Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2014 23:38:01 GMT -6
“The implant…there was no reason to have one.” She was answering him though it was more like murmuring to herself. She barely noticed his presence there, her memories of supplies and the check she did a week ago flashing through her mind.
|
|
|
Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Mar 28, 2014 1:48:35 GMT -6
"Going down?" asked Cruendi'has.
Keelah, she thought as she considered how to respond. She knew their relationship was a fragile one, given her past and how she had been acting around him. She knew it wasn't fair--he had nothing to do with her troubles--but it wasn't something she could just turn off. She wondered if this was bothering him too.
Sometimes I envy the geth, she thought with a sigh. Just an objective viewpoint with no emotions clouding it.
She wondered if their relationship could be salvaged; while she did not expect them to become best of friends, she did want to eliminate the tension that seemed to rise whenever they interacted.
"Yes," she said as she stepped on the lift. In an attempt to fill the deafening silence, she then followed up with, "Are you coming down too? I'm very curious to see if there's really a Keeper down there."
Can't blame me for trying, she thought. Now it's up to him.
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Mar 28, 2014 7:34:10 GMT -6
“The implant…there was no reason to have one.”
Eric turned her around. "Implant? Is that what caused River to black out...? Iskra..."
She appeared to be in some sort of trance, her lips continued to move wordlessly. Eric took both of her cheeks in hand.
"Iskra... Iskra, look at me... focus..."
It's really bad, isn't it, he thought but concentrated on getting the doctor back. "... do you have what you need to help her or does she need a hospital?"
|
|
|
Post by grandest on Mar 28, 2014 16:14:23 GMT -6
"I'm very curious to see if there's really a Keeper down there." Shala said, stepping on the lift. Cruendi'has was unsure of just exactly how the lift knew when it was time to descend, but decided it may be better for his mental health to not worry about it. As they plunged into the darkness of the hatch, Cruendi'has responded to Shala's musing. "So, is that what Maelstrom was so excited about? Good to know it's not something that'll out up much of a fight. Then again, there's not many people that've tried to out-and-out capture one of those things." Cruendi'has paused mid-thought. "Why in the hell would a keeper be here anyway? Thought they were just a fixture of the Citadel."
|
|
|
Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Mar 28, 2014 17:44:13 GMT -6
"Thought they were just a fixture of the Citadel," Cruendi'has said.
"Me too, which makes it all the more curious," Shala said, feeling the excitement course through her. "Perhaps this place was the original, like...a prototype, a trial run of it. Then maybe maybe it was ignored or forgotten while the Citadel was built and populated with the creatures we see today. Keelah, we could re-write galactic history as we know it!"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 18:54:02 GMT -6
It took a moment for the Drell to realize where she was, her dark eyes full of confusion before recognition. Her memories had always been strong and by the look on Eric’s face, he must have thought she was losing it.
“Her implant…” She started off slow, as if having to bring herself back to this moment. “It is completely fried. I don’t think we have a replacement on board.”
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Mar 28, 2014 21:18:45 GMT -6
Eric moved his hands to her shoulders and squeezed them before he let her stand on her own, partly out of relief she was coming to and partly to keep himself grounded.
"Okay... okay. Let's go through some options." Eric let his conciousness stream out. "Damn, my field medicine training didn't cover neurosurgery. Don't know dick about biotic implants. I just know asari are the only ones that don't need 'em... could River live without the implant? I mean if she never used her powers again, could she recover enough to get by - no, no. Probably suck for her. Like askin' her to stop breathin'..."
Eric seemed to be falling into a trance himself, his eyes darting left and right as if searching through files only he could see. Fingers on his right hand motioning, snapping and rubbing.
"What about those things... they wear... on the ear, side of the - amps! Amps! Even the asari use those... boosts their levels. Don't they use some of the same components as an implant? We could ask the others -Kai, Mal, Resindra - if they have spares. River! She might have one in her locker... could you bash together an implant from those parts?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 21:52:28 GMT -6
“I-I don’t know. You’d need an engineer familiar with the parts to be able to fashion something like that. I’m just a biologist, the best I could do is tell you if it would work with her nervous system” She was silent for a moment, thinking of her own equipment. “I do not have any amps and as a Drell I do not need an implant…You’ll have a better chance with Maelstrom or checking her locker.”
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Mar 29, 2014 0:33:15 GMT -6
Eric again recalled his experience with the mercenary in black armor, how he prided himself on his biotic abilities despite an unwillingness to demonstrate them on the spider mech Thor as the demo expert suggested. Eric's instinct was that for someone to be that sure of their capabilities, it could only mean they had more than passing knowledge of the elements that made them work.
"Mal does look like our best shot," Eric concurred with Iskra. "But he's probably neck deep now in the ruins. Not the kinda person that takes well to distractions. If we're gonna interrupt him, we have to make our case as concisely as possible so he doesn't think we're wasting his time."
He pointed to one of Iskra's displays. "We'll email him instead of using the comms. Send a scan of River's implant, her current status, see if an amp can even be modified or cannibalized. Pray he doesn't take too long to reply... with good news."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 5:46:16 GMT -6
“The information is there.” Iskra nodded to the screen. “But the one that’s in there now is doing more damage as we speak. Whether he can do it or not, the one that is there now must come out now.”
She swallowed, knowing that River would be unable to control her abilities if Maelstrom could do nothing at least until they made it to the Citadel…even then that’s if she didn’t mess up in surgery or the damage is too extensive to salvage her powers.
“You message him the information, I have to prepare to remove the implant now…either way it goes.”
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Mar 29, 2014 9:47:26 GMT -6
Eric brought up his omnitool "Alright, do what you need to." As Iskra moved off to prepare for surgery Eric called out "Iskra... good luck... both of you..."
He linked his omnitool with the display the doctor had indicated. River's cerebral scan showed the damaged implant, a thin disc with a rectangular backing and prongs emanating from the disc in odd intervals, probably to connect to regions used in redirecting dark energy flows. Data on the implant and River's vitals transferred over instantaneously. Eric then composed the message for Maelstrom, hoping that he was not in the middle of a firefight with another monstrosity found deep within the ruins or otherwise not too preoccupied in other matters. ---------------------------------------------------- To: "Maelstrom" From: E. Lysander CC: Iskra Narei Subject: URGENT - Biotic Implant Fabrication <VLNTMDBYPF009.HMD>
River's condition critical. Iskra to perform surgery to remove fried implant and repair cerebral damage.
No replacement implant on hand.
Can implant be fashioned from amp components? Appreciate any info you can provide Iskra. Data attached. Respond ASAP over Valiant's secure comm/data channel MQ7. ------------------------------------------------------ END MESSAGE - SEND
"Message's away - I'll monitor the channel for his response. There anything else I can do?"
|
|
|
Post by Esteban Bridges on Mar 29, 2014 17:12:00 GMT -6
Esteban ran his armored hand over the wall as he walked down the venerable hallway, staying a step or two behind Meldom. He wished he could touch the wall itself, feel whatever it was that the ancient race that lived here felt. Human sentimentality, he realized. But that was okay. Esteban was human. He stayed quiet, taking the moment to readjust his suit's sensors. He couldn't make sense out of some of the readouts. Like the photons. It could account for why everything was visible. But there didn't seem to be a source for it. According to what his helmet's HUD, it was as if the wall was the source. He didn't see how that was possible.
"Meldom," he finally broke the silence, talking through his helmet's speaker system. "Are you detecting an inordinate amount of photons in the area? I'm not sure what to make of it..."
His voice trailed off when he took a look into the larger of the two rooms... his eyes locking on the crystal tomb in the middle. "And what in the world is that?"
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Mar 29, 2014 19:21:24 GMT -6
Maelstrom didn't bother reading the message despite the "Urgent" alert that popped up in his HUD. He was in a potentially life-threatening situation, and anyone who thought he was going to take his eyes of his surroundings to read was just not thinking. It surprised him when he saw that it came from Lysander, and he considered that his initial judgement might have been just a little harsh.
With a couple quick taps to some controls, he opened a direct channel to Lysander. Trying not to sound irritable- he liked the man- Maelstrom said, "Kind of busy here, Lysander. Message said 'Urgent' though. What do you need?"
|
|
|
Post by dargene on Mar 29, 2014 19:26:32 GMT -6
Meldom came back out the room after finding nothing, walking back to esteban as he started to talk "Meldom, Are you detecting an inordinate amount of photons in the area? I'm not sure what to make of it..." he watched as esteban trailed off before speaking "And what in the world is that?" Meldom turned to where Esteban was looking "I have no idea" he said while smiling.
"But i really want to find out"
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Mar 30, 2014 5:21:37 GMT -6
[GM Post: Room 4, additional details]
1. Sarcophagus: The crystal is nearly perfect in every respect, shaped like an elongated pentagon. The surface is clear. The corners and edges are well defined. It sits on top of a dias comprised of frigid metal. The area around the sarcophagus detects 70 degrees Kelvin cooler than the surrounding environment.
The body within is desiccated, far larger than any Keeper on the Citadel. Any analysis of it can give its approximate size. When alive, this 'Keeper' easily stood well over five meters tall, towering over the largest Krogan and Elcor imaginable. It is now laying bound within the crystal, within wrappings reminescent of ancent mummies of Egypt.
At the base is an inactive terminal. No power is flowing to it at all.
2. The Thick Green Liquid in the Bags: Any scan of the liquid detects raw genetic material within. Enneakaideca-strand DNA flows within.
3. Objects on the table: Unknown. Some of them have electronic components. Others do not. They come in all shapes and sizes.
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Mar 30, 2014 6:18:19 GMT -6
A few minutes passed and the secure channel Eric monitored then lit up.
"Kind of busy here, Lysander. Message said 'Urgent' though. What do you need?"
Did he even look at the - you have his attention, alright? Be grateful for that.
"Can we build a biotic implant from amp parts?" Eric came straight out, suppressing his own ire. Maelstrom's no-nonsense manner could be mistaken for insensitivity unless one knew him better.
"River's implant fried and Iskra doesn't have a replacement. Sent you a scan. Kid's in bad shape."
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Mar 30, 2014 12:56:16 GMT -6
Seriously? Asking me about building implants from amps?
"Honestly, Lysander, not a clue if you can build the damned things from amps or not. Looking at the scan wouldn't help. Way beyond my technical skill," Maelstrom replied.
A thought occurred to him. No, don't be stupid. No way it would work. Even if it did, I can't really afford to give it up. Plus, she's with Cerberus for all I know. Do I really want to help? His compassionate side won out, though.
"Listen, Lysander, as you may have noticed, my biotics are a little... unique. Same goes for the hardware I have. I don't understand it well myself, but I got checked out by this former STG doc one time on Omega. Told me the implant in my head is unique. Custom job. Can't buy it in stores sort of deal. Plus it would really screw up your average biotic. It would be like completely rewiring everything they knew about biotics. Might even kill them," Maelstrom explained. "That said, I have one extra. Just one. I'll have my VI send you a scan of the thing, to see if one of our people can modify it. If you can, I'll let you have it if, and only if, I am guaranteed a replacement identical to the one I'm giving you. Understand the expense that entails, high tech custom job and all. I can't just give the damned thing away."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Mar 30, 2014 15:03:37 GMT -6
"Honestly, Lysander, not a clue if you can build the damned things from amps or not. Looking at the scan wouldn't help. Way beyond my technical skill."
Eric's heart sank. It was worth a try... wait a sec, what about-
Maelstrom then added. "Listen, Lysander, as you may have noticed, my biotics are a little... unique. Same goes for the hardware I have. I don't understand it well myself, but I got checked out by this former STG doc one time on Omega. Told me the implant in my head is unique. Custom job. Can't buy it in stores sort of deal. Plus it would really screw up your average biotic. It would be like completely rewiring everything they knew about biotics. Might even kill them," Maelstrom explained. "That said, I have one extra. Just one. I'll have my VI send you a scan of the thing, to see if one of our people can modify it. If you can, I'll let you have it if, and only if, I am guaranteed a replacement identical to the one I'm giving you. Understand the expense that entails, high tech custom job and all. I can't just give the damned thing away."
A light at the end of the tunnel. Dim, but a light nonetheless. Eric knew just how to turn up the brightness.
Thank you, Maelstrom...
"Tell you what, Mal," Eric said with a proud tone, reworking his budding inspiration. "'Member that friend I mentioned that works the Anansi-Ishtar shipping lane? He also happens to deal in components for amps and implants. Grease his palm the right way and he can even swing ya the expertise to tweak 'em any way you like, no questions asked. You give us your spare implant and I'll get you one that'll have you punchin' holes through mountains! On me!"
Probably wipe out my savings... well, you wanna go crawl back to the Alliance, right? River'll be saved and Mal gets some extra muscle in his one-man war with Cerberus... everyone wins...
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Mar 30, 2014 16:17:13 GMT -6
"You give us your spare implant and I'll get you one that'll have you punchin' holes through mountains! On me!" Lysander said.
Maelstrom kept his gun trained on the spot where the keeper had vanished, wondering why no one was at his position yet. There was a twinge of uneasiness at Lysander's proposal. That salarian doctor did not fully understand what had been done to him, how the implant functioned precisely. After all, he had never shown any biotic potential growing up. After his surgeries with Cerberus, though, he was now a fully-functioning, if unique, biotic.
"No upgrades. Just an exact replica. And look at it first to be sure it's what you need," Maelstrom clarified. With a couple fingers on the hand holding the grenade, he typed in the commands to Emily to forward the design schematics.
Maelstrom suspected Lysander would be less thrilled after he saw the device, but he did not want to underestimate the technical expertise of his compatriots either. It was a highly advanced piece of equipment, experimental to say the least. The microprocessors and other components were high-end military grade, almost twice the component density of similar chips despite being the same size. Its configuration was unlike other implants. In some ways, its design mirrored that of neural tissue itself, though still composed of traditional technological components. Its placement in his brain was slightly askew from the usual as well, and it made more than two times the connections that a normal implant would have. To allow for the greater number of connections, fine filaments ran a significantly greater distance from the implant than in other units, tapping into additional areas of the brain. The final unique fact, one of the more puzzling ones to the doctor, was that it interfaced directly with his biotic amps rather than using his neural tissue as a conduit.
Maelstrom cringed as he remembered the agony he was in when they preformed the surgery, unaware that he was conscious through the anesthesia.
Another shocking thought came to him. If the implant could be adapted and used in River, what would the resulting impact be on her biotics?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 21:20:52 GMT -6
Iskra quietly listened to Maelstrom’s discussion with Eric as she put the tools she’d need on the table by River’s bed. Her hand staying when she heard him talk about his implant, the VI’s voice echoing in her head.
“An analysis of the patient’s implant shows she has been implanted with the L3 biotic implant. No data on the heavy modification shown on the implant…“
“Maelstrom,” Her voice was calm but knowing River’s history spoke of many implications if her assumption was correct. The conversation they had a few days earlier making a bit more sense…
“Do you know which L series implant yours is?”
|
|