[closed]

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor & Friends
When: September
Where: Cadens, Nocwich, perhaps elsewhere
What: closed starters & etc
Warnings: viktor is experimenting on himself again

[closed starters in the comments! If you want me to write you something, just hit me up. For everything else, I’m on plurk at whitticus and on discord also at whitticus.]

Comments

[techmaturgy]

I did not have the time.

[That's said with some amount of venom, not that he expects her to know the exact circumstances of his health and the urgency with which he needed to work. Viktor likes to think he indulged their bureaucracy for as long as he could. Maybe there's something in his dossier about his condition (bedridden) at the raid of his workshop--he doesn't think it's worth elaborating further, otherwise.

Having said it, though, his posture shifts, and he shrinks back into himself like he's fully aware he's expended most of his capital.

No, his friends don't blame him for what happened, even the ones in Thorne. They've been emphatic that none of it was his fault--that doesn't make him feel any less guilty. That doesn't make it right.]

I hold myself responsible. I need to know it won't be used that way again.

[He expects this to be an unreasonable request, one he has no real leverage to make--an impasse. But he has to try.]

[abraxasnpcs]

Of course.

[Reva is moved by neither the argument nor his displeasure.]

I can't make assurances on behalf of an entire nation. However...I suspect a man of your station could do better than merely plead his case. Have you considered, Viktor, the possibility of working for the Free Cities? Portam Hall functions strongly on clauses. If you have the papers dictating the terms of your service, there would be fewer...dissatisfying outcomes, on both sides.

[That is what the Summoned is seeking, no?]

[techmaturgy]

[It seems this is not the solution that Viktor expected--though if he's being honest with himself, he's not sure he expected any kind of solution at all. Surely she realizes all of the reasons why Viktor chooses to be an occasional collaborator with the Free Cities, rather than working for them directly.As such, he looks a little gobsmacked, not sure what to say.]

What are you implying?

[This feels slightly tangential to blackmail--surely working directly for the government will only give them more direct access to it.]

Legal protections aside, my work has already been appropriated and misused. It follows that providing more direct access would invite a similar result.

[Unless the legal protections are the assurance--but Viktor speaks in a way that indicates he doesn't put much stock in such things.]

[abraxasnpcs]

I'm not implying anything. I'm telling you.

[Hadn't she made herself clear?

Well, she can't begrudge the poor man for glazing over the bureaucratic details. She sure as hell can't stand them, either.]

As I mentioned, your work lacked a paper trail. It lacked protections. If you want your protections, you'll have to put your name and signature to it. You'll have to make a deal with us. We give you what you need, you give us something we want, and you have a piece of parchment that says how we're allowed to use your work. Do you understand what I'm saying now?

[She makes a gesture with her hand.]

You can even consult your own legal council, if you want. If I'm not mistaken, there's at least one of you in the lot.

[techmaturgy]

What is it that you want?

[She's being direct, certainly, but Viktor wants it spelled out. She must know that he doesn't put much stock in their legal protections, nor does he think he might win out in a Cadens court of law, should something like this happen again. Her offer, too, is secondary to his real concern, which is the technology that already exists.]

And what about the bombs?

[If his signature on Free Cities paperwork is what it takes to prevent the weapon from being deployed again, well...that's something he might have to consider.]

[abraxasnpcs]

[She has certain things in mind, of course, that Portam Hall would agree to, but Viktor is obviously not a man of war.

That's alright. There are other scientists eager to develop other projects. In the interim, they need protection as much as they need weapons.]

I don't always believe a good offense is the best defense. Thorne has a nasty habit of attacking innocent civilians from above. If you can help us better defend our nation, we can retire your bombs. And...the generals would probably be amenable to those terms.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor goes quiet, gaze dropping to his hands. He nods, not necessarily in agreement, but in understanding--he thinks he knows it had to come to this, given how little power he has in the situation. Your bombs bristles against him, because he didn't make them and he never would have wanted the Hexcore to be use that way. They aren't his--except they are, and he needs to atone for that.

It's a moment before he speaks again, still staring at his hands.]

I have, in the past, worked on...shielding technology. To prevent mining casualty. Rockfall, collapsed shafts. Accidents of that nature.

[It all still feels a bit like blackmail. He's not certain what else he can do.]

You want it larger. Industrial-scale.

[abraxasnpcs]

[She nods.]

Yes. You can have our assurances - in writing - that it will be to prevent casualties alone. I can talk to my superiors and make that happen.

[She sounds confident that these are terms she can see through, though it can be said Reva doesn't seem to openly lack confidence in much at all.]

Do we have a deal?

[techmaturgy]

[Assurances in writing. Her word. All meaningless, but Viktor isn't sure what else he can do. He'll take this chance, and might regret it, but Reva is right that there will be a paper trail this time. What good it will do in the end, he can't be sure--but at least he can build something to protect the innocents of the Free Cities from another attack.

And, he might want something else out of it, too--]

I want to be able to use it in the mines. As intended. Then, we have a deal.

[abraxasnpcs]

[Ah, the mines. A source of concern for the Summoned, Reva has learned. While not under her jurisdiction, she can't see the foremen getting uppity about some protective equipment. It would do well for Portam Hall to be seen protecting all of its vulnerable citizens, too.]

Done.

[She extends her hand for a different type of handshake this time.]

Anything else?

[techmaturgy]

[He nods, trying to gain some manner of solace in that, at least, though he doesn't seem to want to meet her eyes. Her hand extends into his peripheral vision, and it's another moment before he manages to accept it.]

No.

[It is difficult, not to sound disappointed.]

If you send the papers to my workshop, I will review and sign.

[Since that seemed to be of import.]

[abraxasnpcs]

[As promised, the papers arrive via courier to Viktor's workshop with surprising efficiency for Portam Hall - about two weeks later. Though the terms are longwinded and the details precise, it will effectively lay out the agreement as they spoke of it: in exchange for aiding the city's defenses, Portam Hall will retire the explosives used on Thorne and further agree to allow Viktor sole proprietorship over the new defenses' design.

A final document is from the Farhill Mining Camp, where the foremen have agreed to allow the installation of the shielding technology once completed.

Attached to papers is a stipend, worth enough to get Viktor started on his new project. The attached letter notes that should more funds be required, Viktor may apply through Portam Hall using standard channels. He will find that should he do so, his documents will be processed ahead of the queue over others.]