A1-MI, #01

Adrian Montbell says, "Alright. So, how do you propose we go about this? I'd like to hear your thoughts before I tell you what I have in mind."

Sima Kang asks, "Define "this". The handling of the listed projects?"

Adrian Montbell says, "'This', as in the hand-held incendiary device."

Sima Kang asks, "Oh! Well. Same principle as th'original bombs, I'd imagine. Unless... We can't get a catalyst for that kind of thing?"
Adrian crosses his arms, raising a hand to his chin. He offers Sima a curt nod.

"Indeed. The principle will remain largely the same, with a few modifications here and there. The issue with HAVOC was the intricacies it demanded in such a short frame of time. We have a little more breathing space now." The scholar opens up one of his drawers and removes a leather bound tome. He flips the face of it open and begins to draft out a sketch and some corresponding ideas to go with it.

"A catalyst will not be an issue. In fact, I'm of the mind that a handful of elemental crystals will suffice just fine." The scholar smiles! Clearly, he felt good to be able to work on something. Progress was.. something hard to come by these days.

"We want this device to be powerful. Small enough to be carried by the common soldier, but powerful enough to create a sizable explosion with an appropriate amount of concussive force to go with it."

"Here is what I propose."

Adrian twirls the book around, sliding it forwards with a single finger for Sima to see.

There was a sketch depicting a cluster of elemental shards, interconnected to each other via a runic array. The shards stood in each cardinal direction. North, west, east, south.

"I thought to myself: what's going to give us just that? What combination of magical energy will give us the results we have in mind?"

He'd notice that the shards placed in the cardinal directions were all lightning shards. At the center of the proposed runic array, there was a single ether crystal about the size of two melded into one.

Sima stares at this diagram. For a very long time. Also he smells like clams and is sandy.

"..."

He looks back up. With a slight grimace.

"I have no idea what an ether crystal is."
(Sima Kang)

Adrian Montbell says, "An elemental crystal composed of energy magic."

Sima Kang says, "Right! Right. Makes sense."

Sima Kang says, "...Makes sense. Generalised mana buildup, conflict, pressure."

Adrian Montbell says, "Rightly so! The presence of lightning will enable the ether to flourish."

Adrian Montbell says, "Combine the two, and you have an explosion of energy forged of pure unadulterated mana combined with the destructive potential of thousands of volts."

Sima Kang asks, "And the material ideas? Or is that up t'me?"

Adrian Montbell says, "I have an idea of what I want to do in regards to both the shape of the device itself and the matierals required, but I'd like to run it by you first."

Sima Kang says, "Well! Here I am."

Adrian nods, offering a smile.

He picks up his pen and dedicates a few more minutes to perfecting his design drafts. Every now and then there was a sudden pause, the scholar tapping his fingers against the wood of the table as he carefully examined the piece of parchment in front of him.

Before long, he twirled the book around once again so that Sima could see what he was writing.

"HAVOC's shape was designed to be easily carried. Alas, it was still a very large contraption. If I recall correctly, Forte had to carry it on her back. What I am proposing we do with this device is make it small enough to be attached to a belt, small enough to be grasped within a single hand."

As such, the measurements around the diagram were labeled with the appropriate dimensions that would enable one to do just that: carry it with a single hand.

It was a three-pieced ball shaped object. There was the center piece, which was the largest of the three pieces. Two half circle coverings went over the top and bottom of the device. There was a horizontal ridge that indenting into the center piece, where the two half circle coverings went into.

Adrian makes a twisting motion with his hands.

"And just like that, the timer is set. A simple twist of both of the half circle coverings over the center piece will trigger the runic arrays."

He taps his pen against the parchment.

"That is the general idea. I have yet to work out the specifications of the arrangement of the elemental shards within the center piece, nor have I begun to consider the mechanisms that all of this would require."

"That is where you come in, Sima. I also want you to tell me what metals would be the best for this design."
(Adrian Montbell)

"...Iron-adamantite alloy. Need t'be conductive. And t'burst. Unpleasant, ragged. Shrapnel. 'Less you want a clean job."

Scratching at his jaw. The beard's ALMOST back.
(Sima Kang)

Adrian Montbell says, "Hmm.. shrapnel would add an extra degree of damage. Though, there is a risk that comes with unpredictable pieces of metal being thrown in every which direction."


Sima Kang says, "I s'pose, yes... Hrrrrm. A clean burst. We /could/ use paper. "

Adrian raises his.. eyebrows which aren't there.
(Adrian Montbell)

Adrian Montbell says, "Elaborate."

Sima Kang says, "Folded enough times, it allows itself t'burst in every direction without shrapnel. As opposed to tearing, misdirections, directed fire..."

Adrian Montbell asks, "Hn. That would prove beneficial, yes. But.. where exactly would we put it within the device? What would prevent it from evaporating completely due to the raw power of the explosion?"

Sima Kang asks, "I mean. Once it's exploded, why shouldn't it evaporate?"

Adrian Montbell says, "Fair point."

Adrian Montbell says, "Though, that still leaves the question of where we're going to put it within the center piece."

Adrian's VERY unlikely to have pity for someone's physical situation. But god does this man look sleepless.

"I, uhh... Uhh... Three pieces. Okay-- Internal should be--... I know. Thin layer of admamantite. Lacquered."
(Sima Kang)

Adrian nods. He takes note of the bags under his eyes, assuming he was halfway near to falling asleep. The Redeemer was spread thin, and he was well aware of it. The scholar makes a few final notes in regards to the design.

"Alright. So, to reiterate: a three piece orb-shaped explosive device. All three pieces will be forged of an iron-adamantite alloy, while the interior of the center piece will be lacquered with a thin layer of unadulterated adamantine. The heavily folded paper will encompass the center piece beneath the thin layer of adamantite." He stops, looking up at Sima one final time.

"This is correct, yes?"

"I won't take up much more of your time, Sima. Bear with me as I explain the final parts of the device regarding the runic theory." He says, leaning back in his chair.

"There will be six elemental crystals in the inside of the center piece. In each of the four cardinal directions there will be a lightning shard embed into the inside walls. At the center, connected to both of the two exterior half circle pieces, there will be a single ether shard that is around the size of two put together into one."

"A runic array will encircle the horizontal ridge etched into the circumference of the center piece, where the two exterior half pieces will connect." He pauses, noticing that he's.. probably making the Senior Engineer fall asleep in his chair.

"We will reconvene at a later time where I will go over the runic theory in more depth, yes? I am sure your duties as Redeemer have done well to leave you completely and utterly exhausted."
(Adrian Montbell)