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Ettin
Oct 2, 2010


quote:

Hakurei Industries Internal Memo
Code YU-4R1-Kappa
Security Class INDIGO


From: Liaison Lutfi Saqqaf
To: Technology Assessment
Subject: Project Madukkarai - READ THIS FIRST

As requested, the boys in R&D have prepared these drives early. The wards should give you access to these files for four days, which should be more than enough for you to make an assessment.

You should receive FIVE drives. We expect five drives back, or at least the proper paperwork for them this time. Sorry to harp on that.

I can only give a brief summary, and of course I haven't read everything myself. If you need more details talk to Hideyoshi.

Project Madukkarai

• Madukkarai was started in the wake of last year's decision to develop more personal wards for individual-oriented arcane spaces.
• The high concept of the project is to attempt to ward a small arcane space by temporarily shifting its dimensional properties.
• The intended effect of this is that while the space still exists, and remains in the same place according to base spatial observation, it technically no longer exists in the same location in a mystical sense.
• This would make occult intrusion much more difficult.
• Preliminary research suggests this may affect the flow of occult energies, which could be an aid or a hindrance. It may be possible to calibrate the effect.
• This theory has not been tested, but Project Madukkarai has developed a prototype using similar principles to the YYO. It requires a D-Engine to function.
• If approved by Technology Assessment, R&D aims to conduct a controlled test in the old Genjii facility.

Refer to the files or talk to Hideyoshi if anything in there is confusing.

If possible R&D would like to do this on Thursday night. Let me know.

---

The basics are easy to work out. Hakurei Industries is always investing in weird projects like this with as much money as they can extort from shareholders and business partners. Project Madukkarai seems to be a device that shifts an arcane space (or at least its border) into a pocket dimension or something to make it harder for nasty things with tentacles to intrude. There are a lot of words like "decohere" and "asynchrony" and "harmonics" thrown in there. It is very ambitious and very likely not going to work, but if it did it would get them buckets of money from the sort of people who can spend thousands of dollars on wards. Governments, mostly.

The drive itself is full of occult mathematics, meticulous diagrams, hundred-page documents, spreadsheets, budget reports and legal documentation. It would take a while to sift through, but here's the good news: You can just have Takemikazuchi or Haxz0rl33t palm it off on someone else in the Soul Network if you want, and even if you do want to take the time to sift through it and throw some dice at it, you can do that back in Dubai while sipping coffee and watching the fireworks or whatever you do to celebrate! You can also make a copy that won't explode at midnight.


So, what do you want to do next? The byakhee will give you a ride to any other location in the city, and the Disciples will probably be unable to track you. If you decide to take a look at the material yourself don't start rolling dice yet, unless you want to risk sitting in this compromised hangar all night. I want to see you guys get your ROLEPLAY on.

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grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

Sharon keeps staring at Maximina devouring something living, something thoroughly saturated with arcane energy.

Hmm.

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Da'ud

As Maximina's vest falls to the ground, Da'ud freezes, something like a deer in headlights. He blinks, half-stunned, and then turns very red.

"Ah..."

He coughs, then turns away, trying to watch something that isn't her as he takes his jacket off. It's a little ripped, but nowhere near as badly as her own clothes.

"Um. Max? Here."

Sure, she's ripping into a barely-dead Byakhee, but still.

(Da'ud's version of events may involve slightly more sparkles than, say, Sharon's.)

Mors Rattus fucked around with this message at 15:40 on Feb 12, 2013

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

He ought to be feeling triumphant, what with having dived into a interstellar space swarm and set them up as easy marks for flak, but concern for Maximina takes priority; Arthur saw her flying through the warehouse wall like a crash-landing fighter, and glide-dives through the same hole to check on her. And oddly, he's not offput at all by what he sees. He doesn't even blink at her clothing damage, and heck, as a Tager, that byakhee she's chowing down on does smell a little like food. Granted, it wouldn't be his FIRST choice, and he'd probably throw it up as a human if he ate it like that, but he'd have to ask for a sample of jerky or something sometime.

"Glad to see you're holding up," Arthur chuckles, as well as a Tager can chuckle. He flies back out and flips in the air, landing on the ground like a gymnast as he transforms back to human form. As he stretches his now wingless arms and starts walking back inside the hangar, he sees Da'ud looking towards Maximina, holding out his jacket, and blushing tomato red. He glances between the two, and whispers to him, "she's not that attractive." Da'ud, by comparison....

He starts walking towards Mina as quickly has he can, holding his hand to his mouth like he's deep in thought. He is thinking about the data on the drive, and what secrets Mina's not-boyfriend nearly died trying to find, but it also hides his smirking at Da'ud's good looks.

When he steps over the last chalk line between him and his tablet, he claps his hands. "So, Mina, what are we looking at?"

Comrade Gorbash
Jul 12, 2011

My paper soldiers form a wall, five paces thick and twice as tall.
Sun Yue

Yue watches Maximina chow down with a combination of amazement and nausea. "Wow, that's gross!" She shakes it off, and puts her sword away. "Those things are tougher than they look! Also tastier, I guess. Anyways if we go the stuff off the drive we should totally get it to Takemikazuchi boss lady and then hit the town! It's New Years you know! We should celebrate." She looks back at Maximina again. "Also more stuff might come after us here, and Max is probably gonna be full after that so we probably don't want to be here when they show up."

grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

"Yes," Sharon says in a flat tone. "We should go."

ProfessorCirno
Feb 17, 2011

The strongest! The smartest!
The rightest!
Mina Fisher

Mina quickly makes a few copies of the data and distributes it amongst the group.

"What we're looking at is wizard poo poo that doesn't entirely interest me. You guys are free to look at this magical Narnia garbage if you want. I vote we hightail it out of here, drop it off with the Network, and then go eat some fried street food and get drunk and then steal something expensive."

Old Kentucky Shark
May 25, 2012

If you think you're gonna get sympathy from the shark, well then, you won't.


Maximina von Gilgamesh FP=3

The sound of desperate mastication slows to a few low chomps as Maximina looks up from the Byakhee she's crouching over. The ominous red glow slowly fades from her eyes. Almost daintily, she wipes at her mouth with the back of her arm, smearing blood.

*urp*

Then she looks down, and notices what she's (not) wearing. "Gaaaah!" She snatches Da'ud's jacket and tugs it on. "Stop staring at me. It's not as if you've never been hungry before."

Old Kentucky Shark fucked around with this message at 04:42 on Feb 14, 2013

Comrade Gorbash
Jul 12, 2011

My paper soldiers form a wall, five paces thick and twice as tall.
Sun Yue

"Not that hungry. I'm with Min. If Max is done being gross and shirtless let's go party! Maybe not with the stealing."

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
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Da'ud

"I, ah...right. Sorry."

Da'ud was trying hard not to stare.

"You can give me the jacket back later, no rush."

Pause.

"...so, my family has an apartment near here we can stop at so you can get cleaned up."

Da'ud coughs, then glances over at the surviving Byakhees. A thought strikes. They seem docile.

"We can ride there in style, even. And then have some drinks while we look at...whatever data we got.."

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

Arthur looks over the data transferred to his tablet, then towards the waiting byakhees outside.

"Huh, they can defect, too," he observes as he tucks his computer back into his coat. "Well, looks like they're all for you guys, and maybe some emergency rations for Maxy. I can fly already!" He bends his not very thick arm and rubs the not very impressive bicep before continuing. "But Da'ud's right; we've spent enough time here, let's find a place with a liquor license."

ProfessorCirno
Feb 17, 2011

The strongest! The smartest!
The rightest!
Mina Fisher

Flicking out a cigarette and lighting up, Mina just stares at the fallen byakhee for a moment.

"...poo poo, fine, let's ride giant space bird wizards."

grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

"Yes. Ride. And not eat."

Old Kentucky Shark
May 25, 2012

If you think you're gonna get sympathy from the shark, well then, you won't.


"You guys suck," Maximina grunts, pulling the jacket closer around her shoulders and purposefully ignoring Da'ud. She climbs aboard a cowed Byakhee, growling as it cowers.

Ettin
Oct 2, 2010

Co-opting from a lovely game, pretend it's a night scene!


Thursday February 9 2119, 9:51PM UAE, Chinese New Year's Eve
Location: al-Din Apartments, Level 108, South Tower, Dubai Arcology

Aspects: The Latest In Leisure Technology, Hidden Stashes, A Family Megacorporation, Byakhee Squad

The byakhee are faster than taking the Metro across the massive bridge linking the Arcology to land and riding an elevator up, but you are so lucky Da'ud's apartment has a balcony.

Unlike most arcology apartments, which settle for being comfortable and give the illusion of size, this one is actually pretty big. The lounge and dining room are linked into one big room, with the lounge and balcony down a handful of unnecessary steps and lined with huge windows; it's very roomy, but you get the feeling inviting the byakhee in here is a terrible idea. There's also an open kitchenette and minibar if you feel like human food, a high-tech bathroom if you want to clean up before the party or get your waste to be analysed for medical problems, and some fancy bedrooms if you want to sleep or do something that'll get you made fun of in the peanut gallery. And an aquarium in the wall, why the gently caress not.

Also, touchscreens everywhere! The enormous home entertainment system has screens, the walls have screens with readouts of room climate, local weather and current news, the coffee table is a screen, the fridge doors are screens, there are e-books and data pads... All of them have internet access and let you transfer files from one to the other easily, so killing time here should be a breeze.

You have some files to check out and time before the big midnight party! What do you do? (You can use the computers to browse the internet, check on news or forums, etc., especially if there's any setting stuff you want to find out.)

Feel free to start throwing dice around too.

Comrade Gorbash
Jul 12, 2011

My paper soldiers form a wall, five paces thick and twice as tall.
Sun Yue

Yue immediately finds a bed to jump up and down on. "This place is the best!"

grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

Sharon heads into one of the bedrooms and dials up something suitable for the evening on the closet clothes-fabber. Dumping the pattern off her headware takes only a few seconds, but it'll take a while longer for the fabber to finish its work.

Also bedrooms are good for braiding each other's hair and talking about boys. No cannibals allowed.

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
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2014-2018

Da'ud

"Make yourselves at home, everyone. Max, why don't you check out the walk-in closet? I think some of Fadwa's clothes are in there from last time she visited."

Now, Da'ud is in his element. He moves among touchscreens easily, having learned long ago where every control is in the apartment. Music, some nice lighting, a light bit of pine scent. That's better. Then he turns one of the windows into a display for the Hakurei data.

Madukkarai...that's Indian, isn't it? A place. Perhaps something important to know based on that...

6 on Anthropology, to figure out what's up with Madukkarai. I will Lore-nerd later, probably, about the magic involved if this doesn't cut it.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

Byakhee might fly, but Whispers fly faster, as Arthur is only too proud to demonstrate by flying loops around the rest of the group as they head for Da'ud's apartment. Once they arrive, he takes a moment to shower off the dust of the trainyard and hangar and pour himself a glass of baijiu before turning back to the Hakurei data. It does sound like something the NEG would be contracting them for...maybe one of the attached documents has something unusual? Hell, it's not like he didn't do exactly this back with the OOI.

Rolling scholarship to see if Arthur can't get some more interesting information off the documents under the cover email. Examining Hakurei Docs Scholarship: 4dF+3 3

Ettin
Oct 2, 2010

Mors Rattus posted:

6 on Anthropology, to figure out what's up with Madukkarai. I will Lore-nerd later, probably, about the magic involved if this doesn't cut it.

It's definitely a reference to the Madukkarai Wall. It's an ancient wall that marked the boundaries of the Three Crowned Kings, a triumvirate of ancient Tamil kingdoms. It was said to be erected in a night by the goddess Sellandiyamman so everyone would stop having border disputes. There are two important things Da'ud can get from that:

1) It's a reference to the Project's desire to erect a new kind of magic boundary around an arcane space;
2) Hakurei is running out of project names.


It's not super relevant, but Da'ud is getting the ol' braincells working, so I'll give him the maneuver Threes, Huh...


Davin Valkri posted:

Rolling scholarship to see if Arthur can't get some more interesting information off the documents under the cover email. Examining Hakurei Docs Scholarship: 4dF+3 3

I HOPE YOU LIKE WORDS!!

quote:

PROJECT MADUKKARAI
Security Class INDIGO

Section Lead George Nassif, Research & Development
September 5, 2118


Abstract: This project was the last submission to the Boundary Team Personal Arcane Protection Program. It aims to study and test the theories of Dr Hideyoshi Watanabe, specifically that:

• Altering an arcane space’s dimensional properties could be a viable means of protection;
• This could be achieved through application of Dr Watanabe’s theories on higher mathematics and thaumic decoherence to appropriate Dho-Nha curves;
• The space would still function as intended, with an increased level of protection;
• This could replace several of our standard procedures.

Project Staff:

Dr Hideyoshi Watanabe: Project leader. Requested the project in order to test his theories. Has been commended and promoted several times for his insight on other projects related to dimensional mathematics and gate sealing; this is his first personal project.

Tariq Ghazali: Chief arcanotechnician. Tariq’s role is to build, maintain and operate the specialised equipment the project requires. Tariq is a Hakurei veteran and has been chosen by R&D for his strong mental discipline and prior experience with the YY Orbs.

Ming Yue Xu: Chief occultist. Ming Yue is a recent University of Sydney graduate and former intern with our Oceanic division; she and Valerie worked together on the Twilight Frontier project.

Alex Minovsky: General assistant. Minovsky is a registered retrocognitive - Dr Watanabe specifically requests one, as theory suggests his powers would fail inside the warded space and Watanabe would like to test it. Minovsky is on loan from our NERU division.

Valerie Nagi: Chief researcher. Some of Dr Watanabe’s theories are based on work derived from several restricted occult works such as the expunged Dimensolatreia, Approved Book N and [REDACTED]; Valerie has INDIGO clearance for the Hakurei libraries and collate and edit these texts for study.

Requirements: Dr Watanabe has made the following requests from R&D:

• At least one research facility equipped for occult and arcanotechnological research, including backup buildings in alternate locations in case of accidents
• Ten extra staff
• A squad from Hakurei Sec Ops during experiments in case something goes wrong
• Lodging for same
• Level Two budget allocation
• VIOLET level clearance

Recommendation: High-level property alteration like this has, in the past, proved to be a failure at best and disastrous at worst, and not marketable to the common mage this program is aimed at. With that in mind, the requests Dr Watanabe has made are frankly ludicrous, and certainly not feasible for Hakurei’s financial position at the moment.

However, Dr Watanabe’s theories have obvious merit, and the basics seem to be approved by both R&D in general and Technology Assessment in particular. Also, while this is not publically marketable, it may be of interest to the NEG, corporations and Mars interests with a lot of money to throw around.

With that in mind, I would recommend that Project Madukkarai go ahead with current clearance, one intern, Level Five budget allocation and the bunker facilities at Hakurei R&D for the initial phase; when Dr Watanabe can prove he is ready for a controlled test we can use the old Genjii facility once it has been retrofitted.

Project Liasion Lutfi Saqqaf will keep an eye on the project and make monthly reports, and Doctor Chevalier is (as always) available for staff counselling. There is no need for any additional staff. This is feasible, but we need to keep it sensible.

quote:

September Status Report
Project Liaison Lutfi Saqqaf, Research & Development
October 2, 2118


This cover page is a SUMMARY of the status of Project Madukkarai (MK). Relevant documents should be included with this file, I double-checked. Please take care to read them. I have noted the most important documents for easy reference this time.

• MK was approved and space has been allocated in Bunker Four. [Reply from BTPAP, Bunker Request Form TA/4, Notice of Approval from Technology Assessment]
• All approved requests have been allocated and accounted for. [Budget Form 1, Documents B-F, email transcripts]
• Everyone is settled in and preliminary theory work is underway. [Documents G-AH, attached staff vlogs]

quote:

October Status Report
Project Liaison Lutfi Saqqaf, Research & Development
November 1, 2118


This cover page is a SUMMARY of the status of Project Madukkarai (MK). Relevant documents should be included with this file. As requested, I have trimmed it down to “the most important of the most important documents”. All other documents are available on R&D servers (clearance level INDIGO).

• Theory work is definitely getting somewhere. Watanabe has ironed out the problems suggested by Technology Assessment with the help of Ghazali. [vlog entries October/1.]
• Watanabe has inquired whether any of the texts provided have more complete, approved forms. Valerie has spoken to the Records Division. [R.D.M. Request Forms RT1-RT4]
• Until his powers are required, Minovsky has been assisting Ghazali with his work. Perhaps sending him over before the actual work was a bad idea. [vlog entries October/2.]
• Watanabe has requested a new intern, citing personality conflicts. Ming Yue suggests that when placed in a leadership position Watanabe becomes abrasive. [vlog entries October/3]

quote:

November Status Report
Project Liaison Lutfi Saqqaf, Research & Development
December 4, 2118


This cover page is a SUMMARY of the status of Project MK. Relevant documents should be included with this file. Yes, I have had an intern double-check that this time. All other documents are available on R&D servers (clearance level INDIGO).

• Watanabe submitted the complete theory work. At first it was in his own shorthand and difficult to decipher, and R&D requested he do it again. Work has since been re-submitted and vetted. [Madukkarai Technical Reports 1 & 1-A]
• Sofie reports that psych assessments are still normal, despite the event with the intern last month. [Evaluation Reports 11-15]
• Watanabe received a new intern at the beginning of the month and dismissed her at the end. Ming Yue claims it was because the intern took her side in an argument. [vlog entries November/4]
• Minovsky and Ghazali have performed controlled tests of the hardware. Though the full device is yet to be tested, the tests have been a success so far. Watanabe claims we will be ready by New Year’s. [Experiment Logs MK3-7]
• Some of Valerie’s requests were improved, particularly RT4. [associated forms, vlog entries November/2]

quote:

December Status Report
Project Liaison Lutfi Saqqaf, Research & Development
December 27, 2118


This cover page is a SUMMARY of the status of Project MK. Relevant documents should be included with this file (double-checked). All other documents are available on R&D servers (clearance level INDIGO). They are in multiple file formats so you should be able to access them on the first go this time. Yes, there are backups.

• Unfortunately, the project has suffered setbacks most of this month. Most notably:
• Three separate flux stabilizers were destroyed in failed experiments before Watanabe and Ghazali solved the problem. MK’s budget covered this. [Experiment Logs MK 19-22]
• Ming Yue got into several very loud arguments with Watanabe. Despite the rewritten theory work being vetted and approved, she claims it does not match their notes. She was unable to quantify any meaningful differences. [vlog entries December/2 and /3, Ms Xu’s Complaint Report]
• Several restricted texts went missing from the laboratory. A search turned them up in Ming Yue’s secure locker. She has been downsized. [Incident Reports MK-5, MK-6]
• Watanabe dismissed his intern during the incident and has agreed to stop asking for them. [vlog entries December/4]
• Valerie spent most of the month on leave to visit her family. [Leave Approval Form]
• Sofie evaluated the remaining staff and deemed them mentally healthy. [Evaluation Reports 16-19]

quote:

January Status Report
Project Liaison Lutfi Saqqaf, Research & Development
January 30, 2119


This cover page is a SUMMARY of the status of Project MK. Relevant documents should be included with this file (double-checked). All other documents are available on R&D servers in multiple formats (clearance level INDIGO, double-checked), as well as backup servers. I have also emailed them to you, as well as your secretary, and I have data drives full of them if you need it. There should be no complications this time. If there are I am going to poo poo A BRICK.

• The team spent most of the month preparing for the field test. [vlog entries January/1, /2]
• Watanabe and Minovsky prepared everything for submission to Technology Assessment, and submitted their request to use the completed Genjii facility. The project has been approved. [Internal Memo YU-4R1-Kappa, Technology Assessment Report MK]
• I’d just like to note that I only received FOUR drives back. I am told the other one broke. Ask IT if you care, I don’t have the report. I have requested a replacement. [Inventory Request Form IT-015]
• Ghazali and Minovsky are having everything moved into Genjii. Watanabe has since amended his earlier promise to Chinese New Year’s. [vlog entries January/2]
• Requests for a replacement for Ming Yue were denied for budget reasons. Watanabe, Ghazali and Valerie will split her workload. [email transcripts]
• After another long argument with Watanabe, Valerie has agreed to submit a request for a loan extension for all borrowed works in case they are needed. [vlog entries January/3, R.D.M. Extension Request Forms]
• Sofie evaluated the remaining staff and deemed them mentally healthy, though Watanabe is “definitely an rear end in a top hat”. [Evaluation Reports 20-24]

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
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Da'ud

Interesting, but not especially enlightening. The spell, perhaps, will be moreso. Da'ud begins to trace out the arcane symbolism of the magic Hakurei is using. A rule of threes, perhaps...

Lore 5, tagging Threes, Huh... to up it to 7.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

Wow, lots of documents. But it doesn't even take more than a cursory reading to see some red flags going up as the old analyst gears turn again. Three out of five of the project leads sounded like prime Disciples of the Cold Ones material, and it looks like relations deteriorated really quickly. Even their liaison seemed to be pulling his hair out...what, not ten days ago? Ah, for the full backing of the OOI--no, he left them precisely because they'd never allow him to go to retrieve the drive. Just sit at base and let the OOI response teams go out and pass you by...bleh.

Perhaps most interesting is the final document. "Ghazali and Minovsky are having everything moved into Genjii. Watanabe has since amended his earlier promise to Chinese New Year’s." The full device wout be tested in just over two hours? Something about Watanabe's actions throughout the project history seem really odd, and why would Minovsky be so close to the project when his section of the schedule literally hasn't begun? Arthur might not be an arcano-scientist, but he gets the very odd feeling that Dr. Watanabe's intent when starting the project isn't exactly what Hakurei had in mind. This would be so much easier if he knew where "Genjii" was. Where's the maps on this drive.

"Hey, Da'ud, Mina, everyone!" he says as he gets up, removes his coat, and grabs the alcohol and the tablet computer. "I think I got something interesting here!"

Is it a scholarship roll to find where this "Genjii" place is? Where is "Genjii"?: 4dF+3 1 I hope it isn't...

Ettin
Oct 2, 2010

Mors Rattus posted:

Lore 5, tagging Threes, Huh... to up it to 7.



Dau'd would probably agree with Hakurei that this isn't happening. It's theoretically possible, just not something it's in Hakurei's best interests to bother with. It's a lot of work for a ward that isn't foolproof anyway. Also, these formulae are a little strange...

If Da'ud compares the unedited theory work with the edited summary, it becomes more obvious. The original notes are overly complex and confusing, and when actually compared to the cleaned up version submitted to Technology Assessment, Da'ud realises they have subtle differences. In the edited-for-superiors version, someone has done the occult equivalent of changing a couple of signs and decimal places here and there on the last third of most of the important equations and diagrams.

It takes him a few minutes, but if Da'ud looks specifically for the unedited third pieces (or makes obvious corrections in the original work), he can piece it together. Those parts are mostly from Watanabe's theories, all heavy on the angles and higher mathematics. Put them back in their proper places, and the misdirection becomes obvious:

The ritual isn't going to shift the room into another dimension. It's going to turn the room into a portal to another, unknown dimension.


Davin Valkri posted:

Is it a scholarship roll to find where this "Genjii" place is? Where is "Genjii"?: 4dF+3 1 I hope it isn't...

The Genjii facility seems to be an old test facility of Hakurei's out in the desert, but specific coordinates aren't given. You might have to do some digging or find someone in Hakurei to tell you where it is!

Comrade Gorbash
Jul 12, 2011

My paper soldiers form a wall, five paces thick and twice as tall.
Sun Yue

Yue gets bored with jumping on the bed pretty quick. She wanders back out to the kitchen to find a snack, getting the house network to show her the news while she digs through Da'ud's fridge, the newsfeed following her around on the apartment's screens. Yue comes back with some left over shawarma and a cream soda. She perches on a counter as she munches and checks her mail. Little kirin pop into existence and deliver scrolls to her pda when she opens her sun.yue@shibusen.drm.edu address. Dreamworld to internet interface really could use an upgrade, having these Ghost guys around might be nice.

Old Kentucky Shark
May 25, 2012

If you think you're gonna get sympathy from the shark, well then, you won't.


Maximina von Gilgamesh FP=3

Mors Rattus posted:

Da'ud

"Make yourselves at home, everyone. Max, why don't you check out the walk-in closet? I think some of Fadwa's clothes are in there from last time she visited."
[/i]

"Shower first," the blood-spattered Maximina calls, heading for the bathroom. Finding, to her own amusement, that the shower walls are also screens, she sets them to searching for old friends and acquaintances, seeing if any are passing through the city at the moment.

Quite a while later she walks into the kitchen, toweling off her hair and wearing a breezy white blouse over denim shorts. The remains of her tactical vest have been scavenged to make low-slung hip-holsters. "Does he have yogurt?" she asks Sun Yue. "I could murder a yogurt."

Rolling Contacts + Old Boys Network to see if Maximina can scrounge up someone from her past or the Hunter's Lodge had had any run-ins with Hakurei: Contacts: 4dF+4=6.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

"Welp, so much for a quiet lunar new year," observes Arthur as he puts food and computer down on an end table. "Guess we'll just have to settle for breaking into Da'ud's party budget." He quickly goes into the kitchen and tosses Maximina a carton of yogurt. "Better you murder that than murder me! Heh, so, what does anybody here know about a Genjii facility owned by Hakurei?"

ProfessorCirno
Feb 17, 2011

The strongest! The smartest!
The rightest!
Mina Fisher

"We're putting off the fried food to crash this joint, right? Because it sounds like they have some expensive stuff to grab, and this Watanabe sounds like a tool, so we should screw him over because screw him. Also it's probably dangerous? Yo fly-boy, toss me a yogurt too."

In the corner of her eye, Mina has a completely different screen open as she idly types with one of her hands, hacking into some of Du'ad's available wifi access points and improving their security while inserting a tiny worm keyworded to give her access when she needs it later. You know, as a hobby. She isn't even really hiding it.

grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

Sharon comes back out wearing something surprisingly tasteful and a wig that might be a natural hair color for someone somewhere in the world. She paces a bit, keeping to herself. It is pure coincidence she keeps Arthur interposed between herself and Maximina at all times.

"So when are we leaving?"

Mors Rattus
Oct 25, 2007

FATAL & Friends
Walls of Text
#1 Builder
2014-2018

Da'ud

"Ideally, some time soon. This isn't a warding ritual. Watanabe told them it was, but...no. He doctored his work. Well, but not well enough for someone who understands it. This is a ritual to turn a room into a portal. I could not tell you to where, except that it's outside any dimension or realm I have ever heard of."

Da'ud frowns.

"This is going to put a crimp in our plans for the night. We might be able to use the Byakhee to hunt down the rift once opened, but that's the kind of thing we're meant to prevent."

grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

Sharon violates a large part of her training and conditioning and frowns. Things have gotten that serious.

"Are you really going to open a portal of questionable origin and destination on a night with tremendous arcane potential?"

Comrade Gorbash
Jul 12, 2011

My paper soldiers form a wall, five paces thick and twice as tall.
Sun Yue

Yue points at Sharon. "Mm hmm mmph hmm!" She stops, remembers to chew, and repeats, "He's not, these guys are! And we're going to stop them. Heroically."

grassy gnoll
Aug 27, 2006

The pawsting business is tough work.
Sharon

"Oh." Sharon considers this new information. "I don't see how that's better."

Comrade Gorbash
Jul 12, 2011

My paper soldiers form a wall, five paces thick and twice as tall.
Sun Yue

"It's the best! We get to save the world and fight monsters and evil wizard people." She glances at Da'ud. "You're a good wizard so you're cool." She eats some more of the stuff she stole from Da'ud's fridge. "So how do we find it? Before like some giant squid headed thing rises out of the desert." Yue uses her free hand to make the universal sign for horrors from another dimension by putting it in front of her mouth and making tentacle-y motions. "Though that would be kind of cool too. Probably would lead to a bad performance review though."

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

"Well, to stop them, we first need to know where they are. Maxy's checking out her old boys network; till they get back to us I suggest we eat and drink our fill. Don't want to get hungry and start eating byakhees raw mid-raid, eh?"

Ettin
Oct 2, 2010

Comrade Gorbash posted:

Yue gets bored with jumping on the bed pretty quick. She wanders back out to the kitchen to find a snack, getting the house network to show her the news while she digs through Da'ud's fridge, the newsfeed following her around on the apartment's screens.

A selection of stories from her aggregator:

quote:

Kirisame Optical Laboratories "did not purchase Migou technology" (Wired)

CEO Makoto Kirisame updated his blog today to deny that that their new R360 technology was designed with the help of the Migou. "If you look, we pretty obviously had the help of the Yith," he posted, "so I don't know what the big loving deal is." [more]

quote:

Magical Girl Ibuki-chan enters rehab (Lucky Star Network)

Ibuki-chan, former star of the Japan Defense Force, has entered rehab for her addiction to Compound Liao. Fan bloggers have posted their support for the magical girl, who turned to the drug and lost her corporate sponsorship after months of breaking up Green Fury summoning rituals. She plans to return to college. [more]

quote:

Mars shoots down peace bill (GNN)

Martian ministers on the Sol Council have shot down a proposal to resolve tensions between the two planets by giving the NEG controlling interest in the Olympus space elevator and a military base on Phobos. Minister Jie Zhong, who recently survived a leadership challenge from the New Shanghai bloc, says... [more]

quote:

Muvian relics on display at Miskatonic Museum (Sorcery Plus)

Miskatonic University has unveiled its collection of artifacts from the continent of Mu, lost in a magical cataclysm 23,000 years ago. These relics tell the story of three species of Homo antiquitus - Red, Green and Black Muvians - and their civilisation, magic dependence, and dial-up modem technology. [more]

quote:

Cosplay Party! (Xotaku AEF)

New Dubai anime store "Anime At The Gates" celebrated its opening yesterday by throwing a night-long cosplay party. Here are the pictures! <link>

quote:

Senators ask for President's birth certificate (Earth News)

Republican senators repeated their request to see US President Teresa Steiner's analog birth certificate. "She could be from Fomalhaut for all we know," said Senator Richard Chan. "Not that I agree with those who think she's a cultist, but there are reasonable questions." [more]

quote:

This blog is no longer available. (Truth Network)

This blog is no longer available.

quote:

Revelators of Glaaki "Nothing to be concerned about" - Chicago-Milwaukee mayor (The Wall)

Bold Daly, mayor of the Chicago-Milwaukee Metroplex, said today that he sees "no need" to raise the threat level after the Revelator cult hijacked broadcast signals to demand the OOI "return the knowledge you stole from us". "People these days are too scared as it is", the ex-fireman said before [more]

quote:

Population Zero still on! (Stupid Bullshit)

New metal rockers Population Zero are still planning their big APTO-NERU-SEAA tour, despite their drummer Zadok disappearing somewhere on the coast of New England. "Remember Singapore? He'll be back when he's sober," singer Ikari blogged. "Zadok, if you're reading this, show up with pants this time." [more]


Old Kentucky Shark posted:

Rolling Contacts + Old Boys Network to see if Maximina can scrounge up someone from her past or the Hunter's Lodge had had any run-ins with Hakurei: Contacts: 4dF+4=6.

The great thing about the Wolf Lodge is its members come from all walks of life. Some of them are accountants, some of them are homeless, some of them work for the security hypercorp Scarlet Gatekeeper Security that has the contract to guard most Hakurei Industries sites.

Maximina gets Genjii coordinates - it's out in the desert of Dubai, far enough from populated areas to meet legal requirements while staying as close as possible to save money. She can only get coordinates and not information on the project or help getting past the guards, though.

Ettin fucked around with this message at 07:05 on Feb 18, 2013

Old Kentucky Shark
May 25, 2012

If you think you're gonna get sympathy from the shark, well then, you won't.


Maximina von Gilgamesh FP=3

Maximina digs to the bottom of her yogurt cup to get at the fruit, because that's the best bit. Then she flicks a blueberry at Arthur's head.

"In other news: I found your dumb science facility where they're building the gate. I guess we should probably go visit it, unless you want to wait until it starts a resonance cascade so we can kill whatever pokes its head through." Her eyes gleam. "That could be pretty fun."

ProfessorCirno
Feb 17, 2011

The strongest! The smartest!
The rightest!
Mina Fisher

"We COULD run in guns blazing, or we could do this the smart way and sneak in until we find their dumb ritual and crash it."

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

Arthur barely manages to get his hand in position to catch the berry centimeters from his nose. Maxy was fast, but he's just fast enough.

"Somebody's feisty," he laughs as he pops it into his mouth. "Anyways, no reason we can't do both, Mina. Use some of the byakhees here to distract security and draw people away from the main facility while the rest of us fly in and drop down on the roof. Little spoiling and special forces action there." He takes one last sip from his highball glass. "Part of me says we should get satellite maps of the place, but the rest of me wants to stretch my wings again. Anybody else need to do anything, or should we be off?"

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Arthur Durandall FP 0/1

"To hell with it, I'm taking off. Catch me if you can, stupid Byakhee!"

Dropping his glass and plate on an end table, he takes off for the balcony at a full run, tucking his tablet into his coat before making a flying leap off the railing. He enjoys the sensation of freefall for a few beautiful seconds before transforming into something more aerodynamic, speeding off towards the Genjii site.

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ProfessorCirno
Feb 17, 2011

The strongest! The smartest!
The rightest!
Mina Fisher

Mina moves to her own giant wizard space pterodactyl while making a face.

"Show off."

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