A Conjuror's journey
Pandemonious Ivy
Panties, Revolution. Big Drawers. Parachute.
I want to summon a Deathclaw, tho?
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Lou-lou, what did you pick up and where did you pick it? Is that an imaginary friend helping her cast Lightning Spell, or is it a genuine entity of some sort?
Now when did that happen? I don't remember her falling under mind control in the quest, definitely not ours.
[X] Stay, but send Louise.
-[X] UFO crash site with Strike One
I have half a mind to send Louise on a Terror mission, but I am afraid she could misinterpret the name.
Not all brahmin are harmless...
Last edited:
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
You guys made a spirit sword by sacrificing a pikachu.
You do realize that forcing someone to be calm by directly manipulating their mind is mind control right? She was talking about what you did in the very beginning of the quest.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Err... no, I don't. It's a mind-affecting spell in a lot of settings, but most settings specifically mention it does not allow you any measure of control. Like, say, fear effects? No one in their right mind would say a Horror spell has mind controlling properties.
Cynric is disappointed and would like to have a word with her about proper terminology!
Cynric is disappointed and would like to have a word with her about proper terminology!
Last edited:
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
You are controlling how the mind processes the information it receives. While not proper 'mind control' that allows you to puppet the victim, she is technically correct. Unfortunately, Cynric isn't a Jamaican bureaucrat or accountant and is willing to overlook technically correct answers when it suits him.Err... no, I don't. It's a mind-affecting spell in a lot of settings, but most settings specifically mention it does not allow you any measure of control. Like, say, fear effects? No one in their right mind would call Horror spell the one with mind controlling properties.
Cynric is disappointed and would like to have a word with her about proper terminology!
The important bit is that the ignorant commoner doesn't know any better and Louise isn't inclined to share the context, so it is a valid argument.
Last edited:
- Location
- Canada
[X] Stay, but send Louise.
-[X] UFO crash site with Strike One
[X] Find a way to learn about their psionics and if we can adapt them to our own use. Gene mods as well
Seeing the horrors of the crash site might help Louise gain some perspective. It will be a long road before becoming a tolerable human but this could help. Learning about psionics sounds useful too
-[X] UFO crash site with Strike One
[X] Find a way to learn about their psionics and if we can adapt them to our own use. Gene mods as well
Seeing the horrors of the crash site might help Louise gain some perspective. It will be a long road before becoming a tolerable human but this could help. Learning about psionics sounds useful too
Alien Corridors
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
Louise stared dispassionately at the brunette before her. After her talk with the 'hispanic' man earlier, she couldn't help but feel a niggling sense of guilt at how she had overreacted when dealing with the Albio- British woman. She was a commoner, yes, but maybe cursing her for a comment about being short was a bit too strong of a response. Pulling out the enchanted circlet that her master had given her on his way to the research labs, Louise thrust it toward the taller woman.
"Put this on." She said in her native tongue.
Granger eyed the object with distrust. "What is it?"
"Seeing as a right and proper language such as Tristainian is apparently to complicated for the peasants of this world, Master Cynric wanted me to give you a translation circlet." The Valliere girl replied, tossing the jewelry into the air and levitating it onto the taller woman's head. The brunette stumbled as the magic forced an understanding of every language know to master and apprentice into her head. Everything from Tristainian, to modern Tamrielic, to Aldmeris, even rarely used tongues such as Tsaesci and rudimentary knowledge of Dovahzul were crammed into the sniper's brain.
Ignoring the squad leader's pained expression as she was forced to assimilate foreign concepts and dozens of alphabets, the pinkette nodded to herself in satisfaction at her expedient completion of her assignment and headed into the waiting skyranger. With two squad members dead, X-com was forced to fill the empty spots on the team by assigning Weston to the squad and allowing Tsun out of the labs. Sitting next to Espinoza, Louise quietly passed him a small bag while her familiar followed and sat in the seat beside Weston. Inside the bag was a collection of rubble she had taken from the range.
"A present?" The man asked, opening the bag with almost childish curiosity. "Thanks. I always wanted a bad of glow in the dark rocks to weigh me down in combat." He deadpanned, looking inside as the broken masonry.
"I know it's difficult, but please contain your stupidity." She said in a pitying voice and elbowed the idiot, receiving odd looks from the rest of the vehicle's occupants. Puffing out her chest in pride, she raised a finger and explained, "I put trap runes on them. dark orange is fire, blue makes frost, purple bursts with lightning, green creates a cloud of poison, and brown immobilizes targets with hardened ash. Just throw one of these near anyone other than the two of us and it will explode."
Granger staggered drunkenly into the skyranger and soon the aircraft is on it's way. The others whisper worriedly with one another at the her last sentence, but she waited for Espinoza's response as he stared in wonder at the faintly glowing stones. "That's amazing, chica. Jealous of mi petardo?"
"Christ, just say grenade!" Nilsson's practically shouted from the other side of the man. "Your Spanglish is just gonna confuse the little brat."
"Pome granate, you mean?" Louise asked, leaning around the Heavy to look at the other man. "Why would I be jealous of fruit?" Her confusion only grew stronger when the man pinched his eyes shut and began to beat his head on the wall. Deciding not to let the peculiar man distract her anymore, she looks back to her... acquaintance. "I was inspired by those exploding devices of yours."
Chuckling, the large man puts a hand on her head, causing her to growl. Withdrawing the offending limb, he continues as if that hadn't happened. "Well thanks, Lil' princesa... but why not use them yourself?"
With a carefully conceited 'hmph', Louise turned away. "I can cast such simple magic at a moment's notice. Since I find you to be the most tolerable of your lot, I am inclined to offer you a boon to ensure you continue to raise the average with your survival." Locking eyes with the Weston woman from across the walkway, she declared in a slightly louder voice, "Besides, one does what one must to fulfill their duties."
-------------------------------------------------
On a holographic screen, a group of six humans enter the ship that had 'conveniently' crashed en route to join the attack on one of their cities. In the front are two unusual specimens. One adolescent female, drastically below the established baseline for it's species' military, hair that is combat inefficient both for it's high visibility pigmentation and length, an expression denoting a complete lack of interest on it's face. The other is a male of indeterminate age, standard coloration, vacant expression, and a nonstandard set of additional limbs that could not be attributed to atavism due to a lack of four armed ancestors in the target species history.
Another oddity presents itself in the form of weaponry. The two aberrations charged through the breach in the hull with no armament other than primitive bladed weapons, despite the fact that the rest of their group wielded propellant based projectile weapons. Confidence. Ignorance. Sacrificing warriors. Cultural significance perhaps.
Plasma fire tears through the four armed human as it rushes ahead at speeds exceeding human biology. With one threat removed, the servitor races aboard the vessel shift focus to the remaining intruder, causing the female to perform an flip herself into the air and push herself off of a nearby wall to evade the emerald bolts. Reviewing the acrobatics once more on another screen, it was determined that a leap of such distance would be impossible for the human unless it was modified or assisted in some manner. Curious. Inertia manipulation. Unlikely. Kinetic assistance cybernetics. Possible. Genetic augmentation. Possible.
Shifting attention back to the primary projection, a series of sonic shock-waves coincide with two members of the first servitor race dying to a hail of projectiles. Another shock-wave announced the arrival of two augmented samples of servitor race four. Natural aggression complimented by cybernetic flight mechanisms, the flying servitors manage to wound the female aberration before being torn when the previously deceased male sprints back into view. Reanimation. Enhanced regeneration. Two possibilities. Further observation required. Indeed.
Four more humans join the aberrations in the outer chamber of the ship. Three position themselves to enter the engine room while one withdraws a device previously shown to temporarily dull pain response. The wounded female refuses treatment, emitting an unnatural glow that heals the charred flesh. Not sacrificial warriors. Healing not technological in origin. Biological adaptation. Light generated via excess energy release. Unlikely. The Gift. Possible.
More weapons fire outside the craft gives evidence of more humans in the area. The Interesting female pushes through her way into the engine room, suspending a slab of hull in the air to shield her from the single occupant of the room as it shoots at her. When the metal begins to glow with heat, she propels it at the servitor, crushing it's body against the bulkhead. The Gift. Uncertain. Possible. Discrepancies in use. Differing methodology. Lacks corona. Inconclusive.
The humans secure the room and peer into the bridge of the ship. Lances of energy burn into the six limbed human as it charges into the room, removing an arm before it decapitates the nearest servitor. One of the mammals forsakes his weapon and begins throwing stones as the communications drone materializes to assist in the defense. Psychological disturbance. Unfit. Failure as subject. Irrelevant to plan.
Receiving orders from it's masters, the servitor commander twists the failure's mind and compels him to attack his fellows. His weapon fires into a nearby human, who collapses to the deck with several holes in her lungs before the interesting female encases them both in a spontaneously generated shell of sediments. The stones impact around the room, three miss their targets, but one bounces off the communications drone and explodes. The signal cuts out and the screen flickers off.
Too quick to judge. Indeed. Previous judgements possibly in error. Cannot be known. Irrelevant to current topic. Target species posses unexpected abilities. Drastic divergence from previously shown. Failed coastal habitation harvest divergence point. Target species demonstrate improvement rate exceeding previous estimate. No surviving servitors. Unknown circumstances. Irrelevant. Increased escalation may prove beneficial to development. Agreed.
In orbit around the largest gas giant in the star system, the Temple of Enlightenment began transmitting new orders.
---------------------------
A/N: Louise captured a UFO! Oh... and I guess her pets helped or whatever.
"Put this on." She said in her native tongue.
Granger eyed the object with distrust. "What is it?"
"Seeing as a right and proper language such as Tristainian is apparently to complicated for the peasants of this world, Master Cynric wanted me to give you a translation circlet." The Valliere girl replied, tossing the jewelry into the air and levitating it onto the taller woman's head. The brunette stumbled as the magic forced an understanding of every language know to master and apprentice into her head. Everything from Tristainian, to modern Tamrielic, to Aldmeris, even rarely used tongues such as Tsaesci and rudimentary knowledge of Dovahzul were crammed into the sniper's brain.
Ignoring the squad leader's pained expression as she was forced to assimilate foreign concepts and dozens of alphabets, the pinkette nodded to herself in satisfaction at her expedient completion of her assignment and headed into the waiting skyranger. With two squad members dead, X-com was forced to fill the empty spots on the team by assigning Weston to the squad and allowing Tsun out of the labs. Sitting next to Espinoza, Louise quietly passed him a small bag while her familiar followed and sat in the seat beside Weston. Inside the bag was a collection of rubble she had taken from the range.
"A present?" The man asked, opening the bag with almost childish curiosity. "Thanks. I always wanted a bad of glow in the dark rocks to weigh me down in combat." He deadpanned, looking inside as the broken masonry.
"I know it's difficult, but please contain your stupidity." She said in a pitying voice and elbowed the idiot, receiving odd looks from the rest of the vehicle's occupants. Puffing out her chest in pride, she raised a finger and explained, "I put trap runes on them. dark orange is fire, blue makes frost, purple bursts with lightning, green creates a cloud of poison, and brown immobilizes targets with hardened ash. Just throw one of these near anyone other than the two of us and it will explode."
Granger staggered drunkenly into the skyranger and soon the aircraft is on it's way. The others whisper worriedly with one another at the her last sentence, but she waited for Espinoza's response as he stared in wonder at the faintly glowing stones. "That's amazing, chica. Jealous of mi petardo?"
"Christ, just say grenade!" Nilsson's practically shouted from the other side of the man. "Your Spanglish is just gonna confuse the little brat."
"Pome granate, you mean?" Louise asked, leaning around the Heavy to look at the other man. "Why would I be jealous of fruit?" Her confusion only grew stronger when the man pinched his eyes shut and began to beat his head on the wall. Deciding not to let the peculiar man distract her anymore, she looks back to her... acquaintance. "I was inspired by those exploding devices of yours."
Chuckling, the large man puts a hand on her head, causing her to growl. Withdrawing the offending limb, he continues as if that hadn't happened. "Well thanks, Lil' princesa... but why not use them yourself?"
With a carefully conceited 'hmph', Louise turned away. "I can cast such simple magic at a moment's notice. Since I find you to be the most tolerable of your lot, I am inclined to offer you a boon to ensure you continue to raise the average with your survival." Locking eyes with the Weston woman from across the walkway, she declared in a slightly louder voice, "Besides, one does what one must to fulfill their duties."
-------------------------------------------------
On a holographic screen, a group of six humans enter the ship that had 'conveniently' crashed en route to join the attack on one of their cities. In the front are two unusual specimens. One adolescent female, drastically below the established baseline for it's species' military, hair that is combat inefficient both for it's high visibility pigmentation and length, an expression denoting a complete lack of interest on it's face. The other is a male of indeterminate age, standard coloration, vacant expression, and a nonstandard set of additional limbs that could not be attributed to atavism due to a lack of four armed ancestors in the target species history.
Another oddity presents itself in the form of weaponry. The two aberrations charged through the breach in the hull with no armament other than primitive bladed weapons, despite the fact that the rest of their group wielded propellant based projectile weapons. Confidence. Ignorance. Sacrificing warriors. Cultural significance perhaps.
Plasma fire tears through the four armed human as it rushes ahead at speeds exceeding human biology. With one threat removed, the servitor races aboard the vessel shift focus to the remaining intruder, causing the female to perform an flip herself into the air and push herself off of a nearby wall to evade the emerald bolts. Reviewing the acrobatics once more on another screen, it was determined that a leap of such distance would be impossible for the human unless it was modified or assisted in some manner. Curious. Inertia manipulation. Unlikely. Kinetic assistance cybernetics. Possible. Genetic augmentation. Possible.
Shifting attention back to the primary projection, a series of sonic shock-waves coincide with two members of the first servitor race dying to a hail of projectiles. Another shock-wave announced the arrival of two augmented samples of servitor race four. Natural aggression complimented by cybernetic flight mechanisms, the flying servitors manage to wound the female aberration before being torn when the previously deceased male sprints back into view. Reanimation. Enhanced regeneration. Two possibilities. Further observation required. Indeed.
Four more humans join the aberrations in the outer chamber of the ship. Three position themselves to enter the engine room while one withdraws a device previously shown to temporarily dull pain response. The wounded female refuses treatment, emitting an unnatural glow that heals the charred flesh. Not sacrificial warriors. Healing not technological in origin. Biological adaptation. Light generated via excess energy release. Unlikely. The Gift. Possible.
More weapons fire outside the craft gives evidence of more humans in the area. The Interesting female pushes through her way into the engine room, suspending a slab of hull in the air to shield her from the single occupant of the room as it shoots at her. When the metal begins to glow with heat, she propels it at the servitor, crushing it's body against the bulkhead. The Gift. Uncertain. Possible. Discrepancies in use. Differing methodology. Lacks corona. Inconclusive.
The humans secure the room and peer into the bridge of the ship. Lances of energy burn into the six limbed human as it charges into the room, removing an arm before it decapitates the nearest servitor. One of the mammals forsakes his weapon and begins throwing stones as the communications drone materializes to assist in the defense. Psychological disturbance. Unfit. Failure as subject. Irrelevant to plan.
Receiving orders from it's masters, the servitor commander twists the failure's mind and compels him to attack his fellows. His weapon fires into a nearby human, who collapses to the deck with several holes in her lungs before the interesting female encases them both in a spontaneously generated shell of sediments. The stones impact around the room, three miss their targets, but one bounces off the communications drone and explodes. The signal cuts out and the screen flickers off.
Too quick to judge. Indeed. Previous judgements possibly in error. Cannot be known. Irrelevant to current topic. Target species posses unexpected abilities. Drastic divergence from previously shown. Failed coastal habitation harvest divergence point. Target species demonstrate improvement rate exceeding previous estimate. No surviving servitors. Unknown circumstances. Irrelevant. Increased escalation may prove beneficial to development. Agreed.
In orbit around the largest gas giant in the star system, the Temple of Enlightenment began transmitting new orders.
---------------------------
A/N: Louise captured a UFO! Oh... and I guess her pets helped or whatever.
Pandemonious Ivy
Panties, Revolution. Big Drawers. Parachute.
It's about time to show Louise off to her former fellow students, no?
We have a manticore to defeat and tame!
We have a manticore to defeat and tame!
Pandemonious Ivy
Panties, Revolution. Big Drawers. Parachute.
I thought those were just the mothership tier aliens, pulling an "Assuming Direct Control" on the ones that are being fought.
Vicjer
The One Who Knows Less Than Nothing
- Location
- The Space Between Spaces
They're probably referring to psionics.
Time In The Lab
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
"And you say this came out of a cow?" The man behind the counter asks as he looks up at you from within the highly reflective helmet of his protective suit. You nod in response while he finishes waving a device that makes rapid ticking noises and puts the jar of milk into another machine. "Intriguing, but highly disturbing. I'll need to examine the creature, but it would seem that the animal has adapted to a highly irradiated environment by forcing all ingested radioactive materials into it's udders... I'm not sure why exactly it's increasing the decay... are you sure you don't want a radiation suit?"
Waving away his concerns, you lean in to peer through the window on the machine. "That is unnecessary. If your people are correct, my magic produces this 'radiation' as well... though would it kill you to use a more descriptive word? To radiate is a common occurrence in more than just the creation of unseen deadly energy."
"Er... Well, there are a number of technical terms... You're not planning on drinking this stuff are you?" The man asks with uncertainty as he removes the milk and begins to read the machine's display.
"Of course I am, any proper scientist knows one must sample new discoveries if they are to truly understand them." With that, you grab the jar and take a swig. The milk has a slightly metallic taste to it and your magicka spikes, almost doubling your reserves. A cursory glance at the other man in the room prevents him from panicking and doing something foolish like calling medical personnel.
Feeling energized, you decide to visit Vahlen in the genetics lab. After a short walk through the science floor, passing various rooms occupied by all manner of experiments on machine and organism alike, you arrive in the unfinished genetics laboratory to see the doctor and Cattleya inspecting a restrained chaurus reaper. Vahlen is holding a very long needle in her hands as she lowers the table and places the point between two chitinous plates on the insect's neck. "I assure you, she will feel no pain."
Kneeling before the chaurus' huge mandibles, the Valliere woman sniffled and hugged the creature. Mildly concerned for your apprentice's sister's sanity, you can only watch in disgusted fascination as she snuggles up against a bug that can devour full grown horses and coos gently. Vahlen takes that as her cue and rams the needle deep into the beast's brain, causing her victim to release a stuttering screech and thrash about.
"She's screaming! You promised not to hurt her!" Cattleya shouts in panic, trying in vain to sooth her pet's pain with her water magic. Of course, considering the fact that you couldn't replace a destroyed brain, the inferior healing spells of her people are far too ineffectual to fix that type of wound.
You pull Cattleya away before she can get injured by the uncontrolled flailing of the chaurus' head. "Remember what I told you about insects, their bodies can function without a brain." The doctor removes the needle and hurries to safety, taking Cattleya's hand and leading the distraught pinkette to the door. "Her body is simply attempting to follow it's instincts."
"So... she's already dead?" Cattleya asks softly, looking over her shoulder at the screeching insect. "Is this really okay?"
"She gave her life to help the rest of her species." Doctor Vahlen says sincerely, giving one final shove to get the other woman out of the room and closing the door. Locking the entrance, she removes her translucent gloves and motions for you to follow her into the office attached to her lab. When the two of you are seated, she makes a few notes in one of the many files strewn across her desk and idly comments, "For the record, pain is an emotion and therefore it is impossible for simple lifeforms such as insects to possess a sense of pain. However, these chaurus are not what I would classify as simple lifeforms... nor is the term insect a proper fit."
"Normally one would refrain from admitting their deceit to an accomplice of those they want to fool." You point out, to which she snorts in response and begins typing on her computer.
Not bothering to meet your eye, she says, "My observations don't paint you as a man who cares for the feelings of those around you. Frankly, while you appear somewhat emotionally invested in the younger girl, I doubt you would hesitate to kill your companions if it offered some form of benefit to you. Don't misunderstand, I find your lack of moral hangups rather refreshing." With a scoff, she complains, "One of those useless college recruits actually vomited when we attempted to dissect that... zombie of yours while it was 'alive'. Too many in this organization are unwilling to do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of our species. I can count those other than myself willing to take the drastic measures that may be necessary in the coming days on one hand."
"Louise and myself, possibly Cattleya... who else?" You ask, more than willing to let the woman monologue.
She gives you a look of curiosity at your mention of the elder sister, probably due to the girl's reaction just a few minutes ago. "Emogene Granger, John Bradford, and Raymond Shen. Sergeant Granger, once you get through her carefully crafted persona, is a rather viscous example of how to create a monster out of an ordinary human. She's the most extreme example though, the others are more mundane in their willingness than her... or the two of us, to be completely honest. Raymond's willingness stems from wanting to protect his eight year old daughter. Bradford is unconfident in his own decision making since our first mission and disciplined enough to follow whatever orders he's given from the Commander."
"So basically, as the heads of Research and Development and myself as the only source of magical assistance, the three of us agreeing on a project should pressure the Commander to allow questionable projects?" You ask, though not really needing clarification. Sometimes intelligent people simply need an excuse to talk.
Nodding, she confirms your thoughts, "Precisely! Together, the three of us represent a significant portion of X-com's resources. I may not believe your 'magic' is actual magic, but it's undeniably useful. Add in the sergeant's influence as the leader of our only successful ground team to date and you can see why this is important to keep in mind."
Resting your head on your fist as you lean back in the chair, you raise an eyebrow. "How exactly is my magic not magic?"
"As a woman of science, I refuse to believe in such ignorant notions such as magic. Nothing is beyond explanation with a sufficient understanding of science. The very thought that anyone can be satisfied by the explanation of 'it's magic', is irritating."
With a laugh, you use some of your excess magicka to type the words 'it's magic' onto her computer. "I still do not see the problem. Magic is the study of how to manipulate the fundamental forces of reality, as much a science as alchemy or metallurgy."
"Hmm... how do you measure it?"
"Varlience is a unit of measurement for the magical energy in an area, usually used to measure the strength of an enchantment, as most spells fluctuate in intensity after casting. It's an old word for something translating roughly to mean starlight." You explain, holding up a hand to stop her next question. "Yes, methodology is reproducible. Yes, I could teach anyone to perform magic. No, I will not teach anyone other than those I chose to teach... you would need to learn to sense it first and considering the fear you people have of radiation, it would likely be difficult to do naturally on this world."
Snapping her mouth shut, she ponders your words before asking, "Setting that aside for now, what did you need to see me for?"
"Aliens." You say, running a hand through your hair. "I had the opportunity to test their pitiful mind-control and would like to propose we focus on reproducing their mental abilities as soon as possible. While I am more than experienced and powerful enough to easily resist their crude attempts, the people in your organization have no such protection."
"Yes, I have been thinking of possible solutions to this already. Sadly, until we can study a more naturally powerful specimen than the standard sectoid, I can't do anything more than theorize." She admits.
Status: Healthy
Magicka: (875/650)
Choose 1:
[] Volunteer for undercover mission.
[] Stay on base.
If staying on base, Choose 3:
[] Continued weapons research.
[] Work on a better armor system with Shen.
[] Teach Louise-
[] Write in.
[] Spend time with Cattleya, she seemed upset.
[] Enchant your clothes.
[] write in for boots, pants, and shirt.
[] Research one new spell effect-
[] write in.
[] Write in.
--------------------------------
A/N: Psi research needed for psionics testing. Genetics lab is under construction, but Vahlen has been collecting samples of everything.
Brahmin milk discovered! Increases magicka cap temporarily, temporarily reduces max magicka for 24 hours after wearing off.
Waving away his concerns, you lean in to peer through the window on the machine. "That is unnecessary. If your people are correct, my magic produces this 'radiation' as well... though would it kill you to use a more descriptive word? To radiate is a common occurrence in more than just the creation of unseen deadly energy."
"Er... Well, there are a number of technical terms... You're not planning on drinking this stuff are you?" The man asks with uncertainty as he removes the milk and begins to read the machine's display.
"Of course I am, any proper scientist knows one must sample new discoveries if they are to truly understand them." With that, you grab the jar and take a swig. The milk has a slightly metallic taste to it and your magicka spikes, almost doubling your reserves. A cursory glance at the other man in the room prevents him from panicking and doing something foolish like calling medical personnel.
Feeling energized, you decide to visit Vahlen in the genetics lab. After a short walk through the science floor, passing various rooms occupied by all manner of experiments on machine and organism alike, you arrive in the unfinished genetics laboratory to see the doctor and Cattleya inspecting a restrained chaurus reaper. Vahlen is holding a very long needle in her hands as she lowers the table and places the point between two chitinous plates on the insect's neck. "I assure you, she will feel no pain."
Kneeling before the chaurus' huge mandibles, the Valliere woman sniffled and hugged the creature. Mildly concerned for your apprentice's sister's sanity, you can only watch in disgusted fascination as she snuggles up against a bug that can devour full grown horses and coos gently. Vahlen takes that as her cue and rams the needle deep into the beast's brain, causing her victim to release a stuttering screech and thrash about.
"She's screaming! You promised not to hurt her!" Cattleya shouts in panic, trying in vain to sooth her pet's pain with her water magic. Of course, considering the fact that you couldn't replace a destroyed brain, the inferior healing spells of her people are far too ineffectual to fix that type of wound.
You pull Cattleya away before she can get injured by the uncontrolled flailing of the chaurus' head. "Remember what I told you about insects, their bodies can function without a brain." The doctor removes the needle and hurries to safety, taking Cattleya's hand and leading the distraught pinkette to the door. "Her body is simply attempting to follow it's instincts."
"So... she's already dead?" Cattleya asks softly, looking over her shoulder at the screeching insect. "Is this really okay?"
"She gave her life to help the rest of her species." Doctor Vahlen says sincerely, giving one final shove to get the other woman out of the room and closing the door. Locking the entrance, she removes her translucent gloves and motions for you to follow her into the office attached to her lab. When the two of you are seated, she makes a few notes in one of the many files strewn across her desk and idly comments, "For the record, pain is an emotion and therefore it is impossible for simple lifeforms such as insects to possess a sense of pain. However, these chaurus are not what I would classify as simple lifeforms... nor is the term insect a proper fit."
"Normally one would refrain from admitting their deceit to an accomplice of those they want to fool." You point out, to which she snorts in response and begins typing on her computer.
Not bothering to meet your eye, she says, "My observations don't paint you as a man who cares for the feelings of those around you. Frankly, while you appear somewhat emotionally invested in the younger girl, I doubt you would hesitate to kill your companions if it offered some form of benefit to you. Don't misunderstand, I find your lack of moral hangups rather refreshing." With a scoff, she complains, "One of those useless college recruits actually vomited when we attempted to dissect that... zombie of yours while it was 'alive'. Too many in this organization are unwilling to do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of our species. I can count those other than myself willing to take the drastic measures that may be necessary in the coming days on one hand."
"Louise and myself, possibly Cattleya... who else?" You ask, more than willing to let the woman monologue.
She gives you a look of curiosity at your mention of the elder sister, probably due to the girl's reaction just a few minutes ago. "Emogene Granger, John Bradford, and Raymond Shen. Sergeant Granger, once you get through her carefully crafted persona, is a rather viscous example of how to create a monster out of an ordinary human. She's the most extreme example though, the others are more mundane in their willingness than her... or the two of us, to be completely honest. Raymond's willingness stems from wanting to protect his eight year old daughter. Bradford is unconfident in his own decision making since our first mission and disciplined enough to follow whatever orders he's given from the Commander."
"So basically, as the heads of Research and Development and myself as the only source of magical assistance, the three of us agreeing on a project should pressure the Commander to allow questionable projects?" You ask, though not really needing clarification. Sometimes intelligent people simply need an excuse to talk.
Nodding, she confirms your thoughts, "Precisely! Together, the three of us represent a significant portion of X-com's resources. I may not believe your 'magic' is actual magic, but it's undeniably useful. Add in the sergeant's influence as the leader of our only successful ground team to date and you can see why this is important to keep in mind."
Resting your head on your fist as you lean back in the chair, you raise an eyebrow. "How exactly is my magic not magic?"
"As a woman of science, I refuse to believe in such ignorant notions such as magic. Nothing is beyond explanation with a sufficient understanding of science. The very thought that anyone can be satisfied by the explanation of 'it's magic', is irritating."
With a laugh, you use some of your excess magicka to type the words 'it's magic' onto her computer. "I still do not see the problem. Magic is the study of how to manipulate the fundamental forces of reality, as much a science as alchemy or metallurgy."
"Hmm... how do you measure it?"
"Varlience is a unit of measurement for the magical energy in an area, usually used to measure the strength of an enchantment, as most spells fluctuate in intensity after casting. It's an old word for something translating roughly to mean starlight." You explain, holding up a hand to stop her next question. "Yes, methodology is reproducible. Yes, I could teach anyone to perform magic. No, I will not teach anyone other than those I chose to teach... you would need to learn to sense it first and considering the fear you people have of radiation, it would likely be difficult to do naturally on this world."
Snapping her mouth shut, she ponders your words before asking, "Setting that aside for now, what did you need to see me for?"
"Aliens." You say, running a hand through your hair. "I had the opportunity to test their pitiful mind-control and would like to propose we focus on reproducing their mental abilities as soon as possible. While I am more than experienced and powerful enough to easily resist their crude attempts, the people in your organization have no such protection."
"Yes, I have been thinking of possible solutions to this already. Sadly, until we can study a more naturally powerful specimen than the standard sectoid, I can't do anything more than theorize." She admits.
Status: Healthy
Magicka: (875/650)
Choose 1:
[] Volunteer for undercover mission.
[] Stay on base.
If staying on base, Choose 3:
[] Continued weapons research.
[] Work on a better armor system with Shen.
[] Teach Louise-
[] Write in.
[] Spend time with Cattleya, she seemed upset.
[] Enchant your clothes.
[] write in for boots, pants, and shirt.
[] Research one new spell effect-
[] write in.
[] Write in.
--------------------------------
A/N: Psi research needed for psionics testing. Genetics lab is under construction, but Vahlen has been collecting samples of everything.
Brahmin milk discovered! Increases magicka cap temporarily, temporarily reduces max magicka for 24 hours after wearing off.
Last edited:
Pandemonious Ivy
Panties, Revolution. Big Drawers. Parachute.
[X] You've grown bored. Wasn't your apprentice in school long ago? It's about time to return and watch her pass their pitiful "curriculum".
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Finally, some appreciation. I was wondering why the two seemed to have such an antagonistic relationship at first, they seem like a natural match made in Hell.
Strange. I always pictured Cattleya as the more ruthless and less squeamish of the sisters from the few scenes we saw of her. An individual naturally inclined to these sort of deeds and closer to us in temperament, unlike Louise who was molded in her current state, and is still pretty rough around the edges.
I'd have expected her and Vahlen to get along much earlier, since the girl hides her backbone behind a polite attitude.
Sooo... off to capture a Sectoid Commander, then?
dragonhollow
Lurker and all time hider
- Location
- singapore
Ehh cattleya is ruthless but like to make it out as she is not and are a mother hen to those she regards as pets.
So this isn't to farfetch for me
So this isn't to farfetch for me
ChildishChimera
A umbran summon
- Location
- New York
[X] Stay on base.
[X] Work on a better armor system with Shen.
[X] Spend time with Cattleya, she seemed upset.
[X] Research one new spell effect
-[x] Implosion
Don't know elder scrolls is implosion already a thing?
[X] Work on a better armor system with Shen.
[X] Spend time with Cattleya, she seemed upset.
[X] Research one new spell effect
-[x] Implosion
Don't know elder scrolls is implosion already a thing?
Last edited:
- Location
- US
[X] Stay on base.
[X] Teach Louise-
-[X] Restoration (fortify class spells and shields)
[X] Research one new spell effect-
-[X] Laser spells, high intensity low drain
[X] Investigate local drugs for alchemy
Would the Silence spell work as a counter to psionics the same way it does for mages?
[X] Teach Louise-
-[X] Restoration (fortify class spells and shields)
[X] Research one new spell effect-
-[X] Laser spells, high intensity low drain
[X] Investigate local drugs for alchemy
Would the Silence spell work as a counter to psionics the same way it does for mages?
Last edited:
- Location
- Canada
[X] Continued weapons research.
[X] Work on a better armor system with Shen.
[X] Spend time with Cattleya, she seemed upset.
[X] Research one new spell effect
-[x] Implosion
Don't know elder scrolls is implosion already a thing?
[X] Work on a better armor system with Shen.
[X] Spend time with Cattleya, she seemed upset.
[X] Research one new spell effect
-[x] Implosion
Don't know elder scrolls is implosion already a thing?
PieceThruWar
Not an eldritch abomination
- Location
- The Server Farm
As far as I know, the only preexisting implosion is only a passive disintegration effect on shock spells in ESO, so not what you want.
Not X-com psionics, as they are supposedly something similar to Worm's Space Whale magic... Pseudoscience quantum bullshit mind powers caused by some genetic quirk in X-com species as opposed to pseudoscience dimensional manipulation fuckery caused by brain parasites, but still not magic.
By brawn, do you mean raw strength or full brute package(Or maybe meat from a pig's or calf's head that is cooked and pressed in a pot with jelly.)? Perception is increased sight and reflexes, I'd assume and seduction is Charm?
As for scrying, it's possible, but you can't block psionics without knowing how it differs from magic and the aliens don't use it for scrying or precognition.
Last edited: