becomeanwarrior | [Locked Event]

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[So, Labrys, you've agreed to turn to the on-again off-again mad scientist cousin of Wakahisa for help, letting him effectively try and study you to get an idea of how Barians are to be repaired, so that the two of you can theoretically help Failnaught.

The OOPARTS building on the mainland isn't hard to find, and when you arrive, there is a bubbly cheerful receptionist who gives you a guide to elevators that take you to Sub-Level 2: Research and Development.

When you get there, you'll see one wing closed off temporarily, next to an office that reads "RESEARCH DIRECTOR: J. GRAVE", and another wing that branches off, with signs reading "EXPERIMENTAL TEST LAB - CLEARANCE BY DIRECTOR HAITA REQUIRED BEYOND THIS POINT".

Of course, passing that, you reach a state-of-the-art lab that has a juxtaposition of very clean and elegantly-crafted machines, as well as some machines that look like they are deliberately more form than function, built together in a makeshift workshop. The two different types of machines seem to interface with each other without any trouble, as the reddish-brown hair peeks out from behind an oversized terminal.]

Labrys! I didn't hear you come in, or I would've made sure to greet you, sorry! I hope this lab will uh, suffice? I don't exactly know what I'm looking for, so I've brought out a little of everything.

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It's fine, I'm sure that, short of any possible surges, your machinery will be able to handle examining me.

*Labrys approaches, dressed in what might be considered to be... "casual" attire for her-- it gives off a rather "strict teacher" energy, with the long-sleeved blouse and pencil skirt she has on.

Of course, it's all how she holds herself, too, and she is definitely walking like she would in a full set of armor. Not someone to cross.*

As you are the researcher in this case, I will need you to direct me through this process.

[Well, it's not full-dress battle armor, at least, that makes things at least somewhat easier.]

Ah! Yes, well. Like I told you before, I'm not entirely sure where to start when it comes to the Barians. You are... certainly different! But to start I've set up a platform for you to stand on so that I can take some energy readings.

[He motions to an uplifted platform with what looks like a camera and some various high-tech sensors.]

I've got a couple of monitors set up to output any data the sensors detect. They're fairly sensitive, but can handle large spikes of energy. I've made sure to cover a broad spectrum of types. Ultraviolet waves, heat, electromagnetic pulses. But also things such as Psychokinetic energy readings, energy readings similar to Duel Energy - Momentum, in other words - and even energy readings that might be similar to those encountered in the Warp. Then it can take that data and superimpose it over a live feed and allow me to see what kinds of energy readings are coming off you from where, which might make the process of figuring out where to start with repair easier.

While that's going on, though, I'd like to ask how this... 'repair' process goes, from what you know of it, personally. It might give me some insight at to where I start. And if anything comes up I'm sure I have a tool for it around here somewhere.

*going up to the platform*

Of course. I'll try to explain to the best of my abilities what exactly happens with the repair process under normal circumstances, but please at least understand that the most cases where I've personally experienced it, I was, well...

Indisposed during the process.

Of course. Not to say it's an exact comparison, but I have been similarly, ah, indisposed and in such a way that I effectively had to repair myself over several weeks, through the magic of the Gigantech Fighter, so I'm no stranger to the idea that these repairs likely happened while you have, at best, a hazy recollection.

[He flicks a few switches as you step up to the platform, getting a feed with you on the monitor as he watches it closely, you can hear the hum f the various machinery and sensors come to life.]

So, feel free to start whenever you're ready, Labrys.

Edited 2020-10-12 02:06 (UTC)

*well, you don't have too much of a baseline for what to look for, but what your sensors are doing, they can tell you this much: she has a lot of energy-- in fact, she's almost basically pure, malleable energy, the only truly solid "part" being what seems to form her center.

But you also notice a lot of flux on the edges of that energy that reads similar to what's in the Warp.*

The basic idea is that Failnaught-- and those who were created to similar purpose-- are capable of manipulating the "material" around us to rebuild others. You might think of "material" like you would the natural energy of the Earth, the life-giving essence of sorts.

This is considered to be a necessity for our survival, namely because we weren't designed with any self-repairing mechanisms, so that, say... You can heal your finger, given time, if you cut it. But we need to rely on someone else to repair that finger for us.

Understand, so far?

I think so, yes. In short, you need a special 'tool' to manipulate the energy that comprises your forms, one that's built into Failnaught and others like him, yes?

[He's quickly pulling up various different energy signatures for comparison. Momentum? Star plasma? Thermal reactors? If he can figure out the type of energy, even the closest equivalent - beyond the Warp that frays at the edges, of course - maybe he can replicate what they'd need.]

It would make some amount of twisted sense that you can't self-repair, instead being forced to rely on someone else who could make those repairs.

Edited 2020-10-12 02:45 (UTC)

Well, of course it did. At the time, at least.

I've learned that since then, other models that came after us are capable of self-repair, in exchange for being more... Biological, of course. Not that they were treated any much better. *she readjusts herself. Whatever the energy is that's reading off, it's... intense. Perhaps closer to a star, yes. It's very... bright, in that sense.*

For us, in comparison, we are closer to... I suppose a term for it would be "hard-light"? Our physical forms that you see are nothing but a projection of what our Core is programmed to give off, combined with the atmospheric settings of the reality we are in. The only truly physical parts of us are the Core, and our Weapon.

I had noticed that! I do have some experience with hardlight projections, though this is obviously much more robust.

[He's overlaying various star energy signatures now, trying to find matches, looking up at her for maybe a -bit- too long, oops. Cough. Jeez, this really is a lot of energy. Manipulating this would be tricky...]

So, when you're indisposed, this energy you use is also used to repair your Core, I'm presuming? Of course, it sounds simple when I put it like that, but I know there's plenty of complications.

Edited 2020-10-12 03:14 (UTC)

Well, as a baseline idea: Yes, that is effectively what happens.

The complicated part is that the Core only has so much energy cycling through it-- it only has exactly what it needs to work. So you need to use outside "material" to repair it.

Now, on paper, this might seem very simple, but those like Failnaught are able to do it on a precise level, not just to the Core, but to the Weapon as well.

I guess the equivalent to why such precision would be needed, would be... *she seems to think momentarily, like she's trying to figure out the words.*

Brain surgery? Heart surgery?

So it needs to be able to very finely manipulate a similar energy from an outside source to repair your cores. [A lot of energy but a very, very specific amount of precision. No wonder this needs specialized tools. But where would one get this sort of energy...]

And you said Failnaught tens to pull from... the planet itself? Or am I misunderstanding. Is this something that's only possible on the Barian Island?

[He's suddenly moving a bit, he's thrown the energy readings and overlays on a touch monitor, swiping them over each other as he works with the other hand.]

Edited 2020-10-12 03:33 (UTC)

Mmm, this is a bit of a complicated question to answer... *she taps the side of her cheek*

Failnaught pulls from the surroundings to repair us, yes, but it needs to be "material" that can match us. Before we were able to transport ourselves safely through the "Levels" of the dimensions, we could only hope to repair ourselves in an area that was similar to the Ettosyleit, because it was what our forms adapted to.

But because we had to move through the several levels in order to transfer our part of the world to this one, we can use the "material" of Earth in order to do repairs, which is... Really the only reason we were able to, say, revive Lancea and Chakram at all.

Another stand-in for that energy is, of course, the Legendary Numbers, but it's a bit of a risky battery to use-- he's only used it once, when helping Koyo with the gaping hole he formed in his chest, when pulling his partner's card out of himself.

*o-oh, sounds lovely.*

A...ah. That certainly is, something we would wish to avoid, yes.

[He's stopped for a moment, taken aback. Yes, that would be, bad. If he wore glasses this is where he'd push them up, frankly a little puzzled.]

So when it comes to material, what forms are most conductive to repairs? Does it depend on the individual Barian? Does it need to be a solid subtance, an infusion of direct energy? As I mentioned I do have... some experience with replicating some of the energy signatures of the Different Dimension, if that is still the most preferred method of repair, but I assume you're looking for something much more sustainable, here.

Well, for the short-term, the aim would be to allow Failnaught to be repaired, himself. Since, well...

It's not that he's damaged-- he's gone to great lengths to avoid putting himself into danger unnecessarily. His Weapon is designed to keep him out of trouble, after all.

However, he is worn down. Old, you would say. His mind's pathways have never gotten a chance to rest or refresh themselves. Even we have to accept that our "deaths", temporarily, are meant to be a method of reprieve, which is why older memories tend to fade with the revival, as well.

*she tilts her head somewhat* As for material forms, there is no particularly beneficial source above another-- after all, anything can be used, in the end, which is something we did not have much left of, on our previous world.

But I guess... "Soul"? "Life"? Would be the most completely efficient material, but obviously is not recommended.

Soul or life would be most efficient, hm?

[He taps his chin. He's looking over it. He hrms. Starts to pace. Stops, turns again. He's torn, obviously. In the long term, yes, finding something more applicable - geothermal reactors, maybe? It's not like the pacific rim is not a hotbed of volcanic activity that might substitute-]

[No, no, this is a unique opportunity. He has to think about it, doesn't he?]

Perhaps not entirely recommended, but possible for a being that has a more complex relationship with life than simply expiring when it's extinguished...

[Tap, tap, suddenly he's putting an overlay image of the energies at work.]

Twelve Peers System, run energy compatibility match with the data we have thus far. Use personnel file SPINV-001, most recent data.

[He pulls himself away from the computer as it runs simulations - the data it's collected from you so far trying to match with the energy of, well, Onni himself. Particular compatibility with the energy of your form and that of Gigantech's at various outputs.]

Gigantech Fighter's power is drawn from will and spirit in equal measure, and also allows for a higher... sensitivity to the ebb and flow of one's personal life force. It's power is as a nigh immortal warrior. As a sustainable battery it's certainly not my first choice, I'm only one man. [He chuckles a bit.] But if we need to infuse energy into Failnaught's core to repair him...

Well, I think I can solve that energy problem. The... tool to interface with a core is a different matter.

Edited 2020-10-12 04:55 (UTC)

Well, energy in the short-term at least isn't an issue. Earth offers much in terms of it, even if it's admittedly a bit... low-grade. *She doesn't MEAN that as an insult, but.*

But the "tool" is the issue, correct. Failnaught, and his type specifically, are the "tools" in this case. But he is the only one now who is still in a usable state, which has created the conundrum.

The closest one who existed before, of course, was Scythe, and even he wasn't exact-- his expertise lied in the ability to "remove".

[No, no, he gets it. It's part of Earth's charm, after all.]

Scythe's power to remove, and Failnaught's power to repair... I see.

[One hand to create, the other to remove...]

...This isn't particularly exact, but I might be able to make a sort of... apparatus that simulates these. I think I understand the theory, to some extent. One gauntlet to try and simulate infusion of energy in a way like a soldering iron. The other gauntlet would be to... diffuse energy, using short bursts of it to remove it. A pair of gauntlets, perhaps? Even then I'm not sure if that works exactly for interfacing with one's core.

[He's spitballing now, he's come around closer to you now, a screen swiveling around. He's drawing up very quick mock diagrams of gauntlets that look like they would... "plug" into him.]

I do not suspect this will be a perfect fix, but I think I might well be able to get within spitting distance of some kind of prototype. This type would be drawing on my own power, but I could easily adjust them to slowly drawn in ambient... 'life force' from an area full of life. A forest, or a sacred shrine and used to repair.

If I then introduce this energy into a Core - in small, highly controlled amounts, would it know what to do with it, to some extent?

The Core has its' own protocols, certainly, but Failnaught has the access keys, effectively.

You would likely need to examine him and attempt to replicate the "keys", as a result. *which might be hard to do, with him.

She suddenly materializes her weapon-- a large labrys axe that is effectively the size of herself-- gesturing to the Core that's centered in its' head.*

Perhaps taking a closer look at the Core itself may help, but I do advise to not touch more than necessary, of course.

*... interestingly, your sensors can tell a shift in energy from Labrys's... form, to her Weapon, like it carried a good chunk from her self.*

Ah, access keys, yes, that would be the pickle. Replicating those could be tricky, but maybe a look at the Core will help. I'll, uh, be gentle.

[He's taking a deep breath as he approaches the axe, taking a look at the monitors over his shoulder, yeah, okay, the energy in the core, makes sense. He's running a handful of simulations in his head as he gently sort of, runs his hands over it, trying to discern exactly how one would 'access' it, keys or no.]

*You can see how it's centered into the axe, in the portion between the two blades-- and it's not exactly small, either, and it's easy to imagine how this effectively operates as the "mind and heart" of the Barians.

It's also very solidly built. The purple hum of the energy flows in a circle around the inside of it, and it's clear that that's probably the part you shouldn't touch.

Strangely though, the feeling of the weapon is very... neutral. It's not warm. But it's not cold, either. It's the type of sensation where it could trick your mind into feeling like you could grasp it, and it could turn into nothing.*

[It's a really curious sensation, to be sure, but that does make him tighten his grip more on it, in places where he feels he's safe to grasp, staying well away from the parts brimming with energy, trying to find a mechanism that moves, slides into or out of place, that unlocks. Treating it like someone would treat a puzzle they're very excited but very cautious about.]

Looking at it up close, it really is uh, a wondrous thing. I'm sure that probably sounds a bit strange for you to hear, but I mean it.

*... there's nothing you can see that unlocks it. It seems very... wedged. It might be faster to ask Labrys directly for the physical part of this.*

Oh, that isn't odd to hear at all.

As much as I loathe the Astrals, their advancements in this technology, to create us, is absolutely extraordinary. To be able to make a whole race, using a combination of a Core state, a physical psyche, and using the creation of the Over Hundred Numbers as a means to support our "soul", is something that does not come so simply to those of the regular 12 Dimensions, if at all.

And then they did it again, this time being able to create fully physical beings that did not need the support of the Core or the Weapon. But, well. Personally.

*she's a little smug* I do feel that we have a specific refinement that I prefer.

I do have to say I agree, even if I'm particularly attached to my own flesh and blood, to some extent.

[He gives a small little laugh at her smugness. He can't help but let it affect him a little bit.]

I must admit, the actual physical portion of this has me more than a little stumped, here. I can see how... hard it would be to figure it out based on casual observation. Is there a way to... unlock or unwedge it, that I'm not seeing?

Ah.

You do not remove the Core from the Weapon, when it's in this state. I apologize. I understand that this is a little new to you, but like this, it would be similar to removing your brain from your skull.

The Core forms the heart and handles all of the processing, but the Weapon forms the psyche. If the Weapon is damaged, then so is our ability to perform rationally and to keep ourselves stable.

*you did end up seeing all of the reports about Scythe's incident before, so it ends up making some sense of what she's saying here-- basically if the Weapon's in disrepair, it makes them crazy.*

Ah, okay, the report about Scythe is starting to come to mind. The weapon and the core work together. [He's nodding along now.] Sorry, yes, you're right, this is, well, new. So repairing the weapon is just as important as repairing the core.

If one were to try to access then, how would they go about it? Walk me through this, since I will likely need to have a better understanding if we're to even remotely attempt to convince Failnaught this is a good idea.

Hnmmm... How to really explain this...

... Computers. I have some understanding of the state of technology here. You understand how repairing a computer would be handled, yes?

Think of the Core as the software portion, while the Weapon is the hardware portion. It's why Failnaught has the "access keys" in order to handle the "software", while he works on the "hardware". *she thinks more, and realizes something*

Oh, it might be important for you to understand this, but...

You cannot physically repair the Core, because it isn't meant to be damaged in the first place. It takes extreme duress and pressure to damage it at all, but once it does, that is basically "it", for us. The Weapon otherwise protects it, which is why it's so reinforced when present.

I'm very familiar with computer engineering, thankfully. [He's running his hands along the weapon now as she talks, nodding. He's... gradually starting to get the bigger picture.]

I see, so the weapon is what requires maintenance, more than anything. We would still need the access keys from Failnaught, then, in that case, or to replicate them, if I'm understanding you correctly. But maintenance on the weapon itself is something that should be well within my skill set.

The trick would of course be designing the apparatus - for both myself and for future use for you all in the future, though the latter is a long-term concern - and of course, convincing Failnaught this is something that is required. I suspect he's going to be a bit stubborn on this.

Well, of course he is. In so far as we had considered it to be, it would've been impossible to do a true revitalization, since part of the purpose of the access codes is to reconstitute our "selves", if we are reduced down to our Core state.

Though it may help in the short-term if you can figure out a way to remove errors and corruptions. That will at least help deter Failnaught's worst thoughts.

Removing errors and corruptions, huh?

[Dragging out the older skillsets, huh.]

I... dabbled a bit in such 'mental dives', when I was younger. It's not something I've done in a long while, but my cousin Wakahisa and I both did it for my spouse, many, many years ago, so it would not be something unfamiliar to me.

And of course, Wakahisa, outside of all her power and, well, eccentricities is a licensed therapist.

If simply repairing the weapon is enough to help lessen these thoughts, I should be fine to do the work on my own, but if you're talking about a deeper interface, she might be the one to turn to for consultation.

Edited 2020-10-12 20:11 (UTC)

Perhaps, but it's more... Hnm.

You are aware of the Ettosyleit. In fact, I am certain I had to pull you out of there before. *Oh, right, yes.*

Exposure to such a chaotic place can bring a corruption over time. It was Scythe's ability-- and those like him, of course-- to remove that corruption so that Failnaught could repair it.

I don't know how much your sensors were able to detect, but you may have noticed the chaotic influence on the fringes of my self. *she isn't exactly ignorant to her own problems, at least.*

A-hah. Well, hm. I'm sure I can devise a way to dissipate the influence of the warp. I'm no stranger to it as... you so keenly pointed out. [Hm, hm hm. Okay, so we need to shave off the corruption of the warp and then make repairs. Okay. He's turned back around, doing some quick computations on the touch screen showing the blueprints.]

I'm slowly getting a better understanding of the situation, so let's see if I can summarize what you've told me so far.

Failnaught requires maintenance and repair, which require firstly a way to remove the corruption of the Warp on your forms, and then to repair your Weapon. I will likely need an access key from Failnaught themselves in order to do this, outside of the tool I will have to devise, powered off of my own life force for the sake of efficiency.

Does that sound right so far, Labrys?

You don't need to use your own lifeforce for us. The surrounding material is fine enough.

But yes, that's right. Hopefully we will be able to achieve... Something, here. Anything.

I just want to help him. He doesn't get the privilege of revitalization otherwise, after all...

Well, not need per se, but it's something I can do relatively easily due to my own abilities, so I may as well make use of it, especially if the repairs are going to be extensive.

Truth be told I have been working on the ability to extract my own power for a little while now, so this dovetails nicely with some research I had mothballed.

[He starts pulling together disparate elements on this digital whiteboard he's set up, and you can start to see a pair of metal gloves take shape - with two prongs that can seem to jut outward from just under the wrist.]

...I'm probably not the best person to ask Failnaught about this. I can certainly help you argue with them if you'd like me to, but, well...

Edited 2020-10-12 21:08 (UTC)

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