Scrambled Egg Zone Act II

[reneggadetinkerer]

Type: Video
Sender ID: reneggadetinkerer (Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik)
To: Public
Subject: A proposition, of sorts
Warnings: Scheming

[Now that Eggman has been here for a few months, he's about ready to make some moves. Specifically, he's been working on a little project. It's taken him some time to acclimate to the magitech of this world, and to gather appropriate resources, but the good doctor is nothing if not industrious.]

Attention fellow riftfarers!

I realize that I have not exactly made the...best impression to most of you. And still, there are others who come from my particular sphere of reality who have warned you that I am not to be trusted.

I readily admit that I have made a great many...missteps in my time. But never let it be said that Dr. Eggman can't shed his shell!

And so, I come to offer my particular brand of expertise. Behold!

[Eggman steps back and procures a small disc. A disc that, with the press of a button, creates a small projection of five, animal-themed automatons.]

These designs might be a bit antiquated but I am offering to construct these automatons for interested parties with custom functionality! They're quite good at reconnaissance and security, but they can also be used as personal assistants and companions! In fact, if you were interested, I could scale them down and make them into fun little toys for yourself or a friend! And I am offering these "Radniks" at a pittance! Whatever you wish to pay, I will gladly accept!

Consider this a peace offering from the great, magnanimous, Dr. Eggman.

And, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask~

[OOC: Step one of Eggman's latest scheme is happening! These bots, while not dangerous now, are part of a long term scheme! If you're interested in getting involved, please feel free to let me know! You can reach out to me on the CR meme where I have some more details or message me on Discord of plurk at bitterbearface]

Comments

[fractales]

It is as good a place as any to start- I did similarly after all, even if my own constructs are on the more plush side of things.

[Meant to take a beating or just distract from merely existing.]

I still earn from each one sold, which has been enough to help support certain endeavors with other forms of income.

[reneggadetinkerer]

I've found that rampant consumerism is often a good vice to exploit, yes. My hope is that I'll be able to move onto bigger and better things before too long.

And don't think I've forgotten about your little drone. I'll be happy to add my personal touches to it whenever you're ready.

[fractales]

If nothing else, those who find some novelty in them may at least be willing to offer something. Any sort of advancement catches interest in some circles when it comes to technology.

[Just going to be sitting by the door of the misty enclosure-]

I have made some progress on it, and another acquaintance certainly gave me a few ideas for added functions. I do still need some help in working bugs out of the AI I am trying to develop for it in a 'free roam' setting.

[reneggadetinkerer]

It sounds like you and I are of a like mind, Turo. I like to consider this...market research.

[Because that's not terrifying at all. Also, being of like mind with Eggman is not a good look, Turo.]

Another acquaintance? Scientist? Engineer?

...Magician?

[Because honestly, you never know.]

[fractales]

Ever since magitech had its big boom and advancement, certain things have been more popular than others. Of course, it is a reason I have leaned more towards creations that help make life a little easier.

[Like the shelter made of energy barriers-]

An engineer, we are working on a few projects together and that is when the little robot I have been working on came up in conversation. He brought up a few good ideas, such as a way to allow it to defend itself to escape any unexpected encounters.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Oh? You'll have to introduce me.

[Another engineer? This could be a problem. Best to find out their capacity and capability to be sure.]

[fractales]

Have you heard of Cidolfus? Some simply refer to him as Cid.

[Just a few of them around-] Our current project is for better heating systems and air conditioning.

[A few other things as well.]

[reneggadetinkerer]

No, I haven't had the pleasure. Perhaps I should make time to get myself better acquainted.

Where are you, by the way?

[fractales]

He has been in this world as long as I have, if I remember correctly. Some of his items are also carried in the RAY Trading Center.

[Turo allowed his phone to tilt, to better show the inside of the greenhouse; almost off blue in color, various vines running along the walls, and a few flourishing flower beds.]

I am on the garden barge that my crew owns. I was checking in on some of the flowers I managed to propagate from living samples some months ago.

[reneggadetinkerer]

I see.

You know, Turo. I must admit, I don't quite understand the fondness you have for nature. With your capabilities, I believe you should have the propensity for so much more, especially given the backwater nature of this world.

[fractales]

I am from a world where nature is as important as the advances of technology, and where pollution and destruction of any sort to nature shows in the creatures living in the area it has happened- such as in the Galar region and a few of their pokémon reflecting the death of coral systems in the ocean and smog in the air due to how far they pushed industrialization and power needs; even the Alola region has a variation of a known pokémon far more toxic in nature due to pollution.

For the world to prosper nature must be paid attention to, or new dangers will come into play. [Which was something he had simply come to-]

Here I have managed to graft crystal tree limbs to grow on more 'normal' ones, giving myself enough supply to create water proof resins that I can use in my designs.

[reneggadetinkerer]

You're proposing symbiosis. This world seems to take to that concept given the nature of the leviathans.

But asserting that line of thinking implies that the leviathans, too, can be corrupted.

[fractales]

The more I study, the more that familiar symbiosis becomes.

I believe that it is possible, the corruption- something happened that caused this world to flood after all. That much turmoil and possible fear...

[The visions from those crystals—]

Still, when the trouble is rather large they come in to join the fight when it's at sea. I have even seen Nogard take flight and have poisonous scales dropping from its body as if they were mines.

[reneggadetinkerer]

So they do have free will? The way they're so protected, I believed they were at least controlled.

Regardless, as interested as I am in the leviathans, I have to establish myself first. Hence the Radnik Project.

[fractales]

They do from everything I have gathered, and communicate with each other. They even start out smaller when young; there is a young Tortoise Leviathan being cared for on an island.

Of course, and it is a good place to start. You could have them sold in the RAY center market to reach wider places here; I still receive payments for the Dolls I sell through them.

[reneggadetinkerer]

I imagine I'd have to share some of the profits then. Though, until I establish myself, that might just be a necessary evil.

[Eggman considers the options and makes some pointed notes.]

A young tortoise Leviathan you say? Something like that would be heavily guarded considering how precious leviathans appear to be. There's certainly a lot about this world to grasp, I'm finding. Not to mention the sheer amount of artifacts to be found.

I'm hoping the Radnik project can fund some...expeditions.

[fractales]

You would, but the benefit in the long run certainly outweighs that.

[He certainly made enough to help fund his own side projects; for the most part.]

They are well guarded by a mix of 'gator' and turtle/tortoise folk. Some sharkfolk tried to attack and either kill or take the young Leviathan last year; Eltrut, Elah, and Nogard actually fought alongside the Armada ships given they had a very large shark-ship with them. Was quite the battle, and the sharks were fought off. [Just how important a young Leviathan was-] Indeed, and there is much that was lost due to the flooding of this world.

If nothing else? A good place to start and gauge what the next best move could be.

[reneggadetinkerer]

So, with all of these interpersonal conflicts and factions, I find myself curious, Turo.

What is it you seek to achieve on this world? Do you wish to return to yours or are you content to simply live and research this one?

Naturally, I have my own aspirations but I'm curious as to what yours are.

[fractales]

Quite the question, but not unusual.

[Or at least some part of that is something he had been asking himself for quite a while. Returning would mean—]

I wish to help better it, and to understand just how deeply magic is intertwined in nature, so that resources may be better managed and keep some sense of balance. Staying in this world is something I do not mind the thought of either.

As much as there is left in my own world to discover, I could be content here.

[reneggadetinkerer]

So you seek a broader understanding? To broaden your horizons?

And yet you're content to keep that knowledge here when it could perhaps be instrumental in your endeavors back on your world?

[fractales]

In some ways, yes. There is more here that falls into my interest, the challenge of adapting what I learned in my own world to work here has been enjoyable.

My studies back home have reached their limits to a certain point- and should I ever find myself back there I will not be there for very long.

[reneggadetinkerer]

I believe you and I are of a like mind, in a way. I often wonder if I were succeed in my endeavors back home, what would I do then?

Often times I find myself considering moving to another world to continue anew.

[You know, to conquer it.]

But I tend to find myself mired by setbacks. Not unlike the situation I am in now.

[fractales]

It can be surprising when such a thing is found. My mind has always been set towards the future, the possibilities of what we know of the present could become. The past often times pointing to what is, will be, or could be.

A refresh, at times, can be a very good thing for the mind. Discover a new way to look at old problems and find solution that lead to something better.

[Find yourself dumped in a new world, as if granted a second chance and a life to do with as he pleased instead of continuing as he had been.]

Setbacks lead to frustration that only seems to grow, so I have found. Sometimes talking it out with another, or at something like a rubber psyduckie can help. Speaking the trouble out loud gives the mind just enough of a different perspective that you find the solution as you speak.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Admittedly, those I would deem worthy of hearing of such complications are in short supply. Washing up here without my retinue of dutiful...associates has given me fewer outlets to work with.

I could just build new ones...

[But that idea is a little distasteful and Eggman can't fathom as to why.]

[fractales]

[There was a pause, likely so very brief that Eggman wouldn't notice it but- well. That had been exactly what the Professor had done. Every single person he felt he could trust left, had felt like a deep betrayal to the point the man had felt he could trust no one.



No one but himself.]

Sometimes one does feel as if no one but themselves is suitable for such a thing, a reason for the Rubber Psyduckie Method. A simple inanimate object that you can talk aloud to, and of course it cannot interrupt, thus allowing you to work through the problem as you speak it out.

Hearing yourself can be enough to give your brain a jumpstart out of the mire of frustration built up due to setbacks. I have done so myself in the workshop at times.