[MFR] Chapter 59 - Communications

Note : Chapter 60 has been written and added to the queue ! It's a chonker, at 2.8k words, but I decided against breaking it up because it's been a while and I don't want to mess up the pacing. It also includes a card game, whose rules I will upload today/tomorrow.

I...may also have to rename that chapter 61 and make another chapter 60, because I think I skipped a few steps. In my defence, I was distracted and wrote something I had in mind.

It will be over by the time this chapter goes out, but as time of writing this note, I'm preparing for an important meeting and stressing the hell out. Send me your positive energy to...the past, I guess XD

That or I'll edit this and tell you how it went, but if it went well you can claim the credit XD

EDIT : It went super well ! Hell yeah !

Chapter 59

Starborn Mountains, Starfire Valley

Settlement of Astralis

There was a short silence, before Kalia spoke up, clearly choosing her words carefully.

"I would say it would be a considerable advantage, and beg an even more considerable amount of questions at to the manner of our previous means of communication."

Sapphiria coughed.

"When I said 'back to my home', I meant 'only between me and my home'."

"Ah. I see. And regardless of distance or intervening obstructions?"

"It is working right now."

That wasn't answering the question while simultaneously doing so.

What was she supposed to tell them, that it would work until lightspeed lag became a problem? The mesons her communication systems used didn't particularly care about, well, anything really. Solid matter, plasma, even highly exotic energy fields. Only black holes and atomic armor could stop it. The latter of which the Federation had only made a few nanograms of in top level labs. The stuff was more expensive to manufacture than antimatter.

"...That would be supremely helpful." Kalia leaned back. "Do you have many more surprised like that?"

"A few." She shrugged at the mage-magistrate's startled look. "What do you want from me? I have the right to my own secrets."

"Yes, you do. Though I will freely admit that it is a tad uncomfortable on our end."

"I am aware. And I'm sorry for that."

Kalia smiled, and Sapphiria melted a bit at how...sad and yet genuine it was.

"I know."

They stared into each other's eyes, before being snapped out of it by Gregor clearing his non existent throat.

"If you are able to report in the progress of the expedition and direct your golems, it will solve many of our problems, as well as assuage our worries. But will you be able to use them on the surface, without being there to guide them?"

Sapphiria grimaced. Well, he was asking the right questions.

"No. Not as things are right now. I can direct them to an area, but after that..."

"It's up to us." Finished Kalia, as Ramina nodded. "Can you change that?"

"I can extend my capacity to issue orders up to the tunnel entrance." She'd have to build relays but that was doable. The squishies would probably spot them, but that was the least of her worries. "The problem is they may..." She coughed. "They may put the outpost in danger of attracting monsters."

She could use cabling for getting it to the last stretch into the open air, but what then? If she wished to avoid coms altogether she'd have to build a terminal and only be able to issue orders to anything jacked in. She could limit signal traffic, status pings, all that jazz, but there were limits to how much she could trim before it began becoming a problem.

"Are you-" Ramina sat back into her seat, holding her head in astonishment. "Oh Ancestors. Oh Ancestors. Why did I never think of that?!? That's genius! Genius!"

"What?" Kalia looked back and forth, before she saw Malry swear. "What is it?"

"She's using divination." Said the alchemist, before looking at the AI. "That's what you mean, right? It's how you're communicating with your golems. You're using divination, and they detect it."

That was...actually pretty much the case, depending on how they defined 'divination'.

She had to remember that because their tech was primitive didn't mean they were idiots or without considerable insights. Radio communication didn't come very long after automobiles. Really, it was only...

It was only one breakthrough moment away.

Oh dear.

"Yes. Though it is slightly more complicated than that."

"It always is with artificing."

Kalia was still frowning, before it suddenly dawned on her.

"Oh. Oh. Attracting monsters, like you did during your hunt?"

Sapphiria nodded.

"Exactly."

"That's...a problem."

"I know." The AI leaned back into her seat. "The guards there started building fortifications with the materials I had shipped there for the workshop." Kalia looked outraged, and Sapphiria raised one of her hands. "Just stacking bricks. Called it a different method of storage, I believe. In any case, it may be worth looking into making some permanent fortifications."

"That will only tell the Bane where to attack." Noted Gregor.

"If they notice something like that, they'll definitely notice the workshop and investigate. We've crossed that bridge. Doesn't mean we have to be obvious about it however." She rubbed her chin as she projected a hologram of the outpost over table leading to everyone gasping. "Oh, sorry, I should have warned you."

"No, it's...fine." Said Ramina, the same hunger back into her eyes, until Malry not-so-subtly elbowed her. "Gah! Very fine, even."

"Good." Sapphiria gestured at the hologram, which updated, removing the current fort. "We don't need extensive defenses. Just enough to cover the workshop and the entrance itself. It could be handled via a bunker and a handful of pillboxes."

Kalia frowned.

"Trenchwork?"

"A bit more solid but yes, essentially. Walls, I think, won't prove to be a great obstacles to these things. But they all were quite sizeable, and even if they weren't, squeezing through a firing slit while someone is shooting at you isn't going to be easy." The hologram shifted again, a solid metaconcrete block materializing over the entrance, with a large door for the minecarts to pass with the snowpiercer pieces, and firing slits dotting the walls. "For the workshop it'll be easier. Just a few extra bumps, since the bunker will be able to fire on anything facing its own walls." A trio of pillboxes popped up from the walls like warts. She could have just added firing slits, but she'd rather avoid cluttering the place, especially when it was made to fit the snowpiercer. Plus, the protruding nature would allow it to rake the sides of the building instead of having to install slits everywhere and have to constantly shift around to get an angle to fire. "It'll also nullify the bunker's blindspot due to the workshop."

"Not great for concentrating fire though." Noted Gregor, and the AI nodded.

"Nope. But this is made to deal with the occasional monster attack, not a determined assault. If that becomes a real danger, we can expand the fortifications, maybe build a proper perimeter."

"Why not put sentry guns, like you're planning around Astralis?" Asked Malry.

"They'd get shredded." Said Gregor, before Sapphiria could answer. "Astralis has clear ground all around it." Apparently the place had been like that to begin with, though it had obviously been expanded as their need for timber became clear. "Any monsters trying to rush the defenses would die long before they reached them. But unless we're willing to spend a few weeks clearing the vicinity of the tunnel, these things could spit or just pounce on them."

"Exactly." Sapphiria sighed. "It's more building material that won't go to making housing, but it's not that much, in the grand scheme of things, and it should buy us a fair bit of security."

Plus it would get the squishies out of the open.

"Honestly, it's a fair trade, especially if it's defending the workshop." Said Kalia. "Which I've been meaning to ask, what will it be used for afterwards?"

Sapphiria shrugged.

"Maintaining and servicing the snowpiercer? I'd assumed expeditions north would have to happen again, since running out of mana will still be a possibility." Plus it was like fuel. No matter how large your reserves, it was better to have a steady supply on hand.

...She should really find some way to get helium three for her reactor cores, when she had the time. Though good luck having any on a life bearing world.

TO-DO LIST UDPATED

Wonderful.

"That would probably be wise, but what of when it is on an expedition? Could it be used for housing?"

Sapphiria tilted her head.

"I wouldn't recommend it. A lot of tools and machinery will have to be stored there, and it wouldn't have any accommodations. Plus...we're not exactly close to Astralis. We could use it as a warehouse however. Staging ground for the materials I send you and anything you ship to me. And it will continue to serve its purpose as a workshop if needed. Though for whom is another question, since my golems carry their own tools, and Ramina and I will be away."

Kalia nodded.

"Good points." She sighed. "Well, at least it'll make it easier to get your gifts with some level of safety."

"Indeed."

"Speaking off, Ramina told me you had offered more golems?"

The AI nodded.

"Yes, though any one I build delays the snowpiercer."

"Then after it is done. Golems to help us construct the homes we need would be most welcome. Those you have already given us are proving a great help now that we realize they carry their own tools." Said the mage-magistrate, smiling wryly.

"Of course." She would need more utility bots anyway, to make the perimeter around Astralis. She might be able to get the construction bots through once the trail was properly widened, but she wouldn't take that risk until she was back and able to get one out if it got stuck. "I'll also endeavor to better inform you about their capabilities."

"That would be lovely. In the mean time, I suppose we'll try to keep an eye on the Bane, in case they realize the monsters aren't enough, or start sending out reconnaissance."

"Actually..." Sapphiria licked her lips. "I was wondering if Gregor wouldn't mind some company for his next sweep?"

Kalia's eyes narrowed.

"Things tend to go horribly wrong when you do that."

Sapphiria held her hands up.

"It's not my fault! Besides, it always ends up alright, doesn't it?"

"Alright is a very relative term given the amount of problems you tend to attract." The mage-magistrate sighed. "But if Gregor doesn't mind, I'm not going to forbid it. Just...don't get killed, okay? Either of you." She raised a finger as Gregor opened his jaw. "Make that joke again and I'm painting your skull pink."

The skeleton's jaw snapped shut. Sapphiria gazed at them in confusion, but no one seemed forthcoming with the answer.

"...very well then." Finally said the AI. "Is there anything left to discuss?"

"Not that I believe." Kalia looked at the rest of the council, who only answered with a chorus of head shakes. "Good. Then we can go about our day then. Ramina, I believe you're due at the workshop, though I'm not sure if that's necessary if Sapphiria isn't there?"

"I doubt Gregor intends to go off to visit the pass immediately." Sapphiria said. "Correct?"

The skeleton nodded.

"Tomorrow would be best. I'd like to take the time to gear up and prepare. Even if we don't try to stir up trouble, it does have a tendency to follow you, and I think Kalia will fashion my ribcage into a xylophone if I don't come back with you intact. So better be prepared."

"I...will not argue with that."

"Good. See you tomorrow?"

"Yep."

Gregor nodded, and left. Ramina got up, almost vibrating in place with excitement.

"I'll get ready! Don't leave without me!" She practically bounced out of the room, and Malry facepalmed.

"I'll just go make sure she doesn't hurt herself." Said the alchemist, before leaving after the artificer.

"Well she's enthusiastic." Said Kalia, looking at Sapphiria. "Planning to needle you the whole way with questions?"

Sapphiria smirked.

"Actually, I think she just expects me to carry her around again."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, going down the tunnels took forever, so I carried her. I can move very fast, even with someone in my arms."

"How romantic." Kalia chuckled. "Maybe I'll ask you for a ride too."

"I'd be delighted to." Answered the AI, blushing slightly.

There was a short silence, and Sapphiria suddenly realized they were alone. Alone with that beautiful, sunset eyed blonde...

Wait.

Sapphiria tilted her head.

"Hey, Kalia, your hair looks different. Did something happen?"

"That? Oh." Kalia tugged on a lock of her hair. "I used to dye it with magic, before this whole mess happened and we had far more important things to use mana now. I guess the enchantment has begun to fail completely. It's weird how it always happens in stages."

"Oh. Couldn't drain it altogether?"

"Easier said than done."

"It's a shame it's fading. I loved it as it was."

Sapphiria realized too late she'd reached out, and withdrew her hand after brushing it against the mage-magistrate's hair.

The young woman smiled.

"Thank you." She blushed slightly. Unless the AI was imagining it? "What I said earlier, I meant it." Continued the mage-magistrate. "Don't get yourself killed. Or harmed. Please?"

Sapphiria couldn't help it. She nodded.

"I promise."

"Good." Kalia stretched, and Sapphiria drank the sight of her. "Let's head out then. I could use some fresh air, and I'm sure we can talk for a bit before Ramina comes back."

The mage-magistrate got up, and offered the AI her hand.

"That would be lovely." Answered Sapphiria, some of her programs failing. Stars, she really was smitten through and through, wasn't she?

Better to head outside before she did something extremely stupid.

Or, given Kalia's blush...before they both did something stupid.