Discovery #32

[saikyocivrobo]

[1] First things first, once again thanks to everyone who kept talking to me when I wasn't myself. If you didn't do it, I probably wouldn't be able to regain my senses enough to tell you how to disable Prometheus. Who knows what might've happened then... Oh, and everything I said back then? I wasn't being myself, so don't take it to heart. In fact, it's best if you forget it all. Cough cough.

Anyway. When I was insane, there was a direct connection between my mind and Prometheus' database. I managed to pull out some vital information out of it, and I think I owe everyone an explanation. Grab something to drink and sit down, this is going to be long.


Two ancient, powerful creatures used to reside on Earth. I say used to, because only one of them is still here. I guess you could call them gods, but I don't think they really are divine beings. More like ancient aliens with ridiculous powers. In any case, one of them is Baphomet, the same one we fought, and he's deeply connected to nature. The other one is Artifex, connected to technology. Artifex loves humanity because they create more and more inventions and devices, while Baphomet despises them for spoiling the natural world. But make no mistake in calling Artifex good. He's still a jerk.

The two of them got on each other's nerves constantly, but when the Second Impact happened, everything broke lose. Baphomet decided to kill humanity for causing all the destruction to Earth, Artifex didn't want to let him. They fought for 15 years. Neither had the ability to kill the other, but in the end Baphomet managed to banish Artifex to a dimensional pocket. He's still there, and I doubt he'll ever break out. Before he was banished, though, he managed to build two robots and send them to different locations, to help humans fight against Baphomet's minions. Yup, that's Prometheus and Epimetheus. They had an additional purpose, though - enter a contract with a human pilot, hone his skills and abilities over time, but also slowly drill into his psyche, to make it vulnerable. And when the time is right? Make him go crazy, make him hate all Baphomet represents. Artifex cannot kill his rival, but humans can. He doesn't care about our planet, as long as we're safe as a race, and Baphomet is gone. See what I said about being a jerk?

What Baphomet said is true. He is deeply connected to this planet - if he dies, all of Earth's biosphere dies with him. We obviously can't have that, but we can't let him run around and do what he wants either. He's resting in hiding somewhere now, waiting until he recovers his full strength. I don't know when that happens, but we have a few weeks, maybe months. When he appears again, we'll have another solution ready for him. And I happen to know just what it might be.

I managed to find plans for a mechanism in Prometheus' database. It seems to copy the effect of the ability Baphomet used on Artifex. It was never completed, but it might be our best chance here. I remember it so well that I can draw the schematics from memory... But I cannot build it myself. I'm a chemist, not an engineer. I will need help constructing it. Please, lend your help to me.

[2] [Werter is watching Prometheus and Epimetheus run inside giant hamster wheels. The wheels are connected to a power generator.]

Run, run, you still need to make many more gigawatts to make up for the trouble you caused. And no complaining! You got off easy anyway.

Comments

[fermionprincess]

Oh, but I cannot really solve those larger issues at hand now, can I? At least, not immediately.

My long-sighted plans already include certain solutions, of course!

[saikyocivrobo]

Dare I ask what kind of solutions these are?

[fermionprincess]

Well, if you insist on asking! Should the biosphere of Earth be destroyed, Capax Infiniti may still recreate it, can it not?

[saikyocivrobo]

If what you've told me about its abilities is true, it could... But it would take some time, wouldn't it? Living on Earth in the meantime wouldn't be very fun. And I'd feel bad for all the dead animals.

[fermionprincess]

Well yes! The solution is not ideal, however it does exist - and so, it is better than nothing.

However, even I admit the need to search for better alternatives first.

[saikyocivrobo]

It's good as a backup plan. And only a fool ignores those.

Hopefully the device will work and we won't have to resort to that, though. The only way to find out is to build it.

[fermionprincess]

With Earth's biosphere at stake, surely you will manage to convince many an engineer to work and create the device for you, sir Werter.

[saikyocivrobo]

Of course. I doubt anyone here is so apathetic that they won't give a crap about that.

By the way...

[fermionprincess]

Ooh?

[saikyocivrobo]

During the fight, what was that about low-priority targets?

[fermionprincess]

I... I would rather fight the true villains, rather than a dear friend of mine who might have possibly returned to normal mental faculties when seeing no one tries to engage him in combat!

That is all there is to it!

[saikyocivrobo]

Of course, princess. I believe your explanation, and it's a very reasonable one. Why would you ever lie to me?

[Pat pat.]

[fermionprincess]

Despite this reasurring statement, I cannot help but feel annoyed somehow.

[saikyocivrobo]

Would it feel less annoying if I told you that your shriek when you got attacked was what woke my normal self for enough time to tell everyone about Prometheus' weakness, princess?

[fermionprincess]

I... must depart!

[Hasty retreat to mask the sudden blushing.]

[saikyocivrobo]

[Quietly, to himself.]

Once again you show you're not as oblivious as you seem on the surface, princess...