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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 22, 2017 22:25:32 GMT
"They seem to be doing okay for their budget." Marceline optimistically ventured, looking at the boiling egg. Just what was that? Was it actually an egg? Her questioning stopped when Gregor responded to her boss. "Nah, I just know her work. I've seen an interview with her and she's crazy hot. So, you fuck? Was she a good lay?" He grinned broadly, twisting his scar. Melea groaned and gripped her face, looking like she was trying to resist the urge to stab him. For once, Marceline felt a pang of sympathy. She noticed now there were no women working in the room. No doubt Gregor was the reason. She moved to put Chase's mass between her and Melea's head engineer. She would rather stay out of his notice. Fringe benefit of being tiny.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 23, 2017 0:31:39 GMT
Smith wanted to shake his head for a moment as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. Looking at Melea's reaction and Marceline retreat behind Chase he figures that he hadn't mistaken the man words. "I think it would be best for us to stick strictly to business from this point forward," he said. Melea would probably sense how annoyed Smith is with her head engineer. "So Melea, is that what you wished to show me?" he said as he gestures towards the egg like object. The strange object is a mystery to him. He has never seen anything quite like it. Chase on the other hand adjust his body to act as a shield for the doll. He didn't really care about the man's words too much. For now at least.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 23, 2017 1:37:34 GMT
Gregor's smile didn't fade as he shrugged. "Very well, Mr. Smith. We can talk afterwards." He stepped back and Melea nodded. She saw a low red glow around Smith's body. Hopefully Gregor wouldn't exasperate matters further. "That's our first stop, anyway. It's an infinite energy source. It draws heat from another universe. We use it to boil water to run a turbine. We've been running all the electricity in the city with it." She pointed to the helix structure. "That's our containment device. Without it we get... odd results. It seems to work for all of them." "You have more?" Marceline raised any eyebrow.
"Yes. And we know how to reproduce them." Melea grinned. "Oh, hello. You're a classy sort. Guess you have to be to be to hang out with Mr. Smith, huh? What's your name?" Gregor had noticed Marceline when she piped up. Her eye narrowed, but before she could respond, Melea snapped her fingers in his ear. "Let the bodyguards do their jobs and go do yours." Gregor shrugged and stepped away with a wink. "That can't possibly work out for him." Marceline grumbled. "It's a game of numbers. If you hit on every woman you see, one or two is bound to relent." Melea sighed.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 23, 2017 4:05:24 GMT
Chase's eyebrow raises at Gregor's attempt to start a conversation with Marceline. Yet besides that he did nothing else and just remain silent and still. On the other hand Smith's eyes widen at the implication of Melea's words. "A SOURCE OF INFINITE ENERGY?!!!" This kinda technology utilized correctly would be able to evolve mankind status to a Type 3 civilization with a lifetime or two. "AND YOU CAN MAKE COPIES?!!!" He is dumbfounded. To think that here of all places is the reality that could expand into the great unknown.
So many theoretical physicists would gladly kill to get their hands on this. So many theories can finally be tested. So many possibilities are now open. Quickly he tries to calm himself down. She hasn't even proven that the thing actual contains in infinite energy. Even if the egg shape device is a gateway that can pour energy from an endless supply of energy from another dimension, it would likely means the amount of energy coming out at a given time will be finite. At least that has to be the case, otherwise the sudden expansion of a infinite amount of energy would simply have recreated the big bang. Unless there is some form of restriction that prevents such an event from occurring by acting as a limiter. Yet he couldn't believe a womanizer like Gregor could have intelligence to created such a thing.
Still, the idea that the energy source will never run out...That alone can solve the world's energy crisis, and would push mankind towards the right direction. He is already planning for the future. For the world will need to create many careful precautions in order to ensure that if such technology is made available that it couldn't be use for the wrong intentions. If someone ever were to transform it into a weapon...He looks at Melea and finally realizes the potential danger she truly is. And for a brief moment he is afraid of what she could do. Yet, another split second later he returns to his usual calm demeanor. Since he quickly understood that if she could fully utilize this technology already she wouldn't need to make deals with him, or anyone else.
"Forgive me. I shouldn't have shouted like that." He took a deep breath as he tries not to freak out over the device. At least on the outside. Inside he is still excited. Trying to contain himself, he continues to speak, "So besides powering up the city, what else do you use it for? Also, what do you mean when you get...odd results?"
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 23, 2017 5:54:10 GMT
Melea nodded. "Please calm down. This is no miracle machine. It's more limited right now than you would think. This one does no more than power the city and its own containment field The containment issue is a problem itself. If not contained properly, more of the other universe slips through. More heat, different universal laws. We even had one incident of life forms crossing over. Even now, my workers are reporting nightmares. They say they hear singing. Two have attempted to steal the stone and claimed it was holy. They even carved faces into their chests. Lunatics. Same results with all the other stones in our possession to some extent." Melea pointed to one of the computers. "We have the reports of all these issues on our systems here. However, I would rather show you the others in our possession before getting into our issues. It's best to have the full context." She suggested.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 23, 2017 6:20:47 GMT
Upon hearing the additional information of the incidents surrounding the egg shape machine, he couldn't help but wonder what are the side effects of pouring foreign energy from another universe into their universe. "Have you been relying on this 'thing' to power your city for a while now?" He can only hope that Melea's scientists are indeed taken the proper safety measures, but he knew that the long terms consequences of using these unique 'batteries' are likely unknown to them. "Very well. I'm still curious how such a machine was crafted in the first place," Smith said while not taking his eyes of the egg. With Melea confirming his assumption about the device he begins to feel more relax. Knowing that the Queen isn't in a position to be a consider a dangerous threat. But for how long will that be the case?
Chase walks closer to the egg shape device wondering if it really is that big of a deal. He didn't really see a benefit with a power source that never runs out, since it could not be used to satisfy his own situation. Plus he has dealt with similar scenarios to the ones that Melea mention numerous times already, and far worse. Crazy people and dimensional beings are not part of his usual routine, but they always manage to interact with him sooner or later at some point.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 23, 2017 20:32:59 GMT
"It's only been two months now. I wouldn't exactly call the object a machine. It's magical. Details of construction are what you're going to pay us for." Melea was aware of Smith's photographic memory, but it would do him little good here. The symbols that were necessary for this to function were all obscured in the boiling water. Not to mention, he didn't know that was how it functioned in the first place. They themselves had originally misread the symbols as mere decoration. "If you're done gawking, we have more. We can discuss details once you've seen the others." She pointed to doors at the other end of the room, behind the tank.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 23, 2017 21:22:38 GMT
Magical? Smith almost doesn't want to believe that. What a waste of potential if this truly originates from a magician's hand and nothing else he thought. Still, any noteworthy scientist could make use of it. By now this is already a hybrid between magic and science to a certain extend. He himself seeks to harness the amazing prowess of magic and channel the energy through the most efficient process possible by incorporating science. And with this thing his own research could reach new heights. He takes his eyes of the magical machine egg and looks in the direction of Melea's finger towards the doors at the end of the room. "Please, after you." he said as he follows Melea to the doors with his bodyguards.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 23, 2017 22:51:37 GMT
Melea nodded and lead the group into the next room. Marceline glanced back and saw Gregor staring. He winked when he realized she had noticed, and then the door shut and he was closed off from sight. This room was smaller and laid out differently. There was similarly an acrylic box blocking people off from the power source, but this time it was in the center of the room and much larger to contain a miniature jungle. The plants within were familiar, easy to grow garden plants. However, tulips usually didn't grow six feet tall, and their foliage was not usually so thick and so vividly green.
Everything in the casing was similarly overgrown, to the point that the green egg could barely be seen in the center, only the purple light cast off its symbols visible for the most part. A rose overgrew the helix containment structure, but it was carefully trimmed away from the symbols. Technicians worked at the computers like in the other room, but there was also a man dressed in shark bite resistant gear, wielding a variety of gardening tools, standing by near a nearly invisible door in the acrylic.
"This is our most promising, yet the most frustrating. I'm sure you can see its effects for yourself." She rapped her knuckles on the glass and a fern's frond smacked it in return, writhing like a squid's tentacle at a limb that wasn't there. "They grow far beyond their usual means. If we can perfect it, it will be perfect for our crops. But as you can see, it also makes plants... aggressive." She hadn't quite come to terms with the violent plants. For a woman of order, it was a distinctly wrong thing for plants to suddenly start attacking people. She didn't like naturally carnivorous plants for similar reasons. She only barely accepted such line crossers as undead for their sheer practicality.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 24, 2017 0:57:12 GMT
Once again he is fascinated by what he is being shown to him. Realizing that Melea has the tools needed to solve world hunger as well as the energy crisis. However Chase couldn't understand the significance of what is here. Though the soulless man did find the aggressive plants to be interesting in their own way, and begins to wonder if he could create similar plants on his own. He makes a mental note to try something new later, for now he will just make sure the plants don't attack his employer.
Walking with care, Smith examines the surrounding plants. Doing his best to not get too close to them as he examines their bodies in detail. However without the proper equipment he wouldn't be able to analyze them in depth. While his mind is still focusing on the upcoming proposal he will be offered, he is now beginning to think of a counteroffer in order to see if he can get his hands on these plants, or at least the data on them. It may take some time, but I could ask a few colleagues take a look at some samples to figure out the cause and solution of their aggression, Smith thought. Knowing that these plants are outside of his area of expertise, he would need help if he worked on such a unique vegetation project.
"These plants are incredible, however-" Smith turns his attention towards the center of the room. "-they are not what you truly want to show me." His eyes notice how the nearby plants are trimmed around the helix containment structure. Wondering if it is simply for sanitary purposes, along with being aesthetically pleasing, or maybe there is another reason for it. He imagines the most logical answer would be that it is dangerous for the plants to directly touch the power source. "Is it safe for the plants to be so close to the power source?" Smith asked Melea as he continues to stare at the helix.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 24, 2017 1:24:41 GMT
"Incredible and inedible. They grow crystalline support structures that help them grow bigger but are hell on the teeth. The labor we save growing them we would lose again harvesting and deboning them." Melea lamented. "That is not a problem. The cores don't break containment that way. If they're damaged, they just stop working. Not as much with the containment structure, but they're too durable for the plants. Regardless, we are planning on placing it in its own box to avoid potential issues." Melea didn't give the entire story. If the symbols on the power source were just covered, it would stop working at best. At worst, its function was changed by the loss.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 24, 2017 1:50:53 GMT
"I see," Smith said as he turns to look at Melea. Guess she isn't planning to let me know too much about it. "So far, if you are planning to sell me one of these power sources, I have to say, the device seems to have a lot of risks that comes with it." And I'm guessing the oversize and aggressive plants are the less fearsome ones, he thought. Regardless of the strange risks, the reward would be worth it in his eyes if he can fully comprehend and control the power source. And he is pretty confident in himself that he will be able to accomplish just that. "By the way, what is its called?" Smith asked. All this time he spent looking at it, he nearly forgotten to get a proper name for the bizarre power source.
Bored, Chase walks over to examine a plant and attempts to manipulate the plant to make it move back and forth so that it looks as if it is waving back to him. He isn't able to use the full power of a soul trapped in a soul link weapon when it is in its conceal form, but even a fraction of the Lady of the Forest's ability should be more than enough to control one oversize plant he figured.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 24, 2017 23:54:52 GMT
"Oh, indeed. Of course, I plan on fixing that. Part of what I want from you in exchange for access to them is for you to help us perfect them. As for a name, we call them Portal Stones for their purpose as connections to other worlds. This one was designated the Spring Portal Stone number one. The other was the Primal Portal Stone number two." Melea explained while Chase was busy playing with plants. The plant that Chase chose to command was a massive foxglove. When he first attempted, it bent to his will, slowly swaying like it was in a breeze. This went on for a few seconds before it abruptly stopped. Its myriad flowers opened and closed like sucking mouths and it slammed into the side of its containment, pulling back and slamming again over and over. "What did you do?" Marceline asked, watching the frenzied plant.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 25, 2017 5:26:59 GMT
"Was just testing something." Chase remarked casually. Though he found it strange for the plant to act with such independence and will power. He didn't attempt to waste any more spirit power on trying to manipulate the foxglove, and simply chooses to ignore the oversize plant as he looks back at Melea and Smith's conversation. "I see." "Very well." "Go on." The soulless man heard these phrases and similar ones coming from the billionaire mouth. Guess they are finally getting to the point of this deal already. Good. The faster they can agree on the terms, the quicker I get to experience the tour, he thought. He also hopes the beer hasn't been affected by these weird Portal Stones.
"I assume I will be free to work on the Portal Stones in my own facilities," Smith said. "As a sign of good faith, you may send some of your scientists to work with me in my lab. And I will give them full access to all my findings relating to the Portal Stones. I will also will donate funds for your team to improve their work environment here. As well as in a few key areas in the capital city itself. Though any monetary resources I use outside of the Portal Stone research, I expect will reward me a return on my investment." Smith knew the amount of funding he plans to use would require support from other owners in his company, as well as leaders of other financial intuitions. And they wouldn't hand out money without getting something back in return. And rightly so. "I ensure you, that the results with be mutually beneficial for both of us, and many of the civilians of your nation. And I'll make sure that none of my shareholders or executives of my corporation exploit your people. I personally guarantee it," he said honestly.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 25, 2017 20:22:46 GMT
"We'll write up a contract in my office after you've seen everything. Those all seem like fair clauses, if you take my own that I have one of my people in the room when you negotiate with your board. I only trust those loyal to me to keep my people safe." Melea added her clause. Smith had the air of a trustworthy man, but Melea knew better. She had been betrayed plenty.
Melea watched the angered flower with increasing amusement. "Man, you can even make flowers hate you. You are a one of a kind asshole." She chuckled.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 26, 2017 1:33:54 GMT
Smith nodded his head to her added clause. Believing that they have finish the overall agreements, what will be left will be handled by his lawyers to ensure that all the t's are crossed and all the i's are dotted. He is still surprise to hear that there is more for him to witness. So far, he has seen enough to want to get involve. At least when it comes to figuring out the secrets behind using the Portal Stones, which he plans to use to help progress mankind as a whole to a more advance technological position in order to improve the livelihood of billions of people around the world. He imagines Melea has similar goals in mind, yet he knew they have different methods of achieving their common goals. Perhaps in the not so far away future they will be against each other, but for now he plans to cooperate with her.
"I'm curious. What else is there for me to see?" he asked as Chase shrug his shoulders at Melea's comment instead of replying with a few choice words that would have likely earn him a scolding from Smith.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 26, 2017 3:34:22 GMT
"We have two more Primal Stones. They're not included in the deal because they have no practical purpose, but you can take a look at them anyway if you like." Melea shrugged. It really didn't matter either way, but letting people enjoy themselves did make them more susceptible to manipulation. Marceline raised an eyebrow at Chase's lack of response. "You okay? Normally you'd snipe back. Is there something wrong?" She wondered if Chase had been looking at Melea's soul and picked up something deeply wrong. She wouldn't doubt it.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 26, 2017 5:15:09 GMT
Chase closes his eyes for a moment and imagines the free bottles of beer waiting for him. "Just fine," he said with a particular smile as he is mentality in his happy place. Smith looks at his companion with a raise eyebrow as he knew what his smile meant. "Try not to daydream too much. We may not be able to stay here for too long after we finish out business here," he said. Turning to Melea he added, "Please don't feel the need to rush, we still have plenty of timetime before I have to catch my flight back to the States. Now, you mention two more Primal Stones. I'm a bit curious ...Is there any real distinction between the Primal Stones, or you simply are using each one for a difference purpose?" In the back of his mind he is also wondering how exactly Melea and her team of scientists discover the stones in the first place. But he figures he will find out soon enough.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 26, 2017 6:01:04 GMT
Melea quietly mulled over what information to give up before speaking. "They are different due to their symbols upon them. They cannot be made to copy each other's functions. If you will, the others are stored this way." Melea lead them through doors again to another room. This one was larger and sparser than any of the others, without even a box separating the brown egg in the helix in the center of the room, just a rope barrier like you would find marking out a line at a theme park.
"I should explain what this is. When things are within about 13 feet of the Collector Portal Stone, they tend to vanish. So stay back unless you're willing to part with your personal affects." Melea kept herself much further back than the rope. She personally considered destroying this one. It did her little good and caused her much annoyance. Marceline as well kept a respectful distance. She didn't have much on her and would rather not have any of it gone.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 26, 2017 6:38:17 GMT
When Melea mention the symbols, the gears inside Smith's head begin to turn as he starts to connect a few dots. Not enough to get a whole picture, but enough to get an idea what he should be focusing on from this point forward. When they enter the new room, both Chase and Smith trust Melea's words and remain a safe distance away from the Collector Portal Stone. Chase because he could sense Melea's uneasiness. Smith because he isn't a fool, and could figure out the purpose of the barrier as soon as he enter the room.
"I'm guessing there is a way to turn off the Portal stones abilities?" asked Smith. "Otherwise, this one in particular is going to be rather difficult for me to study. Which would be a shame, since I believe this will be the Portal Stone that will let us be able to explore the dimension that the other Portal Stones are connected to." He begins to examine the symbols, and thanks to his photographic memory, he is able to quickly compare and contrast the symbols of the strange devices. Soon enough he starts to figure out the different symbols. Not too difficult. But the hard part will be to figure out what each individual symbol means.
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