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

[reneggadetinkerer]

Of course!

In fact...

[He swipes through several designs until he comes upon the schematics for a little robot monkey.]

This one is called "Coconuts." I regularly use him for surveillance as he's quite adept at hiding in treetops. I can easily have it send data from its optics to my computers! If anything comes within range of its sensors, I'll know about it long before they discover they've been found out!

[octoblot]

[That's kind of cute... however...]

And just how much should I trust you having access to that kind of data regarding it's surveillance of my business, hmm? I do promise confidentiality with all of my clients in my particular line of work, and they might not feel inclined to do business if they or I have any reason to believe that a third party might cause that promise of confidentiality to be broken in some manner.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Naturally, I'd let you inspect my work. If you have any experience in engineering or mechanics, I would even allow you to examine the code. I can also provide a contract...a sort of..."terms and conditions."

Any surveillance gathered by your unit would be accessible only to you and I can easily program a unit to purge any data on a nightly schedule unless you specify what it is you wish to keep.

Any backdoor I have into the unit would be for necessary updates and patches. Beyond that, perhaps we could come to an arrangement.

I'm not above bargaining.

[octoblot]

[At the word "contract", Azul's eyes light up.]

Good. In that case, I would be more than happy to look at this program of yours and examine how it works, as well as go over a contract with you in order to ensure a mutually fair business deal between the two of us.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Fantastic news! Shall we meet somewhere to go over the specifics?

Er...I don't believe I got your name.

[octoblot]

Oh, my sincerest apologies for not introducing myself sooner: my name is Azul Ashengrotto. I am in the process of opening a business here for the purpose of offering consultation services and magic in the form of potion-crafting and spells for anyone in need of them.

Unfortunately, my office is still under construction at the moment, so as far as where to meet to discuss business, I am willing to hear it if there is somewhere you wish to suggest to come meet and speak with you at.

[reneggadetinkerer]

So, you're an apothecary and alchemist? Fascinating. Given the magical nature of this world, I had been hoping to do some more research into the subject for my own understanding.

I've always been fond of diners if you're interested in coffee and a meal.

[octoblot]

That sounds like a great idea. Just give me an address for the one you'd like to meet at and I'll be there.

[... As long as Robotnik does not suggest the cafe that Kaveh runs--a certain hedgehog frequents that one to eat their supply of coffee beans sometimes.]

[reneggadetinkerer]

There's a little café on Eltrut named "Benedict's." I've come to rather enjoy the food there. They always give extra ham with their brunch specials.

Would you care to meet there?

a+ name, also making this an action thread now

[octoblot]

[Oh thank the sevens, it wasn't the cafe that Kaveh runs.]

Perfect. I'm going to head out now and meet you there.

[As such, true to his word, Azul will arrive to Benedicts and look for the good doctor to see where the other man is sitting, assuming that the other man is probably the one who managed to get here first. Once he does spot Robotnik, Azul is quick to offer a polite but firm handshake in greeting.]

Hello, it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance in person. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long.

I aim to please!

[reneggadetinkerer]

Not at all, I've taken the liberty of ordering us coffee.

[Eggman can be quite cordial when he wants to be, especially if it serves his own agenda. The question is, how long can he keep up the mood?]

Well then, Azul, shall we get down to business? What sort of automatons could I potentially provide for you? You know, I've got a wealth of experience in security as well.

[octoblot]

[For now, Azul is willing to go along with this for as long as it suits him, as he taps his pen in hand against the table in thought here.]

Security is what I was thinking, in fact: given my line of work with magic and potion-brewing, I am interested in taking some measures to ensure that my workspace is secure enough to prevent any potential wayward individuals from stumbling in... for their own safety, of course.

[It would be terrible to leave potentially dangerous ingredients and artifacts around for someone to get the idea to go prodding around for, you know?]

[reneggadetinkerer]

As stated, security is what I excel at. Though, I suppose the next question would have to be what your definition is "security" is. Are you more interested in detection and capture? Or more...preventative measures.

[Eggman implies the use of deadly force rather easily as he takes a sip of his coffee.]

Admittedly, the market is disinterested in lethal force, but with all of the magic around here, I'm honestly interested in what fun workarounds I can be incentivized to devise.

[octoblot]

[Azul's smile doesn't even wane at the implication, as he idly traces the rim of his coffee cup with a finger.]

Detection and capture would be the most useful, at least depending on the individual in question. A fish that's accidentally treaded too far out into dangerous waters does not become a lost cause immediately, if it knows to swim back to safety in time. Or rather, in less heavy-handed terms... where I come from, my society puts quite an emphasis on the importance of benevolence and helping those who are less fortunate than us... and knowing when to show mercy, even to those that have wronged us in the past.

As such, I am capable of being merciful, if the person in question caught was truly regretful of their actions, and willing to pay a price to make up for their misdeeds. If not then, well... I suppose it's their own fault what happens next at that point for refusing my forgiveness in that regard.

[He says with a shrug, as if this is a perfectly normal thing to say.]

So, to answer your question, I would prefer that any security measure you would put in does not actually harm anyone. At least, not right away. It would be a shame otherwise if it immediately neutralized the target before I could potentially turn the situation back around in some way to my own benefit.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Yes, yes. Mercy with the promise of extortion and recompense is all fine and good. I'm not interested in personal creeds. You tell yourself whatever it is you need to sleep at night.

But if you're truly adamant about mitigating damage, there is another route.

You mentioned fish before, and it sparked an idea. 'Catch and release.' If someone were to trespass on your premises, perhaps a tracking node can be attached to them through such measures. Something you can investigate at your leisure after they've been chased off.

[octoblot]

Oh?

[Azul leans forward a little in his seat, his interest piqued.]

That would certainly be quite useful, honestly... yes, I like that idea quite a lot. How long do you think it would take you to put together something like that?