Playing the Game - BT/CF SI - Chapter 8
🕑 Added 2024-09-27 03:36:43 +0000 UTCCapital Habitat, Deep Kingdom of Subnautica, Leviathan’s Trench
Novo Franklin, Periphery Space
January 5th, 2981 AD
Okay, I was not expecting to meet Chris Hemsworth today playing Thor, but God Damn that’s who I was dealing with right now.
If it had not been for…everything that I had gained and done up to this point, this man would be a complete opposite of me. I liked my solitude, my being out in the world, and dealing with people rarely. This guy would tire me out within hours if and I hung out, not that such a guy would be around m to start with.
Gregarious, charismatic, and if my reading of my Colonel Biosynth is correct, a Ladies Man of fine tastes. Cultured one might say. I guess my choosing her to test the man out was a good decision. If she wants to make this more than nothing, I’m fine with it. Makes keeping the man close enough to influence and bring into the fold easier.
I watched as his Regent was giving his Lord a small lecture about calming down who just let it roll over him like water off a duck’s back. So, I guess strong willed is another way to describe the man. I allowed him to do so while looking down at the PDA about the mech I had tested out personally.
Thanks to Phineas and Ferb, I was able to construct designs and fabricate within hours of coming up with them now. Breeze was having a ball, and was reluctant to leave for the Architect Space Port due to finally having someone aside from Emma to build things with. I insisted due to needing to get a solid hold on that site before anyone else noticed. Plus, with the ability, we can quickly take apart and rebuild the ships when the time came for me to personally work on them.
So, Breeze was on their way to the site, and I spent the time building the new mech designs we made using the Lutece Particle physics we gained. I was feeling paranoid, though I probably shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it when it came to Bioshock. I told my security to be on the look out for the pair of red headed twins, or Elizabeth, even if it amounted to nothing in the end.
With the new physics, controlling quantum particles in such a way was interesting to say the least. The Lutece Particle already existed in the real world, but it functioned in a specific way. This Bioshock variant expanded that to be something usable. I learned how Colombia was able to fly in the air beyond “quantum stasis” keeping them up. Lots of people had questions as to why the city rose and fell like it were operating on hot air and the like, or why they shifted like they were riding on waves.
I have come to learn that both were easily answered.
For the first, it was because they could program the particles to move in three dimensions based on how much energy they were given, which in turn increased or decreased their “density”, and whether the particles were positive or negative in their charge which can make them be attracted or repelled on specific paths that they are programmed to be attached to. A positive charge made them travel the path to point A from Point B, and vice versa when changed to a negative charge. That same path can cause that object to increase its elevation if the energy made the particles denser, or to decrease elevation is the energy is lowered, thus making it less dense.
It’s how Columbia was able to control traffic and schedule when portions of the city connected to other portions of the city.
As for why the city operated like it was on the ocean when it was in the air, it’s because the people asking the question forget the biggest source of electromagnetic energy to Columbia. The Earth. It has a power electromagnetic field, and a gravity field as well. Gravity gets removed from the equation when Quantum Stasis comes into play, but it still pulls despite it due to mass. Couple this with the earth having spots on the surface that lower or raise the electromagnetic field depending on mineral formations, cities, and the poles, it causes the particles in the city to rise and fall to match the stasis point, to keep itself level with the point above the Earth that was set.
How the hell Comstock and Lutece managed to figure this out with great war era technology is a mystery. Ricks smarts give me several ideas which involve a lot of tesla coils and mechanical calculators connected to particle crushers, but that’s not a rabbit hole I want to go down outside of mere curiosity.
Knowing these things, it was actually easy to create a machine to produce the particles, and from there other machines to utilize them. Combat usage being one of the first things I wanted to test it out with.
Programming a computer to control the particles density and energy conversion, while fighting at high speeds, was a mess to accomplish, and took most of yesterday to do. It got done and today we fabricated the machines to test out this new tech-path.
I was pleased to say the least. It opened…so many different possibilities. I could construct a modern-day version of Columbia that looked like something from Star Wars. As for mechs, I can straight up make Armored Core units now, and warships. My submarines can become airborne and become airships. I potentially can make them into space warships, though I might have to make them on the surface for that purpose.
Look out Inner Sphere, the Age of the Warship has returned, and it’s worse since warships can now travel to land and sea.
I looked up and felt a star fall. The forge reached out for it and missed. I didn’t even react as Regent was about finished his lecture and I handed the pad to one of my engineers to get to work, before stepping in.
“I don’t mind, it’s an interesting way to meet someone to say the least. Not many people go gaga about mechs with me on first meet.”
Carson and his Man-at-Arms accepted my words with amusement, while the Regent gave out a long-suffering sigh while the big guy, Devlin, just grins while catapulting his arms. Made him look like a dork that didn’t just get in my face and gush over a new toy. Don’t make me like you dammit!
“So you’re Devlin Fields, Carsons oldest friend?”
“That I am! Even if he says otherwise, which means he’s mad at me for some reason.” He said as he lowered his arms and walked over, hand out for a shake.
I took it and gave it a good shake, matching his grip which surprised him, but he only grinned a bit more. We released and I gave a look over the Regent.
“And whom are you?”
The Regent stood taller and gave a respectful bow. “I am Caelin Demonte your majesty. My lords Regent advisor and Man-At-Arms.”
I nodded back in recognition. “Thank you all for coming.”
Giving them all a short look over, I grinned a little.
“Well, I know you hadn’t been given a real tour just yet, but…Subnautica. First Impression?”
“Like a city out of myth.” Carson replied, not hiding the wonder he had.
“Breath taking.” His second replied.
“I agree with Lord Emeri’s expression.” Regent Demonte answered.
“Shiny and Bright in the Dark. Lots-“ Devlion’s eyes shift to Martress. “-and Lots to see. I wanna see everything and more.”
I snort. “With that outlook, you just might.”
Devlin realized there he had been caught by me, but he just shrugged and nodded. The Regent just sighed a little.
“That being said, you asked about this mech. Well, it’s one of the things I wanted to show off to Carson since he’s getting one.”
Carson’s eyes widened in shock and the rest did the same, save Martress.
“And since you’re all here, let me show it off. C’mon.” I waved for them to follow.
Both of the Lords immediately did so, like youngsters instead of grown men. The others followed closely, but less quickly. Due to the Simple Words perk I had gained, I was able to explain complicated subjects of what it was and how it was able to function as it did. By the time I had finished explaining, and answering a question here and there, they all more or less understood what the machine did and why it was able to do what it does.
Carson was in awe of such a complicated machine being before him. Devlin grinned at all of its capabilities and wanted a ride. The others were in similar camps, though the Regent and Man-at-Arms were more calculating.
“You can’t handle this thing yet, so we need to put you both in the simulator. Fortunately, ours are better than the Star Leagues, so it’s as real as it gets.”
Devlin looked dejected and a little mad at being called incapable, but then brightened up at the mention of simulators superior to even the best ones made.
“Well, lead the way! Let’s have some fun!”
I nearly rolled my eyes, but instead nodded. “Martress. If you would.”
“Yes, my Sovereign.” She replied with a grin of her own before leading the group back to the ground car and driving off. It wasn’t long before we stopped before the simulation control section. The room was filled with dozens of Simulator Pods that combined Fallout, Subnautican, and Covenant technology to create something out of this world.
“This room isn’t just for simulations and training, but also to control mechs remotely so as to not get killed when piloting a prototype or something.” I explained.
I stopped when Devlin and Carson began to take off their shirts before I waved them off.
“You don’t need to strip down, unless you want an authentic experience.”
Carson stopped for a moment in thought, but Devlin just kept going. “Of course! Make it as real as you can get it!”
He was making eyes with Colonel Martress, who was giving a quirked brow as he did so.
I shrugged. He didn’t need to strip since the heat issue mechs had in this universe had long since been made moot by superior heat sink technology. Thanks to the Architects, and to a lesser extent, quantum physics, my best machines can now use Quantum Storage technology to just transfer heat out of the machine and into multiple radiators along the oceans floor across Subnautican territory. For machines without it, each heat sink was now equivalent to ten heat sinks at three tons each, and most had only two or three.
With the introduction of Ion Crystal Reactors however, heat sinks might be reduced even further to handle what the body itself produces, and perhaps to the point where weapons had them in-built.
I didn’t voice this as I was allowing Martress to have a floor show since I might use her as the honeypot after this, depending on how far he’s willing to pursue.
He was given a pilots suit like mine, which actually did come equipped with a cooling system in case it did get hot in there. Devlin and Carson cut heroic figures when they placed them on.
I pulled the neural helmets for them, which appeared as simple ring crowns.
“These take the place of neural helmets, but are the simple models.”
They looked surprised again, taking them in hand and giving them a look over in fascination.
“Never seen such a small device.” Regent Demonte murmured as he looked upon it in his Lord’s hands.
Soon enough, they placed them on and got into a pair of pods. I got into one myself soon after, mine already connecting to mission control. I paused as I felt another star fall, but then passed by. I felt relief at that, as getting something like an object would have been really awkward.
“Sovereign to Mission control.”
“We read you Sovereign.”
“Place us all into P.M. 2.3s, and give us a…memorable mission. Seek and destroy. Ruined city…New York. Manhattan. Rim World Armed Forces. Enemy Leader priority.”
“Understood sir. Placing in parameters…parameters complete. Start from Liberty Island in New York Harbor. You wish to know the final target location?”
“Make it a part of mission brief. Put them through basic control tutorials first though.”
“Understood sir. Would you like to look over the data from the field trial while you wait?”
“Yes. Put it through the pod interface.”
So I sat, and looked over the combat data from the field trial, marking down portions that needed improvement or removal, taking note of what weapons were effective and not against the various targets the field trail put me up against. It was nearly an hour later when I received an alert that Carson and Devlin were finished with the tutorials and ready to take it to the real simulation.
“Alright. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Confirmed command. Simulation is engaged. Activating Virtual Reality Immersion in five, four, three, two, one.”
Upon finishing the countdown, my vision blurred as it warped, and my mind was transported from reality to a fantasy realm. It looked and felt real, thanks to Fallout, and soon I, Carson, and Devlin were being shown a briefing. It showed Earth, zoomed in on the North American East Coast to New York City, and then to Manhattan, marking out several locations with red squares. Appropriate mission brief music accompanying it like it was a game.
I saw facial images of both my fellow leaders, Carson looked like he had his game face on, while Devlin looked like he was impatiently ready to get into it.
An image of General Kerensky appeared with his name, and rank appearing to shock the two Lords for a moment.
“Good to meet you, gentlemen. I’m certain it is a surprise for you to see me speaking directly to you now. It cannot be overstated that this mission’s importance requires nothing less than myself to oversee the operation.”
His image zoomed out, taking the upper left corner of the view while the map took up the rest.
“We have received word from the underground resistance in New York that a member of the Cameron family line survives in the underground system of the city. They alerted the Star League Command, and thus have placed their retrieval as ultra priority. However, this knowledge has leaked to Stefan Amaris, and he has taken measures.”
Red squares are highlighted across sections of the city.
“Even though the majority of his forces are engaged across the globe, he has placed this at the top of his priorities and sent his elite units to capture the Cameron member, or deny us by eliminating them. Several companies of battlemech and armor units are in the location, protecting infantry assets attempting to access the underground.”
Pictures of various combat vehicles, followed by famous Amaris Mechs like the Jackrabbit, Phoenix, and the Rampage. The general’s picture returned to taking up the screen, his face grim and determined.
“We cannot allow this. Thus we will retrieve the Cameron before they do. However, we have no assets in the city, and it will take time to send any due to the invasion. Thus we come to you.”
His picture zooms out again, showing the mech we will be using. The PM-02 Breaker, the mech I was testing out before Carson and Devlin arrived. It highlighted the lack of legs, the “over the shoulder” linear gun on the right side, the shard launcher on the left shoulder, plasma repeater on the left arm, and the covenant plasma blade on the right arm for melee strikes.
“The Breaker is our newest, and most advanced mech unit ever created. It is capable of putting in the work equal to an entire company of mechs on its own. With just the three of you, it is the equivalent of a battalion.”
It zoomed out again, showing the map, which zoomed on Liberty Island with a damaged Lady Liberty. Even though it was just a simulation, I felt dismay and anger at seeing her in such a state. It was based on an actual picture after the SLDF 10th Army retook it from Amaris forces.
“The 10th Army has already eliminated ariel defenses, allowing you to be inserted by drop pod into the area. The city still is heavily defended however, so you will be inserted upon Liberty Island in the South Harbor area. From there you will utilize your mechs unique mode of travel to enter the Combat Area, and eliminate the enemy forces.”
It map zoomed back out and focused on Central Park.
“We have reason to believe that the enemy’s command unit is located in this area, the famous Central Park. It is open ground with no buildings to hide in. Should Amaris forces retrieve the Cameron before we can land, it is here that they will be extracted. You will need to stop it at all costs should this happens.”
The general took up the view again, showing how tired he is, but still defiant against the situation.
“We have already come so far comrades. We cannot fail now that we are on the cusp of ending this insanity of Amaris. We will win this war one way or another, but whether a Cameron is on the throne or not, is down to you.”
He stands up and looks at us with dignity and strength.
“I expect nothing but your best. Good luck, and God Speed.”
He finished with a salute, and the picture faded away.
I looked over to the images of Carons and Devlin to gauge their reactions. I grinned a little when I saw how serious Carson was taking this. I then remembered his parents Eridani Light Horse background, and realized he was likely brought up on the idea of the SLDF more than most on this world. This was as close he would be to actually being SLDF as he would ever be, so, he was “Super” serious now. Devlin was being himself, but also now had a game face on.
It was at this moment another star fell, but it passed, and once more I was relieved.
Suddenly the cockpit of our mechs faded into our view and we could move about. We see the inside of our drop pods through enhanced night vision.
“…Breaker Lance, this is mission control. We are in drop position, begin your start up check and prepare for launch.”
“Alright. Time to get to work. Systems check.”
Hearing my voice jolted them a little, but they began their startup checks as I did.
“You said this was as close to real as it gets, I didn’t think it would be like this.” Carson stated.
“Man, it’s a good thing I don’t have one of these back home. I’d never get out of it!” Devlin chuckeld as he finished his checks.
“I’ll take note of that Devlin. Checks complete. All systems green.”
“Same/good to go!” they both sounded off.
“Alright. Mission Control, we are go for mission. Play me “A cup of Liber-Tea” if you would please.”
“Copy that Breaker One, we confirm systems are green. Good hunting. Launch in five, four, three, two, one…Launching!”
The Helldivers 2 theme began to play as mission control replied, and then suddenly our mech jolts at the bass hits, shaking us as we are launched down at highspeeds towards the Earth. Our screens showed external cameras of our launch as the music played. Sensors show the heat rising as we punch through the atmosphere, and “Liber-Tea” theme played triumphantly, flames surrounding our pods as laser and autocannon fire filled the air in our general direction, and ships firing back down at said fire.
Devlin whooped loudly. “This is what I’m talking about! WOOOOOO~”
Carons rolled his eyes, but he was in the mood too.
The music came to an end just as Liberty Island came into view.
“Game time! Pod break…Now!”
The pod split apart, exposing us to the open air, and our Quantum Arrestor systems kicked in, stopping us from hitting the ground. We then floated in place, and I scanned for targets.
“Negative targets in landing zone. Moving to quadrant A5.”
“Copy, moving to same.”
“Following you two.”
I found myself staring a little as I looked at the city and saw the Twin Towers standing, though damaged and smoking, and remember that this setting was before the War on Terror, so some events didn’t happen here as they did in my world.
To keep them going for this long though?...oh who am I kidding, there are Chinese and Japanese temples and European castles that still exist even now. Notre Dame. The Vatican for crying out loud!
I shook myself from those thoughts as we passed over the water and entered The Battery. The park had been set aflame at some point, leaving a burned-out husk, which is why we were able to see groups of fast moving hover tanks enter north from Greenwich Street.
“Hover tanks. Engaging.”
Bursts of plasma fire erupted from all three of us upon the fast moving tanks, but within seconds they were destroyed. More vehicles appeared from the east and north east streets, along with combat helicopters firing autocannons, lasers and missiles.
“Take em!”
“Got em!” Carson replied as Devlin just laughed and fired a bunch of seekers at the ground units.
Aircraft burned out of the sky with plasma fire, with tanks and missile carriers more of the same. We by passed them quickly, elevating above the wreckage of the city and civilian vehicles when an alert filled the air.
“Incoming Mechs. Reinforced Company. Looks like Jackrabbit and Rampage units.”
The Jackrabbit light mech was meant to be an SLDF unit, but with the factories taken by Amaris, they had unfortunately become associated with him and thus relegated to history as the Rampage had. A quick scan revealed the units ahead were four lances of the mech, but half were original “8T” models, which had the AC-2 and SRM-2, and the modified “9R” model with the Large Laser, an extra heat sink, and extra ton of armor utilized by the RWAF to make up for the first model’s shortcomings.
The two Rampage lances also appeared at the rear, and they were all standard units with an LBX-10 autocannon, a Large Pulse Laser, an LRM-10 with Artemis fire control systems, three Streak SRM-2 launchers, two medium lasers, a flamer, and a single ATM system. Real monsters.
It was a total of twenty four mechs.
The light mechs immediately let loose with AC-2 fire from down range. They did no real damage due to the advanced armor of the Breaker, but it still woke Carson and Devlin up. Large Laser fire joined in, and did actual damage, forcing us to retaliate and dodge around buildings. We were faster and more maneuverable, but we were outnumbered eight to one.
Fortunately, our mechs were equal to that and more.
I activate my Linear Gun, the long barrel swinging over my shoulder and pointing forward. When I got into the enemy line of sight, they unleashed fire and missiles, but I did as well with a single shot. The Linear Gun charged up and unleashed a shot that shattered windows around me, and cracked ferrocrete from overpressure. The shot struck in the middle of a group of Jackrabbits and unleashed a force equal to medium sub-naval autocannon.
Everything within the epicenter of the explosion was broken apart like brittle toys, and units beyond that were thrown by the explosion and heavily damaged. Eleven units were out in an instant, with six of them mission killed.
“Holy shit! That’s what the Linear gun can do!?” Carson shouted out astonishment.
“Well then, let’s start using them!” Devlin shouted with some bloodlust in his tone.
“You only have so many shots, so try not to use too many.” I warned them. I paused when I felt a star fall. The forge reached out and grabbed it.
I cursed and hoped it wasn’t anything crazy.
[quote=Clang!]
-Fun in the Sun (Warhammer 40k - T'au Empire) (100CP)
Plasma, radiation, and antimatter are all similar in that they relate to exotic and high energy states of matter, whether it is stellar mass or individual particles of subatomic size. You now are a master of T'au technology as it relates to manipulating these high-energy states of matter and the physics that underpin them.[/quote]
I winced at the sudden input of knowledge, but otherwise I let out a relieved breath. I forced myself to focus back on the battle instead of delving into how I could improve what plasma technologies I already had.
The sound a Missile Warning filled the air as a swarm of missiles flew towards me. I ducked behind one of the buildings near the Financial District, and noticed as the missiles impact the looming shadow of the Twin Towers. I felt myself pause for a moment looking up at them, before pulling myself out as I came into view of another Lance of tanks and VTOL units.
Plasma and seekers struck out at targets while heavy impacts of Linear Cannons destroyed several more units from the mech forces arrayed against us. Strafing east, I flowed back onto Broadway and fired another Linear Cannon round into a group of Rampage units, striking one directly, and letting loose localized Armageddon on the simulated Rim-World units.
While they faired better than the Jackrabbit’s, they were all damaged heavily and toppled over from the sheer force. The one I struck ceased to exist from the lower torso and up. Two more shots from Carson and Devlin took advantage of their lull and exterminated the rest. It was only then I noticed all enemy units were destroyed.
“Woah…I’m usually a solo unit. I forgot how fast a team can handle this sort of thing.” I admitted.
“So what happened before wasn’t a one time thing with you?” Carson asked in a wry tone.
“I tend to be hands-on with problems.” I admitted without a hint of shame.
“Ha! That’s the best way as far as I’m concerned!”
Carson sighed. “Oh god, there are two of you now.”
I and Devlin laughed at his tone before moving on. For the next ten minutes we just tear through the Rim-Jobs with vicious force, when suddenly we get an alert, only for moments later for four gauss rifle shots striking a building just beside us.
“Woah/What the hell!”
I zoomed my vision out to see the enemy unit and felt my stomach drop a little. It was a company of mechs that there should have been only one of in existence, but Mission control decided to send a company at us.
“Watch out! Rifleman Three units! Don’t let them hit you!”
“Rifleman Three?!” they both squawk just as the company unleashed all their fire at us. Carson escaped being hit, but Devlin and I were clipped by a few solid hits. By few I meant twelve Gauss rounds for each of us. The Armor took the brunt of the damage, reducing it to only sixty percent of a full powered shot, but it was still twelve of the damned things!
We were nearly taken out right there, and immediately took cover behind buildings.
Devlin was cursing up a storm, and I was checking the damage over to see what I had.
“What the fuck was that just now!” Devlin shouted after he stopped cussing.
“Rifleman Three. Created by Amaris, and used during the Liberation campaign on Terra. This monster has four Gauss Rifles equipped on it, and is primarily an ambusher as it can only fire four times before its out of ammo. The real one killed nine SLDF mechs before it was killed by the SLDF bringing the goddamn hammer down.”
They were silent as they digested that.
“Are you for real?! Four Gauss Rifles?!” Carson shouted in incredulity.
“Shit….I want one.” Murmured Devlin.
“For real, yes. Keep moving, don’t let them get a bead on you, and hit them hard and fast!” I commanded as I sped forward, Linear Gun now loaded and out before rising up above the buildings. I was immediately fired upon by six mechs, and stuck by the fire of two, but fortunately only four rounds hit me. It was still a good amount of damage and I was going to be dead at this rate, but I fired back with my own Linear Cannon.
One was struck in the chest, and dead immediately, and the other six were struck by proximity. Three exploded as their capacitors went off, causing an ammo explosion, thus ending their run. The other three were damaged but still in the running.
Carson was on the ground level and was fired upon by four units, all save a single one missed, and all four struck the Arrestor unit, which was heavily armored but still only able to take so much. Carson kept control and fired his own Linear Gun at a grouping. It struck right between them, hitting five units, and mission killed three.
Devlin was shot at by two units, with only one hitting him with two rounds. His center torso took the hits and took off a ton of armor, but he was fine otherwise. He snarled and fired back with his own Linear Gun, but the group and survivors of our previous strikes were moving off to cover. The shot passed by them and struck a building, causing the whole thing to come crashing down and send dust everywhere.
“SHIT!”
“No! this is a good thing! They can’t see now! Close in and hit them with blades!”
I could hear the toothy grin on Devlin’s face grow as he and Carson agreed.
Our Linear guns shifted to safe mode as we blitzed into the dust cloud. Our scanners giving us a computerized view of the area as we turned and bore down on the Rifleman units.
They didn’t see it coming as we struck them with plasma blades, cutting them in half and apart. A few fired blindly, but only succeeded in hitting buildings as they too were cut down.
The company was done, and we exited the dust cloud as a group.
“Well, that was something.” I said with some sarcasm.
“Remind me to get an Amaris doll to stab. I wanna see if it hurts despite being in hell.” Carson growled.
“That’s just redundant.”
“I think we should burn an effigy.” Devlin added with a bit of his normal self.
“Oh, that’s much better!”
I sighed. “For the Greater Good, I will do that, but let’s finish this before we burn any statues of fat men in bibs.”
They both laughed at the image as we accelerated to Central Park where the last group supposedly was.
When we entered the park, we were immediately assailed by mechs and combat vehicles, along with mortars. It was quickly turning into bullet hell. On top of that, we were now being attacked not just by Jackrabbits, Phoenix, and Rampage units, but also Dragoon mechs and a few more Rifleman Three units.
“Don’t hold back, go all out!” I shouted as I blitz the speed and made the Breaker live up to its name. Moving at speeds in excess of two hundred kilometers per hour, most of the units had trouble targeting us now that we were able to make use of the speed. Open ground was the Breaker’s friend, and we made use of it.
Linear shots, Plasma bursts, seeker swarms, and occasional Blade strikes, quickly whittled down the enemy numbers within minutes.
Soon enough, the entire park was cleared of enemies, and the mission was completed.
Alexander Kerensky’s voice came over the radio.
“You three have preformed your duty beyond expectations. Now we will land and see to the Cameron’s safe retrieval. Thank you for your work. Stand by for retrieval. Our work is not yet finished, and will not be until Amaris is finally defeated. Your next mission will be forthcoming.”
The sight of a dozen Overlord dropships coming down from the sky was a sight to behold.
“This is Sierra-1-1. We confirm a safe LZ, standby to landing.”
The view soon faded away to black, and then to a mission screen showing us our score.
We got a B+ due to killing all of the units in a good amount of time, but less for taking the damage.
That faded, and then the real world came into our vision, with the pods opening up. I slowly exited from the Pod, as did the other two. Looking over towards the group, the guards were cheering their lords, while mine cheered for me.
Martress gave me a look that said “You could have done better”. I just shrugged. She turned and gave Devlin a look that said “Pretty good.” Pfft. Women.
Devlin just grinned and puffed up, his Regent giving him a proud look as they all began jabbering about what they just experienced.
I sat there and relaxed, grinning at the fun I just had and realized…I should do this more often.
I felt another star fall at that moment, and the forge grabbed it. I felt a moment of panic.
[quote=CLANG!!!]
-Workshop Artisan (Bloodborne) (300CP)
As if taught at the long gone workshop, you seem to possess knowledge and skill with many of their crafting techniques. You have been granted the knowledge and skills needed to both repair and even create your own Trick Weapons and Hunter's Tools.
Trick Weapons are weapons with a variety of special abilities relating to their form. The most common type of Trick Weapons are those that can transform in some manner. An example being swords that can lock into specialized sheaths in order to become different weapons, sometimes radically so. Not to say transformation is the only ability, there are also melee weapons with guns attached, and maces that can be charged with unnatural blue electricity to deal massive damage.
Hunter's Tools are pieces of equipment with special abilities activated by using Blood Bullets or Quicksilver Bullets as a medium. Hunter's Tools are usually supernatural items that have been made to work using a Blood/Quicksilver Bullet medium, such as the Beast Roar, a beast's claw that when activated, allows the wielder to roar like a beast.
Some Hunter's Tools are completely man made as well, though this is a relative minority. Basically, you now know how to convert things into being activated and powered by Blood Bullets and Quicksilver Bullets. Doing so allows anyone to use them, even if they are completely mundane beings, so long as they have the bullets mentioned above on their person. When making Hunter's Tools, remember that the more power something requires, the bullets the wielder will need. These skills granted to you may be honed over time, just as any other skill can.
[/quote]
I blinked and then relaxed again. So…better energy weapons and the ability to make Hunter’s tools.
Well…it will be interesting making said tools with modern technology. Plasma Pistols that become Plasma Blades?
Oh yes…fun it coming.
I paused as Devlin came over to me and pulled me up.
“My friend, if this is a taste of what an alliance will be like with you, I want to join. Hands Down. No more questions. Let me join.” He declared. His Regent suddenly looked put out at his rash decision.
I quirked a brow and gave the man a bone.
“Let me tell you what comes with it before you totally decide alright. There’s more than just cool mech fights and the means of uplifting your nation.”
Devlin and his Regent sighed, the former at being denied and the latter in relief.
Then I felt another star fall. Once more the forge grabbed something.
[quote=Clang!]
-Constructor Drone and AI Kernel (Warhammer 40k: T'au Empire) (100CP)
This drone is an automated constructor unit, capable of building simple machines and buildings on its own and more complicated structures and technologies under your direct supervision, so long as it has materials to work with. Its tools can be easily customized or replaced with new or different technologies. Moreover, its software includes a kernel that can be used to grow specialized AI and VI systems optimized for various computational substrates and tasks that are always loyal to you.
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The sudden appearance of a Tau Construction Drone from literally nowhere caused everyone to suddenly jolt and in the case of the guards, point their weapons at it.
Devlin stared at it, as did Carson, with wide eyes.
I quickly got out of Devlin’s grip and put on a grin, bullshitting on the spot as I slapped my palm on the machine.
“We got other toys, like this here construction drone!”
It looked at me and beeped.
Comments
TyrTheFallen
While I love Celestial Forge it's biggest downside is that once you get enough technology the story falls flat for me when you can just built anything you want.
Ryune
Whooo, all caught up. I'm wondering just how far he is going to go down the transhumanism and biotech route? Is he going to be making his own Gyver equivalents? One mod I would definitely suggest would be for just natural deep sea survival if at all possible. Maybe bundle it with a brain preservation mod that allows for the subject to go into hibernation to survive even decapitation until rescue comes... Though, I am also wondering if they bothered with integrated MMI's? No longer needing the neurohelm equivalents would be a massive boon. That Bloodborn perk is also a massive game changer. There is, after all, very little difference between pulsed plasma bolts, a consistent beam, flame thrower, thruster and blade. Oh, they all have quirks in construction but most of that is directly from how elements of them are arranged and controlled. Hell, Cortana turned a Covenant plasma canon into a superior beam weapon with a _software update_.
GundamChief
Already have a perfect excuse for it too, but it means having to give up one of the cards. Still with the Greater Good in effect, they will in time become loyal enough to keep their mouths shut. Not that they want to share this "tech" with anyone, but at this point, they would definitely want to use it for themselves.
Wildebranch
It was going to happen, sooner or later. At least it was something easy to bullshit unlike a person.
