>> It's some time after training Niri: a bit bruised, a bit scuffed up, but Saki is still walking even if it is with a very slight limp and a very great degree of fatigue from recent events. She ranges wide again, then starts to head towards the centre of the complex where Saturn still sits. She even knocks first; carefully, as if she might break something. The Elementalor Saturn is meditating a moment, still trying to center herself in the waking word after being a prisoner of the dream state for so long. As Saki taps the door it swishes open automatically, and the entitity opens her emerald eyes slowly. * Saki involuntarily takes a step back as her head throbs; then the doors start to close and she forces her way in, looking sheepish. [Saturn] Hello, Saki. What's the matter? * Saki shakes her head absently, trying to dispel the angry beat. It apparently works to some extent, and she steps forward awkwardly. "... I may need to know more about Lazarus. ... possibly a lot more. Definitely how to activate it. Or just... what'll happen. In general," she finishes lamely. [Saturn] Lazarus... yes, it's a complex issue, to create life but without souls.. * Saki crosses her arms and sinks to the floor, frowning. "The soul isn't an issue. I just need to... know how it works. At all. It might be the only chance I have." * Saki blinks once. "--we." [Saturn] Lazarus 'Servitors' are born in so-called pits from biomass cells, if I remember correctly, reacting to chemicals and DNA programs inserted into there... the object being to create endless clones off a template, constantly being upgraded. [Saturn] It's an operation that's remarkably like a factory... only one sentient human could concievably create and manage an entire army of workers.. soldiers... [Saturn] I admit that details are sketchy of how far along it was when I was shutdown, but it's apparent a Pit is in operation in Canada right now. * Saki listens without wincing; "... mm. So I could use myself as the template?" [Saturn] Yes, you certainly could. The technology did grow out of cloning research after all. They just twisted it to produce more specialized genome sthan a standard human being. [Saturn] Research like that also gave birth to my brothers and me.. [Saturn] Since we were born in remarkably similar ways, prototypes of psychically aware vessels, that would not degrade as fast as a normal person under such stress of the mind. Saturn shakes her head. 'But the similarities end there." * Saki scratches at her temple, thinking about that at length. "... so as far as operation goes, though, we're mostly playing it by ear?" [Saturn] If Lazarus is in operation, then there must be someone alive who still has the knowledge to control this process... [Saturn] But it seems as if they are now our enemies. * Saki frowns at that. "... the area's covered in radiation and barren. Is it possible they're just remaking themselves?" Saturn ponders a moment. "There's a chance I could manipulate the facility, seeing as how it's similar to my ability to create life... if that is what you're implying." [Saturn] But, Servitor's themselves do not innately have the knowledge to self replicate and are quite sterile. [Saturn] So some force from ancient times like us is alive and well, directing their movements for Zophar's ends... [Saturn] Also, don't assume that what lies on the surface is all there is; beneath the continent exists a vast underground network used by the old governments for secrecy and disaster surival. * Saki rubs at her forehead, brow furrowed. "Mm. Maybe. ... I'm not sold on the idea yet. Knowledge can be taught, after all." She shakes her head. "... mm. That much we know, if they're reaching the academy. It's an interesting way in." [Saturn] Crygenic stasis like mine is a technology others can possess, too. So living for millenia is possible. [Saturn] So, is it unreasonable to think an ancient director is still living, coming out of deep freeze to remake an army? Or that he or she had a clone ready incase of emergency? [Saturn] Sadly, I don't have much more other than conjecture right now for you Saki... * Saki nods, focused on the middle distance. "... mm, it's alright. Conjecture's better than nothing. I'm good at on the spot thinking." [Saturn] Don't give up hope. There is still a very good chance of solving your condition there. With the very reasoning Zophar might be using. [Saturn] But, I can't help but sense Vytor's unease... he is related to this in some way. * Saki barks a laugh, and looks up. "Mm. I wouldn't say it's a better hope than I've had all along, but it's rather a more concrete one." She falls silent at Saturn's next sentence, and looks off to one side. "... can you tell what he is?" Saturn nods, and now suddenly looks more sure of her words, which before were intelligent guesses. "His biological makeup is not that of a natural human." [Saturn] Were you not aware of this? * Saki winces. "... that's a bit of a loaded question. ... /I/ was aware of it, sort of. Then he popped up in your flashbacks." [Saturn] It's hard to say from our brief encounter, but being how in tune I am with the natural biorythms he sounds rather alien. The organs seem to resonate from differnt places, and the brain waves are altered. Fundamentally, he appears human, but beneath the skin he's.. almost like one of the Servitors. * Saki nods curtly. "... mm. Thought so. --no, we weren't aware. I don't think he is." [Saturn] Perhaps not. Someone or something has altered his genetic makeup significantly.. it's made him superbly resilient to all shocks, injuries, and disease. I saw it when you were attacked by the beasts in the garden... * Saki stays silent for a long beat, then slides her eyes over towards Saturn. "... ... did the Servitors have any kind of overrides? Ways to control them?" Saturn looks towards to the gigantic tree in the center of the room that pulses every once inawhile with Plant energies, which seem to be subtly flowing into her, like the girl is osmosing the charged air itself. * Saki mutters to herself and pipes up again, apparently needing to clarify. "--not that I want to--... nrgh. ... could there be a way for this whoever-it-is up north to mess with him?" [Saturn] ...if we possess such thing, it's only proper that such beings also have them. But what it could be is a mystery. * Saki growls under her breath. "Tch! And warning him means telling him, and telling him means dealing with all of-- nh," vocalises Rachel for a moment, then it's Saki shaking her head. "... alright. We'll watch out for it." [Saturn] I don't think it works at a distance, whatever it might be -- such things tend to have biological triggers. Something fed through the senses... a sound, undetectable smell, a touch, an injection.. [Saturn] To the Elementalors, it is the possession of the ECC and the code words. * Saki snorts, closing her eyes. "... that isn't much of a reassurance: if it worked at a distance we could find it and stop it a lot easier than a feeling." [Saturn] It could be so, but whatever you do I would watch carefully whom or what he encounters, especially if you return to the continent. [Saturn] ...that is, if you can.. * Saki chuckles, shaking her head. "--we will. We're a fair bit tougher than you think, after all." A rather rueful sigh; "--though taking the long route somehow suits us, I suppose." [Saturn] Yes, you certainly are. I've experienced that first hand. I'm happy to help you in anyway I can, especially with Zophar rampant [Saturn] In the interval, our group of 8 need to recall the portions of our own programs still locked away... * Saki breathes out a careful breath, finally sitting back and eying Saturn's shape carefully. "... ... what will gathering you all do, anyway? Now you're all together? Shut Webbly up for a brief moment of peace?" [Saturn] There's a side of us that still sleeps, like I was. Awakening it will allow us to use our full potential, and remember the last commands from our masters with clarity.. [Saturn] Until then, we'll continue to aid you and Trune in overcoming your own uncertainties..? * Saki crosses her arms to look bizarrely sulky. "... the only uncertainties I have aren't about myself." [Saturn] We all have questions, but that's how we grow, finding answers. I hope I've helped you to find some today. It's not long before I radio for transport to the Moon... * Saki stands up and brushes herself off. "... mm. Thanks. --I suppose as long as we can reach you from there, any other questions can wait until I'm standing in front of it." Saturn simply nods. "I am more worried about who's standing there with you when that time comes." * Saki smirks with a light shrug. "There's no point in worrying about it yet. ... I'll think about letting him know." * Saki waves a hand behind her as she turns to leave. "... mm. I think I'm a good couple of weeks overdue for some sleep. Good luck up there. Webbly likes to fuss." Saturn breathes in another batch of the latent energy deeply, closing her eyes. She doesn't reply immediately. "I hope he's as I remember him." == LUDE END ==