Patchwork Universe

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:38 pm Post subject: One Patch West

[OOC: From Laboratory: Important Questions]

From the mist to the east, a vehicle emerged...

The engine kept running. That was always a good sign. Doctor Brainstorm looked down briefly, tapped a couple of buttons, watched one of the screens with interest, and tapped another couple of buttons.

At the back of the jeep, a hatch opened on one of the equipment pods, and a device emerged on the end of a mechanical arm. A moment later it unfolded itself into a small parabolic dish, which swivelled around to point directly back towards the mist. Somehow it remained exactly stable despite the movements of the vehicle.

"Sakura, are you still with me?" Brainstorm asked his watch.

"Whenever I can be," it replied.

"Great. What do you make of that building? Does it look familiar to you?"

He watched the massive Foundry building warily. It definitely looked military in nature, but there seemed to be no immediate signs of any people...

"I have some pictures of something like it from just before the, um, plan," said Sakura. "It was always inaccesible before."

"Hmm. Well, at least Snark might not like it. For the moment, I'll give it a bit of a berth. No sense in antagonising them, whoever they are..."

Still watching the Foundry for signs of life, he turned the jeep to circle around to the north...

liason · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:41 am Post subject:

As the jeep changed course and began to make progress across the wilderness, Brainstorm became aware of movement on top of one of the smaller towers of the building. His progress was being monitored.

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:44 am Post subject:

"They are aware of us, then," he speculated aloud. After a few moments of alternately paying attention to the ground ahead and squinting towards the tower, he brought the jeep to a halt just long enough to retrieve a pair of binoculars from one of the boxes in the back.

Getting back into the driver's seat, but not yet driving onward, he used them to examine the tower more closely...

liason · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject:

What he initially saw appeared to be an exceedingly large gun mounted on a large and very oily recoilless turntable. On top of this was an array of smaller weaponry, telescopes, unidentifiable tubes and small dish receivers made from black wire mesh. The only part of this currently aimed at him was a group of three telescopes. There were also a number of armoured men seemingly sitting within the turret enclosure.

It was only after a short time spent adjusting focus and panning across the visible parts of the tower that Brainstorm realised his initial assessment had been slightly wrong. The 'armoured men' were only torsos. And even then, in several places they seemed to be somewhat intermingled with the machinery they were operating.

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 6:31 pm Post subject:

"It looks like there's technology of some kind here," he said as he examined the tower. "Yes, and people. Sentries, or technicians, or..."

His voice tailed off as he looked more closely.

Presently he brought the binoculars down from his eyes, very slowly, still looking in the same direction. He grimaced a bit, clutched his stomach as if in pain, and indeed twitched very slightly as if he was about to have some sort of fit. But then it passed.

"Now that's just gross," he said to himself.

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

"What? What happened? Are you okay?" Sakura's concerned voice called from the watch.

"Yeah. It's... Just remind me never to get involved with cybernetics."

Fermion, meanwhile, was watching him from the jeep.

"No more entertainment just now, sorry," said Brainstorm as he got back into the jeep.

It wasn't very good anyway. Make sure it's better next time.

"Sorry about the delay, mister, erm, Janitor. One more patch west, wasn't it?"

He restarted the jeep and drove onwards, still watching the Foundry warily.

liason · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:01 pm Post subject:

The Foundry continued to track Brainstorm until he reached the mist barrier, but took no further action. Resources were scarce at present and starting a conflict with any power supplied with automated vehicles seemed like a bad idea.

Dr Brainstorm · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 6:31 pm Post subject:

Brainstorm drove in silence until they reached the mist. The disturbing feeling of being watched wasn't really any better when complimented by the certain knowledge that he was, in fact, being watched.

"Approaching the western mist," he said at last. "Stand by."

[OOC: This group proceeds to the Map Room: Two Patches West]