bodilesswarrior | 23 - Video | Filtered to Matrix'd

[She considered finding something else to wear. Her gown, sleek and silver, is in tatters; her matching hat was sacrificed on the altar of battle. She knows she looks strange, with her scalp sweeping up into twisting wires, her skin mottling around metal, her fingers seamed and jointed.

She lost the contacts, too; her eyes are black.

But she won't waste time just to make people more comfortable. If they're reading this, they know the deal.

So she sits in the lab with her secrets bared, daring anyone to flinch instead of help.]

We can't get into the engine room. Trust me, we've tried. It was frustrating and pointless. [Not that crawling around in the ducts wasn't nostalgic, and her lips quirk, just slightly.]

What we can do, I think, is grab some allies and confront the Emperor in his ivory tower. [There's an edge of bitterness to the words, of sour betrayal.] I've got some ideas on both, but I want everyone contributing here. I want to know what our strengths are, what our resources are.

[She gestures behind her, into the laboratory.] Obviously, we've got all the stuff we're used to, and I'm a walking weapon. [She sounds, perhaps, a bit too happy about it.] But the more we can do - the more people we can reach, the further we can sneak into the palace, the better chance we have.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Iris is on the ground at Barbara's feet, the Grand Fairy's feathered frock scorched and torn where she's ripped off its sleeves for ease of movement. Barbara's systems are mostly self-repairing, but Iris is doing what she can to optimise the process; that, and mentally filing away everything she can glean about Rix technology.]

From inside, you mean? Just 'ow ...um, confrontable d'you reckon 'e's going to be, love?

[It's soothing, feeling Iris' hands ghost over her circuits. The part of her that remembers being a Commander is repelled, repulsed - she isn't Rix, she has no right - but the rest of her is stronger. Her love for Iris, ardent and abiding, is stronger.]

Depends on if we can wake him up. Either way, he won't be...cooperative. [She shakes her head, slight and careful.] Maybe, if we can reach Zane first, talk to him...

You've got some amazing tech in 'ere. The synaesthesia's specifically designed so you can't jack into it; but I might be able to bridge that gap. I've got a lot of access. We might be able to ghost into the machine, if we're lucky.

[The work she's doing now is practical; but even before she woke up, Iris was having trouble keeping her hands off this novel version of Barbara, this utterly alien, impossibly beautiful construct housing a beloved soul.]

I'm feeding in the wavelengths for the nanoguards that I know about, but that's not going to be all of 'em. See the revolving filter data I'm giving you now? That ought to confuse 'em.

Zane's a good plan. Though 'e does 'ave babies, over there.

[A slight grimace, because it hammers home everything they're asking Zane to give up. Can she really blame him if he doesn't want to? Can she really tell him to wait?

None of this is his fault.]

Once the Emperor is himself again - he'll probably figure you aren't going along with his plans.

[Barbara's present form makes her emotions harder to read, so perhaps it's only Iris' own thoughts that are casting doubt.]

Mmm. Might be best not to count on Zane either. Or any bugger but us three.

[She runs a hand thoughtfully up the back of Barbara's leg.]

I've modulated your field generator. You ought to be able to filter out most of the nanites. A lot of the nanites.

[She grimaces.]

...well, enough of the nanites to keep us upright longer'n they'll be expecting. Most of the defenses are designed to be nonlethal in small doses, but ...if 'e knows we're coming, all bets could be off, there. If I could work out a way to lob an EM pulse in there without killing you I'd try that. Now. D'you reckon we can splice you into my synaesthetics? Jack you and the other Rix into the system through me?

I assume 'confronting him' means violence? [He is both happy and not happy at this. On the one hand: action. On the other: discussion would be nice. For a change.] I have weapons and some kind loose fabric blast proof material…

Very possibly. [It's clear she's not happy with it, but she doesn't hesitate, either.] At the very least, to get through the palace's defences.

Do you think we could replicate it?

Iris does have decent access, it'll certainly give us a boost. [He considers his outfit.] It's made from a kind of nanite material... apparently that kind of thing is popular here. [He thinks. He's not an engineer but he has graduated the Academy. Finally he nods thoughtfully.] I think if I have access to porous material I could replicate it to a degree. I'm not sure how much of it I can make though.

[If only Rex were here, and her lips quirk in a faint, wistful smile.] Focus on protecting vital areas.

[He nods and his tone is dry.] Hand me your cotton.

23 - Video | Filtered to Matrix'd

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