Dalek Ix
Verified Dalek
Not to mention air-dropped bombs.
Abyssal Collection [A KanColle AU/SI]
- Thread starter TranscientLurker
- Start date
- Sci-Fi
Not to mention air-dropped bombs.
- Location
- Void of Observation
Defense against other navies is also another concern.
Aren't they more or less allied against a common enemy and more or less have been for living memory? While I could imagine it is a depressing thought.
- Location
- Void of Observation
Sure, everyone are unofficially friends with each other...
But are you sure you don't want that bit of guarantee?
If I can turn those 6-12 tons (and 4-12 million $ a piece depending on the kind of CIWS) or so into extra armor or into a more specialized defense against what I will be facing for sure... Yeah. Something that is more focused on clearing abyssal planes at long range instead of a close range weapon for example. Especially since a larger ships might mount 4 or so. Having a heavier proximity fused gun instead for example.
Now if the founders fought and sunk humans with missiles then missile defenses make a lot more sense since it becomes a real though low probability risk again.
WW2 and the abysall war have clearly shown that the fleet in being doctrine doesn't work, instead the sensible focus is on protected shipyards and sheer industrial might. Besides I imagine pretty much all the remaining unified supernations are nuclear powers so being backstabed is suicide for everyone... especially with a common enemy. If the abyssals are more on the run I could see humans refitting the ships just in case, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
I'm tired and rambelling, I enjoy the story a lot, just the extensive anti-missile defenses are a little jarring in hindsight.
There being some reason for the CIWS is good enough, maybe there was an incident between the human navies, or maybe the founders used missiles. Magician might not even be aware of the reason yet.
Last edited:
Chapter 3-06 (Part 3) - Siren Song
- Location
- Void of Observation
================
I whistled a tune as I walked down the corridors of the ship. At least, I tried - the only thing that really came out was some badly-tuned notes.
I shrugged. While I had a high-tech electronic device attached to my right forearm, I was far from using it effectively, and the lack of internet access meant that I could not install any new applications on it. It also meant I could no longer surf the internet on the go. Or get music to listen to.
As I passed doors and passageways, I noted the lack of any sound other than the constant rumbling of the engines beneath me. While I had long gotten used to it, the silence and loneliness associated with it still...affected me to some extent.
Couldn't be helped though, the ship was probably designed for a crew count in the thousands, and only around a handful of Abyssals had elected to join Phoenix for the trip.
Further down, I spotted another Abyssal, also exploring the ship. She spotted me, and gave me a shallow bow in acknowledgment.
With a smile, I returned the gesture and went on my merry way.
=============
The double doors to the reactor room slid open, and I paused for a moment as I stepped in, looking at its prime occupant.
Suspended in midair, the core of the structure consisted of a single sphere with 12 large rods jutting out of it, positioned at equal angles to each other, 6 on each hemisphere. Another device sat directly on top of the sphere like a hat, and two massive pipes ran out of the sphere itself. Large and small wires alike extended into and away from the reactor, placed and arranged neatly in metal rails that hung from the ceiling. A ring of computer consoles surrounded its base.
The reactor filled the room with a low hum, radiating a sense of power.
I stood there, admiring it for a few moments-
"Ah! There you are!" Siren came scurrying out from behind the reactor, the same eager grin on her face.
"So..." I stepped forward slowly, turning my gaze back to the reactor, "What's so important that you had to call me down here?"
"A few things!" She jumped, forcing me to turn my attention back to her. "Just follow me please~"
She grabbed me by my arm, and pulled me over to a seat next to one of the consoles. I made a squeak of protest at the rough gesture, only to be ignored.
"First," Siren began, dumping herself onto another chair, "could you tell me how that reactor works?"
"How does that reactor work..." I rubbed my chin as I pondered the question. "Well...I think it heats up water, turning it into steam -"
"No no no, I already know that !" Siren grabbed a paper from the table, pointing at it irritably. I glanced at it; it was a diagram of the ship's propulsion system.
"What I want to know is how the reactor produces the heat...how does it create....that....that 'reaction'-"
"Oh I see what you mean," I slapped myself mentally. "You are talking about the fusion reaction itself..."
"Yes, yes!"
"Ok...but weren't there notes to tell you how this works? You could have read them..."
"There weren't many, and I can't just learn everything from maintenance notes! Although there was some things I found...like 'D-T reaction' or 'operating lifespan'..."
Wait...
"Those are probably specifications for the reactors." I paused for a moment thinking them through. "D-T reaction...that probably means a deuterium and tritium mix for the reactors."
"What does that mean?" Siren asked, perplexed.
"Deuterium and Tritium are isotopes of hydrogen, meaning they are hydrogen atoms with different numbers of neutrons inside them. A hydrogen atom normally has no neutrons, but deuterium has one and tritium has 2. When you say D-T reaction, it means that the reactor is using the two isotopes as fuel for the fusion reaction."
"I see...but how does the fusion reaction work??" The scientist grew even more impatient.
"Hold on, hold on...well, nuclear fusion is simply, well, smashing two different elements together, and when they fuse, or combine, the process releases energy as heat."
"Just like that?"
"Not really, no...you need to contain the reaction using magnetic fields...and the two chemicals must be at extremely high temperatures and fired together at very high speeds." I shrugged. "Truth is...I'm no expert on this, and back in my world a fusion reactor was very much theoretical, because we hadn't yet been able to make one yet. In fact..." I looked back at the reactor, "I bet you anything that magic is definitely involved in the process in some way..."
"Awwww..." Siren looked downcast. "I was hoping you knew how to recreate it completely, because I was already thinking of some applications..."
"Like what?" Immediately, I came to the obvious conclusion. "Big explosions?"
The look on her face answered my question.
"No." I said, firmly. "Like I said...you can't create a fusion reaction out of nowhere. Besides, the heat generated would dissipate extremely quickly. If you want a nasty weapon, you are better off looking at nuclear fission, and fat chance of getting uranium or plutonium from the seabed."
"Fission? You mean splitting the atom, right?"
"Yes. It generates heat and energy just as much as a fusion reaction, and its easier to create anywhere. However, as I said, you need certain superheavy metals, which need to be enriched in some way I don't know how to do that, and we have a fat chance of getting the materials in the first place. Not to mention, I am not going to let a mad bomber get hold of the tools to make a strategic weapon if I can help it!"
"Awwwwww, really?" Swinging her massive tail back and forth, Siren made a pouty face, forcing me to choke back a laugh.
"Yes, really. Seriously though, why are you so obsessed with technology? That kind of mad scientist attitude...isn't normal, at all."
I stared at her for a few moments, waiting for an answer, while she was lost in thought.
"Well...a long time ago, I was on a Founder base..." Her face was shrouded in nostalgia, and her tone became melancholic.
I stiffened.
"I don't remember my birth, but I do remember that I was bad at fighting, which meant that I was often neglected, left to do my own things."
"So, one day , I managed to get a book to read. During a supply run, someone managed to sneak some around, and I got away with one."
"Inside were some descriptions of certain equipment or machines...it was small, and it didn't contain much, but...I fell in love with the pictures, the words, the descriptions of how they worked."
"Then, as I tried to learn more and understand, I started trying to write down my ideas and thoughts, sneaking paper from the supply runs when they came in."
"Then one day, I was called in front of the base commander."
"She asked me, "Do you love machines, weapons, and the like that much?""
"I said yes, and she replied, "Then I can give you everything you need.""
"I was taken to a new room, which had everything I wanted - books, paper, pen, a table and all sorts of things."
"I was told, "Study all you want here, you don't need to fight any more. Just bring me something curious once in awhile.""
"From then on, I stayed there, only coming out once in awhile when I was told to do so. I read, I researched, I tried to learn...and tried to create. I was...so happy there."
"As for the base commander...she would come to my room every few days to observe me. Sometimes she would take one of my diagrams and read through it, or ask me to copy it out for her. Other times, she would give me a task to do, like asking me to shrink a radar or modify a weapon."
"Once, I was asked to do a demonstration of a crude explosive I made, which...didn't work out so well."
"Even then, she wasn't angry, and pushed me to learn more."
"In the end...the Marauders came, and she was forced to surrender the base. When they searched it all over, they confiscated all my things, all my books, and forced me to leave."
"So I went to Yumenominato, and I found the Gatherers. After studying under Collector for a while, Leviathan came, and I was assigned to her. And after that, here we are."
Only when she finished I realised I've been staring at her silently the whole time. "Oh...um...yeah, sorry for your loss..." I tried to cover myself.
"Hmm? Oh no, its nothing...anyway, Magician, when are you going to make your own fleet?" She asked, quickly switching gears.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"I want to work with you! You have all the human technology under your command, and you taught me a lot! Please, if you do create your own fleet, please take me in first!"
Taken aback, I began sputtering. "Look, well, can we discuss this on another time? I have no intention of doing so at the moment-"
"Why though? I mean, you can do it now, maybe I can help convince Phoenix to let you go-"
"Enough." I growled, cutting her off. "I have no intentions of going solo at this point, and I don't like getting pestered like this. If I do create my own fleet, would probably be the first I'd recruit, but right now, that's off the table. Got it?"
Her face fell. "Ok."
"Thank you." After a few moments of silence, I made to leave. "Goodbye, and thanks for the talk."
===============
I whistled a tune as I walked down the corridors of the ship. At least, I tried - the only thing that really came out was some badly-tuned notes.
I shrugged. While I had a high-tech electronic device attached to my right forearm, I was far from using it effectively, and the lack of internet access meant that I could not install any new applications on it. It also meant I could no longer surf the internet on the go. Or get music to listen to.
As I passed doors and passageways, I noted the lack of any sound other than the constant rumbling of the engines beneath me. While I had long gotten used to it, the silence and loneliness associated with it still...affected me to some extent.
Couldn't be helped though, the ship was probably designed for a crew count in the thousands, and only around a handful of Abyssals had elected to join Phoenix for the trip.
Further down, I spotted another Abyssal, also exploring the ship. She spotted me, and gave me a shallow bow in acknowledgment.
With a smile, I returned the gesture and went on my merry way.
=============
The double doors to the reactor room slid open, and I paused for a moment as I stepped in, looking at its prime occupant.
Suspended in midair, the core of the structure consisted of a single sphere with 12 large rods jutting out of it, positioned at equal angles to each other, 6 on each hemisphere. Another device sat directly on top of the sphere like a hat, and two massive pipes ran out of the sphere itself. Large and small wires alike extended into and away from the reactor, placed and arranged neatly in metal rails that hung from the ceiling. A ring of computer consoles surrounded its base.
The reactor filled the room with a low hum, radiating a sense of power.
I stood there, admiring it for a few moments-
"Ah! There you are!" Siren came scurrying out from behind the reactor, the same eager grin on her face.
"So..." I stepped forward slowly, turning my gaze back to the reactor, "What's so important that you had to call me down here?"
"A few things!" She jumped, forcing me to turn my attention back to her. "Just follow me please~"
She grabbed me by my arm, and pulled me over to a seat next to one of the consoles. I made a squeak of protest at the rough gesture, only to be ignored.
"First," Siren began, dumping herself onto another chair, "could you tell me how that reactor works?"
"How does that reactor work..." I rubbed my chin as I pondered the question. "Well...I think it heats up water, turning it into steam -"
"No no no, I already know that !" Siren grabbed a paper from the table, pointing at it irritably. I glanced at it; it was a diagram of the ship's propulsion system.
"What I want to know is how the reactor produces the heat...how does it create....that....that 'reaction'-"
"Oh I see what you mean," I slapped myself mentally. "You are talking about the fusion reaction itself..."
"Yes, yes!"
"Ok...but weren't there notes to tell you how this works? You could have read them..."
"There weren't many, and I can't just learn everything from maintenance notes! Although there was some things I found...like 'D-T reaction' or 'operating lifespan'..."
Wait...
"Those are probably specifications for the reactors." I paused for a moment thinking them through. "D-T reaction...that probably means a deuterium and tritium mix for the reactors."
"What does that mean?" Siren asked, perplexed.
"Deuterium and Tritium are isotopes of hydrogen, meaning they are hydrogen atoms with different numbers of neutrons inside them. A hydrogen atom normally has no neutrons, but deuterium has one and tritium has 2. When you say D-T reaction, it means that the reactor is using the two isotopes as fuel for the fusion reaction."
"I see...but how does the fusion reaction work??" The scientist grew even more impatient.
"Hold on, hold on...well, nuclear fusion is simply, well, smashing two different elements together, and when they fuse, or combine, the process releases energy as heat."
"Just like that?"
"Not really, no...you need to contain the reaction using magnetic fields...and the two chemicals must be at extremely high temperatures and fired together at very high speeds." I shrugged. "Truth is...I'm no expert on this, and back in my world a fusion reactor was very much theoretical, because we hadn't yet been able to make one yet. In fact..." I looked back at the reactor, "I bet you anything that magic is definitely involved in the process in some way..."
"Awwww..." Siren looked downcast. "I was hoping you knew how to recreate it completely, because I was already thinking of some applications..."
"Like what?" Immediately, I came to the obvious conclusion. "Big explosions?"
The look on her face answered my question.
"No." I said, firmly. "Like I said...you can't create a fusion reaction out of nowhere. Besides, the heat generated would dissipate extremely quickly. If you want a nasty weapon, you are better off looking at nuclear fission, and fat chance of getting uranium or plutonium from the seabed."
"Fission? You mean splitting the atom, right?"
"Yes. It generates heat and energy just as much as a fusion reaction, and its easier to create anywhere. However, as I said, you need certain superheavy metals, which need to be enriched in some way I don't know how to do that, and we have a fat chance of getting the materials in the first place. Not to mention, I am not going to let a mad bomber get hold of the tools to make a strategic weapon if I can help it!"
"Awwwwww, really?" Swinging her massive tail back and forth, Siren made a pouty face, forcing me to choke back a laugh.
"Yes, really. Seriously though, why are you so obsessed with technology? That kind of mad scientist attitude...isn't normal, at all."
I stared at her for a few moments, waiting for an answer, while she was lost in thought.
"Well...a long time ago, I was on a Founder base..." Her face was shrouded in nostalgia, and her tone became melancholic.
I stiffened.
"I don't remember my birth, but I do remember that I was bad at fighting, which meant that I was often neglected, left to do my own things."
"So, one day , I managed to get a book to read. During a supply run, someone managed to sneak some around, and I got away with one."
"Inside were some descriptions of certain equipment or machines...it was small, and it didn't contain much, but...I fell in love with the pictures, the words, the descriptions of how they worked."
"Then, as I tried to learn more and understand, I started trying to write down my ideas and thoughts, sneaking paper from the supply runs when they came in."
"Then one day, I was called in front of the base commander."
"She asked me, "Do you love machines, weapons, and the like that much?""
"I said yes, and she replied, "Then I can give you everything you need.""
"I was taken to a new room, which had everything I wanted - books, paper, pen, a table and all sorts of things."
"I was told, "Study all you want here, you don't need to fight any more. Just bring me something curious once in awhile.""
"From then on, I stayed there, only coming out once in awhile when I was told to do so. I read, I researched, I tried to learn...and tried to create. I was...so happy there."
"As for the base commander...she would come to my room every few days to observe me. Sometimes she would take one of my diagrams and read through it, or ask me to copy it out for her. Other times, she would give me a task to do, like asking me to shrink a radar or modify a weapon."
"Once, I was asked to do a demonstration of a crude explosive I made, which...didn't work out so well."
"Even then, she wasn't angry, and pushed me to learn more."
"In the end...the Marauders came, and she was forced to surrender the base. When they searched it all over, they confiscated all my things, all my books, and forced me to leave."
"So I went to Yumenominato, and I found the Gatherers. After studying under Collector for a while, Leviathan came, and I was assigned to her. And after that, here we are."
Only when she finished I realised I've been staring at her silently the whole time. "Oh...um...yeah, sorry for your loss..." I tried to cover myself.
"Hmm? Oh no, its nothing...anyway, Magician, when are you going to make your own fleet?" She asked, quickly switching gears.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"I want to work with you! You have all the human technology under your command, and you taught me a lot! Please, if you do create your own fleet, please take me in first!"
Taken aback, I began sputtering. "Look, well, can we discuss this on another time? I have no intention of doing so at the moment-"
"Why though? I mean, you can do it now, maybe I can help convince Phoenix to let you go-"
"Enough." I growled, cutting her off. "I have no intentions of going solo at this point, and I don't like getting pestered like this. If I do create my own fleet, would probably be the first I'd recruit, but right now, that's off the table. Got it?"
Her face fell. "Ok."
"Thank you." After a few moments of silence, I made to leave. "Goodbye, and thanks for the talk."
===============
Last edited:
- Location
- Europe
True, on the other hand, he would first need a crew for his ships.
He has how manny ships?
He would need a base for each of them in order to control them as wanted.
So that is five or six persons, at a minimum.
He would need a base to dock them at and a crew, among others.
He is keeping as much of his options open, at this point.
Keep working with Phoenix or go at it alone?
Might I suggest he creates a supply & research fleet, that could be attached to a bigger fleet as it's support devision?
Looks to me he was too hasty in releasing the prisoners.
He should have used dreams to get their knowledge.
He needs a internet connection, fast.
Are there any old telephone cables still used for todays communication trafic?
Because if so, he could perhaps tap into several of them?
It would probably need some base tentacles acting as communication lines, though.
On that, could a certain base try and copy certain human ships their internals into her own form?
Last edited:
- Location
- America
It's not the availiabilty of an internet connection, but the ability to connect without being traced or detected. And he probably doesn't know enough about the current state of the internet and technology to do so.
- Location
- Void of Observation
A signal from the ocean would be just asking for the can of instant sunshine
- Location
- Void of Observation
Part 2 of Chapter 3-06 has been edited.
Why is this important? Because I messed up some of the world-building. Heavily.
I really need to stop rushing chapters through my phone >.<
Why is this important? Because I messed up some of the world-building. Heavily.
I really need to stop rushing chapters through my phone >.<
Chapter 3-07 (Part 1) - Sisterly Duel
- Location
- Void of Observation
"Hyahhh!!"
With a forceful swing, a sword slammed into the shaft of a spear, causing the latter's owner to fly backwards.
Yuri readjusted herself mid-flight, and landed on the flight deck of the Yu Huang with the grace of a cat. On the other end of the deck, Juri entered a pose, waiting for her next move.
Juri didn't charge her sister this time. Instead she stood and planted the butt of her spear on the flight deck, a new idea having formed in her mind. "Sister, since neither of us have yet won a round in three hours, so I propose an idea!"
"And what would that be?" Juri replied, still holding her stance cautiously.
"Let us use the weapons that we have been gifted with, and test out their capabilities! Same thing as usual - whoever gets the first strike, wins! It should be far more interesting than what we are doing now!"
"Oh?" Juri lowered her stance, thinking over the suggestion. "Heh. I agree, sister, let us try them out! But, you better be prepared to getting your face smashed into the deck!"
"Then you better be ready to fly!" Yuri retorted as she turned her weapon back into liquid metal, which flowed up her arm. When it had fully disappeared, she thrust her arms to the side and pulled.
Out from a dimensional pocket came a pair of axes - their shafts were about three-quarters of a meter long, and were topped off by a circular blade, beautifully crafted and polished, at the other end was a comfortable handle. Axes fully withdrawn, Yuri dropped into a runner's pose.
Across from her, Juri moved both hands to just above her right shoulder, and and an utterly massive zweihander materialized in them., the blade around two and a half meters long, although barely wider than a clenched fist. Grasping the long handle, she shifted the point of the blade to her front and bent her knees, bracing herself against the flight deck.
Yuri charged, moving only as quickly as a normal human.
When she was barely ten meters away from her sister, Yuri came to a sudden stop, shifting all of her momentum into swinging her axes forward.
As they swung over her head,, the blades detached from the axes, and began to spin. Detached, they flew towards Juri, slicing through the air.
Juri's eyes widened, and she hastily brought her blade up to block the spinning axeblades. As they reached her, she barely managed to bat them them out of the way. Sparks flew and the loud clanging of metal on metal rang out across the ship as she deflected them.
Recovering from the sudden attack, Juri looked at her sister, and let out a shout. Clamping her teeth down in a grin, she hefted her massive weapon and charged.
Yuri flicked her axe-shafts backwards as a smile appeared on her face.
Seeing it, Juri quickly turned her charge into a roll, dodging sideways. Moments later two spinning blades sliced through the spot her body had occupied, and reattached themselves to their hafts with a flourish.
As her sister panted on the deck, Yuri took the initiative, charging foward and swung her axes downwards.
Juri quickly brought up the zweihander, using its large form to deflect the axes. As Juri rose to one knee, Yuri tried to attack 3 more times from different angles, only to be blocked by the sword.
Finally able to stand up, Juri swung the zweihander wildly, and it collided with Yuri's axes. The massive weight of the weapon, combined with the driving force behind it, caused Yuri to rise off the ground, fly back a few meters, landing messily.
As her sister staggered, trying to regain her balance, Juri was readying another strike. This time, instead of charging, she poured energy into the weapon, until it began to glow white.
Feeling that the power stored inside was sufficient, Juri swung the blade. In its wake appeared a white arc of energy, that was launched forward at a tremendous speed.
Seeing it, Yuri frantically dived for the ground, and the energy blade flew right above her, flying off into the distance.
However, even as Juri completed her first swing, she twisted her arms, turning the weapon, and swung it again, releasing another energy blade.
This time, it caught Yuri as she was standing. As the blade rammed her with no small amount of speed, the Abyssal was sent tumbling, somersaulting twice before collapsing spread-eagled onto the floor, her axes clattering as they landed away from her.
Teleporting over, Juri looked down at her collapsed sister, still heaving. "So, sister, do you yield?" She asked, making a sharkish grin, and leaning on the pommel of the zweihander.
"Yes I do." With a groan, Yuri pushed herself upwards. "I shouldn't have actually used those axes...they don't seem practical, even if flying spinning blades look cool and can do a lot of damage. Then again, I should have expected that when they told us that some of them weren't exactly made for combat. What did Magician label them again...? Ah yes, 'gimmicky'." She stretched her arms. "What was that that you shot at me? It's quite...painful."
"Normally it would be a flying blade made of energy that would cut you in half, but I altered it so that it would act more like a club. I can change the shape of it anyway I like in fact, from a spearhead to a blade."
"I see." Yuri tried to stand, but only managed a shout of pain, before collapsing back onto the deck. "Ow. Could you help me pick up those axes?"
Juri nodded, and placed her zweihander back into her dimensional storage, but when she looked up she saw Magician walking over with one of the axes.
He placed it next to Yuri, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "You still remember what I said when you asked me for my opinion on these? Well, looks like I win the bet."
Yuri replied with a snort. Juri asked him, "Then, what do you think of this?"
"A zweihander..." Kneeling down, Magician stroked the flat of the blade with two fingers, an expression of wonder on his face. "Heh, you know, when I was younger, I always wanted one of these."
"Really?"
"What's not to like about a such a gigantic sword?" He stood up, and his expression turned serious. "Okay, do any of you know where is Phoenix? I need to speak to her."
The twins stared at each other, exchanging words telepathically. "Finally."
"You think the commander is ready?"
"She should be...I guess we should be ready too."
Turning back to Magician, Yuri finally replied, "She's at the top." Turning in the direction of the bridge, she pointed at the topmost floor.
"That's...not very clear. Maybe you guys can lead me there?" He replied, frowning.
"Sure." Kneeling down, Juri grabbed one of Yuri's hands and pulled her to her feet, before teleporting back and forth to grab the other axe.
The two twins exchanged a look, as if anticipating what was going to happen.
With a forceful swing, a sword slammed into the shaft of a spear, causing the latter's owner to fly backwards.
Yuri readjusted herself mid-flight, and landed on the flight deck of the Yu Huang with the grace of a cat. On the other end of the deck, Juri entered a pose, waiting for her next move.
Juri didn't charge her sister this time. Instead she stood and planted the butt of her spear on the flight deck, a new idea having formed in her mind. "Sister, since neither of us have yet won a round in three hours, so I propose an idea!"
"And what would that be?" Juri replied, still holding her stance cautiously.
"Let us use the weapons that we have been gifted with, and test out their capabilities! Same thing as usual - whoever gets the first strike, wins! It should be far more interesting than what we are doing now!"
"Oh?" Juri lowered her stance, thinking over the suggestion. "Heh. I agree, sister, let us try them out! But, you better be prepared to getting your face smashed into the deck!"
"Then you better be ready to fly!" Yuri retorted as she turned her weapon back into liquid metal, which flowed up her arm. When it had fully disappeared, she thrust her arms to the side and pulled.
Out from a dimensional pocket came a pair of axes - their shafts were about three-quarters of a meter long, and were topped off by a circular blade, beautifully crafted and polished, at the other end was a comfortable handle. Axes fully withdrawn, Yuri dropped into a runner's pose.
Across from her, Juri moved both hands to just above her right shoulder, and and an utterly massive zweihander materialized in them., the blade around two and a half meters long, although barely wider than a clenched fist. Grasping the long handle, she shifted the point of the blade to her front and bent her knees, bracing herself against the flight deck.
Yuri charged, moving only as quickly as a normal human.
When she was barely ten meters away from her sister, Yuri came to a sudden stop, shifting all of her momentum into swinging her axes forward.
As they swung over her head,, the blades detached from the axes, and began to spin. Detached, they flew towards Juri, slicing through the air.
Juri's eyes widened, and she hastily brought her blade up to block the spinning axeblades. As they reached her, she barely managed to bat them them out of the way. Sparks flew and the loud clanging of metal on metal rang out across the ship as she deflected them.
Recovering from the sudden attack, Juri looked at her sister, and let out a shout. Clamping her teeth down in a grin, she hefted her massive weapon and charged.
Yuri flicked her axe-shafts backwards as a smile appeared on her face.
Seeing it, Juri quickly turned her charge into a roll, dodging sideways. Moments later two spinning blades sliced through the spot her body had occupied, and reattached themselves to their hafts with a flourish.
As her sister panted on the deck, Yuri took the initiative, charging foward and swung her axes downwards.
Juri quickly brought up the zweihander, using its large form to deflect the axes. As Juri rose to one knee, Yuri tried to attack 3 more times from different angles, only to be blocked by the sword.
Finally able to stand up, Juri swung the zweihander wildly, and it collided with Yuri's axes. The massive weight of the weapon, combined with the driving force behind it, caused Yuri to rise off the ground, fly back a few meters, landing messily.
As her sister staggered, trying to regain her balance, Juri was readying another strike. This time, instead of charging, she poured energy into the weapon, until it began to glow white.
Feeling that the power stored inside was sufficient, Juri swung the blade. In its wake appeared a white arc of energy, that was launched forward at a tremendous speed.
Seeing it, Yuri frantically dived for the ground, and the energy blade flew right above her, flying off into the distance.
However, even as Juri completed her first swing, she twisted her arms, turning the weapon, and swung it again, releasing another energy blade.
This time, it caught Yuri as she was standing. As the blade rammed her with no small amount of speed, the Abyssal was sent tumbling, somersaulting twice before collapsing spread-eagled onto the floor, her axes clattering as they landed away from her.
Teleporting over, Juri looked down at her collapsed sister, still heaving. "So, sister, do you yield?" She asked, making a sharkish grin, and leaning on the pommel of the zweihander.
"Yes I do." With a groan, Yuri pushed herself upwards. "I shouldn't have actually used those axes...they don't seem practical, even if flying spinning blades look cool and can do a lot of damage. Then again, I should have expected that when they told us that some of them weren't exactly made for combat. What did Magician label them again...? Ah yes, 'gimmicky'." She stretched her arms. "What was that that you shot at me? It's quite...painful."
"Normally it would be a flying blade made of energy that would cut you in half, but I altered it so that it would act more like a club. I can change the shape of it anyway I like in fact, from a spearhead to a blade."
"I see." Yuri tried to stand, but only managed a shout of pain, before collapsing back onto the deck. "Ow. Could you help me pick up those axes?"
Juri nodded, and placed her zweihander back into her dimensional storage, but when she looked up she saw Magician walking over with one of the axes.
He placed it next to Yuri, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "You still remember what I said when you asked me for my opinion on these? Well, looks like I win the bet."
Yuri replied with a snort. Juri asked him, "Then, what do you think of this?"
"A zweihander..." Kneeling down, Magician stroked the flat of the blade with two fingers, an expression of wonder on his face. "Heh, you know, when I was younger, I always wanted one of these."
"Really?"
"What's not to like about a such a gigantic sword?" He stood up, and his expression turned serious. "Okay, do any of you know where is Phoenix? I need to speak to her."
The twins stared at each other, exchanging words telepathically. "Finally."
"You think the commander is ready?"
"She should be...I guess we should be ready too."
Turning back to Magician, Yuri finally replied, "She's at the top." Turning in the direction of the bridge, she pointed at the topmost floor.
"That's...not very clear. Maybe you guys can lead me there?" He replied, frowning.
"Sure." Kneeling down, Juri grabbed one of Yuri's hands and pulled her to her feet, before teleporting back and forth to grab the other axe.
The two twins exchanged a look, as if anticipating what was going to happen.
Last edited:
Delusionist
Seeker of Truth
- Location
- Land of the Fruits and Nuts
Are there any undersea cables he could tap into, or did the Abyssals sever them all?
- Location
- Void of Observation
Even if the Abyssals didn't cut the lines, he doesn't know where they are, neither does he know how to tap into them.
- Location
- Void of Observation
Chapter 3-07 (Part 2) - Self-Reflections
- Location
- Void of Observation
=============
Walking past the damaged doorway to the ship's command centre, the Secretaries and I spotted Phoenix trying to use/get a grip on/handle/ the holographic map's console.
Detecting our presence, she turned to face us. "So, what do you want to speak to me about, Magician?"
I took in a deep breath. Ever since Siren spoke to me yesterday, I had been mulling over this question , and the thought of asking it now felt embarrassing. "I...need to ask for your opinion on something."
I felt the temperature in the room drop slightly, the moment I said those words. "And that is?"
I cleared my throat, trying to think of how best to phrase it, even as I spoke. "Well..." I began, fingers tightening on my overcoat, "I would like to know whether it is possible for me to record the history of the Abyssals, you know, the entirety of the Founder war..." I trailed off.
Phoenix gave me a look of complete and utter bewilderment.
Ah, shit.
"That's...an interesting question...but what would you want from me? My advice? Opinion? Some extra details? More information?"
"...the first and second." I answered with a soft voice. "I mean, I may be older...but you are the one with more experience on this matter...with this world."
Phoenix pondered for a bit before answering. "I think...recording our history...it's a good thing to do, to teach newer generations about the war that tore all of us apart..."
"Yeah," hopefully she would see my point.
"But, it would be really hard to convince others to tell the full stories of the war, wouldn't it? Also...if you wanted to write the whole story...other commanders could demand...things, like glorifying them, or painting someone else in a bad light..."
I stiffened.
Behind me, Juri spoke up. "Not only that...the seas have been divided up into over a hundred tiny little kingdoms...some of which do not welcome visitors, or have feuds with others. Trying to get to their commanders, or even enter their waters will be...difficult."
"Also..." Yuri continued, "It's been awhile since I've seen Yumenominato...but I'm very sure that there have been several accounts of the war, written by some of the participants. If you wanted to write your own...I think you will get some heavy competition."
"Shucks." I mouthed to myself, feeling very let down and disappointed.
"Besides..." Now it was Phoenix's turn to be hesitant. "If you want to write a book about our history...perhaps it could be something like a...hobby? A side project, while you act as a commander-"
"Goddamnit, here we go again. What is it with all of you asking my incompetent ass to be a commander?"
I heard a chorus of exasperated sighs behind me. "Look, as much as you all deny it, it's true." I turned around, starting to rant. "I'm just bad at it; I suck at diplomacy, I suck at command, and I suck at devising tactics. Everything you saw was a lucky shot - a fluke, nothing more, nothing less. Alright?"
"Really?" Juri gave me a look of frustration. "That was completely decided by 'luck'? I may not be a commander, but where did luck come and turn the tides for us? Did half the enemy vanish in a flash of light, or did some of them suddenly turn back because of 'luck'?"
"Also," Yuri added in a less angry, but just as aggressive tone, "I have seen many others, who instead of trying to use tactics to defeat the enemy, would have sent us all in a suicide charge towards them. The fact that you tried those means that you are better, at least decent in fact."
I retreated a few steps back, shock and fear having replaced my earlier irritation. "Hold on, hold on...why the fierce tone?"
"Why? Your useless and self-pitying whining irritates me." Juri snapped. "I have heard so much whining in my time, and it only serves to waste time. Yours is no different - like what Yuri said, you are so stubborn on that 'incompetence' of yours, that you won't listen to what we have to say before you start screeching like an idiot."
"I...uh..." All my attempts at rebuttal failed.
"Juri, calm down." Yuri put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Thing is, Magician, we want to discuss our next options, and if your stubbornness won't actually get us anywhere."
Silence persisted for a few moments, before Phoenix re-entered the conversation. "Before we continue...why, though? Why are you so adamant that you won't be able to do the job?"
I shifted about nervously. "That's...well, to put it frankly..."
Should I say it?
Do I trust these people to tell them my life?
"Ok, to put it simply...I said I was sixteen. The truth is, that age is still a time where humans are still children. To cut a long story short, I have no training or experience in any form of leadership, military or command position...not to mention that I never got much respect from my peers...so put it simply, I don't think I'm capable of the role."
"Wait, then how do you know so much about tactics, and strategy?" Yuri asked, confused.
"I don't. However, I read a lot about both, especially about naval warfare, hence I get the label 'armchair admiral' a lot. Either way, hence I think I'm not qualified for the role."
More silence.
"That still isn't true."
I jerked up at the assertion. "What?"
"Just look at Phoenix." Juri continued, pointing at her commander. "When Leviathan died, she was barely a week into the role, the last vice-commander had died in another battle. She may not have had a lot of training, but also grew into the role easily. And as far as we can see, she is doing pretty well. So, I don't see how you can't do it at the same time."
"Not...really." Phoenix said, looking uncomfortable. "I took it because...because it was my duty, the last one to hold the line when all others were lost. If anyone better would take the role...I would gladly let them have it."
"But there's no one better, is it? Or anyone who wants to take it, right?" Juri responded, looking proud. "So, Magician...I don't see how this is holding you back from taking the same role."
Was I really capable of such things? "Thing is, I...I, well..." I stumbled around for an answer. "Thing is, no one would think much of a nobody like me..."
"Well, since you were brought here, I can safely say no one sees you as a nobody any more. In fact, right now, you are already seen as an accomplished commander - so why not take this time to make a new start, one where you are no longer seen as a 'nobody'."
"Well if that's how you see it..." I still felt uncomfortable at the whole affair, and I fidgeted at the faint praise.
"So, what's your decision...?"
I thought over it for a few moments. Everything, in the light that the twins painted, seemed so much better, a lot easier to accept...
But there was something else...something that held me back...
"Purpose."
A small memory came to mind.
....
"Could you let me think over it for a few days?"
An aura of disappointment filled the room.
"I mean, this is something really, really big, so I need to take time to think over it."
As I looked at each of their faces, Phoenix finally answered me. "Fine, take your time..."
I quickly backed out of the room, trying to not look at their faces.
Turning around, I began to walk down the corridor -
- only to walk into a waiting Collector.
"AH!" I cried in shock, backing away some more. In response, all she did was look at me curiously.
"Um, hello." I finally said.
"Well, there you are. Magician. After some more searches, I finally found some more notes, that I would like to take for my own use, in exchange for another favor."
"Um...uh...could I have a look at those notes first?" I asked.
She handed the sheaf of notes she was holding, and as flipped through them, I saw what could be design notes, blueprints, or some academic reports.
I frowned. "You know, I really ought to set an exchange rate for these. This kind of important knowledge is very, very valuable after all."
She shrugged.
"Also, I can't exactly have you raid the entire ship's worth of data - these are all rather important, and I could need them in the future."
"Oh?" She said. "Well if you want to copy them out by hand..."
"We don't need to - humans have a machine dedicated to such things. There should be one in the offices you went through..."
"Oh? Why don't you lead the way then?"
We began walking down the corridor, and I brought up the map on my gauntlet to begin finding the nearest office.
After a few minutes, she spoke up. "Magician...I could not help but listen on to that interesting conversation you were having."
I stiffened. "You weren't supposed to hear that."
"I know, but it was really curious. If you wouldn't mind, could I give my own views on the subject?"
I stopped to consider her words.
Ah fuck it, I could do with some extra advice..."Fire away."
"Right. From what I can tell, first, you think yourself unworthy of the position of commander. Quite humble, I would say."
I nodded, and walked on "That's...correct."
"However, at the same time...you are also too cowardly to also take up the mantle. You are too afraid of the risks, or the responsibilities."
"...and what gives you that impression?"
"That would be your behavior. A truly humble person would not be hiding away or vehemently insist on that point. However, a coward would."
She stayed silent, as if to allow me time to let the words sink in. "...true." I finally admitted. "So, how do you see me?"
"I have nothing against cowards. It's natural to be afraid of death, the unknown, or threats that one faces. And you did label yourself as an inexperienced child...so it's nothing shameful to be scared. If you weren't, I think you wouldn't have done so well."
I saw her point. "I see..." A sudden thought struck me. "Maybe would you allow me to be a Gatherer?"
"That's quite sudden...but however, no." She shook her head without hesitation.
"Huh? Wait a moment-"
She held out one gloved hand. "You are not what I'm looking for. You don't seem to be the kind of person to investigate the sciences carefully...and if you call yourself a child, if I'm not wrong, that means you did not complete your training, or education. Besides, you would be just denying your own potential as a commander."
I sighed. "So it's not just those two..."
"And that brings me to my other point: stop pitying yourself." Collector's tone turned deadly serious.
"Huh?"
"Whether or not you accept Phoenix's offer, right now, you are going to come into contact with the rest of this world. There are many opportunities, but also many dangers out there. If you stay in your own shell and continue to weep, you will only find yourself sinking into the deeps, never to return. Others will also grow tired of your 'whining', and will leave you behind while they move on. So, if you want to make a place for yourself here, get out of your shell and take the initiative."
"Oh...um," For a moment, I was utterly speechless, the fierce statement having stunned me. "Thanks for the advice-"
She cut me off again. "One last thing...you didn't accept Phoenix's offer just now, because you weren't sure whether you really wanted to support her, am I right?"
I stayed quiet, thinking through the question, recalling the feeling I had when Phoenix made the offer again.
"...maybe."
"Aha, knew it. Well, you better find what you really want to fight for in this world as soon as possible. Hmmm...maybe once you see Yumenominato with your own eyes...you can truly appreciate our importance...our civilisation." Her words were filled with no small amount of pride.
"I see." Silence persisted for a while as we reached an office.
"Why are you telling me all this though?" I finally asked.
She looked at me, still holding a serious look. "Right now, we have reports of human incursions into our waters all around. It's not just the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea...there are rumours that the humans are preparing to attack. You already seen them coming."
"And?"
"So, Black-Crane and I believe we all need to prepare for that possibility, the possibility of all-out war with the humans. And to survive that...we need resources, power...and therefore I think you could contribute, if you only got past your own problems."
"Really?" I asked with skepticism.
"Yes. You have proven yourself, and from what I know, you are a good person. You have much potential, but potential can only be used if one wants to use it."
And on that note she walked into the office.
"Huh." I mouthed to myself, feeling rather troubled.
=============
This chapter was badly rushed too, sorry 'bout that.
Walking past the damaged doorway to the ship's command centre, the Secretaries and I spotted Phoenix trying to use/get a grip on/handle/ the holographic map's console.
Detecting our presence, she turned to face us. "So, what do you want to speak to me about, Magician?"
I took in a deep breath. Ever since Siren spoke to me yesterday, I had been mulling over this question , and the thought of asking it now felt embarrassing. "I...need to ask for your opinion on something."
I felt the temperature in the room drop slightly, the moment I said those words. "And that is?"
I cleared my throat, trying to think of how best to phrase it, even as I spoke. "Well..." I began, fingers tightening on my overcoat, "I would like to know whether it is possible for me to record the history of the Abyssals, you know, the entirety of the Founder war..." I trailed off.
Phoenix gave me a look of complete and utter bewilderment.
Ah, shit.
"That's...an interesting question...but what would you want from me? My advice? Opinion? Some extra details? More information?"
"...the first and second." I answered with a soft voice. "I mean, I may be older...but you are the one with more experience on this matter...with this world."
Phoenix pondered for a bit before answering. "I think...recording our history...it's a good thing to do, to teach newer generations about the war that tore all of us apart..."
"Yeah," hopefully she would see my point.
"But, it would be really hard to convince others to tell the full stories of the war, wouldn't it? Also...if you wanted to write the whole story...other commanders could demand...things, like glorifying them, or painting someone else in a bad light..."
I stiffened.
Behind me, Juri spoke up. "Not only that...the seas have been divided up into over a hundred tiny little kingdoms...some of which do not welcome visitors, or have feuds with others. Trying to get to their commanders, or even enter their waters will be...difficult."
"Also..." Yuri continued, "It's been awhile since I've seen Yumenominato...but I'm very sure that there have been several accounts of the war, written by some of the participants. If you wanted to write your own...I think you will get some heavy competition."
"Shucks." I mouthed to myself, feeling very let down and disappointed.
"Besides..." Now it was Phoenix's turn to be hesitant. "If you want to write a book about our history...perhaps it could be something like a...hobby? A side project, while you act as a commander-"
"Goddamnit, here we go again. What is it with all of you asking my incompetent ass to be a commander?"
I heard a chorus of exasperated sighs behind me. "Look, as much as you all deny it, it's true." I turned around, starting to rant. "I'm just bad at it; I suck at diplomacy, I suck at command, and I suck at devising tactics. Everything you saw was a lucky shot - a fluke, nothing more, nothing less. Alright?"
"Really?" Juri gave me a look of frustration. "That was completely decided by 'luck'? I may not be a commander, but where did luck come and turn the tides for us? Did half the enemy vanish in a flash of light, or did some of them suddenly turn back because of 'luck'?"
"Also," Yuri added in a less angry, but just as aggressive tone, "I have seen many others, who instead of trying to use tactics to defeat the enemy, would have sent us all in a suicide charge towards them. The fact that you tried those means that you are better, at least decent in fact."
I retreated a few steps back, shock and fear having replaced my earlier irritation. "Hold on, hold on...why the fierce tone?"
"Why? Your useless and self-pitying whining irritates me." Juri snapped. "I have heard so much whining in my time, and it only serves to waste time. Yours is no different - like what Yuri said, you are so stubborn on that 'incompetence' of yours, that you won't listen to what we have to say before you start screeching like an idiot."
"I...uh..." All my attempts at rebuttal failed.
"Juri, calm down." Yuri put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Thing is, Magician, we want to discuss our next options, and if your stubbornness won't actually get us anywhere."
Silence persisted for a few moments, before Phoenix re-entered the conversation. "Before we continue...why, though? Why are you so adamant that you won't be able to do the job?"
I shifted about nervously. "That's...well, to put it frankly..."
Should I say it?
Do I trust these people to tell them my life?
"Ok, to put it simply...I said I was sixteen. The truth is, that age is still a time where humans are still children. To cut a long story short, I have no training or experience in any form of leadership, military or command position...not to mention that I never got much respect from my peers...so put it simply, I don't think I'm capable of the role."
"Wait, then how do you know so much about tactics, and strategy?" Yuri asked, confused.
"I don't. However, I read a lot about both, especially about naval warfare, hence I get the label 'armchair admiral' a lot. Either way, hence I think I'm not qualified for the role."
More silence.
"That still isn't true."
I jerked up at the assertion. "What?"
"Just look at Phoenix." Juri continued, pointing at her commander. "When Leviathan died, she was barely a week into the role, the last vice-commander had died in another battle. She may not have had a lot of training, but also grew into the role easily. And as far as we can see, she is doing pretty well. So, I don't see how you can't do it at the same time."
"Not...really." Phoenix said, looking uncomfortable. "I took it because...because it was my duty, the last one to hold the line when all others were lost. If anyone better would take the role...I would gladly let them have it."
"But there's no one better, is it? Or anyone who wants to take it, right?" Juri responded, looking proud. "So, Magician...I don't see how this is holding you back from taking the same role."
Was I really capable of such things? "Thing is, I...I, well..." I stumbled around for an answer. "Thing is, no one would think much of a nobody like me..."
"Well, since you were brought here, I can safely say no one sees you as a nobody any more. In fact, right now, you are already seen as an accomplished commander - so why not take this time to make a new start, one where you are no longer seen as a 'nobody'."
"Well if that's how you see it..." I still felt uncomfortable at the whole affair, and I fidgeted at the faint praise.
"So, what's your decision...?"
I thought over it for a few moments. Everything, in the light that the twins painted, seemed so much better, a lot easier to accept...
But there was something else...something that held me back...
"Purpose."
A small memory came to mind.
....
"Could you let me think over it for a few days?"
An aura of disappointment filled the room.
"I mean, this is something really, really big, so I need to take time to think over it."
As I looked at each of their faces, Phoenix finally answered me. "Fine, take your time..."
I quickly backed out of the room, trying to not look at their faces.
Turning around, I began to walk down the corridor -
- only to walk into a waiting Collector.
"AH!" I cried in shock, backing away some more. In response, all she did was look at me curiously.
"Um, hello." I finally said.
"Well, there you are. Magician. After some more searches, I finally found some more notes, that I would like to take for my own use, in exchange for another favor."
"Um...uh...could I have a look at those notes first?" I asked.
She handed the sheaf of notes she was holding, and as flipped through them, I saw what could be design notes, blueprints, or some academic reports.
I frowned. "You know, I really ought to set an exchange rate for these. This kind of important knowledge is very, very valuable after all."
She shrugged.
"Also, I can't exactly have you raid the entire ship's worth of data - these are all rather important, and I could need them in the future."
"Oh?" She said. "Well if you want to copy them out by hand..."
"We don't need to - humans have a machine dedicated to such things. There should be one in the offices you went through..."
"Oh? Why don't you lead the way then?"
We began walking down the corridor, and I brought up the map on my gauntlet to begin finding the nearest office.
After a few minutes, she spoke up. "Magician...I could not help but listen on to that interesting conversation you were having."
I stiffened. "You weren't supposed to hear that."
"I know, but it was really curious. If you wouldn't mind, could I give my own views on the subject?"
I stopped to consider her words.
Ah fuck it, I could do with some extra advice..."Fire away."
"Right. From what I can tell, first, you think yourself unworthy of the position of commander. Quite humble, I would say."
I nodded, and walked on "That's...correct."
"However, at the same time...you are also too cowardly to also take up the mantle. You are too afraid of the risks, or the responsibilities."
"...and what gives you that impression?"
"That would be your behavior. A truly humble person would not be hiding away or vehemently insist on that point. However, a coward would."
She stayed silent, as if to allow me time to let the words sink in. "...true." I finally admitted. "So, how do you see me?"
"I have nothing against cowards. It's natural to be afraid of death, the unknown, or threats that one faces. And you did label yourself as an inexperienced child...so it's nothing shameful to be scared. If you weren't, I think you wouldn't have done so well."
I saw her point. "I see..." A sudden thought struck me. "Maybe would you allow me to be a Gatherer?"
"That's quite sudden...but however, no." She shook her head without hesitation.
"Huh? Wait a moment-"
She held out one gloved hand. "You are not what I'm looking for. You don't seem to be the kind of person to investigate the sciences carefully...and if you call yourself a child, if I'm not wrong, that means you did not complete your training, or education. Besides, you would be just denying your own potential as a commander."
I sighed. "So it's not just those two..."
"And that brings me to my other point: stop pitying yourself." Collector's tone turned deadly serious.
"Huh?"
"Whether or not you accept Phoenix's offer, right now, you are going to come into contact with the rest of this world. There are many opportunities, but also many dangers out there. If you stay in your own shell and continue to weep, you will only find yourself sinking into the deeps, never to return. Others will also grow tired of your 'whining', and will leave you behind while they move on. So, if you want to make a place for yourself here, get out of your shell and take the initiative."
"Oh...um," For a moment, I was utterly speechless, the fierce statement having stunned me. "Thanks for the advice-"
She cut me off again. "One last thing...you didn't accept Phoenix's offer just now, because you weren't sure whether you really wanted to support her, am I right?"
I stayed quiet, thinking through the question, recalling the feeling I had when Phoenix made the offer again.
"...maybe."
"Aha, knew it. Well, you better find what you really want to fight for in this world as soon as possible. Hmmm...maybe once you see Yumenominato with your own eyes...you can truly appreciate our importance...our civilisation." Her words were filled with no small amount of pride.
"I see." Silence persisted for a while as we reached an office.
"Why are you telling me all this though?" I finally asked.
She looked at me, still holding a serious look. "Right now, we have reports of human incursions into our waters all around. It's not just the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea...there are rumours that the humans are preparing to attack. You already seen them coming."
"And?"
"So, Black-Crane and I believe we all need to prepare for that possibility, the possibility of all-out war with the humans. And to survive that...we need resources, power...and therefore I think you could contribute, if you only got past your own problems."
"Really?" I asked with skepticism.
"Yes. You have proven yourself, and from what I know, you are a good person. You have much potential, but potential can only be used if one wants to use it."
And on that note she walked into the office.
"Huh." I mouthed to myself, feeling rather troubled.
=============
This chapter was badly rushed too, sorry 'bout that.
Last edited:
- Location
- Void of Observation
Like I said, Shinji is my favorite character...but Evangelion would have been a lot better if someone would just slap his trauma in the face.
- Location
- Kansas
Hopefully Magician comes up with a goal he wishes to work for soon. A lot of various factions think he might be valuable, but they have their own objectives. Magician needs to know what his objectives are before he can decide if they align with anyone else's.
I'm still personally holding out hope that he will have an end goal of at least getting a cease fire between some of the humans and his faction, but that goal would have to be a long time in the future as their is no chance of that happening any time soon.
I'm still personally holding out hope that he will have an end goal of at least getting a cease fire between some of the humans and his faction, but that goal would have to be a long time in the future as their is no chance of that happening any time soon.
Chapter 3-08 (Part 1) - Welcoming Ceremony (RAW)
- Location
- Void of Observation
Music
====================
Under the setting sun, the inhabitants of Yumenominato stood outside their homes, watching a wondrous sight.
From the west, a massive warship came, its sleek, slivery-grey hull scything through the waters, illuminated by the bright yellow glow of the sun.
Many Abyssals had seen warships, some of which were docked and bulit at their very own docks, or seen pictures of them published after the Founder War.
But this warship, the Yu Huang, was completely alien to them. The top deck of the ship was completely flat, and was empty save for a set of peculiarly-designed aircraft that waited aboard. Its bridge had been moved to the port-side, a small structure that was dwarfed by the rest of the ship.
Long before its arrival, rumors had abounded about the size of the ship, flared up by the hurrided reconstruction of one of the dock, and its arrival had proved them right. Inital estimates by engineers had concluded that it was indeed one and a half times the size of the biggest warship to leave Yumenominato's docks.
Other parts of the warship left even more befuddled. The lack of any smokestacks left many wondering on the nature of its propulsion, and the bulkheads on its sides left others puzzled on its purpose. Most noticeably, many felt the sheer amount of magical energy emitted from the ship, making some concerned about its onboard weaponry.
Many knew that it was indeed a human ship, and heated discussions were underway, their participants arguing over the capabilities of the humans.
However, only a minority wondered about those issues. The majority were more curious about the passengers onboard the approaching ship.
Or rather, one passenger in general.
While the success of Giant-Phoenix-That-Watches and Beacon-Of-Pride-And-Power was very well-covered by many newspaper outlets, there had been a trickle of news and rumors about the 'true reason for their success'.
An individual, named 'Magician'.
Rumors about such a person had existed ever since the first news of Phoenix's and Beacon's success had come in, but it only spread throughout the city when the Sisters Of The Abyss had made a statement, proclaiming him to be a denizen of the Abyss, a former human raised from the depths to protect the Abyssals, and succeeded to great effect.
Other than that, no other news had came, causing wild speculation among the Abyssals. Some bought fully into the mythical explanation made by the sisters, praising him and giving him a moniker: 'The Blessed Human.' Others took the more 'realistic' route, saying he was just another Abyssal, one who rose through the ranks quickly due to the commanders' desperation.
Some were more suspicious. They pointed to the 'former' human description - thinking him more as a defectee from the mystical human nations, and bringing his fleet of 'captured' warships with him. Some wondered about his strange gender - the second male Abyssal in existence, there had to be something strange going on, they mused.
Lastly, the most paranoid proclaimed him as a future despot, tyrant, basing their claims with the few records of the the leader of the Founders of old, Creator-Of-Civilisation, or labelled him as the reincarnation of Creator. After all, Creator was the only other male to have ever existed, and his story was similar - appearing from nowhere, only to crush his enemies violently and suddenly, winning impossible battles one after another.
Thus, a large number of the denizens of the Port Of Dreams waited near the docks, or sent scouts to watch the advancing ship from afar, waiting with bated breath, to see the famed figure for themselves.
============
Through the streets of the city, a sleek, black automobile rode over black-tiled avenues.
While Abyssals main form of transport in Yumenominato was the maze of waterways located around and beneath the city, there had been a desire for faster and more luxurious kinds of transports, especially for visiting dignitaries as well as the higher ranking officials of the Founders.
Which led to the design and construction of sleek, fast cars for that purpose. And the one that was speeding through the roads, was the one that was specifically meant for Blackened-Crane-Of-The-East.
The lady of the city sat in the back seat, in silent thought, while her secretary guided the vehicle to its destination. They turned past a corner, and entered the docks, the gates opening upon their arrival.
They proceeded to the respective berth, where a large crowd had assembled, waiting for the erstwhile visitors.
"Mistress."
At Marian's call, Black-Crane woke from her thoughts. Marian stepped out from the car first, and opened the back door, holding her hand out to help Black-Crane to her feet.
At the latter's appearence, the hubbub instantly evaporated, the audience holding their breath at the appearence of the former Founder. The only sounds left was the slight whistling of the wind.
Black-Crane looked up. Right ahead of her, a path led to the staircase that had been lowered from the ship, with officers from Yumenominato's small defense force making sure that no one crossed or entered the boundary.
For a few minutes they waited, until finally, the sounds of a mechanical door opening signalled the arrival of their guests.
Stepping out first was Giant-Phoenix-That-Watches, with her large hat positioned neatly on her head and the cloak over her shoulders flapping slightly in the wind.
Then right after her, a second figure emerged, wrapped in a dark overcoat, with a military cap positioned neatly atop his head, a bag in his left hand. At his emergence, whispers reappeared among the crowd, as they began to spectculate on the identity of the newcomer.
The two visitors reached the ground level, and began to walk side by side towards Black-Crane. However, while Phoenix glided across the ground with the gracefulness of a swan, the other figure was extremely tense, his back ramrod straight, walking very stiffly, and had pulled his cap over his eyes, trying his best not to look at the assembled crowd.
Aside from the hubbub, silence reigned as the newcomers slowly made their way to Black-Crane.
When they were in front of her, Black-Crane extended a hand in greeting. "Welcome to Yumenominato, Giant-Phoenix-That-Watches, Magician." At the mention of the second name, the whispers within the crowd intensified. "I hope your trip was uneventful?"
Grasping her hand and shaking it lightly. Phoenix answered. "Yes, it was. Thank you for inviting us to this wonderful place."
"You are welcome." Black-Crane turned to Magician. "Thank you for accepting the invitation."
"Yes." Magician took off his hat and made a low bow, revealing a crop of messy black atop a rigid smile. "I do have my...things ready." He continued, showing the bag in his hand.
"Thank you." Black-Crane smiled, and far off to the corner, sounds of cameras clicking could be heard. "Well, before you begin any business at our esteemed city, please come to my office first."
"Alright," Phoenix answered, and Black-Crane turned to Marian, but not before watching Magician flinch at having his picture taken. Marian opened a door for her, while another car pulled up for the guests. Getting into her car, Black-Crane felt a rush of adrealine, as she thought about what she was going to say to the newcomer.
Right...shouldn't be as hard as some of the others...Black-Crane mused while thinking of Magician.
=================
This chapter came late - the holidays usually mean I have less time to write, not to mention that my exams are coming up.
====================
Under the setting sun, the inhabitants of Yumenominato stood outside their homes, watching a wondrous sight.
From the west, a massive warship came, its sleek, slivery-grey hull scything through the waters, illuminated by the bright yellow glow of the sun.
Many Abyssals had seen warships, some of which were docked and bulit at their very own docks, or seen pictures of them published after the Founder War.
But this warship, the Yu Huang, was completely alien to them. The top deck of the ship was completely flat, and was empty save for a set of peculiarly-designed aircraft that waited aboard. Its bridge had been moved to the port-side, a small structure that was dwarfed by the rest of the ship.
Long before its arrival, rumors had abounded about the size of the ship, flared up by the hurrided reconstruction of one of the dock, and its arrival had proved them right. Inital estimates by engineers had concluded that it was indeed one and a half times the size of the biggest warship to leave Yumenominato's docks.
Other parts of the warship left even more befuddled. The lack of any smokestacks left many wondering on the nature of its propulsion, and the bulkheads on its sides left others puzzled on its purpose. Most noticeably, many felt the sheer amount of magical energy emitted from the ship, making some concerned about its onboard weaponry.
Many knew that it was indeed a human ship, and heated discussions were underway, their participants arguing over the capabilities of the humans.
However, only a minority wondered about those issues. The majority were more curious about the passengers onboard the approaching ship.
Or rather, one passenger in general.
While the success of Giant-Phoenix-That-Watches and Beacon-Of-Pride-And-Power was very well-covered by many newspaper outlets, there had been a trickle of news and rumors about the 'true reason for their success'.
An individual, named 'Magician'.
Rumors about such a person had existed ever since the first news of Phoenix's and Beacon's success had come in, but it only spread throughout the city when the Sisters Of The Abyss had made a statement, proclaiming him to be a denizen of the Abyss, a former human raised from the depths to protect the Abyssals, and succeeded to great effect.
Other than that, no other news had came, causing wild speculation among the Abyssals. Some bought fully into the mythical explanation made by the sisters, praising him and giving him a moniker: 'The Blessed Human.' Others took the more 'realistic' route, saying he was just another Abyssal, one who rose through the ranks quickly due to the commanders' desperation.
Some were more suspicious. They pointed to the 'former' human description - thinking him more as a defectee from the mystical human nations, and bringing his fleet of 'captured' warships with him. Some wondered about his strange gender - the second male Abyssal in existence, there had to be something strange going on, they mused.
Lastly, the most paranoid proclaimed him as a future despot, tyrant, basing their claims with the few records of the the leader of the Founders of old, Creator-Of-Civilisation, or labelled him as the reincarnation of Creator. After all, Creator was the only other male to have ever existed, and his story was similar - appearing from nowhere, only to crush his enemies violently and suddenly, winning impossible battles one after another.
Thus, a large number of the denizens of the Port Of Dreams waited near the docks, or sent scouts to watch the advancing ship from afar, waiting with bated breath, to see the famed figure for themselves.
============
Through the streets of the city, a sleek, black automobile rode over black-tiled avenues.
While Abyssals main form of transport in Yumenominato was the maze of waterways located around and beneath the city, there had been a desire for faster and more luxurious kinds of transports, especially for visiting dignitaries as well as the higher ranking officials of the Founders.
Which led to the design and construction of sleek, fast cars for that purpose. And the one that was speeding through the roads, was the one that was specifically meant for Blackened-Crane-Of-The-East.
The lady of the city sat in the back seat, in silent thought, while her secretary guided the vehicle to its destination. They turned past a corner, and entered the docks, the gates opening upon their arrival.
They proceeded to the respective berth, where a large crowd had assembled, waiting for the erstwhile visitors.
"Mistress."
At Marian's call, Black-Crane woke from her thoughts. Marian stepped out from the car first, and opened the back door, holding her hand out to help Black-Crane to her feet.
At the latter's appearence, the hubbub instantly evaporated, the audience holding their breath at the appearence of the former Founder. The only sounds left was the slight whistling of the wind.
Black-Crane looked up. Right ahead of her, a path led to the staircase that had been lowered from the ship, with officers from Yumenominato's small defense force making sure that no one crossed or entered the boundary.
For a few minutes they waited, until finally, the sounds of a mechanical door opening signalled the arrival of their guests.
Stepping out first was Giant-Phoenix-That-Watches, with her large hat positioned neatly on her head and the cloak over her shoulders flapping slightly in the wind.
Then right after her, a second figure emerged, wrapped in a dark overcoat, with a military cap positioned neatly atop his head, a bag in his left hand. At his emergence, whispers reappeared among the crowd, as they began to spectculate on the identity of the newcomer.
The two visitors reached the ground level, and began to walk side by side towards Black-Crane. However, while Phoenix glided across the ground with the gracefulness of a swan, the other figure was extremely tense, his back ramrod straight, walking very stiffly, and had pulled his cap over his eyes, trying his best not to look at the assembled crowd.
Aside from the hubbub, silence reigned as the newcomers slowly made their way to Black-Crane.
When they were in front of her, Black-Crane extended a hand in greeting. "Welcome to Yumenominato, Giant-Phoenix-That-Watches, Magician." At the mention of the second name, the whispers within the crowd intensified. "I hope your trip was uneventful?"
Grasping her hand and shaking it lightly. Phoenix answered. "Yes, it was. Thank you for inviting us to this wonderful place."
"You are welcome." Black-Crane turned to Magician. "Thank you for accepting the invitation."
"Yes." Magician took off his hat and made a low bow, revealing a crop of messy black atop a rigid smile. "I do have my...things ready." He continued, showing the bag in his hand.
"Thank you." Black-Crane smiled, and far off to the corner, sounds of cameras clicking could be heard. "Well, before you begin any business at our esteemed city, please come to my office first."
"Alright," Phoenix answered, and Black-Crane turned to Marian, but not before watching Magician flinch at having his picture taken. Marian opened a door for her, while another car pulled up for the guests. Getting into her car, Black-Crane felt a rush of adrealine, as she thought about what she was going to say to the newcomer.
Right...shouldn't be as hard as some of the others...Black-Crane mused while thinking of Magician.
=================
This chapter came late - the holidays usually mean I have less time to write, not to mention that my exams are coming up.
Last edited:
Chapter 3-08 (Part 2) - Observations On Abyssal Society (RAW)
- Location
- Void of Observation
==================
I shifted about in the seat of a car, no small amount of nervousness assaulting me. Trying to force it down, I looked out of the car, trying to focus my attention on other things.
Like the technological and societal makeup of Abyssal civilisation.
For the design side...it could be described as anachronistic. To begin with, the city looked like something out of a Victorian novel, with gothic-style architecture and shophouses lining the smaller streets, alongside with arrays of vintage streetlamps refitted with lightbulbs. However, most buildings were bulit haphazardly, as if multiple styles were stacked on top of each other, and multiple intercrossing levels of roads and highways were common, with buildings even built on the highway bridges that rose slightly above the city. Not to mention that everything looked like they had been built by the Abyssal 'black metal'.
I asked Phoenix about the bizzare style of construction, and she had replied that there was meant to be a maximum size for the Port Of Dreams in the past, but the Founders did not foresee a massive explosion in population size when the place became more and more attractive for the Abyssals. As a result, buildings were planned here and there, with a little less thought given to their safety, causing the haphazard style of construction, most of which was done with the 'black metal' so readily available due to the presence of Installations. Even after the island was finally expanded, some Abyssals stuck to the old style of construction.
"Don't worry," She had assured about some of the...less safe ones. "None of them have ever fallen by accident."
Not much of an assurance, honestly.
The more well-planned buildings held a combination of aesthetics - some were tall skyscrapers, but looked like they came from the same gothic style, while others simply looked like one had took a catheral and a office building and smashed them together, before putting any remaining bits on the design like decorations. The tallest building in the city, in fact, looked like a stone spire that rose to the sky, with a massive sculpture of a 8-pointed star at its top.
Still, it was pretty and picturesque, like what the Abyssals promised. If I had a camera, I would have taken a picture at any oppurtunity.
As for the technology I had seen...Abyssals did use all kinds of vehicles - the mental image was still weird though - and they were definitely powered by combustion engines, the lack of large smokestacks being a clue. However, they clearly employed aerial means of transport very heavily, as seen from the many aircraft that prowled the skies, comprising of general Abyssal Aircraft to psuedo-jets, delivering both personnel and material quickly. They did use the waters very efficiently too, according to what Phoenix spoke about the Waterways - a maze of waterways for Abyssals to travel about the city in or transport goods.
What kind of things would be transported around by Abyssals? Pondering on that subject, I turned my attention to some of the buildings.
It seems, that Abyssals do have similar tastes with their human counterparts, although they did put more emphasis on different things. For one, there was an abundance of bookstores and the like, as well as a large number of mechanical shops - must be for rigging servicing, while there was a lack of more mundane things like parlors.
Probably due to different biological needs?
As the car passed some of the shops, I noticed that their occupants stopped what they were doing to look at our posse.
Speaking of which...Abyssals also had an eye for clothing too. Many different styles of black, white and other colour intermixed with metal and cloth...was nice to look at.
I leaned back in my chair, thinking about all the sights I had taken in.
A faint sense of awe flowed over me. Seeing the Abyssals having grown past their primal origins and create their own world...and here I was, at the heart of that civilisation. A civilisation, that did not deserve a tsunami of fire and death...
I knew what would make that tsunami, and...I could prevent it, couldn't I?
Was I capable though?
Does it matter? A small voice at the back of my mind, one that had been growing for a few days now, asked in response.
I closed my eyes, thinking.
"Let's see." I finally spoke out loud.
"Hmmm? Phoenix asked.
"Um, nothing," I waved her off, suddenly feeling my cheeks hot. Dammit, why did I say that out loud?
The trip continued in silence for awhile. Suddenly, I thought of something. "Hey, Phoenix, how are you going to conduct the recruitment? Just asking..."
She jolted in her seat. Turning to me, she asked a few questions in a flustered manner, making an apologetic bow. "Oh no...Magician, is it alright that I use your ship for transporting them? And could I also use the berth itself as a recruitment point?"
"Huh? Er..." I scratched my head, feeling my cheeks redden at her flurried response. "Umm...shit...I think..."
She looked at me, waiting for my response.
...fuck, I didn't consider that tangent. This would mean that I would have to do resets for each Abyssals...or hang on, I could just shut doors to certain areas, like the island or the reactor rooms...yeah, that will do.
"Yeah sure...I will just have to set out certain rules...but they should be no problem. And...if you want to set up a recruitment post, just don't let them into the ship until departure, ok?"
"Ok." She answered. "I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you this earlier..." Her voice contained a bit of guilt, and I felt a pang of sympathy.
"Nah, it's alright...I make that kind of mistake way too many times...besides, you have quite a bit on your plate, so you would probably forget that over the other, bigger detail." I paused. "Anyways, other than that, how are you going to conduct the whole recruitment exercise?"
"Um...I am going to put a notice on the newspapers...and I was hoping some others would come around, being interested in our recent victory."
"Oh yeah..." I mentally slapped myself. Gah, how could I be so stupid to miss that?
"Speaking of which...Magician, do you not like having your picture taken?"
My jaw dropped. "How the hell did you guess that?"
"You...flinched when they took one of you." She answered, nonplussed.
"Let's just put it this way...I'm a shy person." I looked away, feeling embarrassed.
"I see...but you can handle the conference, right?" Phoenix asked with no small amount of concern.
I made a face. "Well, I nearly died once, shouldn't be too bad." I spoke with some apprehension.
"Hmm...well, I wonder how you are going to handle the next few days..."
"What about them?"
"Well..." A smile appeared on her face. "I think everyone is going to be interested in you...and you are going to be chased by all sorts of reporters...and who knows? You might be cornered by some recruiters..."
"Wait what?" I asked, sensing a sinking feeling in my stomach. Phoenix simply looked away, her hand over her mouth.
"Shit," I cursed, and Phoenix chuckled.
"Don't laugh like that, give me some help!" I shouted, feeling scandalised.
"I think I will let you flail about in the water for a bit." She repiled, a grin forming on her face.
"Oi!"
=====================
I shifted about in the seat of a car, no small amount of nervousness assaulting me. Trying to force it down, I looked out of the car, trying to focus my attention on other things.
Like the technological and societal makeup of Abyssal civilisation.
For the design side...it could be described as anachronistic. To begin with, the city looked like something out of a Victorian novel, with gothic-style architecture and shophouses lining the smaller streets, alongside with arrays of vintage streetlamps refitted with lightbulbs. However, most buildings were bulit haphazardly, as if multiple styles were stacked on top of each other, and multiple intercrossing levels of roads and highways were common, with buildings even built on the highway bridges that rose slightly above the city. Not to mention that everything looked like they had been built by the Abyssal 'black metal'.
I asked Phoenix about the bizzare style of construction, and she had replied that there was meant to be a maximum size for the Port Of Dreams in the past, but the Founders did not foresee a massive explosion in population size when the place became more and more attractive for the Abyssals. As a result, buildings were planned here and there, with a little less thought given to their safety, causing the haphazard style of construction, most of which was done with the 'black metal' so readily available due to the presence of Installations. Even after the island was finally expanded, some Abyssals stuck to the old style of construction.
"Don't worry," She had assured about some of the...less safe ones. "None of them have ever fallen by accident."
Not much of an assurance, honestly.
The more well-planned buildings held a combination of aesthetics - some were tall skyscrapers, but looked like they came from the same gothic style, while others simply looked like one had took a catheral and a office building and smashed them together, before putting any remaining bits on the design like decorations. The tallest building in the city, in fact, looked like a stone spire that rose to the sky, with a massive sculpture of a 8-pointed star at its top.
Still, it was pretty and picturesque, like what the Abyssals promised. If I had a camera, I would have taken a picture at any oppurtunity.
As for the technology I had seen...Abyssals did use all kinds of vehicles - the mental image was still weird though - and they were definitely powered by combustion engines, the lack of large smokestacks being a clue. However, they clearly employed aerial means of transport very heavily, as seen from the many aircraft that prowled the skies, comprising of general Abyssal Aircraft to psuedo-jets, delivering both personnel and material quickly. They did use the waters very efficiently too, according to what Phoenix spoke about the Waterways - a maze of waterways for Abyssals to travel about the city in or transport goods.
What kind of things would be transported around by Abyssals? Pondering on that subject, I turned my attention to some of the buildings.
It seems, that Abyssals do have similar tastes with their human counterparts, although they did put more emphasis on different things. For one, there was an abundance of bookstores and the like, as well as a large number of mechanical shops - must be for rigging servicing, while there was a lack of more mundane things like parlors.
Probably due to different biological needs?
As the car passed some of the shops, I noticed that their occupants stopped what they were doing to look at our posse.
Speaking of which...Abyssals also had an eye for clothing too. Many different styles of black, white and other colour intermixed with metal and cloth...was nice to look at.
I leaned back in my chair, thinking about all the sights I had taken in.
A faint sense of awe flowed over me. Seeing the Abyssals having grown past their primal origins and create their own world...and here I was, at the heart of that civilisation. A civilisation, that did not deserve a tsunami of fire and death...
I knew what would make that tsunami, and...I could prevent it, couldn't I?
Was I capable though?
Does it matter? A small voice at the back of my mind, one that had been growing for a few days now, asked in response.
I closed my eyes, thinking.
"Let's see." I finally spoke out loud.
"Hmmm? Phoenix asked.
"Um, nothing," I waved her off, suddenly feeling my cheeks hot. Dammit, why did I say that out loud?
The trip continued in silence for awhile. Suddenly, I thought of something. "Hey, Phoenix, how are you going to conduct the recruitment? Just asking..."
She jolted in her seat. Turning to me, she asked a few questions in a flustered manner, making an apologetic bow. "Oh no...Magician, is it alright that I use your ship for transporting them? And could I also use the berth itself as a recruitment point?"
"Huh? Er..." I scratched my head, feeling my cheeks redden at her flurried response. "Umm...shit...I think..."
She looked at me, waiting for my response.
...fuck, I didn't consider that tangent. This would mean that I would have to do resets for each Abyssals...or hang on, I could just shut doors to certain areas, like the island or the reactor rooms...yeah, that will do.
"Yeah sure...I will just have to set out certain rules...but they should be no problem. And...if you want to set up a recruitment post, just don't let them into the ship until departure, ok?"
"Ok." She answered. "I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you this earlier..." Her voice contained a bit of guilt, and I felt a pang of sympathy.
"Nah, it's alright...I make that kind of mistake way too many times...besides, you have quite a bit on your plate, so you would probably forget that over the other, bigger detail." I paused. "Anyways, other than that, how are you going to conduct the whole recruitment exercise?"
"Um...I am going to put a notice on the newspapers...and I was hoping some others would come around, being interested in our recent victory."
"Oh yeah..." I mentally slapped myself. Gah, how could I be so stupid to miss that?
"Speaking of which...Magician, do you not like having your picture taken?"
My jaw dropped. "How the hell did you guess that?"
"You...flinched when they took one of you." She answered, nonplussed.
"Let's just put it this way...I'm a shy person." I looked away, feeling embarrassed.
"I see...but you can handle the conference, right?" Phoenix asked with no small amount of concern.
I made a face. "Well, I nearly died once, shouldn't be too bad." I spoke with some apprehension.
"Hmm...well, I wonder how you are going to handle the next few days..."
"What about them?"
"Well..." A smile appeared on her face. "I think everyone is going to be interested in you...and you are going to be chased by all sorts of reporters...and who knows? You might be cornered by some recruiters..."
"Wait what?" I asked, sensing a sinking feeling in my stomach. Phoenix simply looked away, her hand over her mouth.
"Shit," I cursed, and Phoenix chuckled.
"Don't laugh like that, give me some help!" I shouted, feeling scandalised.
"I think I will let you flail about in the water for a bit." She repiled, a grin forming on her face.
"Oi!"
=====================
Last edited:
Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland