shellphones | [video] Prototype Launch Record

Type: Video
Sender ID: emet-sulk
To: Public
Subject: Prototype Launch Record
Warnings: None

[ The video opens with a vision of an old, wooden ship with furled sails settled at the dock outside the Adamantine Forge. For those in the know, it's the one which has been fitted with the prototype magitech engine which has been in development for the past month. To those seeing it for the first time, there are external additions which make it clear that it's not your typical sailing ship: pipes along the outside, metal fittings which don't usually belong. There are propellers beneath the water as well, invisible to those watching the video.

Emet-Selch is the one holding the camera and so he isn't in the shot itself. However, his voice can be heard after the camera pans across the entire ship. ]

This will be the maiden launch of our prototype vessel. The high tide has come in and we will be starting the engine soon.

[ Workers are standing ready with rope and jigging to pull the ship into the open sea in case the engine isn't enough to get it out of the dock. But they shouldn't be needed. That would rather defeat the purpose. ]

Today is the start of the tenth moon, mid-- [ sigh ] --is it spring or fall here? Bah, these leviathans are always moving about...

[ There are calls between those on the ship and those on the dock. With a muted THRUM, the engine starts and water churns. People hack away at the braces which have been keeping the ship from floating away during its time in the dock. Once the braces splinter, the ship surges forward into the open sea to startled shouts from the crew on board.

The video bounces a little as Emet-Selch matches pace with the ship. One might think he'd stop at the end of the dock but no, he lifts himself into the air with a bit of magic and keeps pace with the ship from a short distance. ]

The ship has successfully launched and seems to be functioning without issue.

[ And with that, the video ends. But a few hours later, there is an image posted of the same ship back in the Forge's dock with an update: ]

Engine overheated and stalled after several hours but the design is sound. Note to self: incorporate Cid's idea into the final engine.

[ Oh, seems he didn't mean to post this publicly. Oops. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aye. 'Tis impossible to kill an idea once it has taken root in people's minds. Once you make one, others will strive to mimic it - and man has always, especially, yearned to fly...

[ He snaps his fingers and a see-through model of a blimp-like airship appears between himself and the camera. Some kind of magical illusion for Mid's benefit.

The explanation which follows is suddenly very technical. He won't go into exacting detail right now since they're not actively trying to build the thing. However, he will explain enough to Mid that she can get a better grasp of how and why these sorts of vehicles manage to stay airborne. Any questions she has on top of that, he will patiently answer. ]

--Now, as for the means to deal with aggressive incursions from airborne ships...

[ This explanation is briefer and simpler and covers such considerations as typical weak spots on flying craft, disadvantages for those defending on the ground, disadvantages for those in the air, and so on. It's more like a military tactics lesson than an engineering one. The artillery needed to shoot something down may not exist just yet - not when they have mages who can simply fire spells into the air - but he has no doubt it will eventually. ]

[The snap does get her attention, and she does focus on the video itself— Neat!]

Thanks for the visual, makes it easier to visualize.

[While his explanation may be technical, Mid will write everything down— and ask questions where needed. Luckily a lot of her know-how was taught; it's why she was in Kanver at all, really, to learn. So as much as she can, she'll take this as a learning experience.]

That's a lot t' take in, but I think I get the gist of it. I'm sure I'll have more questions the more I delve in.

[As he mentions how to deal with airborne fire, she'll shake out her head a little to prepare for MORE INFO. It's not something she'd say no to, and it would solve a lot of problems for her down the road. Knowing this world is slightly more advanced than her own, all of this is good for... maybe sooner.]

Did you have a lot of experience with this sort of stuff, Emet? All the military stuff I mean.

[ He would apologise for the information dump, but when he gets deep into an explanation he really, really makes sure he does a thorough job of it.

It's fine if she doesn't retain it all today though. He can always explain it again later. ]

I was until recently the leader of a military empire for some three-score years. Even before that, I had plenty of time to study the ways of war - for better or worse. 'Tis not knowledge I'm particularly proud of but it was necessary.

You were? You didn't seem the type. More the type to study and learn and all.

[With how much Emet knew, it was actually surprising to hear he had knowledge of the art of war, and not just a scholar or something similar to herself (if only she knew).]

What else do you know that you could tell me? Knowledge and power and all that, right?

Do I now?

[ He smiles but the smile seems empty somehow. He hasn't been a scholar in a very long time. ]

...What sort of knowledge do you desire?

Well I can't very well ask about mysteries of the universe and all.

[Emet has some great knowledge and is a pretty big fount of it; more knowledge on things that haven't been available in her world for some time wouldn't be a bad thing, necessarily, or just a remix on what he's already told her.]

Is it just ships that can fly? Or do they have to be shaped like ships at all? I can't imagine a ship like my Enterprise flyin' through the air, it'd be too big I think.

No. In fact 'twould be better if the craft were shaped more aerodynamically. What I showed you earlier is rather slow and inefficient but it has a greater capacity for passengers.

[ He snaps his fingers again and this time a different sort of aircraft outline appears. This one more closely resembles a modern fighter jet. ]

Something like this would fly much faster. However, as you can imagine, it seats far fewer people. I imagine there is some sort of middle-ground to be found but I've yet to see it made.

[ Mainly because his world has an abundance of aether. Don't need mass air travel when you can teleport. ]

Huh.

[She's still taking notes, seeing as how air travel is still very new for her; this is knowledge for Later.]

You probably don't need things that house too many if you need it for scoutin' or the like. [There's already ideas in her head, but—]

I guess I only have one more question, then I'll stop buggin' you since you have an engine to get built, eh? [That she should also be building, whoops.] Any way to make them without people, but can see what's going on? I got an idea for the Roost, but if it can work the way I want... you'd be the one to know.

You refer to automated drones? Aye, but it would require infrastructure that does not yet exist here if you wish to truly dominate the skies. However, if you simply wish to keep an eye on your immediate vicinity then that is much simpler.

[ A wave of his hand and the plane shrinks to something you could cradle in your arms. It looks like a modern drone. ]

Have you heard of 'radio waves'?

I don't think so, no. Nothing like that back home. I don't think an orchestrion is quite the same, is it?

[But she's already eyeing the drone in his hands, doing her own quick sketch of it.]

But that looks like somethin' I could build here. What are the waves for?

Communication. Much like the shellphones we're using now. Ordinarily, that sort of thing--

[ He cuts himself off, wrinkling his nose. ]

No, let's start from the beginning. Firstly, do you have a means of long-distance communication that does not rely upon written word?

[video] Prototype Launch Record

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