Solus zos Galvus (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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shellphones2024-10-03 02:44 pm
emet_sulk) wrote in shellphones2024-10-03 02:44 pm
Entry tags:
[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. ]
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. ]
no subject
[He grins at Emet-Selch's words before he focuses on the pages, brows furrowing as his gaze turns more serious as he looks over the notes. It's honestly impressive, especially upon seeing where they took his work and expanded and modified it to fit the use of the engine. He could also follow it easily enough, even grinning a bit when he recognizes Mid's work. Of course she had told him a few things before, but he would have known even without it.
After Emet-Selch gives his explanation, Cid nods and agrees to a lot of what they've done. He then pulls out the newer version of what he's made, explaining the changes that mostly run towards better efficiency to allow the use of lesser crystals. He also discusses a special paste created through some coral and shells commonly found around many islands of hotter climes, especially volcanic (so Avaleci for example) that has proven to be conducive for thermal magic. Even better, not much is needed. With this the heat can be transferred even more safely throughout the components, which may help with their larger engine.
And then there's other technobabble and suggestions he'll try to offer. Whether or not they can find use for it here doesn't matter much to him, as he's sure they could find use for it elsewhere.]
no subject
[ Towards the conclusion of their discussion, he straightens, satisfied. His pressing concerns about the heat sink have been resolved. Even if the first ship isn't perfect, the next will surely be an improvement.
Realising that he's already thinking of the next ship catches him by surprise. Perhaps he really does wish to see progress happen. Progress untainted by his or his brethren's machinations. ]
I would not have thought of that paste you mentioned.
[ He has accumulated millennia of knowledge but, in the end, he is not strictly creative. ]
no subject
As for the paste... [A wry grin.] That's the accident. In my early days of trying to weld, I melted some on accident. But I noticed how quick it was to cool even in that paste-like form and knowing how mortars and other similar substances can be used to bind things, I went from there.
no subject
[ He shakes his head but there's a sense of wry humour to him. ]
It was a long time ago now, but I remember a certain concept... The griffin. Someone had been attempting to make a lion when an eagle surprised them. The result of that lapse in focus was the griffin.
no subject
no subject
[ Said matter-of-factly. ]
I would demonstrate but my creation magicks seem not to work as they ought to here.
no subject
...]
Were you akin to gods where you are from?
no subject
Why is that always the first assumption mortals make when I describe our society? No, we were not gods. If you took a knife to my heart right this very moment, I would die like any other man.
[ A pause. He drops his hands and scowls. ]
Fine, mayhap I wouldn't die from something so banal but I do prefer living.
no subject
I did say akin. But you'll have to forgive me as we might have had something similar in my world.
[Said with a not that pleased face.]
However, I don't have the full information nor do I care for it, so I don't really have much aside from the typical myths and legends, all of which are likely made up to begin with.
[Well, Emet-Selch can probably guess what Cid is thinking of having been working with Joshua on their own little "god" problem.]
But that durable, eh?
no subject
All the peoples of our star were the same long, long ago. But not any longer, and never will be again. 'Tis quite a stroke of fortune, really, that I am around to help your little lordling with his unwanted passenger.
But yes - I've lived for almost fifteen millennia. As far as I can tell, the durability of my people's souls and our physical aether allows for indefinite life.
no subject
That's quite a long time. You always did seem to be rather knowledgeable, now I better understand why.
[A few questions come to mind, but... He doesn't want to pry into the man's very long life, especially when there does seem to be a little tension from his last question. So he just nods, leaving it at that.]
no subject
[ Putting aside the fact that sometimes he had to deliberately withhold knowledge from the mortal races in order to set up calamities, et cetera, one really couldn't just appear in front of a crowd and suddenly announce core, intrinsic truths about the star without getting rocks (literal or metaphorical) thrown at them.
He may or may not have tried it before. ]
no subject
[He also means that genuinely, even if he does smile as he says that.]
Do you ever find yourself often having to readjust and change what you know to what is developing in the present?
no subject
Very, very rarely, someone may stumble upon a discovery my people did not. Whether they're able to utilise it with their meagre aether is quite another matter.
[ He seems to be thinking of something as he says this. ]
But the fundamental principles of our star are unchanged. Every time a scholar claims to have unlocked some hitherto unknown fact about the world, 'twas something we had already known long ago.
no subject
And what about new innovations or development, ideas that are based on known facts or methods but changed to a new way? Or has it been so long that it reaches a point where it cycles back around?
[He also wonders, because he's of the belief that the human mind and individual has unlimited capabilities, it's just a matter of being able to utilize what they have and push forward with it. However, there might also be a practical limit, a rise and fall of civilizations as he himself is able to witness through the remnants of the Fallen.]
no subject
There was only ever one aspect of our star we failed to understand, [ he says eventually. ] But I don't think it has any relevance to what we're speaking of.
[ He seems to be gazing over the festivities but he's not really seeing them. ]
In regards to technology, science, magic... Well, there are only so many ways to forge a sword. Only so many ways to build a supercomputer. Only so many ways to build efficient transport. The resources of each shard are identical, even if calamities buried or upturned those of the Source haphazardly.
[ He wrinkles his nose. ] I suppose I should acknowledge mankind's increasingly perverse ways to slaughter other living creatures, including themselves. That was not something my people ever considered or developed. I wish I could forget everything I know of that topic.
no subject
And so you witness such cycles repeat and over and over again. I'll be honest, I do not envy you, but I do find it amazing that you haven't given up, either.
wow I mixed up locations earlier lmao
I did not have much of a choice, [ he says in a low voice. ] How could I possibly give up my life after--
[ He shuts himself up. Drags over a stool with his foot and sits down, exhaling sharply. ]
Well, it doesn't matter any more. Suffice to say, I hope your kind continue to surprise me or I may just drown myself tomorrow.
i wondered LOL it's okay!! also we can probably wrap this soon 🤔
Throughout this conversation, a thought had come to him—as Emet-Selch similar to what Ultima's kind was in his world? A powerful being that could be likened to a god but does not carry himself as such. Could their world fared better had Ultima not have such an ego and instead was more like this man before him?
Perhaps.
But it's also pointless to consider such questions now, and knowing that they've reached the limit of this line of talk, Cid just wears a rueful smile before nodding.]
I hope so as well.
[He then points out something on the schematics.]
In the meantime, mind if I make a suggestion?
o7
Aye. A second pair of eyes never goes amiss.
no subject
Really, Cid himself doesn't care too much whether Emet-Selch takes any of his ideas. He just the conversation, the swapping of opinions and ideas, and even learning from the man. He also hopes that their conversations might help lift the mood a bit.
And once it's all said and done, Cid will finally bid Emet-Selch farewell.]
Good luck with everything. If anything comes to mind I'll be sure to share it. Though who knows—perhaps I'll try to build something to rival yours.
no subject
He nods affably as Cid makes his farewells. ]
My thanks again. I look forward to seeing if you can surpass me.
[ The smile he wears is faint but genuine. ]
no subject
Best stay on your toes then.
[And then a small laugh before he waves.]
Ta-ra, then!
[And away he goes, glancing around one last time to marvel at it all. Those words were not empty ones in the least—going through all this has certainly inspired Cid, so who knows what the future may hold...]