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

Chojin Patriarch · 2026-05-14T07:13:50+0100

Mr Zoat said:
7th September 2013
23:04 GMT

Heavy armour, construct armour, construct shields.

"Think very carefully about your next action."

Because unless they have something very potent against Spectrum technology, they are definitely outgunned. And Nth Metal is not going to be that strong an advantage.

Melee weapons are palmed and ranged weapons are raised but not pointed directly at me. No insignia and rank markers. If I'm in an oubliette then they're going to need an new oubliette in a few minutes.

A flash on my head-up display. Message from Jade, who like our alleged captors has her masers ready but not specifically aimed at anyone.

[Crows. Assassins and secret police.] One of them is briefly highlighted. [This one is requesting clarification of his orders.]

In other words, the secret service equivalents, operating as personal guards to the High Mor during a crisis situation..

I try scanning, but something is interfering. Jade's exo-mantle appears to be unaffected. Lantern Dul has no doubt reported on the existence of Darkstars but there hasn't been a reason for them to develop specific countermeasures before now. Lanterns, on the other hand, are something they've clearly assumed that they're going to have to deal with at some point.

So it's likely something attuned to Nth Metal throwing things off.

"Escort me to the High Mor immediately."

The one closest to me inclines his head slightly. "Stand by."

No. I don't think that I will.

Yeah, once OL is in motion, nothing stops him without excessive amounts of force...

The room around us glows orange, and tungsten carbide chains appear from subspace wrapped around all of them except the one getting orders. Arms and wings are bound to torsos with no room to bring Nth metal weapons to bear. Their armour is mildly disruptive, but it isn't actively damaging the metal. Shove them off to the side and chain the chains to one another.

For a second, I though that said chairs, and pictured them all tied into uncomfortable seats... But I doubt this would be any more comfortable.

And then I take a step towards the presumed-officer. His posture suggests that he's uncertain as to the correct response. The one hand on his knife indicates that he's used to responding to this sort of thing violently, but the fact that he's not even trying to use it shows that he's not an idiot.

Also not wanting to throw his life away spiting a possible threat. Especially one that outclasses him that much.

"I was fired upon by your orbital weapon platforms. I expect an explanation from your ruler now, or I will assume that it was actually deliberate and respond accordingly. Take me to the High Mor."

He remains still for a moment, and then sheathes his knife.

"This way, Orange Lantern."

Looks like he got the nod over his earpiece.

I dismiss my shield constructs and Jade and I follow him out of the… Teleportation redirection station? A little odd; a transition means that I travelled through the intervening space, so… Maybe it threw off my ring's sensors somehow? Or automatically teleported me when I appeared? Not sure. The alarm is off but it looks like whatever's jamming my sensors is still on. We walk through a heavily reinforced security bulkhead, more crows standing at alert off our passageway. Presumably, running towards us in response to the alarm and now called off.

That is interesting, given the FTL Transition isn't truly teleportation, merely moving at ludicrous speeds while partly dematerialised..

"I suggest freeing your colleagues."

There are doors leading off the corridor we're walking down, but they're armoured and emphatically closed. Empathic vision shows people… Ah, I think that's a briefing room. And that one some sort of training area. I don't see anything specific about me, though I don't think these people would have access to the controls of the orbital defence platforms anyway.

But it's definitely some sort of military bunker or safehouse.

The corridor terminates in an interior shaft big enough for thanagarians to fly up or down. Our guide spreads his wings and flaps, launching himself upwards and then hesitating, perhaps uncertain whether or not we can fly. We follow, and so reassured he accelerates upwards. About… Fifty metres up the scan jamming peters out and I can tell where we are. Huh, almost directly under the office I was aiming for.

So the redirect wasn't that far. This is most likely a security garrison of some kind, then, not a lockdown bunker.

"I assume that the High Mor is waiting for us."

"It is not my place to comment."

If not waiting, then hard at work finding out what the fuck happened.

[Movements of guards on their internal monitoring. Heavy incoming and outgoing communications traffic.]

Well, yes, I'd bloody hope so.

Definitely the High Mor yelling at someone for an explanation, then.

Our escort lands in a side passage and keeps walking-. Soldiers and a handful of Crows are on guard duty, both occupying posts and milling around. We get some glares, but it looks like we're expected and no one tries anything.

I guess we're heading for a crisis room, then.

One no doubt filled with an angry leader turning the air blue...

A couple of turn-offs that we ignore and we're lead to a very heavy door. Our guide has to remove his helmet so that his identity can be confirmed by the soldiers on duty. They then consider me and Jade, and in respect of the fact that we're about to meet their ruler in fairly hostile circumstances I drop my construct armour. Jade hesitates for a moment, and then retracts her masers. That earns us a nod, and the door opens.

Well, at least they're smart enough not to take 'helmeted figures in a hurry' as authorisation by itself.

"-care, find him!"

Ah, it seems that the High Mor is expressing his displeasure, loudly, to several senior officers and whoever's on the end of his communication array. Said officers being… The general in command of the Thandalar garrison, whose responsibilities also include providing security to secure government sites. The head of Thandalar's police, who mostly insure that the undersiders remain appropriately beaten down. A navy captain, presumably the attaché from the home defence fleet. And a Crow in plain armour who is mostly focusing on the other three.

So the three people most likely to be in deep shit if any of them are found responsible for this fiasco.

The police chief nods. "Alive if possible?"

"Yes. We need to find out how he did this as much-." The Crow moves his eyes in my direction, and the High Mor follows them to take me in. "As much as we need him punished. Dismissed."

Ah, feeling the need to keep some things secret from the interloper, I see.

No salutes, I note. Not in a crisis. Instead, the general, the police chief and the navy officer move to work stations, displacing their own immediate subordinates as they get to work. The High Mor watches them for a moment, and then heads towards me and Jade with the Crow just behind him.

Good, no arguments or panic or blame-throwing, just straight to work. Very professional folks.

"Orange Lantern." He looks my armour over. I suppose that he hasn't seen it before, and even to thanagarians the fact that my face isn't visible is a decidedly unfriendly sign. "I understand that you were the likely target."

"Yes."

OL's not really in any mood to be friendly, after all.

"Who was with you?"

"Darkstar Nguyen and Bleez. We were-."

No need to ask who she is, given she's a popstar.

"Taking in the sights while waiting for the Imperial Ministry of Culture and Doctrine to get their heads out from under their wings. That's approved, by the way. Take what you want."

A trivial concession, but it's nice that he made it.

Given someone under his command seems to have been behind it, it's a small attempt at appeasement.

"Thank you. You know who shot me?"

He grimaces. "Andar Pul. A senior member of our intelligence service. He had access to our defence network in case he needed to unleash it against infiltrators. He did not have authorisation to use it against you."

Oh, that's a named character. In Post-Crisis, he's Hawkwoman's bastard father. And possibly a bastard himself.

"Any idea on motive?"

"Not yet. It makes little sense. He would not have gained his current position if he did not have my confidence. If nothing else, he would have an escape route ready to use before acting, but so far as we can tell he's still on Thanagar."

Which means he's confident of staying free or that he has something else he has to do before he flees.

"So, your plan to assassinate me hasn't been approved yet?"

"No, and if it ever is, I'll pull the trigger myself."

...On OL or on the person who suggested it? Though I expect either one is valid.

I nod. "Accomplices?"

"We're going through his records now. But he's fled, and he's good at his job. Which includes having the ability to erase his own records."

Great. So there's no clear indication of why.

"I'll want to interrogate him. As you know, I have methods-."

"Acceptable. Would you care to assist in finding him?"

"Yes." I open my awareness to the patterns of desire around me. "I rather think that I would."

So unless Pul has some manner of concealment from the Emotional Spectrum, this will not take long.

There's going to be some very pointed questions for Pul indeed when he's found. And he will be found because OL wants that to happen. One sweep of the Honden, a quick Greediport, and OL will be flying back with him in hand... Unless something powerful has him hidden away.

Diraniola · 2026-05-14T07:37:26+0100

I wonder if a construct Thangarian would still have Nth metal properties, or if they would be brought to a common base line.

Also unless this guy was

's catspaw, he's was good as got.

Duke Long · 2026-05-14T08:09:13+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Ah, it seems that the High Mor is expressing his displeasure, loudly, to several senior officers and whoever's on the end of his communication array. Said officers being… The general in command of the Thandalar garrison, whose responsibilities also include providing security to secure government sites. The head of Thandalar's police, who mostly insure that the undersiders remain appropriately beaten down. A navy captain, presumably the attaché from the home defence fleet. And a Crow in plain armour who is mostly focusing on the other three.

'ensure'

It does seem likely for capturing Andar Pul to be trivial, but perhaps he has help from Seven Devils cultists or Hyathis, who can give him magic to defend against empathic vision.

Prince Charon · 2026-05-14T08:25:45+0100

Diraniola said:
I wonder if a construct Thangarian would still have Nth metal properties, or if they would be brought to a common base line.

Also unless this guy was 's catspaw, he's was good as got.

Even if he is a catspaw, that Boss (or a number of others) might abandon him if he's outlived his usefulness. We don't know what the plan was, yet, nor whose it was, so it may not have gone off the rails.

Mr Zoat · 2026-05-14T08:29:57+0100

Darko said:
"need a new"

Thank you, corrected.

Ngamer11 said:
After looking him up, I now hope he's Hawkwoman's father here like in the comics.

When you say things like that, it's probably best to specifiy which comics, because for most of Hawkman's history that hasn't been true.

Duke Long said:
'ensure'

Thank you, corrected.

B00ki5h · 2026-05-14T09:00:52+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"No, and if it ever is, I'll pull the trigger myself."

I nod. "Accomplices?"

Just one little critique. Just one word to improve the scene.

"No, and if it ever is, I'll pull the trigger myself."

I nod. "Respectable. Accomplices?"

WereDragon · 2026-05-14T09:48:04+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"No, and if it ever is, I'll pull the trigger myself."

"Be polite. Be efficient. Have a plan to kill everyone you meet."
Which I always though was a great description of Havelock Vetinari.

I do so enjoy Paul's space adventures. He is so much less passive, hesitant and deferring than when he is playing about on Earth.

PDV · 2026-05-14T10:22:54+0100

McGraww said:
They're not happy about it, but they're pretty realistic about the relative power levels between themselves and Paul/the OLC, and don't really want to poke the bear. Surprisingly rational authoritarians.

IIRC, historically, the time you usually get fairly rational authoritarians is when there's a total collapse of legitimacy, usually from a monarch descending into utter fucking incompetence without particularly good lineage backing them up. That's how England got Cromwell. (Who was brutal and in some respects quite evil, but sensible, attempting to do good things most of the time, and generally pretty top tier for an authoritarian not named Lee Kuan Yew. LKY has no explanation.) Sometimes when there's a completely ridiculous destructive civil war and just about everyone wants 'anything else, god, please,' which Franco is a weak and somewhat arguable example. (Not that he was a genius, as the wonderful con job that was the question of succession after him demonstrated, but he did fairly rational things like "World War Two? No thanks, GLHF guys." I forget how exactly the Equality Plague and issues with Hyathis went, and whether we have the comics canon 'generally more docile' thing, but I think this is a reasonably plausible situation for it.

B00ki5h said:
Just one word to improve the scene. [...] I nod. "Respectable. Accomplices?"

Disagree. It doesn't need to be said. The nod conveys it. Also, he's still a Brit, understatement is more important a religion than Anglicanism.

Thundersmight94 · 2026-05-14T12:44:43+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"We're going through his records now. But he's fled, and he's good at his job. Which includes having the ability to erase his own records."

"I'll want to interrogate him. As you know, I have methods-."

"Acceptable. Would you care to assist in finding him?"

"Yes." I open my awareness to the patterns of desire around me. "I rather think that I would."

Y'know I just remembered that Thanagar has basically no magic system still, so there is nothing stopping Paul from doing his old trick of scry teleporting to people.

Ardy · 2026-05-14T15:58:07+0100

McGraww said:
Thanagar has mostly avoided fucking with Paul. The only thing I can think of was testing him with the cultists on his and Jade's vacation. They're not happy about it, but they're pretty realistic about the relative power levels between themselves and Paul/the OLC, and don't really want to poke the bear. Surprisingly rational authoritarians.

In retrospect it's a bit like, during the cold war, a south american pro-US dictatorship (backed by the CIA) had a popular american general vacationing there. No official reason, the general's kid liked a local band and the general liked the beaches. While there, the general would liaise a little bit with the dictatorship about communist insurgent movements, but nothing important.

Then a local artillery battalion opens fire on the beach he's sunbathing on.

No, the local dictatorship might not like foreigners, definitely not powerful foreigners, and would normally celebrate everyone else suffering disasters so they can end up more powerful, but in this case they're in danger of getting nuked, so they have to swallow their instincts and be polite to the pissed off and surviving general.

Ngamer11 · 2026-05-14T17:14:20+0100

Thundersmight94 said:
Y'know I just remembered that Thanagar has basically no magic system still, so there is nothing stopping Paul from doing his old trick of scry teleporting to people.

Yes it does. But it's only used by Seven Devil cultists, though I believe some of them are on the government's payroll and whether or not they're aware of this is another matter.

PDV · 2026-05-14T17:49:55+0100

It's thaumically active enough for Vulcan to be hanging out here, right? So they could have scry wards, the interdiction/Teleport Trap is plausibly magical, and mind control spells are possible.

timeForced · 2026-05-14T18:28:40+0100

McGraww said:
Thanagar has mostly avoided fucking with Paul. The only thing I can think of was testing him with the cultists on his and Jade's vacation. They're not happy about it, but they're pretty realistic about the relative power levels between themselves and Paul/the OLC, and don't really want to poke the bear. Surprisingly rational authoritarians.

Do you remember when everyone about 15 years ago was talking about how reasonable and smart authoritarian nations were? Pepperidge Farm remembers.

mastermenthe · 2026-05-15T01:38:21+0100

BR549 said:
one's potential imminent death (or worse)

I would happily commit sabotage-andmurder if it meant being assimilated by OL.
All the benefits of being alive, with none of the downsides!!!

Mr Zoat · 2026-05-15T06:16:13+0100

8th March 2284
11:02 GMT -5

"My husband tells me that you are a wizard, Ambassador."

Eleanor is an attractive blonde woman in her mid twenties, calm and confident in a room with her significantly older and in several cases heavily scarred cabinet. Daniel is lurking behind her, and every time he looks at me I can see him suppressing a chuckle.

The git.

"Yes, though… Most of the abilities I use regularly are psychic rather than strictly magical."

"And what is the distinction?"

"I…" I look around, and turn to my closest neighbour. "I'm sorry, may I borrow your pen?"

He regards me for a moment, and then passes it over. Ah yes, the Age of Bic is well and truly gone. This is a fountain pen, richly decorated and no doubt made by a true artist. I place it on my right palm and then cause it to rise.

"Telekinesis. Perhaps the most simple psychic ability, with a thousand and one everyday uses." I make it rotate through three axis. "I have perfect control of its precise movements, but there's a limit to how much force I can impart and it requires a good deal of concentration. There's a distinct limit to how many objects I can float at once like this."

I let it drop to my palm and **[twist the rules]** before pulling my hand away. The pen floats in place as if normal gravity had no command of it, gently drifting around a centre of gravity only it is aware of.

"Thaumokinesis. Magic. As far as I can understand it, magic involves reaching outside of this universe to temporarily overlay an alien set of rules over the rules which govern this one. Floating like this is simply its nature, and it will stay like that for an hour or so until the rules of this universe reclaim it. Once I've cast this spell, it requires no further effort or attention from me."

One of the ministers frowns. "The ability to float pens seems… Debatably useful."

I nod. "True."

I push my chair back and walk towards the **[floor]**, twisting as I land on the **[floor]** while everyone else remains sitting at the table stuck to the **[wall]**. I then walk along the **[floor]** until I get to the **[floor]**, this time transitioning a little more neatly. I then walk across the **[floor]** until I'm directly below the people sitting at the table attached to the **[ceiling]**.

I look up at them, noting the two who are grabbing hold of the heavy wooden table just in case. "A simple change of the rules, my lords, ladies and highness. Rewriting where 'down' is has many applications. Particularly when you can share it. Is anyone feeling bold?"

Another knight, his coat of arms a red dragon on a yellow background over three golden sheathes of wheat on a green background, jumps to his feet.

"I am!"

"Very well then." **[Why are you standing on the ceiling?]**

He begins **[falling]** immediately, having just enough time to grab the edge of the table with his hands to get his feet under him. Then the valiant knight lets go and **[falls]** towards me. I apply a little telekinetic force to prevent him smashing straight through as he lands nearby.

He takes a moment to look around, at the people on the **[ceiling]**, the **[floor]** and me.

"Marvellous! Though if you had not presented that missive from the Archbishop I would have to cut you down as a witch."

"Ah. I see where you're coming from, but my understanding is that that word in Exodus is more properly translated from the original Aramaic as 'alchemist' or 'poisoner'." I gesture to the wall. "Shall we?

He… Prances towards the wall, understanding how he needs to move to adapt as the **[floor]** remains the **[floor]**. Once we return to the regular floor, he moves to return to his seat.

"If I might trouble you, sir knight?" He stops and turns back to me. "I have one form of exotic movement still to demonstrate. Might I borrow your knife?"

He glances back to his princess, and receives a small nod. Then he nods to me as he pulls it out of its sheath. "I see no reason why not."

I take it and lay it on my palm as I did the still-floating pen. "Psychokinesis."

I focus for a moment, and-

fooshCLANG!

-the knife embeds itself in one of the wall-mounted shields.

I walk over to the display and pull the knife free, taking a moment to straighten it with a combination of telekinesis and transmutation before walking back to the knight and returning it to him. "Thank you."

He nods, sheathes the knife and then returns to his seat as I return to mine.

"Psychokinesis is good for instilling vast amounts of force very quickly, but once it's unleashed the user has no further control. Useful for a holdout weapon, but I'd usually be better with a gun."

The Princess nods. "Thank you, Ambassador. That-."

"I'm-." A super mutant who is… Sitting on the floor so that his head is on the same level as everyone else's. "I'm sorry for interrupting, Your Highness, but-. The story's I've heard of the Master's experiments-."

I nod. "Injecting F.E.V. into the human brain can create psychic abilities, but it usually just kills the subject. Our methods are more controlled and precise. Do you have any psykers here, Mister..?"

"Doctor Toboggan. And no, none. I've been focusing my efforts in helping our Nightkin with their… Psychological difficulties. Are you aware of any functional treatments developed in other places?"

I nod. "Researchers in Jacobstown and Austin have been working on the problem, though I'm afraid that I'm not up to date on their work. I can put you in touch if you like..?"

"Thank you, that would be-." He glances at his princess. "With Her Highness's permission?"

"Of course, Doctor. We would have Our Nightkin subjects cured of their mania as swiftly as possible."

I nod. "We've got access to what's left of the United States' satellite network. I can provide you with a satellite phone, though I'm afraid that you'll only be able to reach a few places at the moment."

"Mister Ambassador, what is it that you hope to achieve here?" Princess Eleanor makes a small beckoning motion with her right hand. "I know that you expressed an interest in lumber, but I don't see how it will be practical to transport it so far south."

"Part of our alliance is an A.I. called WARDEN, and he's taken control of the former state of Nebraska." Sort of. Apparently he's handed it over to another A.I. because his programming won't let him hold territory in the quarantine zone. "Which means that I believe it almost abuts your southern border. From there, there are fairly good roads west to the Colorado River. Alternately, it's possible to takes roads east into Texas, and then to the coast."

An aide unfolds a map and puts it in front of her, gesturing to the places I'm referring to.

"Not quick, I'll grant you, but we literally don't have anywhere better to get timber in quantity."

"It is something that we can explore. And what else?"

I take a moment to consider how to approach it.

"Your Highness… What do you know about the Washington Brotherhood?"

Darko · 2026-05-15T06:56:48+0100

Mr Zoat said:
me I can see his suppressing a chuckle.

"see him"

Mr Zoat said:
remains sitting a the table

"at the"

Mr Zoat said:
"Doctor Toboggan

Mantis Toboggan.

BR549 · 2026-05-15T07:04:17+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"Not quick, I'll grant you, but we literally don't have anywhere better to get timber in quantity."

Missing the end quote.

Chojin Patriarch · 2026-05-15T07:08:25+0100

Mr Zoat said:
8th March 2284
11:02 GMT -5

"My husband tells me that you are a wizard, Ambassador."

Eleanor is an attractive blonde woman in her mid twenties, calm and confident in a room with her significantly older and in several cases heavily scarred cabinet. Daniel is lurking behind her, and every time he looks at me I can see his suppressing a chuckle.

Oh, yes, he's still enjoying his little giggle at Krono's expense. At least it isn't getting in the way of diplomacy. Amusingly, the original meaning of 'Wizard' was simply 'Wise Man'. Whether that applies to Krono is up to the reader.

The git.

"Yes, though… Most of the abilities I use regularly are psychic rather than strictly magical."

That implies you've learned a few actual tricks, though...

"And what is the distinction?"

"I…" I look around, and turn to my closest neighbour. "I'm sorry, may I borrow your pen?"

He regards me for a moment, and then passes it over. Ah yes, the Age of Bic is well and truly gone. This is a fountain pen, richly decorated and no doubt made by a true artist. I place it on my right palm and then cause it to rise.

A nice, simple demonstration of psionics. And diplomatically safer than telepathy.

"Telekinesis. Perhaps the most simple psychic ability, with a thousand and one everyday uses." I make it rotate through three axis. "I have perfect control of its precise movements, but there's a limit to how much force I can impart and it requires a good deal of concentration. There's a distinct limit to how many objects I can float at once like this."

Having effectively any additional 'hands' to handle objects is very useful. Don't even need the Phoenix-level stuff liek manipulating molecules...

I let it drop to my palm and **[twist the rules]** before pulling my hand away. The pen floats in place as if normal gravity had no command of it, gently drifting around a centre of gravity only it is aware of.

Ah, now that's a bit fancier. Wonder how long it lasts before the universe notices and complains...

"Thaumokinesis. Magic. As far as I can understand it, magic involves reaching outside of this universe to temporarily overlay an alien set of rules over the rules which govern this one. Floating like this is simply its nature, and it will stay like that for an hour or so until the rules of this universe reclaim it. Once I've cast this spell, it requires no further effort or attention from me."

An advanced application of psionics, I see. Basically bullying the universe into accepting your 'command' until it shakes loose.

One of the ministers frowns. "The ability to float pens seems… Debatably useful."

I nod. "True."

It does become more useful if you can do the same thing to larger objects. Like aircraft.

I push my chair back and walk towards the **[floor]**, twisting as I land on the **[floor]** while everyone else remains sitting at the table stuck to the **[wall]**. I then walk along the **[floor]** until I get to the **[floor]**, this time transitioning a little more neatly. I then walk across the **[floor]** until I'm directly below the people sitting at the table attached to the **[ceiling]**.

Ah, a classic trick that looks amazing for very little effort.

I look up at them, noting the two who are grabbing hold of the heavy wooden table just in case. "A simple change of the rules, my lords, ladies and highness. Rewriting where 'down' is has many applications. Particularly when you can share it. Is anyone feeling bold?"

Not as much fun if you're outside. A quick trip upwards, followed by an equally fast trip down with a sudden stop at the end...

Another knight, his coat of arms a red dragon on a yellow background over three golden sheathes of wheat on a green background, jumps to his feet.

"I am!"

"Very well then." **[Why are you standing on the ceiling?]**

Brave fellow! Especially since he's probably not in armour at a meeting like this.

He begins **[falling]** immediately, having just enough time to grab the edge of the table with his hands to get his feet under him. Then the valiant knight lets go and **[falls]** towards me. I apply a little telekinetic force to prevent him smashing straight through as he lands nearby.

That would be a bit of a shock for anyone upstairs of them.

He takes a moment to look around, at the people on the **[ceiling]**, the **[floor]** and me.

"Marvellous! Though if you had not presented that missive from the Archbishop I would have to cut you down as a witch."

Good thing he planned ahead, then.

"Ah. I see where you're coming from, but my understanding is that that word in Exodus is more properly translated from the original Aramaic as 'alchemist' or 'poisoner'." I gesture to the wall. "Shall we?

He… Prances towards the wall, understanding how he needs to move to adapt as the **[floor]** remains the **[floor]**. Once we return to the regular floor, he moves to return to his seat.

...ironically, that puts a very different spin on the classic 'shall not suffer a [witch] to live' line. Evidently its writer disliked poisoners.

"If I might trouble you, sir knight?" He stops and turns back to me. "I have one form of exotic movement still to demonstrate. Might I borrow your knife?"

He glances back to his princess, and receives a small nod. Then he nods to me as he pulls it out of its sheath. "I see no reason why not."

Putting a lot of trust in him, though he's shown no reason not to at any stage.

I take it and lay it on my palm as I did the still-floating pen. "Psychokinesis."

I focus for a moment, and-

Less 'persistent gentle pressure to lift' and more...

fooshCLANG!

-the knife embeds itself in one of the wall-mounted shields.

...'Massive blow to send it flying'. Effectively throwing it with far more force than any physical act he could manage.

I walk over to the display and pull the knife free, taking a moment to straighten it with a combination of telekinesis and transmutation before walking back to the knight and returning it to him. "Thank you."

He nods, sheathes the knife and then returns to his seat as I return to mine.

I suspect a few of them are suddenly very glad he's friendly.

"Psychokinesis is good for instilling vast amounts of force very quickly, but once it's unleashed the user has no further control. Useful for a holdout weapon, but I'd usually be better with a gun."

The Princess nods. "Thank you, Ambassador. That-."

Though potentially useful if you find yourself facing something a bit tougher than a mare gun can damage. Admittedly, given that he carries a plasma pistol...

"I'm-." A super mutant who is… Sitting on the floor so that his head is on the same level as everyone else's. "I'm sorry for interrupting, Your Highness, but-. The story's I've heard of the Master's experiments-."

I nod. "Injecting F.E.V. into the human brain can create psychic abilities, but it usually just kills the subject. Our methods are more controlled and precise. Do you have any psykers here, Mister..?"

And I expect Krono keeps his own FEV enhancements on the quiet to avoid any prejudice on that front.

"Doctor Toboggan. And no, none. I've been focusing my efforts in helping our Nightkin with their… Psychological difficulties. Are you aware of any functional treatments developed in other places?"

I nod. "Researchers in Jacobstown and Austin have been working on the problem, though I'm afraid that I'm not up to date on their work. I can put you in touch if you like..?"

'Nightkin' being their local name for ghouls and mutants, I take it. I guess they're quite accepting of said groups, given the Doctor's presence.

"Thank you, that would be-." He glances at his princess. "With Her Highness's permission?"

"Of course, Doctor. We would have Our Nightkin subjects cured of their mania as swiftly as possible."

Yes, preventing cannibalistic rampages is definitely a good idea.

I nod. "We've got access to what's left of the United States' satellite network. I can provide you with a satellite phone, though I'm afraid that you'll only be able to reach a few places at the moment."

"Mister Ambassador, what is it that you hope to achieve here?" Princess Eleanor makes a small beckoning motion with her right hand. "I know that you expressed an interest in lumber, but I don't see how it will be practical to transport it so far south."

That is a good question, now that they're getting down to business.

"Part of our alliance is an A.I. called WARDEN, and he's taken control of the former state of Nebraska." Sort of. Apparently he's handed it over to another A.I. because his programming won't let him hold territory in the quarantine zone. "Which means that I believe it almost abuts your southern border. From there, there are fairly good roads west to the Colorado River. Alternately, it's possible to takes roads east into Texas, and then to the coast."

Though such transports would need a convoy of protective guards to prevent raider and bandit interference.

An aide unfolds a map and puts it in front of her, gesturing to the places I'm referring to.

"Not quick, I'll grant you, but we literally don't have anywhere better to get timber in quantity.

What with a good chunk of the US' forests getting burnt during or dying off after the war, I expect.

"It is something that we can explore. And what else?"

I take a moment to consider how to approach it.

"Your Highness… What do you know about the Washington Brotherhood?"

Ah, that's another possibility. The Pacific Coast has a lot of forests, especially in the northern states. If they're in hostile hands...

I'm guessing said Brotherhood is in control of the Washington state forests, preventing the more southerly governments from accessing them. And is actively hostile or resisting any diplomatic overtures from them. That would explain why they can't get easy access to the lumber-rich regions around the coast and mid-state areas...

Oglymogly · 2026-05-15T07:59:14+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"Which means that I believe it almost abuts your southern border. From there, there are fairly good roads west to the Colorado River. Alternately, it's possible to takes roads east into Texas, and then to the coast."

Honestly a shame they can't get to the Mississippi River, that'll make shipping a breeze. But honestly there's likely at least one river that'll cut a large chunk of the trip out along the way. Thats one of the big advantages the Northern American continent has.

B.B. Rain · 2026-05-15T08:31:54+0100

Chojin Patriarch said:
'Nightkin' being their local name for ghouls and mutants, I take it. I guess they're quite accepting of said groups, given the Doctor's presence.
***
Yes, preventing cannibalistic rampages is definitely a good idea.

The Nightkin were a specialized variety of Super Mutant, actually - but the most distinctive feature is that they were equipped with Stealth Boys, used them extensively...

...and discovered too late that excessive exposure to the particular radiation the Stealth Boys gave off induced rather significant schizophrenia, significant psychotic rages even by super mutant standards, a form of split personality disorder, phobias of being observed, aaaaaaand...crippling addiction to Stealth Boy usage, which would further worsen their psychological symptoms.

Mr Zoat · 2026-05-15T08:39:41+0100

Darko said:
"see him"
"at the"

Thank you, corrected.

Mantis Toboggan.

I don't believe that his first name is stated, but then I've never done the General Freedom route.

BR549 said:
Missing the end quote.

Thank you, corrected.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Brave fellow! Especially since he's probably not in armour at a meeting like this.

No, he is. Brother Jan (Grand Master of the Order of Nathaniel's Watchmen and ruler of Rupert's Ward) is nuts.

'Nightkin' being their local name for ghouls and mutants, I take it. I guess they're quite accepting of said groups, given the Doctor's presence.

No, Nightkin are a particular type of super mutant.

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