Shuffle the Tech

"You can't do this!" Rosalind fumed, snatching away a piece of control crystal from one of her assistants. Turns out, their loyalties were always more towards Bellis than her. She'd have to think of a solution to this in the future. Perhaps a religion devoted to her worship? Potentially too far. Maybe just a cult.

Bellis was on the other side of the room, her arms crossed and her face somehow looking even more cross than usual.

"You serve at my pleasure, Rosalind. And your sacrilegious tinkering is ultimately done under the pretext of being in service to The Growth as a whole. And the floran people are in need of one of your devices."

"The Gene Twister is not some fucking party favour," Rosalind spat, "It's ultimate control over the shape of life itself!"

Bellis frowned, stepping out of the way as a quartet of strapping young Rosalander males lifted a tank with at least half a dozen wisps out the door. "I'm aware of that. Nevertheless, the deal has been made."

"What are you getting for this from these demons? You didn't hand over one of my masterpieces to literally evil creatures out of the kindness of your heart."

"I don't need to explain myself to you, scientist. Suffice it to say we were paid in full for our efforts. And that this deal may open the door for more in the future. Specifically, whatever they have on their own mind control abilities."

A momentary vision of being an all-powerful psychic god flashed before Rosalind's eyes. She could almost hear her own maniacal laughter as The Rosalord brought kingdoms to heel with a thought.

"Oh. That might be interesting." She said quietly.

"I thought that might interest you. Regardless, you will prepare sufficient documentation for our new friend in the Hendry to get this...abomination, operational?" Bellis made it sound like a request, but they both knew it was nothing of the sort.

Rosalind nodded. "It works off wisps now, but it can easily be downgraded back to thaumic crystals, or whatever joke magic these demons use." She pushed a seemingly random stack of papers into a leather bag, then handed it off to one of her traitorous assistants.

"Good. Understand that there are costs for your freedom of exploration. I trust there will be fewer outbursts in the future."

"Yes, fearless Leader. I understand and obey." Rosalind bowed, sarcasm dripping from her mouth to the point that it formed a pool at her feet.

But Bellis was already out the door, back to her office and her warmongering. Rosalind was left in the slowly emptying room, mentally sketching out plans for a Gene Twister 2.0 in her mind.