering what you have read from the book."

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*She added,* "Of course in that story they use the word reanimated, instead of animated. But still pretty similar in an almost eerie way."

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 02:06 PM

"Hm. That'll give the hacks in Cosmonarrative Studies a field day. Here we are..." *"ℑ ℑ  ; ℑ , ℑ '' ''. ℑ , , , . ℑ . ℑ  ; , ' ..."*

*"ℑ , ℑ  : ' '. ℭ , , , . , ℑ ℭ ."*

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Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 02:13 PM

*Her jaw hung loose, and all she could do was turn and look at Mayott, eyes wide in the mix of shock. However after a second she spoke,* "This is some sort of modified parallel universe!"

Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 02:14 PM

“Of course. Our Soong created androids with the same names. That explains how the stories match.”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 02:31 PM

"Interesting. We do give the Cosmonarrative department a lot of flak, they just sit around all day hoping they're right and eating big meals, but if you can give them some hard data to work with, you could advance understanding of how different realities intersect by... well, all the work until now's been theoretical, if I remember right. Anyway, ma'am, do you have any brain in you? Patterns I'm seeing here are similar to those found in surviving Work Golems in terms of structure, but both my readings and the evident fact of your personhood indicate you're far more, like those golems built by Soong." *Ciaran is still fiddling with the Analyser.* "I mean, not only have you just legitimised an entire field of research, you've also verified a large segment of Mo'kaht's Collected Records, that'll send ripples through the Department of Literary Verification."

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 31-Oct-21 02:34 PM

*Arian was stricken with realization and clarity. She had been under the assumption this whole time that this was just some strange, convoluted, random jumble of a dimension. It had never even occurred to her before that moment that this might be like the Borg universe or the other universes where they were just offshoots, parallel to their own.* *She spoke at a near whisper,* "Yes, I have a Human brian." (edited)

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Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 02:46 PM

"And... I've seen the papers. Newspapers, I mean, not academic, we do get them out here eventually. One of the first things the mages in the Council's employ did when your vessel appeared was project a deep divination through it, to find out what it was. There's a little picture on the front page of your ship landed at Ennore, and I can't blame them for it, it's unlike anything I've ever seen. The most powerful wizards in the land couldn't make the scry alone, they had to use a crate of weavestone crystals right down to dust. That's a pretty big 'burst of arcane energy', as mister Soong put it."

Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 03:10 PM

“Your world doesn’t use the same energy that we do. Where we come from the energy she uses are charged particles that run through a complex circuit. Could you energy be replacing ours?” (edited)

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 03:38 PM

"Perhaps. I think it's more likely that the events are unrelated, however. 'All things strive', and while your friend's machines weren't working, she was in the right place in the right time to be animated. More recent researchers haven't been able to reliably reproduce Soong's work for reasons we don't understand, but by fluke it seems it worked in your friend's case." *Ciaran put away her analyser.* If you plan to leave us, I would recommend repairing the machines first. I wouldn't bank my life on hoping I'd stay like this in a place without magic." (edited)

Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 03:59 PM

*So they had their answer, the Lieutenant isn’t a danger or compromised. He had to inform the Captain at once. This was excellent news.* “I’ll inform our engineers. I trust they will have everything ready so that when we leave we aren’t without power.”

Ciaran Abbott BOT 31-Oct-21 04:56 PM

"Your ship should be fine as long as it's not damaged. Unless the ship has organic components with the potential to form a mine, it won't have been animated."

Lt. Girak Mayott 31-Oct-21 05:44 PM

*Well they don’t have that problem so looks like they’re good.* “Thank you for answering our questions. This helps more then you know.”

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 01-Nov-21 04:09 AM

*The revelation was weighing heavily on her. Very heavily.* *After the explosion so many years ago, she was for a time clinically dead. A neurostabilizer was used on-scene to prevent her brainwaves from sparking out, but at that point she was by all accounts medically dead. She was revived and resuscitated a time later in the emergency ward of a colonial hospital, which was considered nothing short of a miracle. Yet she was in a coma with no thoughts; no brain activity beyond what the stabilizer was maintaining.* *Reanimated corpse. That's what she was. Just a 'golem'. A cyborg in her own universe's terms. Soul-less and created to work for a master. A Frankenstein.* *She blinked several times, trying to process and cope with this. A hand rose to wipe tears from her eyes, and she tried to swallow the lump forming in her throat. Her voice still just above a whisper, she said,* "I need a moment, please." *Stepping over to Girak, she took back her 'glove' of artificial dermis and then walked off to some far corner of the chamber. There, she slipped the 'glove' back on and automatic systems resealed the seams. She watched it happen, and it looked so unnatural. With her back to the two, she raised her arms up to cross them over her face, and began to cry. Years of intense counseling, behavioral therapy, and emotional mitigation were being rapidly undone.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 01-Nov-21 10:39 AM

*Arian needed a moment? He wasn’t sure why, but he held still as she took her dermis glove and moved away from the two. His brow furrowed and he looked at Ciaran and stood from the chair.* “One moment.” *The Cardassian crossed the room and went over to Arian who was crying. This wasn’t how he expected her to act after finding out the truth about how she’s alive.* “Lieutenant,” *He maneuvered his body so he stood in front of her with his face facing her cupped one.* “What’s the matter?”

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 01-Nov-21 12:27 PM

*What a question. How can that be answered without an hours long lecture on everything she had been, had gone through, had become, and now is?* *Being address as Lieutenant did kindle her sense of duty. The Captain had given her an assignment. She had to report back the information they had obtained. But how do you stop yourself from crying? She had become so reliant on the dampeners and her emotional settings being ratcheted down.* *Arian lowered her arms a little to peer out at Girak. She tried to force a reply, but nothing intelligible came from her. She was blubbering. This lack of control over herself caused a flash of anger to streak across her eyes, and her brows knitted a bit.* *Taking in a sharp breath, she lowered her hands to expose her face, and got these words out with an emotional, uneven voice,* "I am just overwhelmed. I have not been Human in so long, it is difficult. I will be fine." *Wiping the sleeve of her tracksuit across her face to dry it, her chin and lower lip trembled a little. But she closed her eyes tight and forced those feelings down, drawing up other feelings to replace them. It took effort and her hands clenched closed tightly for a few seconds before she exhaled slowly and opened her eyes.* *She appeared under control, but the Cardassian could recognize the hopeless, forlorn sorrow behind the gray eyes that looked through him unfocused at nothing. Arian nodded,* "I am ok."

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Lt. Girak Mayott 01-Nov-21 12:46 PM

*No, she’s not okay. She was feeling a lot and is probably overwhelmed by everything that’s happened so far. They come into this universe, her body is different and she feels human again, she gets put in the brig, then released with escorts. Now Mayott comes in and tell her he’s been demoted and is no longer her department head. Then they find out what’s keeping her alive all in a few days.* *No wonder her emotions are all over the place. She’s felt sorrow, regret, scared, upset, anger, confusion and much more. Without her dampeners on she must be a mess but is trying her hardest to keep it together. His face and eyes softened from their usual hard look as he came closer to her.* “I’ve never seen a person who’s as strong as you are right now.” *He sighs and thinks about giving her a hug. Is it appropriate? Who cares they’re on shoreleave.* “It’s okay to not be okay sometimes, but please, don’t do this alone. Don’t be like me…and try on your own. I’m here for you.” *His hand came up and brushed back some red flyaway hairs from her tear stained face. He remained close to her in case she wanted to lean on him for comfort till she felt she could control herself again.*

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Lt. Arian Rhosyn 01-Nov-21 12:53 PM

*Arms shot out and seized him with need. She at the same time pulled him into her and she stepped forward into him. The full wrap around embrace was crushingly tight, and had he not been a stout Cardassian, ribs may have popped.* *Her face immediately buried itself into the man's shoulder and she began to just bawl. He was very right, she was not okay.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 01-Nov-21 01:08 PM

*He let her cry, and when she wrapped her arms around him he gently brought his up too and did the same. Her red hair brushed his cheek as a quick memory flashed into view. He’s at a hospital on Cardassia, and Kessir has just given birth. The child lived for onky an hour then stopped breathing. The doctors didn’t know why their child died and since there wasn’t anything more they could do, they sent the couple on their way. Kessir was crushed. At home Mayott held her for a long time as she cried and cried. He wanted to help her but didn’t know how. He also felt devastated but could tell that she needed peace from this more then he did. That’s how Arian is right now,she’s a mess and he too wishes he could take all that pain, sorrow, frustration, and emotions from her, but he can’t. All he can do is be here, let her feel some stability, help her see that she’s not alone.*

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Lt. Arian Rhosyn 01-Nov-21 01:25 PM

*Her magically Human brain had trouble functioning outside of the former computerized routine. The emotions would have to burn out, like a bonfire eventually pittering down to dying embers. However, her long withheld and built up emotions made that task akin to using a hand pump to drain the Great Lakes.* *She took comfort in his arms and one feeling worked its way to the top of her consciousness: worry for him. He was still afraid of her, and now she was bear hugging him. This had to be more than just awkward and uncomfortable for him. She was taking advantage while he was likely terrified. She lacked the sensitive scanners that could draw information about his heart rate and temperature and other factors to determine his level of fear. So she just based this on assumption.* *Enough time passed to likely make the underprofessor wonder what the hell was going on before Arian forcibly willed herself to start calming down. She tried to remember her counseling and behavioral therapy, but it was all geared towards her compartmentalized and computer assisted mind. None of it was meant for an actual person.* *Anger was familiar and she let it grow so she could use it to control herself, as before. Slowly, Arian recomposed herself and her bawling reduced to little tremors and sniffles. Soon enough thereafter she relaxed her grip and would step backward, out of the hug. Her eyes were closed though, concentrating on her own discipline.* *He called her strong, and she wasn't going to make a liar out of him.*

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Lt. Girak Mayott 01-Nov-21 01:58 PM

*Because of the memory flashback he wasn’t afraid of Arian while they hugged. She was a woman who needed help, just like his wife, when sorrow was becoming too much for her he was here. He didn’t think of Arian like his wife, but in the moment she wasn’t the person who kicked a table and tried to kill him. The seconds wore on and he closed his eyes starting to relax himself. What is it about embracing someone and having that skin to skin contact that felt so…good?* *During his training he hated to be touched because it was never given in a soft, or caring way. Touched was used as a tool, to teach, halt a behavior, or discipline. As a child he felt the soft touch and was hugged often by his mother. When Nim hugged him the memory of having touch be something pleasant grew stronger. Now, as she embraced him for support that same warm feeling filled his chest.* *When her sobs lessened, and he could hear her gasping breaths become slower and more controles he let her go around the same time she did.* “You’ll get through this, but give yourself a break. Okay?” *He stepped back giving her another moment.* “Come, let’s tell Captain about what we’ve discovered.” (edited)

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 04:56 AM

*Nodding again, she turned a little towards the underprofessor. But she didn't look at her. Instead, she was yielding to Girak, following his lead and letting him do the speaking. All her focus and efforts were dedicated to her own self-control. It was by sheer willpower and devotion to duty that she was not still breaking down.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 02-Nov-21 09:57 AM

*As Arian began to calm down a bit Girak turned to the woman a spoke.* “Thank you, for answering our question. We’ll see ourselves out now.” *He gently led Arian to the door once the woman gave her approval. When they first came through the labyrinth he’d memorized the turns and twists they made so they could find there way back on their own if needed.*

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 10:15 AM

*In silence she followed. She lacked the grace and elegance she once had. Now she moved in a disturbingly typical way. Arian didn't look around or glance at the odd things they passed. She merely followed his lead blindly, disinterested in the world around her. She shoulders hung a bit, and her chin dipped some.* *When they arrived in the original lobby of the Research Institute where they began, she reached out and touched Mayott's arm, saying,* "Thank you, sir. I am sorry."

4

Lt. Girak Mayott 02-Nov-21 11:23 AM

*He led the way also in silence, he knew she had a lot that was going through her mind and he didn’t want to add conversation in the mix. The tight hallways and labeled doors came up quicker than he remembered it but he didn’t stop till she touched his arm and spoke. In an instant he turned around and gave her a serious look.* “For what?”

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 11:27 AM

"I,..." *She couldn't even bear to look at him. Her words were a raspy whisper.* "... I started this domino effect of dismissing your authority which got you demoted."

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Lt. Girak Mayott 02-Nov-21 11:49 AM

*He tried to hide the hurt but in a small way, she was right….no, it wasn’t her who started it, he did. By allowing others to do as they please, and by convincing himself that the crew was beyond reason and couldn’t help behaving the way they did. She was just another weight that further tipped the scale that day. The words ‘it’s not your fault,’ and ‘don’t blame yourself’ came to mind but what came out if his mouth was something completely different.* “…Why didn’t you believe me?” (edited)

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 12:03 PM

*He deserved an explanation. Not a damn excuse, but a factual reason. She owed him that much. An apology with an excuse attached was no apology at all. So, still averting her eyes from him, she thought on her answer a short time before saying,* "I did believe you, and it horrified me to think I was compromised. I used the two present, my mechanic and my nurse, as faux legitimacy to deny it all. They only jumped to my defense as a natural reaction because they saw me resist you first. Thier defending me bolstered me, giving me false hope that maybe I would be alright if they kept working on me. I was entirely wrong and you were entirely right, and I knew it." *Human error, she wanted to say. But that sounded too much like a bad excuse. Her magically Humanized mind reacted to the situation without the aid of computers, data, readings, protocol, or programming. It was done out of fear and denial and other Human emotions she'd not felt in years. But no matter the reasons behind it, she was solidly in the wrong.* "I will draft a report on your behalf to admit my wrong-doing to the Captain herself. I will present it to her along with what we have learned here today." *She sounded a bit more herself towards the end.* (edited)

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Lt. Girak Mayott 02-Nov-21 12:19 PM

*He swallowed the lump in his throat and pushed back the emotions that came from her confession. Sadness, she was scared that he was right…anger, she put herself, her feelings before the crew, and sorrow, if she’d only supported him them the others may have followed. They all listen to her, he’s seen it many times. They love her, even if she claims to only be a machine, a computer who does as she’s told, they look to her as someone they can relate to more then himself. It pained his heart, not out of jealousy because she’s so loved, but because of how little he really mattered to them. No words came out and he struggled to bring himself to say anything productive at this point. She’d make a wonderful Chief of Security, she’s the one they want, they pushed him off the edge so they could finally get to what they wanted in the first place. This whole time, it should have been her who was chosen for the position, he should have rejected the offer and saved them all the grief. In the end he nodded his head agreeing to her proposal but didn’t say a word.* (edited)

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Ciaran Abbott BOT 02-Nov-21 02:06 PM

*Ciaran had left the pair alone once Arian started to get emotional. What was happening wasn't hers to eavesdrop upon, so she went to the cramped, adjoining bedroom to look through more of the quotes from Soong.* *When she heard the indistinct speech die away, she closed the book, and tentatively stepped back into the office.* "Uh... I've got quite a few letters to write given how many fields of study you've just revolutionised. Is there anything more you need me to do for you before you go? Write up our findings for reference? Copy out the relevant parts of Mo'kaht for you? I just learned a spell for that."

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 02:13 PM

*Arian would have indeed asked for a copy of all that so she could present it to the Captain and let the Science Chief confirm at all.* (edited)

2

Narrator BOT 02-Nov-21 02:18 PM

*Once Mayott and Arian returned, the two escorts sort of loitered nearby, but didn't come close to interacting. Neither had followed because to them the Chief of Security was more than enough, plus they didn't want to disappear into the weird dimensional transporter hologram door thing.*

2

Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 02:43 PM

*That confession did not get anything off her chest or bring her conscious any relief. If anything it made things worse, because of his silence. But he absolutely deserved to be mad at her. She accepted that she had fallen from favor in his eyes. There was little more to be done aside from reporting back and completing her assignment.* "I appreciate you going with me. I will let you continue to enjoy your shore leave. Take care, and be safe, sir." *She lowered her head to him in a deep nod that bordered on being an informal bow.*

Lt. Girak Mayott 02-Nov-21 03:08 PM

“You’re welcome….take care…” *A part of him wanted get in her face and say everything that was on his mind. To take out all his anger, shout at her, and say how humiliated he is, that the whole ship will know he’s been demoted and removed from his position. Not just the ship, but the entire Federation, this will be forever on his permanent record that he’d meticulously worked at to keep clean and free from ever being questioned. Now a Captain will look and see the red marks and every time he’s chosen for a job a counselor will have to psycho analyze him just to make sure there’s not a chance that this will ever happen again. He may be free from the brig, but he’s still trapped, in the system that will never completely trusts him because of this mistake. She’s free to go, her record is clean, they won’t question or analyze her, even if she disobeyed an order, all their records aren’t effected even if they all are part of the wrongdoing. His upper lip twitched and he forced a quick smile. No…he can’t do that to her…it’s not all her fault…he’s not like that. Revenge isn’t him, he has to move on and try his best to show them that this was a one time fluke and will never ever happen again.* (edited)

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Lt. Arian Rhosyn 02-Nov-21 03:33 PM

*Having been dismissed, she departed the institute. She could tell he was not okay with everything, but she couldn't pinpoint the expression on his face. Her to escorts hurried to follow her out.*

2

Lt. Girak Mayott 02-Nov-21 03:40 PM

(Bubble pop)

Alchemist Merrs BOT 05-Nov-21 01:10 PM

*The alchemist was at the foremost table awaiting those he invited. A series of bottles were already laid out to begin with, each of varying colors and temperatures. Some were labeled with clear ‘do not touch’ signs and others were steaming. One was neon and one was purple. The man seemed to talk to himself as he laid out a few more, brow arching up and down.* “Food one. Hmm. I shall make one produce someone’s favorite... food...”

Ensign Hans Towson 05-Nov-21 01:20 PM

*a bubble appeared and Dan entered the institute with wonder in his eyes.* (edited)

Mr Belova 13-Nov-21 12:57 PM

*A bubble opened and Alyx was walking through the institute, looking over the security and technology they had at their disposal*

[T] Ens. Joshua Chambers BOT 13-Nov-21 01:00 PM

*A bubble appears and Josh walks in, taking a seat near the back, more curious than anything to see what is going on*

Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 01:04 PM

*Whomever was at the research institute would be greeted by a large number of mages and magic acolytes practicing and testing their spells and potions. The starfleet crew was invited to watch the practices. Some seemed quite proficient at the art while others needed more schooling before they could ever be considered a sage in magic. Meanwhile there would be a rather small and nervous gentleman clumsily carrying a box of potions all with various degrees of color and effects.*

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 01:17 PM

*A bubble opened for S’Rora, who padded in nervously. She had been reluctant to come here: her mind seemed hellbent on listing our every possible bad scenario that could happen, but she had decided to come anyway, if only because it sounded interesting and there wasn’t much else to do.*

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 01:26 PM

*Karvak simply showed up and stayed near the back. He looked tired. He just wanted to get out of his quarters for a change to see something.*

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 01:27 PM

*The boy waddled over to the star fleet group. He clearly was not strong enough to carry the crate he nearly dropped it in front of them.* "OH GEEZ...sorry I-I am supposed to show you guys cool potions and stuff...if that's ok?"

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 01:33 PM

*He looked at Merrs and nodded slowly, a contemplative look on his face. He came a bit closer and looked at the crate, then the boy. He was completely silent, the others could do the talking.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 01:47 PM

*dan took a look at everything he saw.* "you lead the way, and i can help you with that crate if you would like." (edited)

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 01:55 PM

*The boy avoided his eyes and looked away.* "A-Acutally, I was told to do them here...they don't trust me with the spells outside yet...um..." *He picked up a random one.* "Er...this one...does...makes you invisible if you drink it...I think."

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 01:56 PM

*He looked at the potion. He didn't trust some strange drink, more silence ensued. He just wanted someone else to try it to see what happened before he did.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 02:08 PM

Dan chuckled and took a step back "very confidence inspiring"

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 02:12 PM

“…No thanks, I’ll pass.”

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 02:15 PM

"Oh no...um...I can make something else...love potion...super strength...cure for baldness..."

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 02:16 PM

“Anything else? Preferably non-lethal?”

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 02:18 PM

"I-I don't know miss...w-what would you like?"

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 02:20 PM

“I dunno, something that will make me taller? Or cure my anxiety?” *She said sarcastically, putting her hands on her hips.*

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 02:24 PM

"O-Ok..." *He started fumbling around in his crate pulling out and mixing different potions until one final white color settled in the bottle.* "T think this should work..." *He handed the bottle out.*

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 02:25 PM

*The Caitian took the bottle tentatively, sniffing it.* “I don’t know if I should take strange potions I know nothing about… what does it do exactly?”

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 02:27 PM

"S-Makes you taller and cures your anxiety..." *The liquid smelled like lemon and sweet.*

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 02:29 PM

“All in one? Just like that? I don’t mean to offend, but that just seems a little too easy… do you wanna try it first?” *She turned to Karvak.*

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 02:30 PM

*He looked at S'Rora and the potion and remained silent, contented to simply watch. When she asked him, he blinked.* "No... no thank you. I just came to watch..."

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 02:31 PM

“Hmmmph. Fair enough. You can just… take it back for now.” *She held it out to Merrs.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 02:31 PM

*Dan raised his hand* "can i get one that would make me smarter?" (edited)

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Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 02:58 PM

"Oh! Um..." *He reached in and grabbed a potion.* "Here you go."

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 03:10 PM

*Dan took the potion and drank it.* (edited)

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 03:13 PM

“Feel any, uh… smarter?”

Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 04:26 PM

*After Dan had drank the potion, it took a minute for his body to react. He felt a tingling sensation, and by the will of the gods, there seemed to be a sparkle from his vains for almost a micro second before it would disappear. Dan surely did feel smarter, the potion had worked, but for how long, nobody knew.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 04:32 PM

*Dan laughed* "i feel quite ingenious"

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 04:37 PM

“Hmm, wet, that’s good at least… still not sure about drinking strange fluids though. Besides, I like my height as it is.”

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 04:42 PM

*Karvak looked at Dan for a long second before looking back at the chemist. He started to think of what he wanted though this want wasn't something he particularly cared about. The prank his buddies pulled on him... he waved the thought off.* "How long do these potions typically last?"

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 05:37 PM

"A few minutes...I think...it should at least...um anyone else?"

Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 05:39 PM

*@Ensign Hans Towson would start feeling really smart. So smart that everyone in the room seemed incredibly stupid in comparison. The power would get to him.*

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[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 05:40 PM

“Umm… no thank you. So what else is there to do here?”

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 05:42 PM

*Dan began laughing* "I've always thought that you guys are a bunch of idiots compared to me and now I can prove it through several different logical arguments. " (edited)

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 05:44 PM

“Excuse me?”

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 05:44 PM

"You are excused"

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[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 05:46 PM

*The Caitian shot him a glare.* “Can it end faster?”

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 05:46 PM

"Pure genius such as my own is internal." *he pulled out his note pad and began writing down something about transporters.* (edited)

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 05:49 PM

"I-I think..." *He mixed up another potion which chemically reacted into a gas.* "H-He just need to breathe this..."

Ensign James Kelenic 13-Nov-21 05:51 PM

(wait wrong account)

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 05:51 PM

Dan began scrambling away still writing in his notepad, "my genius will allow me to speed up the transporters by 6 miliseconds."

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 05:52 PM

"A..." *A gas. The Romulan blinked as his pupils reshaped to the size of pins. The gas. Could he possibly breathe this? He stepped back a little bit and decided to look on from the back as he originally intended.*

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[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 05:55 PM

*S’Rora did likewise, stepping to the side to not be hit with stupid gas.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 05:56 PM

*Dan kept scrambling away but he tripped over because he was still writing in his note pad*

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 06:01 PM

*The boy slowly opened the bottle but just as he did the gas quickly exploded out of it like a gas bomb and filled the whole room. It a potent and would cause people to cough.* "Cough, Oh geez, on no..."

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[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:02 PM

*S’Rora coughed, breathing in a lungful of stupid gas.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:02 PM

*Dan grabbed his note pad trying to protect it, and then began violently coughing*

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 06:04 PM

*He groaned uncomfortably and started coughing, covering his mouth with his handkerchief to see if that would help. This alchemist was crazy.*

Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 06:15 PM

*The gas dissipated as soon as it expanded. The starfleet crew start feeling particularly unusual... S'Rora's hair would start turning hot pink. Karvak would start feeling very "stretchy" Dan just stayed the same...maybe more of a super villian now.*

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[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 06:18 PM

*He held his stomach and closed his eyes, feeling weird. Stretchy. This made him feel slightly sick and nervous, eyes on the alchemist.* "What happened? Please tell me..." *He flushed a light green, heart pounding. Was he poisoned? He noticed the Caitian's pinkish hair...*

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:20 PM

*S’Rora was not having a good time. The only thing she could do was sit there and pout as her hair and fur turned a shade of pink. She hated pink, and with some existential terror she wondered if it would be permanent. She could never go home looking like a walking pile of cotton candy!*

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Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 06:26 PM

*With all the commotion happening one if the instructors came over looking particularly pissed at the young elf.*

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:27 PM

"What the hell Merrs? What did you do to these people! What did you put into these potions!"

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:27 PM

*Dan kept laughing and writing in his note pad* (edited)

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 06:29 PM

"Oh geez, I am sorry sir. I...they didn't want the invisibility portion."

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:31 PM

"Didn't want the invisibility potion? That's stupid Merrs, who doesn't want to be invisible? Now look what you done. She's pink, he's turning into an evil wizard, and he is about to fly."

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:31 PM

“I’ll take invisibility please,” *S’Rora said meekly, tucking her tail close.* “I’d rather be invisible than pink.”

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 06:32 PM

"I didn't want to turn them pink...oh geez"

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:32 PM

"You turned Starfleet Pink Merrs! You ruined Starfleet!"

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 06:33 PM

"I ruined Starfleet, oh no, oh geez."

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:33 PM

*Dan kept maniacally laughing* (edited)

"I am the superior being."

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[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 06:33 PM

*He looked increasingly nervous, looking at the instructor himself.* "What? What's happening to me?" *He wanted to know what exactly was going on even after the instructor said it.*

Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 06:34 PM

*Karvak would stop feeling stretchy and start to levitate*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:36 PM

*Dan kept laughing as he walked to the box of potions and started trying to make himself even smarter, faster, and stronger* (edited)

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:37 PM

"I am not even sure I can fix this Merrs...you screwed up big time on this one..."

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:37 PM

“Can’t you at least try?! I don’t want to be pink forever! My sister will bring it up at every opportunity!”

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:38 PM

*Dan pulled out a potions to make himself stronger* "My genius is undying"

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[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 06:40 PM

*He looked at the ground, then the others as he started to levitate. His breathing sounded ragged and uneven, he looked terrified. A silence befell the Romulan as he tried to get himself back to the floor.*

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:45 PM

*The Elf started conjuring up magic with his hands and blasted S'Rora. Nothing happened at first, but then her hair would be dotted with neon green polka dots.* "Oh he screwed up big time, I'll deal with you later." *He then blasted magic at Dan which only made him smarter.* "You're screwed too." *He then went to Karvak and blasted him causing him to fall to the ground.* "Un screwed...congrats."

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:45 PM

“Polka dots?! Seriously?! You just made it worse!”

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:46 PM

*Dan gulped down the strength potion and began yelling in a language no one else could understand* (edited)

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 06:46 PM

"Thank you, thank you, thank you... I should be going now?" *He turned on a heel and jumped at the yelling, falling to the ground flat on his front.*

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:49 PM

*He rolled his eyes at the weird looking elf (Karvak) and then looked at Merrs.* "Go get me the J'Riklen'Grik."

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 06:49 PM

"Y-Yes sir!" *He ran away.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:50 PM

"All beings shall bow down before me"

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:51 PM

*He looked at S'Rora.* "Merrs messed up big time...yup. If I didn't so anything you would've turned into a Love Dragon."

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[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:52 PM

“What the heck is a love dragon?!” *S’Rora stood up, covering her pink-and-dotted head with her paws.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:53 PM

*Dan went back to scribbling in his note pad and speaking in a language no one could understand*

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:53 PM

"A dragon...that Loves..." *He said nonchalantly.* "People kill them hoping to drink their blood which is like a love potion."

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:54 PM

“Oh, well, that’s just lovely. At least I don’t have to deal with that…” *She sighed.*

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 06:54 PM

"Love dragon?" *He looked back at the instructor, then S'Rora. A love dragon. An animal. This person could've been turned into a literal animal. What in hell did they get themselves into?* "Is it an actual dragon?"

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:55 PM

"You guys clearly need a potion for your deaf ears...yes its an actual dragon. Honestly, this isn't the fist time this happened..."

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:55 PM

*Dan started yelling his own name over and over again*

[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 06:56 PM

“This has happened before? Have you figured out a cure then yet?”

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:57 PM

"DAN!" (edited)

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 06:58 PM

"Thats not how magic works...there is no cure! You are either born with it or not...we called one of your scientists and she fixed it...she was quite attractive as well..."

"Is no one going to deal with him?" *He looked at Dan*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 06:59 PM

"DAN?"

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[O] Ensign S’Rora BOT 13-Nov-21 07:00 PM

“Of course. You can make me pink but you cant make me unpink.” *S’Rora put her hands in her paws.* “I’m starting to hate this planet. And I am not in the mood to deal with him.”

[T] Ens. K. Karvak BOT 13-Nov-21 07:00 PM

*He looked at Dan and furrowed his brow, fear melting away. The foolishness of the situation was interesting to him.* "Dan..." *He pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing returning to a somewhat normal level.*

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 07:01 PM

"Haha DAN!"

*he began writing DAN over and over again in his notepad*

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Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 07:02 PM

"Well unlike my other breathern I am not too fond of you either. Except for some of your women, you have nothing to offer us."

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Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 07:04 PM

*The boy returned with this large contraption which he could barely carry. He sat it down and wiped the sweat away from his forehead.* "I am back sir"

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 07:04 PM

*he ran up to J'Trik and yelled in his face* "DAN!"

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 07:05 PM

"What took you so lon- ugh" *He stepped back away from Dan.* "Just turn on the machine Merrs"

Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 07:06 PM

*He ran away scared of losing his genius* "DAN?"

Narrator BOT 13-Nov-21 07:08 PM

*Once the boy turned on the Machine it immitted some sort of pulse that would cause Dan to calm down...until he would start feeling that he was a God.*

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Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 07:09 PM

*Dan laughed* "I shall take over your realm and proclaim my rulership over this planet" (edited)

*He ran over to the machine and punched it*

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Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 07:10 PM

"What did you do Merrs!"

Alchemist Merrs BOT 13-Nov-21 07:10 PM

"Nothing! H-He broke it!"

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Ensign Hans Towson 13-Nov-21 07:11 PM

"You will never be able to stop me, I am immune to your mortal attempts"

WO Serapia Albitina 13-Nov-21 07:11 PM

[Tirk]: "I can see that, I mean why didn't the Machine work!"

Instructor J'Trik BOT 13-Nov-21 07:11 PM

"Was it on the K'lril setting?"