Doubts planted, you leave Hinata to her distress and return to the laboratory. Upon arrival, you can see several scientists inspecting Vista with various devices and Louise using Telekinesis to hold the severed tendrils for Vahlen's team while the woman herself is manipulating a series of dials. Since the girl is the most immediate potential complication, you decide to check on her first.
When asked, the familiar looking doctor introduces himself as Moore, the unfortunate victim of Louise's initial breakout attempt when she arrived in X-com's world. While he doesn't mention it, he seems less than happy to speak with you and quickly summarizes Vista's status as 'comatose, but otherwise perfectly healthy'.
He's probably right, since Ebonyflesh should have kept her from physical harm. Until she awakens from her torpor, you won't be able to interrogate her for what she remembers or if she'll be a threat.
As you walk over to the others, Moira waves you over. "You're an expert on inter-dimensional travel and communication, right Cynric?"
"I am a master in the transliminal transportation of beings both living, dead, or in between... Conjuration as it is known to the layman, but that type of magic is primarily between realms or universes. What you seek is shadow magic, of which I have been unable to find surviving texts and only know the most basic of techniques." You inform her, drawing expectant looks from her and Louise.
"Hmm... I see. Well have a look anyway." She commands, gesturing for you to come closer and gaze upon the screen that flashes through the entire spectrum of colors as she adjusts the knobs. "Thanks to you sending Trobror and Espinoza off on their own aboard the alien mothership, they recovered what we can only describe as an alien database. All of the information was formatted into DNA and much of it was lost when the two cut it free from the ship, but we've had our own computers running decrypting it since the the main lab was powered on. Among the more interesting files was the construction of a cross-dimensional communication system. Seeing as how we've had an inter-dimensional portal-"
"Multiversal." You correct her.
Ignoring you, she continues, "-in the middle of our base of operations, I took the liberty of having a basic drone assembled with this technology incorporated into it. I may not have the... mechanical finesse of our dear Raymond, but I think the results speak for themselves."
As she finishes, the screen clears to show a high contrast image as if she had been waiting for just that moment... which she might have, given the smug expression on her face. You don't grace her with any form of acknowledgement, earning a huff of annoyance as you inspect the display.
The translucent mass of shifting flesh that may as well be classified as a geographical feature is still there, twisting in on itself in a continual motion that defies your ability to focus on it, your eyes sliding off it every time you try to inspect the seams where two parts meet. Other than passively resisting your observations, the creature doesn't appear to care that Moira's machine it there. As the quadruple rotors lift the viewing angle higher, you notice a coagulating mass sitting next to a headless body.
Running her tongue across her lips, Moira breathes out, "The sheer scale of this creature is beyond anything I thought possible... It's beautiful."
"It's hideous!" Louise declares at the same time and the two trade disgusted glares with one another.
"Well, we found Clockblocker." You state dryly, distracting them from another inevitable quarrel as the drone continues to fly. "Is this footage being saved for later?"
Typing in a series of commands that send the craft on a parabolic arc over the central mass of the giant creature, Moira nods, "Of course, everything scanned or recorded is being forwarded back through the portal to the base. The real goal wasn't footage though, but to refine our sensors. With this, I should be able to update our scanners to pin down the home dimensions of these symbiotes with the assistance of each individual host."
Status: Healthy
Magicka: (0/0650)
Choose:
[] Aid Moira in refining her dimensional scanner and find a volunteer. (nonlethal)
-[] Taylor.
-[] Alec, he's too unconscious to say no.
-[] Write in.
[] Make a potion with the eldritch flesh sample.
[] Recover Clockblocker's body for reanimation.
-[] To add to your undead army.
-[] To send with Vista.
[] Dispose of Vista under the pretense of taking her home.
-[] Drag her into the woods to of her.
-[] Drop her off in the city. Blunt trauma and alcohol will hopefully make her memories of the past few hours useless.
[] Write in.
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A/N: Any plan that takes more magicka than you have will automatically drain some from an ally or drink milk if possible. This is the last vote for this day in quest, but multiple options can be chosen.
