thebastion | Day 83 :: action [OPEN]

Entry tags:

Day 83 :: action [OPEN]

Who: Nathaniel (NPC) and whoever else is interested in getting information
Open: Open
When: Day 83
Where: near the monument
What: Nathaniel translates some important papers, and questions can be asked.
Format: action
Warnings: none

[After the search party had gone looking for Marie and returned with some papers, Nathaniel had taken all of the papers and worked on translating them for everyone to understand. However, it took some time, for reasons which he is about to explain.

To begin with, he sets out the wallet which had been found a while back.]

Okay, this wallet here belonged to a Mancer by the name of Dav. I've never met the guy personally, but apparently he worked right out of the Mancer HQ, or so his papers say. This guy had some pretty high security clearance, so he was probably working on some secret stuff, which would explain why I never saw the guy.

[Next he lays out the papers that were found during the search for Marie.]

Now these here, these are project notes. I haven't been able to translate them all, they're written in some kind of code, but what I've been able to get from them is that there was this long-term project going on that was nearing completion. There's also some mentions of a guy named Venn in these notes. I do know who Venn is, though I haven't met the guy personally. He's a top Mancer, though, so chances are he was working on this project here.

Now, these notes on their own aren't really enough to tell me what was going on. You've got about half of the project notes here, and the other half is probably at the Mancer headquarters. But here's the interesting thing: when you look at these-

[And he lays out the blueprints that were recovered from the farm.]

- there's some similarities between them. These blueprints here, they're for building a fuel convertor that turns corn into biofuel, and going by the dates in the corner, these blueprints were drawn up and mailed about a week before the Calamity happened, and about three days before the most recent of the the notes you found at Dav's place were written.

I'm not sure how a biofuel convertor relates to all of this, though. To be honest, we haven't used fuels in ages. Cores are the main source of power for Caelondia, and what we can't power with Cores we power with steam. Fuels aren't that great for the environment, so we stopped using them some time ago.

So there you have it. If you've got any insight into all of this, we might be able to figure this mess out, but we'll probably need more information before we'll get any real answers out of this.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Having kept to himself largely since the mingle - he was quite full up on his socializing for the week, so far as he was concerned - Kroenen didn't really intend to be handy for anything other than Skyway outings. even then, until he was completely repaired he didn't want to do even that much if it wasn't entirely necessary, so showing up to hear about the oh so important papers found while he and the others were battling a damned giant snake wasn't high on his priorities. He couldn't find a lot of merit in sitting around and tinkering without the help he'd found in Stein, so hearing the town woes seemed a better alternative.
When Nathaniel mentioned biofuels, he was glad he'd came. Particularly when blueprints and security clearance. Music to his military ears.
If fuels and secrets and security clearance had one common ground, it was commonly weapons. And if there were weapons and the Calamity in the same secretive little center point? Well, if something seemed like too much of a coincidence, it usually wasn't. ]

I vould suggest a small unit go in search of ze rest of ze papers. Large amounts of fuel in conjunction mit a vorld-encompassing explosion? It sounds very similar to vas ze Thule Society vas doing. A very simple veapon zat vould end ze vorld. Simple corn fuel vould power ze gate, easily.

[ A moment of thoughtful silence and the German taps a gloved finger to his mask before raising it in a gesture of sudden interest. ]

Ah, but, on ze ozzer hand, perhaps ve should destroy ze notes und blueprints. Ze damage ist done und I do not believe for a moment zat ve can bring ze vorlds back, so vas gut can endangering ourselves in pursuit of useless knowledge do?

[Having heard the case that was made, Stein listens intently to the German's reply, quietly puffing away on his cigarette. Despite the impossibility of restoring the other worlds, the scientist can't bring himself to see any sort of knowledge as irrelevant. Especially in this place, where resources of all kinds are scarce. He poses a simple question to his companion, straightening his glasses with one hand as he speaks.]

Is there such a thing as "useless knowledge"? Even if we don't use it now, it may benefit us in the future.

[He takes a final long, deep drag and exhales just as slowly before flicking the cigarette to the ground and crushing it under a stitched boot. His sight turns from Kroenen to Nathaniel, gaze sharp, but voice aloof.]

If you're looking for someone to lead a small search group, I can handle that.

[Okay, before he comments on anything else, Bon just stares at Kroenen. Because seriously, he had thought that guy was mute or something, for as little as he spoke.]

...you can talk.

[But Stein's words bring him around, and he shakes his head before commenting on the issue at hand.]

I don't think we should destroy any of these, not yet. Maybe after we get some answers, but until we know just what happened you never know what might be important.

[Kroenen does have a point about it possibly being a weapon, though Bon's not sure what the significance of using fuels is.]

But why fuel? The Cores give off way more energy than burning a fuel could possibly hope to give, so why go with something less efficient?

[ Leaning to the side and muttering to Stein, the German grumbles irritably. ]

Do you really vant zese people in control of a vorld-ending veapon, Herr Doktor? Und ze only benefit ve could get vould be blowing up ze rest of zis place. Vere do you propose ve go zen? Hm?

[ To Bon, he tilts his head and replies. ]

If you vere building a veapon, vould you vant to use a common source of energy zat people vould miss, if you took it? Or vould you hide it, disguising it as innocuous farming?

Edited 2013-07-02 01:03 (UTC)

Bon.

[Rin you were thinking the same thing, don't jump all over Bon for actually saying it aloud.

But Kroenen kept talking, and suggested a weapon as opposed to anything... well... good, and it made her frown worriedly.]

Uhm... 'bout the fuel thing... ? Sorry, but, I think you might be wrong...

[Rin raised a hand as if she was in a classroom, but continued after only a short pause.]

So I remember this thing from our world, I wound up askin' my sister about it 'cause I didn't really understand what it was all about, and maybe it doesn't mean anything but...

Well people were lookin' at makin' another source of fuel outta corn. I think they actually figured out a way to do it, actually. But uh... from what Yuki said it was because our world was gonna run out of whatever fuel we normally used?

[she glanced at Bon, hoping that maybe he would understand what she was hinting at and back her up or elaborate on it if she was missing any key points.]

What if they were running out of power? I mean, Cores are hard as shit to find now as it is, and we don't know, what if it was always like that? Or they used too many and things were gonna run out? I just don't think anyone that thought ahead enough to build a place like this to try and save and protect people could have been hidin' weapons as farm equipment...

Edited 2013-07-02 01:10 (UTC)

...Oil, Okumura. Our world makes fuel out of oil.

[She does have a point though, finding alternate sources of energy is very much a thing in the world.]

≪Many worlds have used plant matter to create oil.≫ [Hey look it's everyone's favorite alien.]

≪It is a far more crude power source than the Cores, but these ... Mancers obviously thought it necessary for some reason≫

[Being new to the Bastion...and just generally not having a good grasp on the subject at hand left Ippo pretty much in the dark as to what was being discussed, in reality he had just followed Rin over once he had noticed a gathering was taking place. However, an alternative energy source might not be such a bad idea if put to the right kind of use]

Well...I'm not exactly knowledgeable in this area, but...it couldn't hurt to look more into this, could it? I mean...if we figure out no good can come from it, then we can always get rid of these things then; but if we can put what we learn to good use...isn't that chance alone worth checking into it?

Edited 2013-07-02 01:26 (UTC)

[Night keeps her silence for now, pulling some of the notes over to study what had already been translated. Suffice to say she agreed with Kroenen. Nothing about this smelled innocent to her.]

I agree with Kroenen; we should destroy these notes. There's no point in wasting our time searching for more information on something like this.

I... I knew that!

[Rin let out an irritated huff at Bon]

What if it is somethin' good though? C'mon, we've got nothin' but time here, and if we lose somethin' that might help us we're gonna regret it.

I say we find out what's goin' on with them first, and destroy them later if it ain't anythin' good!

Edited 2013-07-02 01:32 (UTC)

[Wow that sure is a lot of talking. Well then.]

Well, as far as fuel goes, I don't think we were running into a Core shortage. The mines weren't my area, but from what I know there was still a lot of room for expansion and more tunnels, and the Gasfella always found enough Cores to go around. Core usage was highly regulated anyway, to make sure they weren't squandered on stupid things. Core shortages are only a problem now because the mines aren't operating anymore.

As for destroying the blueprints, I'd rather if we didn't. I've got the feeling that this has something to do with the Calamity, but if we destroy our only clues then we might not find out what happened. Besides, if Rin is right and it was merely another form of energy research, we're going to need this. Since the Gasfella aren't listening to us humans anymore, mining for Cores is impossible.

[She perks up at something Nathaniel says.]

How did you get them to work for you in the beginning? Maybe it's still possible we can get them to cooperate with us again. [A contract or a deal of some sort...]

[ I don't think they're very bright. Maybe you can trick them?

Kuro had been along the edges of the conversation, but winds his way around to agree with Night. A quick leap, and he's on his flustered mistress so he can get a better look at everyone. ]

[She pulls at a lock of hair in thought.]

But with what? [A frown.] Besides, even if we did trick them at first they would probably catch on sooner or later. Striking up a deal or contract where both parties gain something in return seems like the best idea... [If it was possible at all.]

≪Could it be possible that alternative fuel sources were being developed in response to a disagreement with the Gasfella?≫

A highly efficient but rare fuel source, which seems to attract monsters?

[ Duke shifts weight and looks about. ]

I don't know if its relevant at all, but in my world, we had something like that, called Blastia Cores. The problem was that using them sort of poisoned our world, and the humans didn't listen to the beings who knew it would. [ Because the knight's sibling would never forgive if Duke referred to them as 'monsters'... ]

If we could talk to the Gasfella, that would be wonderful. Knowing why they turned, or why they go after the cores as well? If it is an alternative energy source, is it because they knew that something was wrong with core power, or maybe that using cores wouldn't last, or that something would happen to the supply?

I don't really know, but....

[ that's what the knight thought. ]

[At least Duke was giving it some consideration, but Rin's irritation was already there and it wasn't getting any better. She could tell when she was close to breaking in to aggressive and unproductive arguing.

They were trying to have a discussion that frankly didn't need that, so with a huff of air through her nose she turned on her heel and stalked off, intending to busy herself with something else.]

[Having kept silent and listening until this point, Alucard finally decides it's time to say his piece. Machines are beyond his current understanding, but there is one thing he knows perhaps better than anyone else...]

I am inclined to agree. If they once worked alongside humans, the Gasfella must have some reason to have turned. Despite how many of the lower level creatures may seem, I have known but a handful of monsters that truly lack the ability to reason. [Despite how it might sound, he doesn't think the creatures inferior - simply less powerful.]

...However, this brings me to a somewhat troubling conclusion. It is likely that there is some other force that is leading them now - a powerful force that does not seem to wish us to interfere with its machinations.

[Most of this talk was well over Ippo's head, talk of other worlds and talking to monsters...he was just an average 19 year old...well, as average as a championship winning boxer could be; but still, he was just a normal human in comparison. However, he could appreciate certain facts, like having an alternate power source in case something happened with the cores]

Umm...excuse me, if I may? I'd like to think we could work something out with these gas fellas...but for right now, shouldn't we focus on what we know for sure? Right now as I understand it, cores are in pretty short supply...so if that's the case, we can't exactly rely on them for everything...even the cores have their limits I'm sure.

[Ippo sighed and took a more pensive look as he placed a hand to his chin. He'd never had to think so hard about these sorts of things before...the only energy he had to worry about before this was the energy he could pack into his punches]

If we can piece this together and find a way to make a consistent source of power, then we wouldn't have to put so much pressure on the cores, right? Well...that's what I think anyways...

[Ippo's...just gonna sink back for now with his piece said...he doesn't have much else to add with all this monster talk]

Well I gotta admit, building something like this is beyond my abilities. I'm only an apprentice, I was still over a year away from getting an official Mancer title when the Calamity happened.

[With some help, though, he might be able to manage it. He's more skilled than he admits to.]

But as for the Gasfellas, they always worked at the mines. It's really difficult and dangerous for humans to mine Cores, so we had an agreement with them: they get us cores, we get them food and other stuff they needed. And since they were always provided for, they never had a reason to attack us.

Gasfellas- and the whole Windbag family by extension- aren't stupid by any means, but they're not on the same level as humans either. They can talk to each other and understand us to some extent, but they can't run complex machines or build anything more complicated than a simple tool. If they're not provided for, they'll straight-up kill people to get what they need. Part of the reason we had a working agreement with them was so that we wouldn't have to fight them.

[ Having kept largely silent on the whole thing, just listening to the debates and making his quiet opinions to Stein, Kroenen finally clears his throat load enough to stem the flow of conversation and draw attention his way. He waits, stiff-backed, hands clasped tightly behind him. When he gets enough eyes, the German speaks up. ]

I am reasonably certain ze Professor und myself can establish what zese blueprints are for and wezzer or not ze fuel vill be useful. Furzermore, I believe ve can build somesing capable of using ze biofuel, if someone here ist not more capable or up to ze challenge?

[ A moment of silence, expressionless mask swiveling slowly left and right to survey the gathering. ]

So far as ze "Vindbags" go, zat is not of interest to me. If you vant to play nice vit ze savages, zat ist your prerogative. I vill not condone sending any large group out, but zat ist not my decision. However, I vill remind those present, in case you have forgotten, how many vere lost ze last time ve vent out in force? Sehr gut.

[Surprisingly, Nathaniel agrees with Kroenen there.]

He's right. If we do go to the Mancer headquarters, it should be in a small group. I'll have to go too, you'll need a Mancer to get past the false doors and trap hallways.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves here. We can't get anywhere near the Mancer headquarters yet, the Bastion doesn't have enough power to send us that far. It needs at least two more Cores before it can get us anywhere near there. And in the meantime, we can prepare tools and supplies for the trip in.

[As a teacher, Stein is a bit more apt to give credit to those whose merits have yet to be displayed. Even so, he nods at Kroenen's remarks. He can understand where the German is coming from, certainly.]

If you really feel the others really can't be trusted, there are more capable hands here.

[ Kroenen nods slowly, hand raising to hold his chin in thought, eyes roaming the others from behind tinted lenses. eventually he leans to Stein again. ]

Ze boy has a point, however. It could have been an alternative source of power. Zis vorld ist not very advanced, technologically. Corn provides an inferior, but effective fuel. Ve should at least listen. However, I do not sink zis bodes vell.

[Had the conversation not taken a turn in that direction, Stein would have spoken to the value of corn as an alternative fuel source, as well. Leave it to another scientist to be on a parallel wavelength. He nods in agreement...and just a pinch of contentment, too. He'll leave Kroenen's sinking feelings alone; he is entitled to them, after all. His eyes turn back to Nathaniel, as the man is preparing to speak.]

[ He clicks his tongue against his teeth in irritation, sighing quietly as he listened to Nathaniel's rebuff. Again, he mutters to Stein in private, folding his hands behind his back and looking as innocent as possible. ]

Vat do you sink? Veapon or innocent fuel project? Consider - zis vorld ist particularly underdeveloped, und Nathaniel says zey vere not in a shortage of cores. So vat ozzer reason?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Day 83 :: action [OPEN]

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