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

1

[mad_copycat]

(Tatsu is staring at Werter from the side lines in silence. It is obvious that she is still upset. Werter's words cut her deep and it shows in her eyes. She sighs deeply and turns away from Werter.)

...Tatsu knows a bit about engineering from information that Dr. Stephan uploaded into Tatsu to help with repairs of Fur-...Shinryu. Tatsu will help here and there if possible...But first Tatsu needs to repair Shinryu.

[saikyocivrobo]

You're offended, aren't you.

Sorry for that. I wasn't being myself. Prometheus put me into a bit of a "humanity rulez grr" mode.

[mad_copycat]

...Tatsu would be lying if Tatsu said Tatsu wasn't offended or still angry. But at the same time Tatsu knows you weren't you...And there was some truth to your words. Tatsu is a mimic. Tatsu not human no matter how you look at it...Or how much Tatsu wish Tatsu was.

However, what really made Tatsu mad was you turning against the lounge. Tatsu know Tatsu just an AI but the lounge is Tatsu's family and to see family fight...It might be the only thing that can cause Tatsu to feel pain.

[saikyocivrobo]

Do you consider everyone on this ship to be a part of your family?

[mad_copycat]

Well...There are a few individuals Tatsu no like much. In fact, Tatsu can think of a few that could do with a swift boot to the head in Tatsu's opinion.

However, Tatsu does see the entire Chalice as family. It is why Tatsu couldn't bring Tatsu to hurt you. It is why Tatsu not going to stay mad at you. And it's why Tatsu forgives you for what happened. Just make sure it doesn't happen again.

[saikyocivrobo]

You still managed to hit Prometheus pretty hard, though.

Well, I can't promise I will stay loyal to White Chalice forever. If someone here tries to attempt genocide, or do some other terrible thing, I'll fight them without hesitation. But as long as the ship stands for what I believe in? I'll stay here and help everyone.

[mad_copycat]

Well, yeah. If Tatsu hadn't hit you that hard imagine what you would have done to Tatsu. Plus Tatsu could have hit you much, much harder. Remember Shinryu's breath weapon.

...Tatsu can understand that. Tatsu was more talking about going crazy like that.

[saikyocivrobo]

You can be certain that won't repeat. That was a one-time thing; once you go back to your senses, it can't work on you again.

[mad_copycat]

(Tatsu nods a little with a fanged smile.)

Alright. That is good enough for Tatsu.

So we can't kill Baphomet so you want to seal him away?

[saikyocivrobo]

That's the best option available to us, yes. At least I can't think of anything better for now.

[mad_copycat]

And this mechanism will be able to do that? Alright, if that is our best option than we need to do our best to make it work. Tatsu will help where Tatsu can. Tatsu sure that with everyone in the lounge that we can find a way to make it work.

[saikyocivrobo]

Making absolutely sure the device works will be necessary, yeah. If it fails, I doubt we'll get another try.

We'll need the best working on this. But I happen to know some who belong to that category.