Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Character Creation and Discussion (second reincarnation)

[Jimmy C]

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Thus she can shut down even Intelligent, Armed and Storage Devices with ease. Rein Zwei is kinda a grey line how she should be affected, but I believe there will be an effect on her at least.

If this Absolute Judgement IS works like an AMF, we already know the effect of even a heavy AMF on Rein. If you recall, in ep25, when the Cradle maxed out its AMF, it forced Rein out of Unison with Hayate and she plopped to the ground. Other than that, she was fine. So it looks like AMF-like things will only inhibit Rein's ability to do magic but not interfere with her life-processes.

Originally Posted by Kyral

But we never actually found out how they work, so his idea of electronic Devices is as valid as the 'only magic' one.

But the thing is, like Keroko said, electronic devices run on electricity. If mage Devices are electronic, where's their electric powersource? On the other hand, we know Devices channel their user's magic to form spells. Therefore, in the absence of conflicting data, it's reasonable to think that Devices tap their user's mana output to run.
James did say perhaps Devices convert mana into electricity to run. But I'll have to ask, why bother? It's a redundant step and the only reason you're insisting on it is that we have no experience with complex equipment running on anything other than electricity. A civilization with millenia of experience with magic has probably found ways to use it like we use electricity.

[JamesEdwards]

Sheba, Kyral...at this point, I am throwing all sense and dignity to the curb, even though it goes against my principles of being Anti-Nonsense. Still, I appreciate both of your insights, and so without ado...

BRETHEREN, MORALE GROUP HUG!

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by Jimmy C

If this Absolute Judgement IS works like an AMF, we already know the effect of even a heavy AMF on Rein. If you recall, in ep25, when the Cradle maxed out its AMF, it forced Rein out of Unison with Hayate and she plopped to the ground. Other than that, she was fine. So it looks like AMF-like things will only inhibit Rein's ability to do magic but not interfere with her life-processes.

It doesn't really work like an AMF, actually. An AMF dissolves the links that make a spell, but does not affect the raw mana. The AM, on the other hand, dissolves the mana itself. I'd imagine that does have an effect on Rein.

[LoweGear]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Don't push her too far, or she might fall into her 'heavy-tsun rambling mode:'

Though you'd have to be pushing her really really far to reach this 4 minute ramble record.

Four minutes of tsun...

Originally Posted by Jimmy C

If this Absolute Judgement IS works like an AMF, we already know the effect of even a heavy AMF on Rein. If you recall, in ep25, when the Cradle maxed out its AMF, it forced Rein out of Unison with Hayate and she plopped to the ground. Other than that, she was fine. So it looks like AMF-like things will only inhibit Rein's ability to do magic but not interfere with her life-processes.

Originally Posted by Keroko

It doesn't really work like an AMF, actually. An AMF dissolves the links that make a spell, but does not affect the raw mana. The AM, on the other hand, dissolves the mana itself. I'd imagine that does have an effect on Rein.

Erh, Absolute Judgement is the Anti-Electronic field, the anti-magic field is Null Absolution. And was referring to the former rather than the latter.

While I never did think about the mechanics of Absolute Jdgement much, I see it very much like a signal blocker: it prevents energy transmission whether magical or electric being sent out from one place to another across a metallic or non-organic medium. As long as you're inside the field, the appropriate transmissions that it targets are stopped, and hence circuitry is shut down. Even a simple battery and copper wire arrangement can be stopped by the field.

On Null Absolution on the other hand it simply dissolves unformed raw mana. It doesn't effect materialized mana though - thus Null Absolution doesn't dissolve barrier jackets on contact

[Jimmy C]

But Rein isn't electronic, so Absouute Judgement wouldn't have any effect on her any more than it would a human.

[MeisterBabylon]

Originally Posted by Keroko

The timeline is troubling. For number 13 to be recovered four years before StrikerS throws a huge wrench in the plot, which had cyborgs be a secret until the day off episode.

I don't think Subaru's being a borg was a total secret. It was something that only a few people knew about yes, like say Teana, the tech crew and the commanders, but its not like Subaru was outright denying the truth nor was she telling the world she was a borg. This was how I intend to introduce Kaprika, as another member of Riot 6 Drake Squad, and only until it is her arc that the others learn of her mechanization.

Riot 6 also knew that Jail had made the technology viable 26 years before 0075, so what's the problem of Karl intercepting a suspicious transport traced to Jail containing just Trieze? Trieze herself only knows that her body is a catalogue of almost every Inherent Skill known and she is a defence program meant to protect it. From her time prior to her rescue, Kaprika can only recall memories that Kia put in her, and none of them mentioned Jail, or the Numbers even once; they were of the times before Kia was "slain". So they know basically nothing new from Kaprika.

*I know this doesn't make sense... Many plot elements have been hidden to avoid spoilers, otherwise the fun of Kia's plans will be ruined!*

Any other problems I might've missed or made a mistake?

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by Jimmy C

But Rein isn't electronic, so Absouute Judgement wouldn't have any effect on her any more than it would a human.

Ah, partially my mistake. I was working with Null Absolution in the back of my mind.

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

I don't think Subaru's being a borg was a total secret.

Subaru was not created by Jail. That's where the problem is. The fact that Jail was running around creating cyborgs, or even the fact that there were still people around creating cyborgs after the facility that created Subaru was mopped up, was a big secret to the point where even Zest and Quint were killed to keep that secret. Trieze being discovered and more importantly retrieved punches a huge plothole in that secret, especially if it was done four years before StrikerS.

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

Trieze herself only knows that her body is a catalogue of almost every Inherent Skill known

There is also this. Inherent skills are pretty much shown to be one-trick ponies programmed into the body. If one already makes a cyborg so special, how can she have every IS known?

[Tk3997]

Well what do you know I acutally managed to get myself motivated to do some writing.

This is Part One of Chapter Four (as yet untitled beyond that)
Earlier chapters can be located here:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost...7&postcount=72

This might be a bit rough as I just finished banging it out, but I'm tired and don't really care. Small bits of this are a rehash of some snippets I posted earlier though allot of it is new, total length ended up at about 5.5k words which I think is a fairly good chunk without being insane.

This chapter also marks the first appearance of a third party character in my fic though he doesn't do too much this chapter. I have some others such cameos in the planning stages for later. Anyway there's no action in this bit and I doubt they'll be any in the next segment either as this is the transition chapter that sets up the move into the main plot. Lots of talking basically and a few bits of humor (hopefully) here and there.

Spoiler for Chapter 4.1:

================================================== ===
Administered World 59 South Transport HUB
================================================== ===
“Well that went swimmingly I hope you two are happy.” Irene scolded the two people beside her tossing both of them annoyed sideways glances as they walked the halls of the local transfer hub.

Most such structures were built to pretty standard specifications and this one was no different with large vaulted ceilings, mild neutral tones on all the walls and floors, and big windows. Not offensive to the eye, but not exactly soul stirring either. This hub was considerably busier then the one they’d come from; although still fairly empty at the current hour, and the few people that where present made way for them rather then the other way around thanks to their uniforms. .

“What do you expect this is probably going to be this tools sole chance this year to wave his dick around and feel important.” Felix responded unapologetically to her censure.

“Yes and I wonder why he decided to wave said dick around.” Irene countered irritably.

“He started it.” Felix replied defensively.

“And he was being a total ass.” Vita added from off to the side.

“I see, and of course the way to improve that situation was to act like asses back yes?”

“Well you know fire with fire and all that. Besides it’s not like he can actually stop us, all he can do is delay us a little while and then we get the last laugh when we ditch his ass with zero consequences despite his best efforts.” Felix continued to steadfastly refused to admit any wrong doing in the matter.

“I’m personally looking forward the impotent dirty looks he’ll give us.” Vita chimed in again.

“Remind me in the future to never let either of you two do the talking, or be around while the talking is happening.” Irene grumbled irritably.

The team had spent a day or two securing the scene of the battle and then collecting various bits of evidence before they’d been ordered back to Mid along with their sole prize from the operation. They’d headed out quickly hopping from transfer hub to transfer hub and winding their way back. It had been going well enough until they’d arrived here and the local manager on seeing them had decided to toss his weight around a bit. Rather then bow down and let him have his little ego stroking moment though Felix and Vita (mostly Felix) had instead met him head on… and managed to piss him off royally by insulting both his station and his admittedly rather full bodied stature. As a result he had now taken it upon himself to delay them as long as possible and probably say mean things about them to anyone that would listen.

They had legitimate business so he couldn’t really delay them too long, but all the same it was a nuisance and she was more then a little irritated with the pair responsible. Their stubborn refusal to admit fault was not helping matters either. She tossed another annoyed sideways glance at them, but again finding no discernable remorse she just figuratively threw her hands up. “Well I suppose we’d best go tell the rest of them that we’ll be spending longer then expected here.”

================================================== ===
Elsewhere
================================================== ===

“Come on, pick up. I know you’re in your office, you’re always in your office.” O’Neil drummed his fingers across his desk impatiently as the communication channel continued to ring through. Finally after what seemed and interminable wait the line connected and O’Neil began. “Hey Dan— you’re not Danny.“ and stopped just as quickly as he saw the face on the other end.

“My apologies me and doctor Johansson were discussing something when he left for a moment he should be back shortly if you want to call back...”

“Na I’ll wait besides I haven’t talked to you in a while.” Jack brushed off the suggestion much to Yunno’s dismay, a dismay he hid rather poorly. “Oh relax I called on official business not to pester you over your progress, or lack there of with certain officers of my service branch. Really doing that on company time would just be unprofessional…”

Yunno sighed. “How come that’s always the first thing everyone ever brings up when they see me again after some length of time?”

“Because everyone just wants you two to get it over with already and stop playing dumb.” He answered bluntly.

“I really don’t think she’s interested.” He waved it off dismissively.

O’Neil seemed about to counter that, but was cut off as a new voice entered the conversation sparing Yunno. ”Alright I found the document we were looking for and— oh it’s you.” He announced less then impressed as he caught sight of the grinning grey haired man on the comm screen. He was rather younger then O’Neil and his messy mop of hair still retained its brown color although his face was a bit pale, perhaps owing to his extended periods spent indoors, but despite that his good muscle tone and build betrayed that he kept himself in shape.

“What’d you mean ‘oh it’s me’ what kind of greeting is that for an old friend?!” O’Neil baulked feigning offense.

“The kind I give to old friends that only ever call when they want me to do something tedious, dangerous, or both.” He shot back with a mild glare.

“You haven’t even heard what I want you to do yet!” O’Neil protested and then realized what he’d just said a moment after it left his mouth.

“See, but you want me to do something, that’s the only time you ever call!” Daniel seized on the slip.

“That’s not true, hell I even sent a Christmas card this year!”

“That came in January!”

“It’s the thought that counts.” He replied absently glancing away.

Daniel ran a hand through his messy hair, he really needed to get out and have it cut, and sighed in defeat knowing he would just keep pestering him until he did what he wanted. “Alright whatever, what do you want?”

“It’s an easy job I’ve just got some Belkan documents I need translated.”

“That’s it?” Daniel asked incredulous “I’m pretty sure you must have someone on your base that can read Belkan.”

“Well actually it’s sort of Belkan of the ancient variety, but I’m sure it’ll be no sweat for you. I bet it takes all of ten minutes!”

”First off you’re in no position to make any kind of estimation on the complexity of a translation job, and second flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere.” Daniel replied grumpily.

“Was worth a try.” Jack was unapologetic.

“But that said it will probably be reasonably simple so I guess I can swing by and have a look at it this afternoon.”

“Thanks Danny I owe you one.”

“Yeah sure, how many times have I heard that.” He grumbled. “Just have the stuff ready when I get there.” With that he wearily killed the line on his end before Jack could spring anything else on him.

“I suppose you’ll be leaving right away.”

“For all this many foibles Jack doesn’t usually abuse his friend’s favors for the most part, if he called me about this it’s probably reasonably important.” Daniel conceded grudgingly.

“No worries we can finish up later, and call me if you need any help.”

“Thanks, but I think it should be pretty straightforward.” Daniel thanked him sincerely as he began tossing a few books in his bag and prepared to leave. He’d need to be pretty speedy to make the date he’d just set for himself.

================================================== ===

Despite Irene’s grumbling about it things had more or less played out exactly as Felix had predicted and with much grudging cooperation they’d been cleared to continue there trip without a few hours. Also as predicted both Felix and Vita had indeed greatly enjoyed the look of barely contained rage on the bureaucrats face. Felix even throwing him a little flippant wave a few moments before they teleported, but sadly he hadn’t gotten to see the reaction that particular gesture.

The rest of the trip had proceeded more smoothly and without incident they’d hopped through a few more transport HUBs, and finally after the better part of a day of further travel they’d ended up back on Mid. At the planets 4th Transporter HUB to be exact the one that mainly serviced the region just south of the Capital of course this HUB was still the better part of a hundred miles from there final destination, but that had already been accounted for.

“I heard you had some fun on this trip Felix.” Felix turned to regard the speaker as he approached, it was Carl “Bud” Anderson a fairly non-descript man all around medium height, medium build, dusty blond hair, and green eyes he was also one the commands sometimes helicopter pilots. Sometimes because he wasn’t technically assigned to the command, but the unit he was assigned to was based out of the same location and was on call more or less 24/7 for its use, but without its operating costs coming out of SOPCC’s budget. Another one of those neat little political loopholes O’Neil was so good at finding and exploiting.

“Yeah sure Bud, we had loads of fun.” Felix shot back grumpily to the other man who merely laughed it off.

“I have the Helo sitting on a pad on the roof all warmed up, the General seems to be in a hurry have you guys back.” He informed the assembled group casually gesturing toward the ceiling with his thumb as he spoke.

“Well we wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.” Felix replied with a hint of derision, O’Neil himself was after all not always perfect punctual after all.

Despite the remark though group did quickly make its way up to the small heliport on the roof and boarded the machine. The ride wasn’t too long taking less then an hour to complete and was on the whole pretty quiet with many of those aboard making what effort they could to catch up on sleep which quite a few were still behind on. All to soon though the few that had managed to doze off were forced awake again by the announcement they were coming in for a landing.

The complex that now appeared below them wasn’t small, but it was still dwarfed by many larger TSAB military bases and though its location was fairly isolated and nondescript its purpose really wasn’t. A high barbwire topped fence surrounded the grounds and armed guards patrolled the perimeter and monitored the only ground level accesses into the base via a single fortified checkpoint. The area around the base had been cleared of most trees to about 500 meters from the edge of the fence, but beyond that was a sea of green in every direction.

With the nearest town being nearly twenty miles in any direction it was a little world unto itself, and the open space around it afforded plenty of room and isolation for often noisy live-fire exercises. That said the visibility of some of the highest buildings of the capital jutting up above the distant horizon to the north showed it wasn’t too isolated despite it’s rural appearance.

Felix knew the base like the back of his hand since his small apartment here had been more or less his true home for the better part of a decade now. It was much the same for most others stationed here which also explained many of the non-standard bits that had been added over the years and could be readily seen from the air as they approached like the swimming pools, the driving range, the tennis courts and the not visible bowling alley and bar down in the basement.

Bud brought the helicopter in for a perfect landing on one of three helipads located atop the buildings roof and switched off its engines as the team quickly began demarking. They were greeted a few seconds after exiting by the King of the castle himself as O’Neil stepped out from one of the side entrances to greet them. He gestured for the entire lot of them to follow him inside which they eagerly did, it was nearly mid day but the temperature was still a bit nippy this time of year and no one was really properly dressed for it.

================================================== ===

Once they got inside he began handing out orders Emil was sent off to the infirmary to get checked out again, Atuwe was told to go ahead to the device maintenance area then hurry up and wait and to take Shin with him to deliver the data they’d extracted from the computers back at the ruins. Finally he rounded up Vita, Felix, and Irene instructing them to follow him then dismissed the rest of them telling them to make themselves at home for the moment.

“So, you had fun I trust?” O’Neil questioned merrily as he lead the new much smaller group down one of the bases corridors.

“Why does everyone keep saying crap like that?” Felix grumbled irritably.

“So let’s see what you brought me back.” He moved on eagerly totally unfazed by Felix’s grumbling.

Lazily Felix produced the clear sealed cask they’d used to transport the unison device from his bag and presented it rather unceremoniously to his superior. O’Neil took it from him and inspected it for a few moments. “Kind of a lame souvenir isn’t it? I suppose it’s the thought that counts though.” Irene came within inches of face faulting at this, but Felix knew him well enough to realize he wasn’t quite that stupid.

Mercifully he was indeed proven correct a moment later. “I made some calls about your little discovery once you briefed me on it and I’ve got a couple people waiting to take a look at it.” Jack informed the group nonchalantly as he led them down the halls of the base toward the R&D and Maintenance area.

“Any particular reason we’re not just going to hand it over to R&D officially?” Felix asked indifferently.

“Well I was kind of hoping to get some results in a time period shorter then months.” O’Neil responded bluntly. “The egg-heads up there might be brilliant and thorough and all that, but they cannot seem to comprehend that sometimes stuff needs to be done fast too. We’ll go to them if we have to, but not before.”

“Why do you think this is such a rush job anyway?” Felix queried idly as they meandered along through the bases halls.

“Call it a hunch.” Jack responded with a shrug.

“It must be nice to be able to order people to investigate your hunches.” Irene remarked wistfully.

“One of the privileges of rank to be sure.” Jack smirked pausing as they approached the last door on the left side of the hall. “And we’re here.” He informed the group as they arrived at the entrance to one of the larger labs on the base normally used for comprehensive device maintenance and construction. While it wasn’t quite to the scale of a proper R&D lab it was nonetheless quite well equipped and he’d been told it should be more then enough for at least an initial assessment of the device they’d found.

He didn’t even pause, or knock, as he barged right on into the room. “Someone order an ancient UD, slightly used?” He queried sarcastically.

As the group entered they found three people inside two of them not an uncommon sight around these parts one was Atuwe, not surprising as he was a computer expert and once one got past all the flash the substance of a device was ultimately a highly advanced computer system. Cameron Span also wasn’t much of a surprise either being more or less the head nerd around these parts performing the majority of device maintenance for the command. The man she was eagerly and fan-girlishly conversing with however was not a common sight at all, but he was still one that two of the people present recognized instantly.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Two very different voices demanded harshly from either side of O’Neil and then glanced at each other with ‘wait you know him too?!’ plastered all over their faces.

“Yes I mean why would I call in a favor from one of the foremost device smiths in the TSAB when dealing with a damaged device, it hardly seems logical does it?” Jack shot back mockingly completely unfazed by the outbursts.

“It’s good to see you again too Felix; though I have to admit I didn’t expect to run across you here Vita.” The man replied with a bit of genuine surprise at her presence.

“And who exactly is he anyway?” Irene asked curious.

“Aurion Dauer, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss…?”

“Irene Vincent.” She replied eyeing with a slight hint of suspicion as he seemed a bit too smooth frankly.

Vita for her part seemed to be making a conscious effort to look at everything in the room but him and completely shut out what he was saying.

“You know what? No, just no I’m not in the mood for this right now.” Felix suddenly announced out of the blue rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance. “I’ve got better less painful things I could be doing; like say driving nails into my skull with a hammer.”

“You want some help with that?” Vita put in quickly largely matching his mood and tone.

“By all means.” He responded genuinely and the pair quickly fled the room, considerably more quickly then they’d entered it.

“Well that was rather rude.” Aurion noted flippantly having taken no real offense though.

Irene was a bit surprised the pair would just bail without even asking permission and glanced over at the General, but her unspoken question was quickly answered. “Eh they won’t go too far I’ll find them later when I actually need them.” He remarked lazily and she suddenly had a sneaking suspicion they only reason he’d brought them along at all was to see their reactions.

Said reactions left her a bit confused as the man certainly seemed amiable enough, but the rather strong reactions he’d produced nonetheless put them slightly on edge. It also gave the easy laid back smile he was giving them both at the moment a slightly unnerving air… Irene smiled back weakly, but also edged a few steps backwards as well.

Aurion sighed slightly, why did people always react to him like this?

================================================== ===
Several minutes later, Outside
================================================== ===

“I didn’t know you knew him.” Vita remarked a few seconds after they exited and rounded a corner quickly glancing over her shoulder as if she was concerned he might have actually followed them or something.

“Well I didn’t know you knew him either. Anyway O’Neil loves him, but he just annoys me I swear whenever he’s around it’s like there’s two of them.” Felix shuddered slightly.

“Tell me about it I have no idea what Hayate sees in that old geezer.” Vita grumbled back.

“Hey, hey he’s not that old.” Felix cut in hastily and a tad defensively since after all his own age was actually similar to man in questions.

“He’s plenty old! I’m surprised he doesn’t creek when he walks!” She replied obvious to his annoyance.

“You know what let’s just stop talking about how old he is okay?” Felix cut her off hastily though he didn’t seem angry so much as uncomfortable.

She looked at him slightly funny, but shrugged. “Whatever it’s not like there isn’t plenty else to talk about, oh did he ever do that stupid arm thing with you guys?”

“Oh that? Yeah, Alan nearly fainted, but O’Neil and Pixy thought it was hilarious.”

“So where are we going anyway?” Vita asked off hand since she’d never actually been to this base before she was more or less just following Felix’s lead.

“To my room.” He replied flatly. “I normally hide out in there whenever he’s around…” He added just barely loud enough to be heard under his breath.

“Won’t that be empty?” She queried curious, he’d been reassigned after all so wouldn’t he have moved his things out?

“I was only every supposed to be reassigned for a few months, more as a part of one of my fearless leaders schemes then because I actually needed that much downtime. I sure as hell wasn’t going to waste the effort to move all my stuff; I was just going to buy new stuff.” Felix waved off her concern nonchalantly.

Just buy new stuff… this suddenly brought to mind a question that Vita had wondered about for awhile. “How much do you make exactly anyway?”

Felix winced slightly and quickly tried to dismiss the questions. “Professionals don’t discuss their salary.”

“What kind of cop out is that?” She countered angrily.

“Why do people ask questions they know they won’t like the answer too…?” He pondered idly.

“Hey, quit ignoring me!” She huffed as her annoyance rose once more.

“Oh look here we are! Well I suppose this is where we go our separate ways it’s been fun!” Felix suddenly announced cheerfully as he reached the door to his apartment/room.

“What you’re just going to ditch me here?” Her expression suddenly shifted to a scowl since loath as she was to admit it he was really the only person around here she even vaguely knew, but more importantly she’d rather not be roaming the halls alone knowing HE was in the building somewhere.

Felix glanced down at her and his brow furrowed slightly as he debated it for a moment, but then cave in out a slight feeling of pity. “Alright fine, but any whining about the room or trying to take the remote and you’re gone.”

“Alright deal.” She assented after a few seconds of consideration herself.

As he unlocked the door she wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but she still found what she got slightly anti-climatic. It was a bit messy, but nothing outlandish actually it was pretty well kept if a bit cramped. The entrance lead into a small kitchen and beyond that was the main living area including a couch and a decent sized TV perched atop a dresser. There was a bed simply pushed up against the back wall, but not otherwise separated from the living area and finally a single door opposite the bed that likely lead to a bathroom.

Without any further comment Felix casually strolled up to the couch and flopped down on it snatching the remote off a small end table next to and clicking on the TV. Shrugging and figuring it was too late to back out now Vita pushed the door shut behind her with her foot and then followed his lead flopping down on the opposite end a few seconds later.

If one looked at this scene objectively it was kind of stupid and a bit childish really; what with this pair of grown adults basically hiding out in one of their rooms to avoid having to deal with someone they didn’t like.

“Hey go back to that last channel!”

“Trying to influence the person with the remote is also not allowed!”

“What?! You can’t change the rules after the fact!”.

“It’s my room you can leave if you want!”

Well no one ever said being an adult implied being mature.

================================================== ===
Infirmary
================================================== ===

“You’re damn lucky you know; if one of those bits had got you in the eye you’d be out of action for months or even blind if they got both.” Enzo, the Chief Medic for the base, remarked casually as he finished up his examination of Emil’s eye and released his eyelid while pocketing the small pen light he’d been using to examine him.

“Lucky would have been the shot missing me completely.” Emil shot back blinking vigorously to clear his vision.

“Touché.” Enzo conceded as he headed back over to his desk flopping down in his chair behind it and booting up his computer to file Emil’s medical report. “Anyway the medic that treated you on-scene did his job and you seem to be just about back up to snuff. The wounds should be fully closed shortly and we can take off the bandages tomorrow morning.”

“We’ll here’s something I’ve never seen before.” A new voice suddenly interrupted as a man of strong build and medium height in his early 50s with short cropped black hair and a day or twos stubble hanging off his chin wandered in through the infirmaries open door.

“Chief? Didn’t expect to run into you here” Emil remarked with mild surprise pivoting around on the bed he was seated on to face him.

“I had a meeting, but then I heard you’d manage to go and get yourself wounded again so I figured I’d swing by and check on you.” Fisher informed him evenly.

“Just a starch this time sir.” He waved dismissively.

“Really?” Fisher gave the doctor in the room a questioning look.

“It actually was pretty minor in this case. He only sustained some light shrapnel wounds to the soft tissue of the face, and a grazing bullet wound to the left shoulder, again tissue damage only. The medic that saw to him initially pretty much took care of it and all I did was a bit of follow up, by tomorrow he’ll be fit for duty by my estimation.” Enzo informed the senior officer casually from his desk where he was finishing up his report to that effect.

Fisher nodded to the doctor before turning back to Emil. “Even so I want you to get some rest for the next few days. I should have some more work for you shortly though.”

“Just tell me where sir.” Emil was more then ready to go right that second if need be.

“Like I said take it easy for now, and try to stay out of the damn infirmary for more then a month. The medical bills are getting rather worrying.” With that good natured jab Fisher took his leave of the pair.

“You can get out of here too, but follow the man’s advice and take it easy for a bit.” Enzo dismissed Emil a moment later so he could focus on getting this report typed up and getting out of here himself.

================================================== ===

“So you want anything?” O’Neil asked Irene casually as he strolled over and opened a small mini fridge concealed in what to the untrained eye looked like a filing cabinet.

“I’m good thanks.” She replied casually reclining back in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

They hadn’t stayed long after Felix and Vita had left as O’Neil had more or less just dropped the device off and told them to keep him posted on there progress. This further affirmed that his main reason for dragging Vita and Felix along had been entertainment value… This made her slightly nervous about why exactly he’d also singled her out.

“Annnnnyway.” He began lazily as he flopped down in his own seat with a small glass of whisky. “I heard you where in charge of the case that lead to this entire mess and basically in control of the investigation after it so I kind of wanted to get some background and your opinions on it.”

She relaxed, careful to hide her sigh of relief, at this revelation. “Well I was assigned to the case not too long before all this happened really, someone had tipped us off about a possible arms deal and we set up a surveillance and began collecting information and evidence. It seemed like pretty standard stuff actually and I think it was I doubt the guys selling the explosives were related to the later events at all.”

“So a lucky break that we caught the other group then more or less.” O’Neil surmised.

“I’d say so.” Irene agreed before continuing “And as for that bunch… well they were well armed to say the least.”

“Drones and perhaps cyborgs according to the reports.” O’Neil remarked grimly.

“Yeah lots of the former, and Kou thinks the guys he fought underground might have been borgs but it’s hard to be sure. They could possibly have been mages as well, but either way they were able to somewhat hold off a group of above A ranked mages so they're certainly dangerous. They way the vanished afterward without and obvious escape route also indicates one of them could likely perform group teleportation increasing the possible threat significantly.”

“Agreed, any possible ideas on there objective?”

“I really can’t say, but I’ll say this they were looking for something. This was no scavenger hunt they wanted something down there and they tried hard to cover up their tracks, that bomb we defused would have collapsed that entire section of the cave. As for what it was though… we don’t know. By the time we arrived they were gone and we didn’t really find anything in the subsequent search, but my gut tells me they left with what they came looking for.”

O’Neil leaned back rotating his chair slightly so he could look out the window at the back of his office toward the setting sun and the massive skyscrapers jutting up over the distant Horizon. “So then the million dollar question is what did they take and why?” He questioned rhetorically.

Irene nodded her agreement, but as noted could offer no answer to that critical question.

================================================== ===
A Few Hours Later
================================================== ===

One possible source of the answer to that question was in there hands although at the moment it was of rather limited use. The team on the ground had pulled all the data they could from computers at the base, those that still functioned at least. Atuwe had decoded the data into plain text, but it was still thousands of pages of text in an ancient language. Someone had to wade through it to try and find clues and that someone was already hard at work in a small lab in the buildings basement…

“So how’s it going?” Jack asked casually as he pushed open the door and waltzed on in, as was his habit he didn’t knock or ask to enter and simply barged in.

“Badly.” Daniel answered bluntly not really caring about his lack of manners at the moment. He was seated at the far end of a table in the lab he’d appropriated for his work and was surrounded by a sprawling mass of papers and several floating video screens.

“Badly how?” O’Neil questioned as he pulled out a chair and sitting down across from his friend. “And please phrase any answer in language I can understand.” He added pointedly.

Daniel glared at him slightly, but didn’t really have the energy to be annoyed with him at the moment. “It’s Belkan surely enough, but this dialect is old, really old and pretty much extinct.”

“Which is different from all the other crap you’ve translated over the years… how?” Jack asked genuinely.

“I’m not magician Jack.” He saw Jack raising his finger and preparing to speak and cut him off suddenly realizing his slip of the tongue. “Okay not that kind of magician. This dialectic seems quite obscure and I’m having trouble finding many references. Frankly I’m having to guess at certain words and phrases meanings, and the corrupted nature of the data is frankly not really helping.”

“Yeah well the source was kind of sitting down in a dank cave for a few centuries.” Jack pointed out sarcastically.

“I know why it happened, but it’s still making my work difficult.” Daniel came back grumpily. “Most of it also looks like everyday mundane communications anyway, unless you’re interested in office gossip and expense reports.”

“Not so much, no.” O’Neil replied blandly.

“Even worse it appears that in many cases where useful information might be gleaned they’re using codeword and such.” Jackson grumbled clearly frustrated.

O’Neil actually perked up slightly at this anything worth using codewords and deceptive language about was probably the kind of thing that was potentially dangerous.

“So far I haven’t really been able to find anything useful regarding the purpose of the facility, though I have found references I think are to other bases which makes me think it might have been only one competent in a larger scheme.” He added too focused on his work to even notice O’Neil's change in demeanor.

“Keep on it, and let me know the second you think you’ve found something.” O’Neil advised him seriously as he stood back up and pushed the chair back.

“Yeah will do….” Daniel replied absently his mind clearly already drifting back to the work.

“And Danny.” O’Neil called back at him as he reached the door getting his attention. “Try to sleep tonight, okay?”

The reply was only vaguely an understandable language being more of a grunt then anything. Jack shook his head and smirked as he shut the door behind him making a mental note to send down a pot of coffee before he went to bed himself.

Not much really said I feel the need to comment on thread wise and I'm beat anyway, but I will take this chance to poke Dragon Boy.

Originally Posted by Keroko

I'll wait until her wanders in here again then.

Or you could go on IRC where he is nearly everyday and ask him yourself like I did today...

[MeisterBabylon]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Subaru was not created by Jail. That's where the problem is. The fact that Jail was running around creating cyborgs, or even the fact that there were still people around creating cyborgs after the facility that created Subaru was mopped up, was a big secret to the point where even Zest and Quint were killed to keep that secret. Trieze being discovered and more importantly retrieved punches a huge plothole in that secret, especially if it was done four years before StrikerS.

Oh so that's the secret! I thot it was more towards "Jail's out there making borgs, just that we can't find him." Yes that would be a problem.

However, this is a problem that's easily fixed. The notion that not only Jail was building borgs helps this.

Originally Posted by Keroko

There is also this. Inherent skills are pretty much shown to be one-trick ponies programmed into the body. If one already makes a cyborg so special, how can she have every IS known?

Sigh. Alright you win. -_-

Spoiler for Overload of Technical specs! Read at your own demise!:

I theorized that IS are inheritable Rare Skills, as there are Rare Skills that appear due to random somatic mutation rather than gonadic (which would then be inheritable, and hence be considered IS). As such, it is tuned into the person's body via DNA in a certain gene loci. It is possible for a person to have more than 1 IS (Example: Subaru) and so that means that the gene locii isn't unique, and very likely the person has the genetic machinery to read and interpret this IS gene.

Enter Trieze (though I'm now leaning towards Nulla or Zero) and the Plasmid Management System. Plasmids are little rings of DNA that carry certain genes on them coding for add-ons to the organism. These things in their natural occuring form are bacterial trading cards, allowing microbes to share traits like drug resistance and toxin production. This system is lost in eukaryotes (including humans) but that's where Jail comes in.

Zero's production actually began in 0050, before even Uno, and was one of the earlier prototypes before Jail gained his fame for making borg tech viable. Greed and scientific curiosity pushed for Zero's peculiar systems. To demonstrate his prowess, Jail made his showcase item stock every possible IS ever; it was a big shout that showed that when pushed beyond the psychological limit, his constructs were stable.

To achieve that, he modified a system he used to file and retrieve fresh samples of IS-DNA and hardwired it into his patented non-rejection bioframe. This was the Plasmid Management System (Yeah, PMS. Laugh all ya want. ) that managed a living database of plasmids that coded for different IS and could load and unload IS as and when the borg wanted.

Halfway through production, Jail found that the system had several weaknesses:

1) The PMS sapped so much power that the fleshless borg could only remain active for the most 30 seconds before the Machine Core overheated and had to be shut down.

2) It took up almost all of the borg's conscious capacity to run the PMS, making it clumsy as an automaton.

3) Many of the IS needed amplification through Inherent Equipment. Having that many IS is pointless if the borg can only carry gear for 1!

4) Attempts to use the saved Tracing IS to alleviate the gear problem meant that 2 IS had to be running at once, and that cause the PMS to crash due to power outage.

5) The plasmid burnt out after a few uses, meaning that IS had to be repeatedly synthesized, and had only a few uses.

Jail fixed 3 & 4 by procuring stem cell samples from the Ostian royal bloodline which carried the Tracing IS, meaning that the PMS only needed to fund the IS being amplified through the Traced Equipment. He also redesigned the management AI to occupy the limbic brain, and he further augmented that lesser evolved neural circuitry with a second, parallel circuit running through the left cerebrium. This "brain in a brain" allowed for the AI to operate effective while not affecting overall IQ. The drawback of that would only become apparrent later...

The unfinished prototype still did not have the power to remain long outside its tank indefinitely, but it did last long enough to make quite the splash in the black market at his demonstration. In the end, it was Jail's Angels Uno, Due and Tre, made using scaled-down, single-IS and very much easier, and cheaper, to produce versions of Zero's bioframe, that took the underworld by storm. His pet project was shelved.

But Jail was not the one to forget his daughters. He was to meet a potential client in Renault when the Sacking happened, and as the entire region burned from the rampaging magics, he received Kia's distress call. He just managed to extract Kia, leaving a dud in her place, just as the entire Vault she was in exploded. While he worked to restore Kia to full function, he gained insight to Kia's ultracompact Yggdra Machine Core that she used to power her spatial-warping Cassopeia device. It was to be another turning point in Jail's development; all Numbers made after 0060 had the Yggdra Core, and he swapped out Zero's core for the Yggdra.

Now, Zero could remain active for an entire day before needing the rest of the week back in its tank. Jail continued to make a few more changes...




Zero was intercepted when the makeshift lab was compromised (The Saint Guard and Karl didn't know that was Jail's though). When Zero woke up, she was a bubbly healthy girl with many memories of Kia's. Not to mention declaring herself to be Kaprika vindi Touareg and immediately identifying Karlheim as her older brother. While there were little else she could reveal, this duality showed that while Zero "slept", there was enough power for the borg to remain active, but would be no different from another human being. It was only in an emergency that Zero would activate and protect the catalogue. It powered down after it was safe, resulting in Kaprika needing a long rest herself.

Kaprika noted that while she was vaguely conscious of her other self, it felt strange as she seemed to be dreaming while Zero was active. This was the drawback; defence program and active personality had become almost completely disjointed due to Jail's well-meaning patchwork. As such, Kaprika could not use any of the IS stored in her, except her natural Tracing ability, which she is a much greater talent at than her brother.

As for food intake, Kaprika herself would put Karl to shame. In fact, she is always worried about food and would eat anything that looks delicious, and then some. Kaprika single-handed ate out Karl's allowance and it took a lot of Carym's to keep up with the growing girl. Despite that, she rarely puts on weight or assets for that matter...

Disclaimer: Many plot elements, contrivances and explanations have been hidden to avoid spoilers.

But...

KEROKOOO!!!

Look what you still made me do!!! D=

[FlameSparkZ]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Tiny little Rein with red cheeks, sweating and breathing heavily...

Yeah, cute indeed.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Don't push her too far, or she might fall into her 'heavy-tsun rambling mode:'

Though you'd have to be pushing her really really far to reach this 4 minute ramble record.

Yeah That's quite some tsun

Originally Posted by Keroko

The timeline is troubling. For number 13 to be recovered four years before StrikerS throws a huge wrench in the plot, which had cyborgs be a secret until the day off episode.

Yeah, don't make it more confusing than it already is

Besides, why connect to my story? You can just "copy" her (like everyone's been doing with Keroko) and run it on your independent story >_>

[stormturmoil]

Originally Posted by LoweGear

:

Erh, Absolute Judgement is the Anti-Electronic field, the anti-magic field is Null Absolution. And was referring to the former rather than the latter.

While I never did think about the mechanics of Absolute Jdgement much, I see it very much like a signal blocker: it prevents energy transmission whether magical or electric being sent out from one place to another across a metallic or non-organic medium. As long as you're inside the field, the appropriate transmissions that it targets are stopped, and hence circuitry is shut down. Even a simple battery and copper wire arrangement can be stopped by the field.

On Null Absolution on the other hand it simply dissolves unformed raw mana. It doesn't effect materialized mana though - thus Null Absolution doesn't dissolve barrier jackets on contact

Potential Problem with Absolute Judgement: Human (and almost all other organisms too) transmit their nervous impulses via electrical means (electrochemically induced potential differences in the Nerves created by movement of certain Ionic salts causes the buildup of charge, causing a net movement of electrons )

any field that completely blocks Transmission of electrical potential will kill a living organism. Anything that interferes will have a huge deleterious effect on mental processes.

Saying it's limited to non-organic doesn't really help, since at the level we're talking, short of almost sentient level effects, there's no way to tell.

I suggest that rather, you go for the opposite effect, known to 40k fans as Haywire.

That is within the area of effect of the field, any kind of circuitry is subject to randomised induced charges: Living organisms suffer dependent on field intensity, from annoying twitches, difficulty concentrating and headaches at minimum exposure, to the point of crippling migraines, uncontrollable muscle spasms and even seizures

at minimum intensity, machines suffer from glitching, unreliabilty and false readouts, while at maximum intensity, circuits suffer uncontrolled activations, brownouts, overloads and even burnout.

The fun part of this is that the user need not be immune, making this a double edged sword effect: It cripples their enemies, but potentially them as well...

Makes using it a much more strategic affair...it's still a gaembreaker if used right...but it can be a gamble.

just an alternate Idea that you might consider.

[Keroko]

I don't see the problem. Saying this technique does not affect organic targets sounds like a perfect failsafe for the problem you're describing, especially in the light of Nanoha already having magic damage that can tear through walls yet leave a target merely knocked out, or vice versa.

[Liingo]

Originally Posted by Tk3997

Well what do you know I acutally managed to get myself motivated to do some writing.

Ooh. Looked good on my initial read through. I'll get back to you on the chapter proper once I have more time. And more sleep.

[stormturmoil]

@Keroko: I'm not saying it can't be handwaved, just offering a potential alternative. I don't necessarily have a preference for how it's handled, just wanted Lowe To be aware of some options.


with that said, following on from last post, a little crack excerpt about how such might manifest.

Spoiler for first encounters...:

" This is OVER Forces to Control, respond..."

" Still no response?"

" Still a huge amount of static, can't get through."

"Odd, doesn't seem to be a Barrier, and..."

" What is it, Brown?"

" My Frame's sluggish...it's not responding as fast...s'like wading through treacle...you, Mai?"

" My blade keeps stalling out. I cleaned it out...I had to...After last mission. There should be nothing to clog it, yet..."

" Anyone else?" Brown asked of the rest of the team.

" My Device keeps Sparking." One volunteered

" Anything else?"

"I...I've got a splitting headache, Sarge..."

"I don't like this..." Brown voiced the unspoken wave of feeling, and that was enough...very little worried Brown, but it was Mai Enma's nod of agreement that Really proved that something was up; Little rattled Brown: even less rattled Her.

"something's going on, isn't it?"

[Saint X]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Kyr: It's pronounced Keer, not Kair. Keer. And who gave you permission to give me nicknames!

????: But it's cuuute... Just look at you. With a name like Kyrie, you can gather enough people to do your work for you... such is the power of MO-

*creator-kun drags ???? away*

Okay enough lolness for now- back to the freezer for you.

Originally Posted by Nya~n

Your only reaction to that reaction should be "Kyrie Eleison".

*rings a bell*


====

In other news, i'm trying to understand the "magic copy" things here in the thread.

- Trying to explain something.

- Or, I can just say that higher the spell rank, the more power it needs to emulate and it can only be emulated a limited number of times.

yes the key word is emulate

*goes back to thinking*

[LoweGear]

@stormturmoil: There is a reason I wrote "across a metallic or non-organic medium" as part of the overall description of the ability: I don't want it to have the ability to act like a remotely induced neural inhibiter. And like I said, I really didn't think about HOW the ability works, just that I wanted to describe something similar to the effect I was aiming for.

Also, the idea for the IS is that it can be shielded against, since it would be very useless if Yuzu herself is paralyzed by activating her ability (actually this is part of her backstory as well... the first few times the ability was activated, she actually disabled herself - Jail later devised some shielding that was applied to her, her equipment, and to a couple of other cyborgs as well, one of them being Kyr).

The ability itself was inspired by this special ability, from which I'm also taking its visual cue:

Spoiler for Gundam 00 Spoilers:

Though the ability shown in the vids work differently from my IS.

[Kyral]

I hope I changed everything...

Liingo-sama! I did my best!

Nightfall
Chapter 6

Spoiler:

The grey sky was eternal.
Since the fall of Midchilda it dominated the sight of everyone that raised thier face to the vast above.
No one takes heed of the sky anymore.

But when lightning flashed along the endless grey, all looked to the sky above.
Some saw it with caution, while others looked in wonder at a phenomenon of the past.

And then the sky cracked open.

Protected by the fleet of the Lost against outside attacks, the gigantic gray barrier had surrounded the planet since the Fall, cutting the rebels off from the other dimensions.
Never was something able to slip past the guardians of the planet let alone through the barrier, but this time it has happened.

Something had burst through the defences, and for the first time in five years the blue of the real sky was visible.
North of the Cranagan city ruins, sunlight touched the black, crystallized skeletons of long dead trees, making them glitter like sculptures made of ice.

The object from the beyond tumbled to the ground in flames, its tail of smoke drawing a long dark line into the sky.
As it reached the ground, there was no blast or explosion, only a small shock was felt in the city.


===========


The crater was not big, roughly the size of a small delivery truck. Impossible, considering it had been caused by an object falling at high speed from the stratosphere.

This crossed the Dark Lord of the Shadow's mind, as he went along the edge of the crater. His thoughts were unusual clear. The unforeseen event worried him enough to push his bloodlust into the corners of his mind, where it lingered like red mist.
He stopped searching the surrounding area for movements and looked down to the middle of the impact crater.

Neltharion, the Dark Lady of the Black Aspect was standing there, motionless. Her beautiful, translucent wings were folded behind her back.
Crimson hair surrounded her relaxed face, her half-closed eyes fixed to the ground below, glowing like rivers of lava.
Watching her, Carnage couldn't help but to feel a suggestion of longing and his chest tightened with a feeling he couldn't remember. Irritated he averted his gaze and continued his patrol around the crater.

Slowly Neltharion was kneeling down, took a handful of still hot dirt and examined it up close. Ancient memories filled her mind as she smelt the scorched earth and read the essence of the dirt that crumbled in her fingers.
She frowned as not even a faint echo of a presence was perceptible.
Whatever fell from the sky never touched the ground directly.

From the corners of her eyes she saw that Carnage had stopped in his tracks, his back towards her, facing the nearby rubble. Neltharion stood up and watched in silence, wondering what had happened.

Faster than a normal human being could react, the Dark Lord teleported forwards, grabbed a chunk of broken metal and flung it away like it were made of cardboard. Something small hushed from underneath and disappeared in another pile of junk.
Carnages shoulders dropped down a little and he turned around while shaking his head slightly.

As his red glowing eyes met hers she gave him the hint of a sly smile. "Scaring vermin?"

He rolled his eyes. "Seems that way." He stepped to the rim of the crater. "And? Found something?"

"Nothing much…" Neltharion twitched uneasy with her wings. "Whatever struck here simply disappeared without a trace."

"How is that possible?" Carnage frowned. "It is not even five minutes since this thing came down."

The Dark Lady shrugged and made her way up the slope. "I don't know." She went past Carnage, who still stared down the crater.

She turned halfway towards him. "You coming?"

"He will be disappointed I guess…" Carnage said absorbed in thought.

Neltharion let out a sigh. "Hey Carnage!"

"What?" Carnage turned around, but suddenly found himself lying on his back halfway down the crater.

Blinking in surprise he looked towards Neltharion, who was grinning like a mischievous child now that she had roundhouse kicked him down.

"Nel-chan!" he growled as the glow in his eyes flared bright with familiar rage and nearly instantly he was out of the crater and charged at her.

"Whoa!" She nearly fell on her back as she bent backwards to avoid the sudden blow of the armoured fist.

Jumping back a few steps she quickly formed the letter 'T' with her hands. "Time out!"

Carnage stopped and lowered his hands, but was obvious still pissed.

Neltharion chuckled. "Good, that's the Carnage we all know and love."

"Hmpf." He crossed his arms and looked to the side like he was sulking, causing Neltharion to laugh out loud.

He shot her a glance. "It's nice that at least one of us has fun." He nearly managed to sound hurt, but the slight smirk he showed ruined the effect. Neltharion remembered this expression. Carnage showed it more often back then, before his ascension.

"Ok, enough fooling around." The memory made her feel uneasy.

Carnage watched her a few seconds and nodded serious. "So, not much to report to him."

"This is totally a mystery." Again there was this uneasy twitching of her wings. "I don't like this one bit."

"I don't either." Carnage tilted his head. "But we should not be distracted by this. The scum that still disobeys our new reign may use this opportunity to strike."

She gave him a dark grin. "Don't worry, as long as there is a sky, I will be waiting for them. They won't do anything stupid on my watch."

Carnage returned the grin. "Actually I do hope they do something stupid. It's been a while since sweet blood covered my face."

"A battle maniac as always, for one moment I thought I was talking to the wrong person."

"Ah, don't worry. I won't scare my cute little sister by acting too much out of character."

"Good to know that, Onii-chan."

"Well then, I will go ahead, I will explain the situation to Iru before we report to Him." And with these words the Dark Lord of the Shadow teleported away, his short-lived afterimage formed from black magical particles still had his wolfish grin.

Now alone, the Dark Lady of the Black Aspect stared at spot Carnage had vanished for a while and then she looked up towards the still lingering hole in the sky. There were absolutely no signs that the barrier was regenerating.

Gazing into the infinite blue of the real sky, Neltharion was stricken with a feeling of dread.
This was impossible. Nothing like this had ever happened before.
And she suddenly knew that this was only a herald of unforeseen events to come.

[Keroko]

After giving Ark's idea some more thought, I've decided to go along with it and give the bullets various settings rather then various types of rounds, and set up a short delay between switching modes for balance reasons. This should also flow a bit better with the Nanoha setting. I think I'm going to drop the jamming round, and replace them with larger generators (wall sticking mine-like kind, I think) that can be scattered to create an advantage. That should fix the radius issue as well.

Originally Posted by Tk3997

Well what do you know I acutally managed to get myself motivated to do some writing.

This is Part One of Chapter Four (as yet untitled beyond that)
Earlier chapters can be located here:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost...7&postcount=72

This might be a bit rough as I just finished banging it out, but I'm tired and don't really care. Small bits of this are a rehash of some snippets I posted earlier though allot of it is new, total length ended up at about 5.5k words which I think is a fairly good chunk without being insane.

This chapter also marks the first appearance of a third party character in my fic though he doesn't do too much this chapter. I have some others such cameos in the planning stages for later. Anyway there's no action in this bit and I doubt they'll be any in the next segment either as this is the transition chapter that sets up the move into the main plot. Lots of talking basically and a few bits of humor (hopefully) here and there.

Spoiler for Chapter 4.1:

-snip-

Not much really said I feel the need to comment on thread wise and I'm beat anyway, but I will take this chance to poke Dragon Boy.
Or you could go on IRC where he is nearly everyday and ask him yourself like I did today...

As usual, the Felix/Vita moments were very amusing. O'Neil also shows once again that you can combine being a good general and a jackass to your subordinates at the same time.

I do wonder what those drones were looking for though... as well as what the damn text is saying. Such is the peril of the to be continued.

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

Oh so that's the secret! I thot it was more towards "Jail's out there making borgs, just that we can't find him." Yes that would be a problem.

However, this is a problem that's easily fixed. The notion that not only Jail was building borgs helps this.

Like I said, the fact that there were still people around creating cyborgs after the facility that created Subaru was mopped up, was a big secret to the point where even Zest and Quint were killed to keep that secret. I really really doubt that a cyborg that was found in a transport would not simply 'disappear' considering the risk she caries for Regius and the High Counsil.

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

Spoiler for Overload of Technical specs! Read at your own demise!:

I theorized that IS are inheritable Rare Skills, as there are Rare Skills that appear due to random somatic mutation rather than gonadic (which would then be inheritable, and hence be considered IS). As such, it is tuned into the person's body via DNA in a certain gene loci. It is possible for a person to have more than 1 IS (Example: Subaru) and so that means that the gene locii isn't unique, and very likely the person has the genetic machinery to read and interpret this IS gene.

Enter Trieze (though I'm now leaning towards Nulla or Zero) and the Plasmid Management System. Plasmids are little rings of DNA that carry certain genes on them coding for add-ons to the organism. These things in their natural occuring form are bacterial trading cards, allowing microbes to share traits like drug resistance and toxin production. This system is lost in eukaryotes (including humans) but that's where Jail comes in.

Zero's production actually began in 0050, before even Uno, and was one of the earlier prototypes before Jail gained his fame for making borg tech viable. Greed and scientific curiosity pushed for Zero's peculiar systems. To demonstrate his prowess, Jail made his showcase item stock every possible IS ever; it was a big shout that showed that when pushed beyond the psychological limit, his constructs were stable.

To achieve that, he modified a system he used to file and retrieve fresh samples of IS-DNA and hardwired it into his patented non-rejection bioframe. This was the Plasmid Management System (Yeah, PMS. Laugh all ya want. ) that managed a living database of plasmids that coded for different IS and could load and unload IS as and when the borg wanted.

Halfway through production, Jail found that the system had several weaknesses:

1) The PMS sapped so much power that the fleshless borg could only remain active for the most 30 seconds before the Machine Core overheated and had to be shut down.

2) It took up almost all of the borg's conscious capacity to run the PMS, making it clumsy as an automaton.

3) Many of the IS needed amplification through Inherent Equipment. Having that many IS is pointless if the borg can only carry gear for 1!

4) Attempts to use the saved Tracing IS to alleviate the gear problem meant that 2 IS had to be running at once, and that cause the PMS to crash due to power outage.

5) The plasmid burnt out after a few uses, meaning that IS had to be repeatedly synthesized, and had only a few uses.

Jail fixed 3 & 4 by procuring stem cell samples from the Ostian royal bloodline which carried the Tracing IS, meaning that the PMS only needed to fund the IS being amplified through the Traced Equipment. He also redesigned the management AI to occupy the limbic brain, and he further augmented that lesser evolved neural circuitry with a second, parallel circuit running through the left cerebrium. This "brain in a brain" allowed for the AI to operate effective while not affecting overall IQ. The drawback of that would only become apparrent later...

The unfinished prototype still did not have the power to remain long outside its tank indefinitely, but it did last long enough to make quite the splash in the black market at his demonstration. In the end, it was Jail's Angels Uno, Due and Tre, made using scaled-down, single-IS and very much easier, and cheaper, to produce versions of Zero's bioframe, that took the underworld by storm. His pet project was shelved.

But Jail was not the one to forget his daughters. He was to meet a potential client in Renault when the Sacking happened, and as the entire region burned from the rampaging magics, he received Kia's distress call. He just managed to extract Kia, leaving a dud in her place, just as the entire Vault she was in exploded. While he worked to restore Kia to full function, he gained insight to Kia's ultracompact Yggdra Machine Core that she used to power her spatial-warping Cassopeia device. It was to be another turning point in Jail's development; all Numbers made after 0060 had the Yggdra Core, and he swapped out Zero's core for the Yggdra.

Now, Zero could remain active for an entire day before needing the rest of the week back in its tank. Jail continued to make a few more changes...




Zero was intercepted when the makeshift lab was compromised (The Saint Guard and Karl didn't know that was Jail's though). When Zero woke up, she was a bubbly healthy girl with many memories of Kia's. Not to mention declaring herself to be Kaprika vindi Touareg and immediately identifying Karlheim as her older brother. While there were little else she could reveal, this duality showed that while Zero "slept", there was enough power for the borg to remain active, but would be no different from another human being. It was only in an emergency that Zero would activate and protect the catalogue. It powered down after it was safe, resulting in Kaprika needing a long rest herself.

Kaprika noted that while she was vaguely conscious of her other self, it felt strange as she seemed to be dreaming while Zero was active. This was the drawback; defence program and active personality had become almost completely disjointed due to Jail's well-meaning patchwork. As such, Kaprika could not use any of the IS stored in her, except her natural Tracing ability, which she is a much greater talent at than her brother.

As for food intake, Kaprika herself would put Karl to shame. In fact, she is always worried about food and would eat anything that looks delicious, and then some. Kaprika single-handed ate out Karl's allowance and it took a lot of Carym's to keep up with the growing girl. Despite that, she rarely puts on weight or assets for that matter...

Disclaimer: Many plot elements, contrivances and explanations have been hidden to avoid spoilers.

But...

KEROKOOO!!!

Look what you still made me do!!! D=

So... if I understand this right, she can't use them because the power knocks her out for a week?

Originally Posted by Saint X

????: But it's cuuute... Just look at you. With a name like Kyrie, you can gather enough people to do your work for you... such is the power of MO-

*creator-kun drags ???? away*

Okay enough lolness for now- back to the freezer for you.

Kyr: Keep him frozen, thank you.

Originally Posted by Kyral

I hope I changed everything...

Liingo-sama! I did my best!

Nightfall
Chapter 6

Spoiler:

-snip-

Mwehehe, more evil Neltharion and Carnage fix. :3 I do wonder what it was that punched through there... a new face? Or a heroic face returning?

[ghazghkull]

*wanders in*

Spoiler for Kaiser Knights:

Rue was starting to get annoyed. More often than not, she realized that she was sighing a lot more than she realized, especially whenever her thoughts wandered off towards a certain lavender haired woman who was now firmly entrenched in her mind, and starting to really take root in her heart. No doubt in her mind she wanted to court Evangeline. However, the obstacle was to get close enough to the girl before she could really see if taking their relationship to the next level was feasible. At the very least she could be assured Evangeline would at least be open to the idea. Whether or not she could act on this, however, was a completely different matter; a bridge they would cross when they got to it.

Putting on her helmet, she then locked Kabuto into place and started up the engine. Making sure that all of her riding gear was secured, including her jacket, gloves, and boots, she released the kickstand, revved the engine several times, and rode off. After a couple of days learning all the rules and regulation of road safety, and how to operate the machine, Kabuto had let her take over, but for a while she had to have Kabuto’s riding harnesses on her hands and feet in case Kabuto needed to take over, whether it be that she was about to perform an illegal or dangerous action, or something was wrong with her riding. But now, she could at least ride now without worrying of Kabuto taking over unless it was extremely dangerous.

As she rode, her thoughts drifted back to what had happened yesterday about the Athra-A

-------------------------------------------------

“They...seem to have chosen you three,” Kaon simply stated, while Vivio was expressing her discomfort over the fact that Blade, Garren, and Leangle were kneeling before the three Latned girls whom they had rescued, holding up a card to each of them.

“You’re kidding me,” Syn groaned, running her hands through her hair. “First that Chalice thing picked that Hitomi girl, and now these three have picked them, who I might add we just rescued, and are civilians?”

“It matters little,” Blade calmly stated, still holding its right arm out. “We have chosen four whom we and the Master believe to be fit for the role of Kaiser Knights. Civilian or not, they will learn, and become Knights.”

“Like with Chalice, accept our cards and we become your armour, and you swear to become the shield and sword of the Kaiser,” Garren stated. “However, you have the right to refuse.” The three girls looked at one another, wondering what they were to do.

“This...this is a bit much,” Kodame stated, warily eying the card Blade was holding up.

“We don’t even know how to use magic,” Sakuya stated.

“Then you will learn,” Leangle stated. “We will teach you all that is required as a mage of Belka, and a Kaiser Knight.”

“And what if we refuse?” Hikari asked.

“Then we will find the next suitable candidate,” they stated in chorus.

“The choice is still yours,” Kaon added.

From the background, Rue and Evangeline quietly watched the exchange. The only reason they had been present was because Rue had wanted to speak with the Latnedians, and find out who they were so that she could contact their families and have someone pick them up from Mid-Childa. However, with this sudden development, they may have to be drafted in because what they would come to possess: a Lost Logia, an ancient Belkan Device. She did not believe that it would bode well upon any of their relatives, or the government for that matter, that one of their own was forcibly joining the TSAB because of what they suddenly came to possess.

“Well...I have no family left,” Kodame sighed after a while of personal deliberation, reaching out to accept Blade’s card. “I guess a change of pace wouldn’t be too bad...” She took hold of the card and accepted it, for it to suddenly reform into a small deck box, like what had happened with Hitomi and Chalice.

“Simply have that at your side at all times, and within easy access,” Blade instructed, rising up. Seeing Kodame clip it to the side of her shirt, Blade nodded approvingly. “When the time comes, you will learn. For now, wait until Garren and Leangle have been selected.” Turning to Vivio, Blade bowed before both Vivio and Kaon before fading away.

Turning to her friends, Kodame gave them an apologetic smile and said, “You don’t have to follow my lead...I know you guys still have family back home. I don’t mind if you guys say no.”

“Are you nuts?!” Sakuya suddenly exclaimed, snatching the card from Garren’s hand. “We’ve been through worse. I don’t think our relatives would mind if we decided to take up a job. Besides...kaa-san said I needed to pick a career soon anyways.” Hikari hummed in agreement as she politely accepted Leangle’s card.

“This completes the Knight Selection,” Kaon stated, nodding politely towards the Kaiser Knights as they faded away. “Now if you notice, your Deck Box has a slit where you can draw cards. Please draw the first card.” Doing as instructed, the four of them drew out the first card, quickly realising that they were the cards that were given to them by the Knights. “What you are looking at are the Ace cards of your respective decks: Change Ace. This will never change. When the cards are stored, that will always be the first card drawn. This will summon your Knight Buckles.” Following her words, Hitomi’s holder glowed before releasing a band of light around her waist before solidifying into a belt with a heart in the middle. Kodame, Sakura, and Hikari, however, had some sort of device forming in their hands; Kodame’s and Sakuya’s being exact copies, while Hikari’s was a completely different design.

“The Chalice belt was the first created Kaiser Knight,” Kaon stated, deciding to explain a bit of the history. “Blade and Garren were created simultaneously afterwards, after having determined and fixed any flaws found in the Chalice belt. Adjustments were made to Blade and Garren in accordance. There were fewer flaws, but nonetheless, there were a few, and that too was dealt with. Leangle was the last and final model of this system. The strongest in raw power, but regardless just as it can be the strongest, it can also be the weakest depending on the user.

“Now to activate your belts, Blade and Garren simply slides their cards into the front of the Blay and Garren Buckles and place it on their waist to form their belts. Leangle’s card is placed on that clear plate you see, and then locked into place before placing it on the waist.” Following as per her instructions, Kodame and Sakuya slide their cards and placed the buckles on their waist, watching as the belt formed around theme, conforming to their body. Hikari took a moment to see what Kaon was talking about, before finding the plate, placed the card on it, and locked it down and placed the buckle on her waist.

“Chalice, slide your Change card through your buckle. Blade, Garren, flip the tumbler on the right side of the buckle. Leangle, slide your buckle open.” Looking down, the four of them found what Kaon was talking about, and performed as ordered.

[Change][Turn Up][Turn Up][Open Up]

All units reacted immediately as they projected a pale blue rectangular energy screen forward before floating backwards, forming into feminized versions of the Knights who had bestowed them their armour. The girls outwardly expressed their surprise as they tried to get a good feel of their new armour.

“If Blade, Garren, and Leangle please direct their attention to the Rouse Absorber on their left arms, please remove them. Chalice, please produce your Fusion Jack, Absorb Queen, and Evolution King from your deck holder on your waist.” Doing as she commanded, they produced the cards and objects she had asked for, only to have all four of the possessions snatched out of their hands by Kaon. “Due to your inexperience, I forbid you access to your Face cards until such time I have deemed it safe for you to use them. Until such time, your Jack and King forms are off limits.”

“Jack and King cards? Ace cards?” Syn asked, suddenly realising what Kaon was saying. “Are you saying that these cards of theirs are playing cards?!”

“Pardon?” Kaon asked only to suddenly have an influx of information as Vivio shared her knowledge of the subject. “Ah yes. You are correct.” With a wave of her hand, 53 ordinary playing cards formed in front of her. “The 53 Kaiser cards are, by coincidence, are the exact same as a deck of cards.” With another wave, the cards images changed so that they all depicted various monsters and animals. “These are all the cards. However, at present, they are not permitted to the Jack, Queen, and King cards of their respective suits, until I have deemed it safe for them to use, or they have the Kaiser’s permission.” Opening up the three Rouse Absorbers, she pulled out the King cards from them, and then held out the four King cards towards Vivio.

“These are for you to hold. At no given time were any of the Knights ever permitted to carry these cards. Only in certain conditions were they permitted by the Kaiser to use these cards.”

“I do have a question,” Kodame suddenly interjected. “If there are 53 cards, what is the last card?”

Reaching into her shirt, Kaon produced a card reading JOKER. “I am in possession of the Joker. Under no circumstances is this card ever to be roused. This was an unfortunate by-product of Chalice. In my hand is the original test user of Chalice. It was for this reason that Blade and Garren were delayed by 10 years before the units were ever finished. I will not explain the means to obtain this form, for it comes with a heavy price. However, due to its unique composition, destroying it is not feasible.” Silence hung over the group as Kaon allowed the information, and the severity of the Joker’s power settle into everyone’s mind.

“You know...” Syn commented moments later, examining the armour, “if I didn’t know better...they look like the other Riders we’ve seen...”

“Riders?” Kaon asked, glancing at the blue-haired girl. “Explain.” Her answer was in the form of Syn pointing towards Rue and Evangeline. “Do you know what she’s talking about?”

“Should we” Rue asked, glancing at her superior officer.

“It can’t be helped I suppose,” the older girl sighed.

Summoning their devices, they stood up their barrier jackets.

[Henshin]

Kaon quirked an eyebrow as soon as their jackets finished materialising. Approaching the two, she gave them a look over and walked around a couple times before asking, “Is this standard combat form.”

“There is one another,” Evangeline answered, snapping SaSword’s tail forward soon followed by Rue tapping Kabuto’s horn forward, as their armours started to break away from their bindings.

“Cast off!”

[Cast Off]

Kaon immediately raised a shield, blocking everyone from the armour parts that suddenly expelled from their bodies.

[Change Beetle/Scorpion]

“Interesting,” Kaon commented somewhat disinterested, but examined their jackets nonetheless. “A refinement and variation of the original designs I see...more robust...Thank you.” You may release your armour.” She then approached Chalice and opened up the card holder and pulled out her Spirit 2 card. “Blade and Garren, simply repeat the same step to release your armour. Leangle, close your buckle to release the armour. As for you however,” but instead of completing her sentence, she slid the card through the buckle.

[Spirit]

The familiar screens appeared as it released them from their armour.

“Chalice’s system is a bit different,” Kaon explained, holding up the Spirit 2 card towards Hitomi. “This was one of the flaws that were found. There was no real way to release the jacket save for a magical equivalent of what you would call an EMP. However, it was discovered that for each new Chalice Knight, Spirit 2 would blank itself until it was roused by the new user, taking in the image of its user and providing a means to dispel the armour. Do not ever lose this. This is what will allow you to release the Chalice armour.”

Taking the card, Hitomi looked at the card to see a mirror image of herself staring back blankly. Opening up the card case, she put the card away and sat down on the nearest bench. “This is going to take some getting used to...”

“Oh, and before I forget,” Kaon suddenly stated as she, Vivio, and Syn were leaving. “Since Chalice was the first to pick its user, you are the unit leader.”

“What?! Wait, just a...” however, her words fell on deaf ears as they were already gone, “minute...” Groaning, she bashed the back of her heat against the wall several times. “But I’m a Private 3rd Class...I don’t get a command like that until at least Sergeant...”

-------------------------------------------------

Rue giggled at the memory, especially when Hitomi had later told Nanoha that she needed to be accelerated up in rank to fit her new role. To say that she was shocked and confused was a massive understatement. And when Keroko had gotten word of it later that day, she was deeply amused. Over course, Vivio was put through much question when they had gotten back to RF6.

At present, she was heading back to RF6 after a lengthily briefing about project Smart Brain. All the active Riders, including the new Kaiser Knights had attended this meeting. Kaon had apparently been invited as well and has sat in on the briefing. Driving into the parking lot, she parked her bike in a small garage attached to her barracks. Taking her helmet off, she dismounted the machine, took off her riding jacket, and headed in. Her mind wandered off to what had happened after the briefing prior to leaving.

-------------------------------------------------

“Glad that’s over,” Rue sighed as everyone began to leave the room.

“Somewhat disturbing information,” Masami concluded, reading over the notes she had taken throughout. “However, they only say they are dangerous because they are unaware of what the Gears are capable of. We need more information.”

“Until we get more, we act on standing orders,” Ryoutaro firmly stated, making sure that everyone agreed to it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Rue watched the Kaiser Knights leave the conference room with Kaon and headed out.

“I wonder where they’re going. And why were they here for that matter?” Megumi asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Kaiser Knights,” Rue explained. “Or so I’m told. Since they’re apparently an Ancient Belkan version of today’s Rider System, they were asked to attend. My guess is that Kaon is training them.”

“Why were we never informed?” Ryoutaro asked.

“Well you guys were sleeping by the time the Kaiser Knights had selected their users,” Rue answered, shrugging.

“I see,” Ryoutaro sighed, rubbing his temples.

“You have anything else to do Evangeline?” Rue asked, hoping for a good answer.

“No,” she simply answered, maintaining a calm visage. “I’m presently off duty for the rest of the day.”

“Great,” Rue exclaimed, feeling chipper already. “Then you wouldn’t mind accompanying me for a while.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then I’ll see you at the usual spot in 20 minutes,” Rue happily stated, throwing on her riding jacket and left.

-------------------------------------------------

Ryoutaro looked at his friend and gave her a smile. “You two seem to be getting close.”

Feeling the presence of strangers gone, Evangeline allowed herself a small smile. “She’s...worming her way in.”

“You’re falling for her,” Masami simply stated, while placing a hand on Evangeline’s shoulder and offered a warm smile.

“Am I?” Evangeline asked, starting to blush.

“Just don’t rush it,” Masami continued, giving Evangeline an assuring squeeze. “Just one step at a time.”

“Hmm...” Evangeline muttered. “Thanks...I need to get going.” Bidding goodbye to everyone, Evangeline starting to make her way down to SaSword and establish a connection with Rue. “Rue...can we reschedule to meet up in about an hour? I just remembered something I need to do first before I’m free.”

“If you want then, we could meet up for lunch first, and then head out,” Rue suggested.

“Sure,” Evangeline answered, allowing a small smile to form again. “I’ll see you in about an hour.” Closing the line, Evangeline put on her riding ear and drove off.

-------------------------------------------------

Entering the ZECTOR research center, Evangeline travelled down an office filled hallway as she calmly looked for a particular office door, knocking on it when she found the door.

When the door opened and revealed the scientist inside, Evangeline was met with a surprised expression as she exclaimed, “Evangeline! What brings you here?”

“I’d like your advice on something Melissa,” she answered as she entered the office.

Closing the door, she motioned for Evangeline to sit down on the couch before sitting down next to her. “Sure, what do you need?” Looking down at her hands, Evangeline took a few minutes to find the right words to say. “Evangeline, you alright? You’re a bit red.”

“Melissa...I think...I think I might be falling for someone.”

Spoiler for To EvaXGouki:

I CHALLENGE YOU TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS ENDING!!! >: D

*wanders out cackling*

[Saint X]

And in the spirit of Boredom, I release this.

Spoiler for False Triggerheart : Faintear Mirror Ver 0.5:

Crueltear: Oh great she's back again!
Exelica: How many times do we need to eliminate her?! Or rather, do they ever stop coming?!
Faintear: Not again. Not again. Not again. NOT AGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!
E/C/F: >.> HEEEEEEEEEERE WE GO AGAIN <.<

Name: Exige Lotus (Assumed Name)
Alias / Nickname: Mirror
Age: Intel Acquired Operational Age: 7 months.
Gender: Female.
Birthday: Unknown date of manufacture.
Hair: Long dark brown, styled into two long tails with armored tip protectors- like Faintear.
Eyes: Glassed Blue.
Build: See pic.
Height:
Vitals:
Weight:
Personality: Unlike her 2 predecessors' rough-hewn and narrow-minded (not to mention high-strung) personality, the longer time she spent in development has actually toned her harsh edges down, into a rather complex personality that one sees as playful, trigger-happy, sadistic, and sometimes, lustful. Not one word can describe her.
Talents / Perks: EX-QT - Multi-dimensional Mental Multitasker. Photographic Memory. Perception Changer.

Homeworld: Unknown
World Location: Unknown.
Heritage: Third Clone of Elise Lotus.

Magic System: None
Magic Color: Has no fixed color, uses Yellow primarily.
Mage Rank: Unknown, first encounter rates her as an S+ - Fate T. Hallaoun.
Military Rank: Commander Equivalent
Threat Level: X Rank, Unknown true potential.

Affiliation: Ver'mith.
Device/s: False Faintear V2/Mk. III - Mirror. The Second Version of the False Faintear Triggerheart Units that were in Development during the rampaging time of V1/Mk. I & II Rouge and Imitate against the GDI.

Intelligence has managed to gather several key changes and improvements from the V1 Models, primarily:

Spoiler for Differences, key changes and improvements:

- Improved Multi-phased Biological Reactor. This means that it can turn out at least 3 different energy wavelengths that can be used singly or further combined for an unknown number of combinations, thus almost beating any wave (motion)-based defenses, such as energy shields. A known counter for this is using the counterwave of the current combination plus an offensive signal, but that requires a lot of processing for real-time adaptation.

- The percentage of Cybernetics in Mirror has gone way up in respect to the original Triggerhearts or the V1 models, some say about 70%, which is the legal cybernetics limit outside Ordered Space (the boundary of human and machine), to as high as 85%. What this change warrants is relatively clear, and relates to the next item.

- Reports of a "Esotheric Energy Reactor" were also turning up. This piece of intelligence was confirmed by a High-Ranking TSAB Commander to be similar to the Linker Cores and Linker Reactors that power most Bureau Magical Hardware. This alone has some severe implications, along with the Multi-phased Reactor- most of the info is top secret at the moment.

- The addition of Magical Emulation Technology that the AX had been researching, experimenting on and partly publicly published (to the Bureau Brass and Esotheric Research Community- in a series of Military and Scientific Reports), Code-named "HIME" for Highly Integrated Magi-link Emulator. Even the AX does not know how extensive was the scope of the piracy and thus does not know at the moment how well developed their HIME Technology is compared to theirs.

- The Faldott numbers have been been substantially increased even further, compared to the first two. Some reports up to 20 disk and 8 gunner drones, while others ramp it up to even more ridiculous numbers.

- Reports of the presence of Elise Lotus's "EX-QT" capabilities. Intelligence suggests that the Ver'mith have "perfected" the "original yet weak capability" to include "Multidimensional, Quantum Processing", "Single Event Remembrance" and "Perception Change" among others. This area is still unclear though and more information is needed before this report can be validated or nullified.

Overall, these reports are NOT FINAL and only composed of WHAT INTELLIGENCE HAS AT THE MOMENT. FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE THREAT IS FULLY EVALUATED.

Every unnecessary question asked to GDI Intelligence has a cost of 1 or more agents and further delays formal releasing. Please think of their families.

Spoiler for History:

The Mk1 and Mk2 V1 models, Rogue and Imitate were developed simultaneously and were rushed into service. Built as "quick tactical solutions" instead of being "true strategic assets", they were instant successes when they were released, dealing heavy losses to (the unprepared) GDI forces during their push to formally remove the Ver'mith from the Obrasti and neighboring systems. But as soon as the Triggerhearts were released, the V1 False Triggerhearts quickly fell, but in the aftermath, important data was secured that was later used for the development of Mirror.

The issue of the resurgence of Elise Clones may be due to the events that unfolded during the rescue of the Original Elise, as many Ver'mith personnel and thier allies fled out of the complex- into the waiting guns of the Initiative- it may be in this chaos that even more samples of Elise's DNA managed to escape.

The reason why Cloning and Cybernetics were the more applicable methods was the fact that any alteration of the DNA may result in the EX-QT capability (which they really wanted) being changed or removed totally- they had to be really careful in choosing which genes to preserve and what to change- the countless numbers of bases/failed results paved most of the way though.

The Mk3/V2 Mirror was presumed by Intelligence to be a possibility when they recovered information about it along with Elise's testimonies ("There are more of 'her', but not here.")- but they did not know how much it was completed. They only knew too little, too late, as reports began to come in from various border worlds.

It is only a matter of time before she and her allies crosses the border into Ordered Space...

Comments? suggestions? What?

*folds away to do some real things*

OCTOCP