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With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Discussion in 'Creative Writing' started by Mr Zoat, Jan 27, 2019.

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  1. AmericanNumbers

    AmericanNumbers Not too sore, are you?

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    "Let's randomly feed the orange light to a mechanism that may be controlling or hooked to Sun Eaters! What could possibly go wrong!"
     
  2. BR549

    BR549 This is filth! FILTH!!

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    "When you are aboard an alien construct of uncertain design and purpose, you touch nothing! You have no way of knowing if a lever could vent the atmosphere into space…if…if a switch could activate flesh-eating nanobots! Until you have studied everything, you have to assume that this station's single purpose was to isolate and destroy you personally! Do you understand?!"
     
  3. moralrelativity

    moralrelativity Recovering pendant.

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    What happened to the common sense that OL seemed to be developing recently? The lack of caution when he's just learnt of the villages above is just STAGGERING.
     
  4. RichardWhereat

    RichardWhereat Aia airëa Fëanáro.

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    I wonder how many of the rapes were actually Zeus being Zeus, as opposed to kinky women getting with animals, and (or) cheating and then blaming it on their Skydaddy. Like that whole Mary fiasco.
     
  5. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    Thank you, corrected.

    And to be clear, his probing isn't so much 'What does this switch do?' as 'Is this a switch?'.
     
  6. Vaermina

    Vaermina Well worn.

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    Those are the same thing if you don't know whether it's a switch or not...
     
  7. SaltyWaffles

    SaltyWaffles I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    That’s not any better. If you can’t even tell if it’s a switch or not, and it may be connected to a Malthusian-scale doomsday weapon, call in the Malthusians.

    This is unbelievably stupid.
     
  8. rkyeun

    rkyeun Cabbitus Maximus

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    No, it's worse if you don't know. At least if you do know, you're pushing it on purpose, however ill-advised that may be. But now you're making the second mistake of not doing what you intended on top of the previous ill-advised one.
     
  9. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    I once looked at a plane.

    Naturally, it fell out of the sky a few moments later due to my action.
     
  10. Bud-E

    Bud-E Stand up so I can push you down!

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    What is going on in Brazil the Sheeda destroyed most of the cities, right? Did Euthane take advantage and just grow more forest that Danner and his people claimed as their property?
     
  11. Khettien

    Khettien Perpetually confused

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    As a minor point of order, Athena was the goddess of crafts (which is actually a poor translation for what we now call industry, really,) and strategy. Intellect, to the extent she covered it, would have been a very minor domain.
     
  12. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    Sort of. Any area that had simply been deforested got reforested, as did some farmland. Urban centres that were repopulated by evacuation/Sheeda/other are in the process of being torn down by plantlife. Beyond that, the Accala as a group are just trying to work out how their new society is going to work.
     
  13. Ngamer11

    Ngamer11 Experienced.

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    Almost makes me want to see what would happen if sentient plant life developed there and demanded that the "two legged animals who destroy them" leave so that the Accala would be forced to leave. And just to push it a little more, have Euanthe either not care, or side with the sentient plant life.
     
  14. jasonh23761

    jasonh23761 Not too sore, are you?

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    I like these New Titans.
     
    ChestBurster and Bud-E like this.
  15. Bud-E

    Bud-E Stand up so I can push you down!

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    You sick bastard I love it!
     
  16. Vaermina

    Vaermina Well worn.

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    Except this isn't looking at a plane with your eyes.

    It's looking at a plane with a very high powered microwave transmitter.
     
    Gantradies likes this.
  17. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    Plants don't feel like that about individual plants.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Coda

    Coda Versed in the lewd.

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    Well, that usually indicates it's a bad mnemonic device.

    hesitate
     
  19. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    Thank you, corrected.
     
  20. Ideomancer

    Ideomancer Getting out there.

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    More or less how planes look at each other, as it happens.
     
  21. Threadmarks: Sungate (part 13)
    Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    11th September 2012
    15:06 GMT


    Naturally, there's no user interface.

    In fact, I'm not sure that there's any 'computer' here in the conventional sense of the term. I mean, it's the regulator for the interface, but it was clearly built on the assumption that the Controller would be doing most of the work in their head. It's letting me do it by ring more because it hasn't been designed not to rather than any sort of permission system.

    "Are you able to access it?"

    "Yes. Sort of. Unfortunately, it's designed for an actual Controller to do most of the work. They literally have to bridge the gap between dimensions themselves; this system doesn't do it. Which… I'm sorry, but I'm wasting your time. I can't do that."

    I frown.

    Can I? Or rather, can my ring?

    No, no, I don't think so. The Honden isn't a dimension, not in the way that this place is designed to use the term.

    "You can't?"

    He sounds genuinely surprised. Which is oddly touching, but it's slightly unfortunate that I'm giving a bad impression.

    "Sorry. I'm a Lantern, not a dimensional mathematician. I can do an assessment of the place and report back to the actual Controllers, but as far as activating this is concerned…"

    "We would rather not have the Controllers come here personally."

    "Ah… Okay? I suppose Dox could probably do it. Maybe one or two others? Would you..? Mind telling me why you don’t want them here?"

    Coeus turns aside and swings his right arm, indicating the rest of the factory.

    "Does it seem strange that we are concerned about the people who made all of this?"

    "A little? I mean, they left. A long time ago. There's no obvious reason for them to want to take it back. You said that you were worried about their technology decaying due to lack of attention, and those weapons are already here."

    He smiles faintly. "Oh, for a rational universe."

    "I know what you mean. I suppose… Is this the first planet you've ruled?"

    "Without our mother's guidance?" He nods. "Yes. Is there really nothing you can do?"

    "There are a lot of things I could do. But I can't be sure in advance what the result would be, which rather defeats the purpose of my coming here."

    I take a moment to peer off into the distance.

    "How about I take a look around the place and then report back to the Controllers for instructions?"

    "Very well. I can't really give you a tour as I have no idea what any of this does, but you are welcome to see it."

    He turns away to walk back down the rope bridge-.

    "I'm sorry if this is a personal question, but can you fly?"

    "Normally, yes. But there is something about this place that distorts magic. I take it that the Controllers made no use of it?"

    I try to rise by ring, but the power leaks away almost immediately. Ophidian?



    "They can, but they aren't keen on using power moderated by others."

    I trigger my armour's flight system instead, and… Yes, that works. I rise off the platform and fly after Coeus.

    "Can I offer you an alternate system? It's fairly instinctual to use."

    He looks rather taken aback.

    "How?"

    "Basic physics is working more or less the same in here as it does outside. So whatever shielding they've put in place is probably… High order stuff, designed to prevent certain types of extra-planar energy working. So no magic for you and no ring for me. However, normal"-

    I try taking a simple magnet out of subspace, but can't. Ah… Side arm? I draw it and point it off into the distance.

    "-manipulations of magnetic forces and electricity work fine."

    I pull the trigger, the bang caused by the exploding powder echoing through the chamber before being lost to the distance.

    "As well as chemical reactions."

    "You carry a chemical propellant weapon?"

    "They're a pain to stop remotely." I frown. "What… Language are you speaking?"

    "I speak several languages, though at the moment I'm speaking Greek. Why do you ask?"

    So how is my ring translating? I mean, I've learned a little Classical Greek, but I'm not fluent and I wouldn't mistake it for English. So is the ring's translation system separate..? Or is it that he has a normal connection to the orange light and it's running off that? Something else to ask Hinon.

    "My armour has a translation system, but I usually rely on my ring. And I doubt that you speak English."

    "So you can bypass the system?"

    "So I can accidentally bypass the system in one regard without knowing why. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

    He nods. "It is wise to know one's limits. And yes, thank you. I would like you to share whatever system you're using."

    "I-."

    With my rings down, I can't fabricate a flight belt. But I can disconnect my armour's backup and attach a couple of straps… There.

    I hold it out to him.

    "Strap this on securely."

    He looks it over, then tests the strength of the straps before pulling it around his waist and tightening it.

    "Tap it, then sort of angle yourself in the way you want to-"

    Coeus launches into the air, narrowly dodging the beams holding up our platform to the ceiling before stopping.

    "I see. A little…"

    He shifts sideways, stops, falls a few metres and then stops again.

    "I see. Interesting. Is this its original purpose?"

    "No, it was originally used as crash protection for starship travellers."

    "Travellers who would often not have been trained in specialised systems." He thinks for a moment. "Tell me: you mentioned geothermal power earlier. What other suggestions do you have for improving this world?"
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2022
  22. Darko

    Darko Connoisseur.

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    You should have said:

    "Dammit man, I'm a Lantern, not a dimensional physicist!"

    Worried about the natives not reacting pleasantly to their former overlords and enslavers showing up?

    Ohh, so they're worried that the Controllers could defeat them.

    Actually there is.

    The Reach.

    They used the planet as a delivery system for their Sun Eaters in the past, so they may want to reclaim it now and send their Lanterns into Reach space.

    I think he and Paul just became very, very close.

    So it's not just the Controllers mini chlorian powers that are disrupted.

    I'm betting he's thinking it's odd for a space traveler to have such a primitive weapon.

    Unless you have that device the Sontarans used, or the Tollan used.

    Or the translation system doesn't use all that much power so is not so disrupted.

    So, anyone thinking that Paul is going to run into something horrible and not be able to use his ring?
     
  23. Ardy

    Ardy I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    im guessing we’re cutting back next year huh?
     
  24. Doccer

    Doccer I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    I think I see a truly destined Broship for the ages blossoming here.
     
  25. moralrelativity

    moralrelativity Recovering pendant.

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    Yes. And worrying that he can't reach the Ophidian as well.

    I wouldn't be looking around. I'd gtfo and call Hinnon asap.
     
  26. asparagus

    asparagus Know what you're doing yet?

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    Wow, that's probably his favorite question of the year. He usually just gives out those suggestions unprompted.
     
  27. Dakkan Sall

    Dakkan Sall Random Encounter

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    Well, up until the low-key hints of "something's not quite right with what we're being told" end up coming to bear and things fall apart.
     
  28. Sockmonkey

    Sockmonkey I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    Translation is part of the ring's communication system, not it's ability to manipulate energy and matter, so a safety system mean to prevent unauthorized people from fucking with Maltusian tech wouldn't bother to block it.
     
  29. Handlewithcare

    Handlewithcare Versed in the lewd.

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    Interesting. Coeus was essentially born into a post-technology society

    He probably never even heard of more primitve solutions than what they inplemented.

    So he has no idea how to uplift his people. And they in turn would probably never innovate on their own, cared for by their pantheon.

    Paul is the best thing that could happen to a place like that.
     
  30. Chojin Patriarch

    Chojin Patriarch Veteran Lurker

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    Seriously, I can understand the Controllers not wanting anyone to use use it but themselves... But for frick's sake, at least have some manner of internal security, just in case someone like OL turns up. Someone who can poke around the edges of what a maltusian can do, but doesn't have the knowledge of what not to do...

    And this should be the point at which calling Hinon would be the next logical step, isn't it, OL?

    And in the wings, Murphy is perking up, rummaging in his pockets for something fun to throw at OL...

    Thank fuck for that. So, head back outside, send Hinon word and let her handle that side of things. Easy as, nice little diversion... (And Murphy is snapping his fingers angrily at them...)

    Better to leave it be than poke something and learn he just hit the self-destruct.

    Besides the fact that with a name like 'The Controllers'... If they built this place to make weapons to kill suns, would you want someone like that showing up?

    Quite reasonable, really, given it all.

    Wow, you know just what to say to get on OL's good side, huh? Almost a little suspicious...

    Which begs the question... Have they ruled planets before? And what happened to those planets that they aren't still ruling there? I can but hope they're doing well for themselves, but...

    Such a suggestion these days practically demands the 'Common Sense interrupt' call-out... :rolleyes: Which says so much about OL, doesn't it?

    Oh, boy. Given OL's reaction to coming up that way... I can't imagine going down would be any easier.

    Interesting. Anti-magic field... Presumably keyed to not affect maltusians, or at least individuals with some manner of security pass.

    ...How did you not notice Best Snek breaking contact? Interesting that it allowed constructs to interface with the controls, but not flight.

    Come now, OL. Are you really going to make him climb down?

    Probably not used to being the one offered aid. What with, you know, fairly significant mystical power.

    Including Spectrum technology, for the most part. I wonder, did the ones who made this expect trouble from other maltusians?

    No subspace access either? Interesting. I would not be surprised if there were some manner of security pass system in use. If there's a synthetic intelligence watching them, OL is probably being pegged as 'undecided threat rating'... Any lesser species without Spectrum technology would likely be dismissed unless they started poking the Sun-Eaters with sticks or something...

    Threat Rating upgraded to 'minor annoyance.'

    Unless you have some way to negate combustion processes. Or make the ammunition expand to the point of failure. Or simply disarm them using some manner of telekinesis... Admittedly, all rather advanced technologies. So not inaccurate.

    Or it's a loophole in the security system, same as the connection you established to the control terminal.

    Not intentionally. Which means it's probably not a good idea to keep poking, or whatever security is in place might decided to take action.

    ...Since any security is likely to be fairly.. decisive.. about its approach to intruders, no doubt...

    Not to worry. Once you're outside of whatever interdiction field is on this place, you should be fine... Unless the Ophidian had a tantrum when you lost contact...

    Boy, this guy is just ticking all of OL's 'sensible' boxes, isn't he?

    Yeah, not the worst display of first-time flying he's seen.

    The joy of Coeus being a smart guy. He picks this shit up fast.

    For which it is probably well over-designed, but why do things by half-measures?

    Oh, boy, don't get him started, he'll talk your ear off all the way back to New Cronus...

    Okay, good to see no-one went poking any buttons they shouldn't have (Not that they could, because no buttons at all, bloody maltusians...) And Coeus seems to know just what to say and do to make OL like him. I wonder if that's his talent in particular, or if it's part of some stupid plan or another to manipulate him... Or Mr Zoat could just be playing with our expectations while we wait for the other shoe to drop (thanks to suspicions based on the comics canon...)


    Coeus launches into the air, narrowly dodging the beams...
     
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