UN Special Forces Vietnam Forward Research Base

[dakota]

"Well, not going that way," Khris whistled as he started to back away. He guessed he had found the machines the testers were for, or at least where they were stored. Instead of poking around there any longer, he took the longest route he could back.

[albatross]

"Oh, yes," the scientists prattle, "You'll have to see them installed." And they take Jeckle to some sort of sideways elevator that moves them through a tunnel. While they travel they talk about all the problems getting the macros hooked up and Jeckle can understand they have installed the generators into some sort of machine...

At the end of the tunnel, there is an mission control center that looks a bit like what you'd find at NASA or another space agency. Even though nothing appears to be going on, there are a couple guards and two technicians looking bored.

Huge glass windows and hundreds of monitors are focused on four large steel and concrete containers. The scientists move through the control center and use their badges to open blast doors and usher Jeckle into another tunnel.

At the other end of the tunnel they open another set of blast doors and now they can look up into the huge concrete containers at what has to be the biggest robot Jeckle has ever seen. A robot as tall as a building. And sure enough, an open panel exposes one of the 'full size' devices installed into the back of the robot. All kinds of sensors and wires and robotic arms are in the container with the huge 'bot, though none of them seem active at the moment.

The scientists gaze up at the huge thing, speechless for once or marveling at their own accomplishments.

[shiivster]

' . . . wow . . . how many does that thing hold for pilots? 1? . . 3?

*she moves about slowly and stares upward at the thing. she's amazed at the work they've done. 'so who constructed it? how many people involved? . . . holy **** that's just flippin sweet . . . '

[albatross]

"Each machine needs only one pilot. There are four machines, three active and one for a reserve. The design is international, but mostly American. Assembled in China. Oh, probably a few thousand scientists, tens of thousands of engineers, and at least a million involved in manufacture and shipping. Most of them had no idea what the were working on of course. Just design this, just build that... very hush, hush. Each part of the project had a different name so nobody would draw the connection."

[shiivster]

'well it looks like you guys did a darn good job doing this. i'm impressed. better to hear it from you tho. no way i could build a whole unit. how long you been working on it?'

*she studies the scientists now to see who, if any, are going to give themselves away with body language. 'and who was that student that brought me in? . . kinda lax in your security there don't you think? i know you're protected above ground, but . . no security leaks at all?'

[albatross]

The scientists boast about how long they've been on the project. The research is decades old, begun in the cold war. All the original scientists are long retired or dead. The project languished for years mothballed.

When the demons attacked, these scientists were among dozens selected to restart the process. They have long experience in their fields, but this project is new to everyone.

When questioned about security, the fat one seems offended, but the one with glasses looks at Jeckle thoughtfully, "The Vietnamese soldiers are very careful. They monitor all outgoing and incoming communications and net traffic. Everyone down here has been given security clearance. They don't let anyone out, so they are confident nothing gets out. However...."

"The manfacturing process must have aroused suspicions. With rationing of fuel and food worldwide, work and shipping orders probably stood out." He shrugs, "But with a million different parts all with fake names and destinations its unlikely anyone learned much, they would need to talk to somebody here to figure it out."

Another chimes in, "And even if they did know, its not like someone could just put something like this together based on partial knowledge. It would take an army of scientists to produce one of these things even if you gave them the plans..."

[shiivster]

'hmm . . so no one knows who that student was? odd.' *she looks about at who else is here, then looks at the scintist. 'are you tellimg me Dr *scince name inserted here* that I'M not gonna be allowed out? . . oh thats a riot. well in that case, have you been kept updated on the trajectory of the demons that these have been made to combat?'

*she sidesteps to the talker's side and pokes him once gently ' . . . however? . . . come on . . finish that thought woulda ya? i mean if i'm stuck here, i better know everything so i can find out where i'm supposed to be working. right?'

*then wonders if Roan can hear her at all and tries to reach out and call via telepathy ~hey Roan? hope you can hear me. this is a test. seems they block electronic messaging. pass that on if you hear me~

[albatross]

Roan is too far away for telepathic communication at the moment. "Oh, its not that bad. The brass says we'll all be allowed on leave soon." One scientist says, of course Jeckle can imagine these guys hunkered down in a lab for months without difficulty.

The man she poked interupts, "Exactly, I don't think they are that worried about secrecy anymore. They aren't going to hold a press conference or anything, but if someone built another one of these what would they do with it besides fight the demons? These things aren't exactly multi purpose, and the expense is enormous... "

[albatross]

When Kris gets back Tiger has left a note that she is at the shooting range. Everyone else seems to have gone to dinner at the cafeteria.

[dakota]

Khris read the note as he reached the team's barracks. He debated grabbing a bite with the others, but decided to hold off and headed towards the range.When he got there, he hung back and watched, not wanting to interupt.

[albatross]

Tiger stands in a pistol range and cuts loose with twin revolvers. When the targets turn she pulls both guns and fires them simultanously. She seems relaxed, thou the guns leave the holsters and fire with enchanting speed. Her aim has little patterns to it: double shots to the eyes, the throat and the heart. Then back again. When the revolvers are empty she either uses a speed loader or she shuttles the ammo by hand. The speed loader is faster, of course, although it doesn't take her long to reload by hand. There is familiarity to the ritual, despite its speed.

After a couple reloads, Tiger stops to examine her shots.

[dakota]

Khris stood at the back, pretty sure of himself that he hadn't been noticed, arms folded and leaning against the wall. He smirked a bit as she examined her handiwork, but didn't interrupt because he knew she was 'in the zone' when shooting like this. Eventually, he knew she'd notice him waiting patiently.

[albatross]

Eventually Tiger looks around and notices Kris, she smiles warmly with a twinkle in her eye. She says, "Care to join me?"

[dakota]

" so you can show me up?" Khris asked as he walked forward. " You know I'm no match for you. Besides, I'll probably have to listen to another speil about why I should give up my big noisy Pythons for something more practical", he grinned.

[shiivster]

'alright. hypothetically speaking brainstorm here. considering how long this project has been tabled, could the Demons be a trio of big bots like this?

'i mean, who else coulda had access to the plans in the long downtime? have you gotten these things moving at all? compare with pointsuits how the demon's walked? how these robots walk? the death aura could be faulty shielding units leaking massive radiation. and they're in the ocean now. hope that the water isn't as radioactive.

'yeah sorry, bit of devil's advocate here. so, can i see the back up suit? and the specs for movement you got? if i'm gonna be stuffed down here to ask questions you haven't thought of . . might as well get to work . . . right?