OOCS, Into A Wider Galaxy, Part 653

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(Woke up numb and struggling. I wonder what’s wrong with me.)

The Dauntless

“It’s difficult to understand. What is it and what are the mechanics of the exact moment a portion of Axiom shifts from alignment to the next? What defines them so differently?”

“Hmm... this is why it’s difficult to explain Axiom. I’ve described how it looks to you, but it also behaves very differently. It’s not actually a gas, or a waveform we can recognize but it has behaviours and patterns similar to them. The problem is that it changes so fast, so smoothly and so readily that one could almost describe it like a reflection or an echo of reality, but it echoes back. It is so quickly changed, but then it changes things back. And since it’s so easily changed everyone can just use it, but the very fact that it... hmm... Okay. Gasses right?”

“Right.”

“They’re all made of atoms and molecules and no matter how much you mix them together at the base level the atoms stay the same. Right? Just different combinations to change that.”

“Yes.”

“That’s not how it works with Axiom. But it moves like a gas almost. Gathering in certain ways in certain places. It doesn’t move like a wavelength were it bursts out and bounces into things. It moves like a gas. But it is so much not a gas that thinking of it like a gas will lead you astray. It’s mutable. It changes so readily that.. it’s not a gas, and is. Two small clusters of Axiom with different properties meet and they both come away having effectively traded. Hmm... think... right. If I have two spheres, both solid. And they both have their own colours. One blue, one red. They meet each other and they then both start to shift rapidly. Even if you pull them away from each other. Some parts in both spheres are now green, some parts are red some parts are blue and it gets even more complicated than that with actual Axiom because all Axiom is affected by everything around it at all times. Move your hand trough the air and there are some near microscopic parts that are movement based, some based around life, some around the heat your hand produces, the solidity of your bones, the flowing of the blood in your veins, the predation of the bacterial strains on your skin. It’s why measuring it can be so hard. It goes down beyond the microscopic.”

“And sometimes it doesn’t reflect what’s in it?”

“Sometimes it simply retains it’s phases or aspect for no knowable reason. To say nothing of the fact its more or less impossible to differentiate between freshly produced Axiom and Axiom that is considerably older. If Axiom CAN get old. It’s generally used so quickly that it has a lifespan of moments. But there’s also the issue that it flows through things unimpeded. Everything but Trytite. It makes trying to observe the life cycle of a tiny pit of Axiom very, very difficult. It can be swept away and beyond your ability to contain or observe it at any moment. Change aspect, and to make it worse, everything, especially living things. Produces more and pushes it around. It’s what makes it most like a gas.”

“Hmm... This is the point of difference between an Axiom user and an Adept isn’t it? You are struggling to not only explain these points but understand them, but an Adept understands them.”

“Yes. It’s why I’m not an Adept yet despite the fact I can give you a nearly flawless readout of everything the Axiom is doing. I can see clean through most illusions and notice even the most subtle techniques instantly. But I’m nowhere near an Adept. If you don’t have a natural proclivity to it, then you need a lot more effort. Not that I’m not putting it in, but it takes time to put in all the effort you need.”

“To say nothing of how difficult the field is.”

“All Adept fields are difficult. Even general Adepts who are just really good at casting Axiom Effects. A Transmutation Adept needs to understand the atomic, molecular and general structure of anything they hope to create, as well as the breakdown of what they’re using for raw resources. Vernon Shay does not give himself anywhere near enough credit. He is very, very powerful and has an intrinsic and instinctive grasp of what he’s holding or touching. Allowing him to quickly convert things with his little sample case being a cheat code that, while very useful, isn’t a catch all thing.”

“I see... so it’s a level of natural talent?”

“That, and a brain primed to do the calculations in the back so to speak.” Sergeant Smith says before an eyebrow quirks up. “Actually sir, if you’ll give me a few moments I might be able to provide a more or less perfect visual for it. Especially with the Axiom already primed towards such things.”

“In what way?”

“There’s a weird... thing that can be done with reversing an Axiom Effect. I’m still studying it and what I’ve read up on it is just confusing. And we have an opportunity. Excuse me a moment.” Sergeant Smith says and he steps to the side and raises a hand. “Excuse me! Excuse me miss Vishanyan with the Green Scales!”

He stops waiting and simply stands before a voice can be heard.

“What do you want human?” The voice is guarded and wary.

“I am Sergeant Smith, here with Observer Wu, I would like your assistance in visibly showing the Dance of Axiom and how it keeps shifting and changing. I’ve been having a difficult time explaining things and visual would make things much, much easier.”

“Why do you need my help for that?” The Vishanyan asks.

“Because while I am exceptional at sensing Axiom, actually using it is tricky. But with things such as totems, or another caster, I can get some exceptional effects.”

“... What do you plan on doing?”

“Letting you be seen for a few moments, but in exchange it will highlight all the Axiom around you and we can take a recording of that to show the people of Earth just how Axiom moves and how easily it shifts from one aspect to another.”

“... You want me to be seen!?” She asks.

“For a few moments at most.”

“In public?!”

“You’re safe here.” Sergeant Smith assures her.

“There’s open sky! Those passing cars in the distance might have any number of attackers in them.”

“Ma’am.” Sergeant Smith tries to interrupt but is ignored.

“We could have hostile stealth forces trying to get in here with knives and coil munitions!”

“Ma’am.” He tries again.

“To say nothing of the fact that...”

“Ma’am!” He nearly barks this time and she quiets down. “You can say no.”

“Oh. No.”

“Very good ma’am. Thank you for your time and sorry to have bothered you.” Sergeant Smith says and there is the sound of a couple of footfalls for a moment and then it’s drowned out by the surrounding sounds. “I’ll have to contact an Undaunted Cloaken, they have a similar enough effect and are usually a lot less... touchy about such things.”

“How long will that take?”

“Not long. However...”

•-•-•Scene Change•-•-• (Sheritas Community, Level 166 Gallia Spire, Centris)•-•-•

“So, what do you think?” Harold asks as his back is to the closed door and he can sense the large, powerful form of Velocity on the other side.

“It... it’s defensible. It... I’m sorry this is... I can’t fight it. I need some time safe and...”

“I’m asking because I’m looking to buy. You don’t have to leave the room.” Harold assures her and she sighs.

“Yes it... this place is good.” Velocity says. “I... I don’t like not being in control of myself.”

“You are in control. You have been given orders by your biology to find and create the safest nest possible for Miracle to grow up strong and safe. You have followed your orders intelligently and competently.”

“I’m holed up in a reinforced room because... because...”

“Because?”

“Because I’m not used to being out side ships so much. The open sky is a giant attack vector. It’s irrational. I know it is but...”

“Training is merely artificial instinct. And ignoring your training is...”

“Stupid. It’s stupid to ignore training.” Velocity says before taking a breath. “... I’m glad she naps so much. I don’t want her to see me like this. Just... not in control.”

“I know, this...” Harold begins and he doesn’t hear it go off. But he hears Velocity move as she activates a communicator. He closes his eyes and listens well. Giria is negotiating wit the Realtor, Umah and Javra are in the back yard. There are little markers for where it is and is not safe to have equipment due to the expanded space and the possibility of it being popped by Null or some other effect. Dumiah is slowly studying the power grid and Winifred has found out that there are quiet places to nap and Rain is sneaking up to him.

He points to her and then puts a finger to his lips before pointing to the door.

“-of Victory, what do you want?”

“A human just asked me to reveal myself.”

“What? Why?”

“He wanted to use me as a visual for how Axiom shifts.”

“Who did it?”

“He said his name is Sergeant Smith.”

“Smith is a common human name, was anyone with him?”

“Observer Wu.”

“Really? That human and his entourage are generally a seperate group from The Undaunted. And those that are Undaunted are on loan at most. Are you positive that this Sergeant Smith was asking about Axiom and implying he could use it?”

“He was implying he could see it. He saw through my cloaking in a moment and identified my by my scale colour.”

“I see. Did he mention anything after you left? And don’t tell me you didn’t hear, we all have the training to empower our hearing.”

“He wanted to use a Cloaken in my place and... and... now that I say it out loud it sounds... absurd.”

“It does. You were just conveniently near.”

“I see, I’m sorry ma’am, the latest news of the Vish and the La’ahbaron empire just has me on edge.”

“For good reason. But you can calm yourself.”

“We don’t even know our own biology ma’am! WE have the sequences but the fact that parts of our genetic code activated and...”

“Changed me?” Velocity asks.

“Yes ma’am.”

“I’m fine soldier. I am mastering my instincts and growing more capable. I have my balance back and even greater stealth than before.”

“But... I’ve looked at the readout. You outmass any Vishanyan to ever come before you by a large margin and there were no hints at this being possible in any of the files.”

“Do you really think the makers would have cared? We were a product to them. To be enslaved before we left the tubes and sold either in full or for a time. Discount Military Cloaken for all your murderous needs. Possibly they planned for this.”

“How so?”

“I’m big, heavy and still stealthy. A woman of my mass hitting from an unexpected angle can win a fight fairly readily. Adding gear, training and stealth to the issue makes me even more dangerous. And inducing the chemicals for stealth and childbirth combined is a fairly easy formula.”

“Oh... that makes sense.”

“Right, now is there anything else?” Velocity asks.

“No ma’am.”

“Alright, now calm down and continue with your day. Things are fine. And don’t worry, I won’t report this breach of protocol.”

“Ah! Right sorry ma’am!” The other Vishanyan says and the line disconnects.

“That was very much against standard procedure, why did I enjoy that?” Velocity asks herself.

“Maternal instinct perhaps? Weaponizing motherhood sounds like a hell of a way to make a bodyguard.” Harold says even as Rain, who during the conversation had walked up and crouched down next to him.

“... That tracks.” Velocity says as she rises up. Harold hears her clothing brush against the door as she stands up and he pops up himself.

It opens and she looks down and amusement crosses her face as she sees Rain next to Harold. She crouches down a little and hands off Miracle who needs a little bit of careful positioning to have her nuzzling up against Daddy over Mommy.

“It does match up. We really need to find out what the exact plan and pattern but forcing it to happen is... tricky. What if there’s something hidden in us to make potential males into something?”

“It’s hard to say.” Harold says. “So we’ll take things one problem at a time. Predicting the future is difficult at the best of times. So we take the present on instead.”

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