[X] It might be a good idea to SAFELY test whether crossing the streams of two weaponized energy fields is okay or miniature nuclear explosion levels of bad. As opposed to, you know, letting your fellow, expensive-to-replace Ringleaders maybe explode. Possibly long with your workshop.
Identify potential threat (collision of disintegration arrays): True
Thankfully, your mind offers an explanation to your timely intervention. The tech of those blades may be beyond you, but you know enough to identify potential danger of its misuse. History knows of nuclear explosions created by bumping relatively harmless things together, there's no way you're going to let them try it with shaped arrays of mysterious antimatter particles! You hold Alchemist's gaze.
"Piss you off? Do you realize what those blade actually are? Strike them on each other fast enough, and your new self will be explaining to Agent how we lost three Ringleaders to your whim and why we no longer have the workshop!"
Gager jerks her finger away from the blade trigger like it's red-hot, only to rest in near the gun trigger a moment later. Alchemist, on the other hand, seems to be surprised rather than intimidated by your outburst.
"Heee? Will it work with my blades only?"
You shrug.
"Feel free to find out, but do it somewhere else. How about near a Griffin base? That way you'll help both my science and our war effort."
She considers your words for a couple of seconds, then her blades dissipate with a hiss.
"Nah, I'm good."
She holsters her weapons and stretches her spine, tilting her head back, with her arms above her head. The tension is gone without a trace, so fast that Gager ends up putting her weapon away in a hurry, embarrassed about her tardy reaction. Phew, it worked somehow! Most likely because your argument was convincing enough. Good job, you! Time to change the subject!
"Now that you have your anti-tank blades, mind telling us where did you face the tank?"
Your guest beams at you.
"Not at all! Come join me, both of you."
Half an hour later, after entertaining you with stories of her adventures, Alchemist takes her leave. Her escapades are truly one of a kind, you wouldn't have believed half of it if it was someone else. For instance, it wasn't like she barely escaped with her life during the tank encounter, but it was actually the tank that barely got away from her with its periscopes melted, sights shattered, antennas cut off, machine guns dismantled, and main gun barrel stuffed with molten debris. Her regrets are having wasted too much time on it and still not having been able to finish it off gracefully. You smile, wondering if next time she'll have a new story for you, in which the blades you made for her play a key part.
Alchemist assignment assessment:
Success criteria (1/1 required):
+ A working solution.
Major success criteria (1/2 required):
+ Prevent collision of disintegrator arrays.
- ???
Alchemist's request: major success.
Remaining days: 7
Breakthrough points: 4
"So, who is your next client?" Gager asks after you see the guest off.
"You, Gager. I've kept you waiting long enough, so ask away!"
"Alright. Paratroopers."
"Come again?"
"I need the ability to rapidly deploy a limited number of my forces to arbitrary battlefield locations, including behind the enemy lines. Like what Kruggies do with their helicopters. Bonus points for stealth, range and scale—I'd be happy to have any combination of two. So, unless you can put together an instant teleportation device, I think air transportation is our only option. Hence paratroopers. What do you think?"
[] Brainstorm!
