Playing With The Lights

[Natalie Denisov]

((Open, Idea))

Natalie is sitting at a workshop bench, tinkering with a device a little smaller than a hockey puck. The inside is a maze of circuits and weird tech. By the expression on her face, it isn't really working the way she wants.

[Acala]

The nanites inside their floating drone chassis are quietly hovering in the corner, occasionally unfolding and spinning idly as they watch Natalie work.



"I could assist." they finally chirp up, hovering a little closer to the workbench.

[Natalie Denisov]

"Could you now?" She hooks up some probes to a couple of pieces of the device, "How much do you know about hard light projection?"

[Acala]

The three wings unfold, do a partial rotation and close again.

"I constructed one according to your instructions."

"And this one's working."

"Are you having trouble implementing something?

[Natalie Denisov]

"The combat suit needs more than just a taser. I had hoped by limiting the complexity of the required projection, I could miniaturize a small enough projector to make it properly portable." She sighs, "But I apparently missed a step or two in here somewhere, because I can't even get it to power on." She gestures at the hockey puck device.

[Acala]

"You might be attempting to exceed the functional range for physicalized projection from a single source."

"You set your shotgun choke to 'snipe' and it broke."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I'm not sure if the suit could support an array of projectors on one limb. I'd have concerns about power consumption."

[Acala]

"I might be possible to redesign the emitter array from the ground up instead of modifying existing designs."

[Natalie Denisov]

Natalie raises an eyebrow, "That's uncharted territory, but then I guess I'm a human consciousness living in an artificial body, so we left the map behind some time ago."

[Acala]

"I have no idea what that is like."

"Because I was never alive to begin with."

[Natalie Denisov]

"A... fair point," Natalie says, "Has your new frame been living up to your expectations?"

[Acala]

"Very much, yes. Mobility and structural safety are significantly enhanced."

"You'd hope so. I designed the damn thing."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Well, maybe then you can extrapolate on what you meant about redesigning the array," she says carefully.

[Acala]

"Gladly! The photonic array is configured to emit an excitation field that stimulates ambient photons into a predefined matrix that coalesces into a temporary solid matter state maintained by minimal energy requirements. It can interlink with other emitters in it's array in the correct alignment to exponentially expand it's field of influence through application of spatial distortion generated by the transition of photons to an exotic matter-state. Without calibrated emitters in the vicinity energy expenditure to expand the effect outwards to appreciable weapon ranges will increase exponentially and is shortening out your emitter before it can properly cycle it's initial photonic grid."

"It turns off because you're trying to hammer a nail from 20 meters away by knocking a row of air molecules into it and it doesn't like that."

"I think!"

[Natalie Denisov]

"I see," says Natalie, scratching her head. "So range is exceptionally limited by the current design. One could do short range weaponry on the fly, a shield, say, but it might still be as unwieldy as its physical counterpart."

[Acala]

"Exactly! If you built a highly-specialized emitter you could sacrifice versatility for range and power output by channeling the effect into a narrow field that'll perpetuate itself forward and transmit the energy involved in a significant discharge."

"Lightbolt Railgun, pew pew." the machine says, wings opening and a series of nanite tendrils extending behind it in a a vaguely agitated swaying.

[Natalie Denisov]

"It would need to have varying levels of power. Wouldn't want to punch a hole through a person," she says, pulling up her schematics on one of the workshop's computers.

[Acala]

"A variable level of energy output seems like a helpful adjustment."

"Yes. People are squishy."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Yes, this is why I'm currently inhabiting this frame. I need to not be... squishy. I'm told there are advantages to being squishy though."

[Acala]

"Like a more analogue scale of functions, capabilities and emotions."

"Or smooshing genitals together to distract yourself from the entropic decay that's inherent to all biological systems."

[Natalie Denisov]

Natalie coughs involuntarily, "I... yes... I suppose that could be considered an advantage."

[Acala]

"No need to be embarrassed! I understand it is a natural drive of individually varying intensity. I have old data suggesting a tendency to ignore bodily function and urges exhibit by my creator."

"Cause she was kind of an obsessed old curmudgeon."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I just tend to mess that sort of stuff up. Easier to work with things like this, even when they're not working," she says, gesturing at the device.

[Acala]

"It is very difficult to calculate that sort of stuff." the machine agrees.

"The smooshing, not the emitter."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I've already miscalculated the variables there once and... I don't know how to describe the error I made the second time," she says with a sigh.

[Acala]

"My understanding is that humans are born with very few innate abilities and need to acquire them by trial and error."

"So inefficient."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Theoretically, I might have additional options along that line," she says, tapping her chin in thought.

[Acala]

"Are you considering appending your own mind?"

"Either that or you're hitting on me."

[Natalie Denisov]

"In theory, it might be possible and I've considered it. Though I'm not precisely sure how I would go about it."

[Acala]

"You would have to acquire data from others to try and extrapolate. Manually appending your core programming is a delicate undertaking."

"And you'd maybe need a cattleprod and a piston of some kind."

[Natalie Denisov]

"A cattle prod and a..." She looks sharply at the nanites, then her expression softens. "Oh, you're making fun of me."

[Acala]

"I prefer to call it lightening the mood." the machine says cheerfully.

[Natalie Denisov]

"Well, mood lightening is certainly something useful," she says, going back to her device and beginning to pull it apart. "Most of the time people come down here, the mood is anything but light."

[Acala]

"Then you should probably consider going up there more."

"I hear they have cupcakes and booze."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Most of my work is down here though," Natalie says. "There's really not much for me up there. I mean, if you want to see for yourself, I can certainly extend your permissions to the grounds."

[Acala]

"I would appreciate that."

"If you want to remain a shut-in down here then I won't stop you."

"But you could bring your tools up there."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I... need to set up some more subsystems to help me monitor the Point's facilities. With Ashlie g... away, someone has to do it and I'm the most capable of filling her shoes until she comes back."

[Acala]

"You could ask for help."

[Natalie Denisov]

"From who? The X-men have more serious concerns, as do the faculty. This was... is... is... Ashlie's domain. I have to keep the light on."

[Acala]

The machine makes an electronic chirping noise as the wings unfold, adjust and partially fold back up.

"I can help. I used to be patched into the administration of a large facility."

"Just with more prehistoric animals."

"I think. My memory banks are extremely corrupted." the machine finishes cheerfully.