003. [Voice/Action for Route 44]

[explosivecombat]

[AUDIO]

[Kimblee has been fairly absentee for the last few days; when his connection becomes active over the PGC, it...well, it might not be exactly clear as to why, but it goes a long way toward explaining it, at least in part.

The connection snaps to life suddenly, though it isn't a video feed - this is entirely sound, the Voice connection having kicked in as the Gear hits the ground hard. The audio isn't simply white noise, however, nor is it entirely the ever-present background music threading its way through one of the routes near Mahogany Town; that music is present for a brief moment after the Gear connects with the ground, only to be violently interrupted by the unmistakable sound of something blowing the hell up.

Depending on your particular point of view, however, what's possibly more disconcerting than the sudden eruption is the sound that follows immediately after it - it's a bizarre, harsh combination of laughing and shrieking, the sound pitchy and manic and completely uncontrolled. It carries on at about the same utterly deranged clip for quite some time before slowly dying down as the person in question gets a hold of himself; when Kimblee speaks, however, his voice is still shaking hard, and it's obvious he's still not...quite as in control as he'd like to be.]

...beautiful...absolutely beautiful!

[A brief pause.]

That was better...it's been quite a while since I've heard something so moving. Yes, that was much, much better. Such a beautiful sound...

[And then there's the usual white-noise sounds that are a bit hard to distinguish, rustling and footsteps and the like, followed by something that's decidedly more distinct: after a moment, there's something that's definitely singing audible over the connection - not any particular words, or any particular tune, even, just vocalized nonsyllables that Kimblee seems to be making up as he goes, but from the sound of it he's very, very content, if a bit unstable.

And then the feed cuts off.]

[ACTION]

[A short while after that audio post hits the network (the posting itself the result of a somewhat awkward grab at the Gear once he'd realized he'd dropped it), Kimblee can still be found on Route 44; he's no longer screamingly manic, but he definitely looks...rough, for lack of a better term. His hair is draped haphazardly over his left shoulder, the usual long ponytail mussed up and disheveled; his eyes are distant, holding a bit of an unfocused, wild look to them, and despite the fact that he doesn't look like he's slept in some time, there's a general sense of manic energy about him that hasn't quite faded.

This may or may not have to do with the obvious signs of those explosions in his general vicinity, as well as the fact that he's in the process of recalling a rather fainted Electrode to its Pokéball.

...well. Someone seems to have figured out exactly what Selfdestruct does; as a result, Kimblee's a bit...worked up. To put it lightly.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

To some extent, yes; just because I understand the energy flow within something, however, doesn't mean that I can destroy it. I have my limits, as everyone does; there are ways to enhance my abilities, but they're a bit hard to come by.

[Well, if by "hard to come by" one means "involving loads and loads of human sacrifices." He had two of them.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[You do realize that Gorthan is going to want to inquire about those ways, right? As a matter of fact... ]

Well, what are they?

[explosivecombat]

[Well, it'd be almost disappointing if you didn't.]

There are artifacts that can be created that allow an alchemist to ignore Equivalent Exchange entirely; they're often in the form of stones, though they can exist as some sort of liquid as well, I'm fairly sure. The power this allows one to access is unbelievable. To illustrate - without one, I would be capable of ensuring that everyone in Mahogany Town had a very bad day, and I would probably manage to damage a good amount of their property.

With one, I would be disappointed if it took more than two strikes to level the town.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Gorthan gives a slow, solemn nod. Power and destruction! What's not to love? ... Gorthan's conscience will kick in later, he supposes. Right now, he's keeping it under lock and key. Or... trying to, in any case.]

I understand. And only alchemists are able to draw power from them, I assume?

[explosivecombat]

You would be right with that assumption, yes.

[Well, with the exception of the Homunculi, but they're another matter altogether.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

I see.

I suppose you must miss all that. Drawing and manipulating energy from nature's very core, making it yours... Both your mind and your body must be desiring to have that feeling back. That is why your reaction to your Pokémon exploding just now was so... dramatic, isn't it?

[explosivecombat]

[...oh maaaaaaan, you do not know him at all.]

That's one possible explanation for it, I suppose.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Gorthan narrows his eyes and joins his hands behind his back.]

"One possible". Indeed. Hit me with a different one.

[explosivecombat]

I believe I've told you several times now, actually - I rather enjoy my work.

[Saying "He laughed while he killed the Ishvalans" is a huge understatement. It was closer to "He was barely able to stand what with all the shrieking and laughing and...general writhing around that he was doing, and it was kind of wigging out everyone in his immediate vicinity. It moved into definitely wigging out everyone in his immediate vicinity when he didn't stop for quite some time."

...yeah, whomever said "He laughed while he killed the Ishvalans" and left it at that was definitely being generous that day.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

So it's simply your standard behavior. Very well.

Now, will you take offense again if I reiterate that I find you interesting?

[explosivecombat]

I think my delicate sensibilities can handle it.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[With his hands still behind his back, he backs off a few steps, now looking at... everything except Kimblee, really.]

I'm in the middle of negotiating with our superiors, so that I may lend my abilities and knowledge to the scientific division. Once my integration is complete, will you allow me to take a sample of your blood? I'll need one from your esteemed partner as well.

[explosivecombat]

I'm...sorry?

[No really what are you even]

What in the world for?

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[He turns to face Kimblee. This time, his gaze seeks eye contact almost aggressively.]

Genetics is my field of research, Red Lotus. Genetic manipulation, to be exact. Our superiors are willing to invest in that area, and with good reason, I believe.

One of the first things I intend to do is build a genetic data bank with the DNA of the Team's most efficient elements. And even aside from that... I am merely curious to see what exactly makes you you.

[explosivecombat]

[...I am from technologically backwards 1915 and what is this]

And how, exactly, do you plan on doing that?

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

I'll just need a sample of your blood. That will be the extent of your direct involvement. I will do the same with others as well.

[He pauses and his expression becomes a little perplexed in turn once he realizes that Kimblee may not be following. Now he's a little divided - on the one hand he feels that he should express himself more clearly. On the other hand, being obscure is so fun!]

... Any other doubts?

[explosivecombat]

Surely you realize that didn't answer the question.

[No. No, he is not following.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

I did-

[... Oh. Oh, that might be why.]

... What year was it in your world of origin?

[explosivecombat]

Around 1915, I believe, though I suppose 1916 is possible - I'm afraid my sense of time has suffered slightly, but you get the idea.

[Several years in solitary will do that to a -

...oh. Oh.]

...and if we're having the same line of thought, I imagine that just explained a good amount, didn't it.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

...I see. As for myself, I'm from the year 1999.

[... By Evron, he can't believe he's having to explain this.]

Living organisms are made up of functional units called cells - you know that much, yes? You must have seen, or at least heard of microscopes.

[Please tell him that you're following now.]

[explosivecombat]

Yes, of course; I'm also aware of molecular structure as it relates to the elements and general chemical composition. It's just this genetics whatnot that I'm not acquainted with - but do go on.

[...surprisingly, he honestly doesn't seem to mind the fact that he actually has to have this explained, as much as one might expect it to make him lineface - really, this is interesting.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[... Silly Earth science, always breaking things apart in stupid ways. Ah, well, there's not much that he can do about it.]

Very well. [Great, actually.] A cell's nucleus contains something called Deoxyribonucleic acid - that is what DNA stands for. They're very long molecules containing the instructions for the organism's development and functioning. What we call a gene is a section of those molecules that contains instructions for the production of a type of protein.

[... assuming Kimblee knows what a protein is. ... again, Earth science, why so primitive]

Essentially, you are you because every cell of your body contains the same genes - the same instructions on how to build you.

[Pause. You're still following, yes?]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh! Oh, wait. Waitwaitwaitwaitwait.]

If all living organisms contain such things...then by that logic, there must be some sort of standard that would render a being inherently human - what separates us from the dogs, if you will. Individuality, then, would be deviations from that standard. Am I on the right track, or...?

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

Yes and no, at the same time. Everything is far more complex than how I just explained it to you, and I promise I will point you to books on the matter once I can find some that are decent. There is a separation between the species, and it has to do with chromosomes, which are the larger structures that DNA is organized into within the nucleus. Human beings have 46 chromosomes - cats, for example, usually only have 38.

When it comes to DNA, there are no set standards. In fact, mutations of the instructions may occur, in some cases even unpredictably. And like I told you the first time we spoke, again there are three different types of result - a benign mutation, resulting in the organism achieving better health and overall performance; a malignant mutation, leading to debilitation and illness; and one that is neither one or the other, or the two combined.

I make those mutations happen. I can reprogram the instructions that discipline the functioning of life, and transform it into something else. Most of my subjects look nothing like they were when I first met them.

Let's assume for a moment that, looking into your DNA, I will be able to find the exact genes that correspond to your... wild euphoria and burst of energy in response to the stimulus of an explosion. And suppose I could implant those same genes onto a creature analogous to your Electrode and I had the power and means to make as many of these creatures as I wanted. Can you predict what the result would be?

[explosivecombat]

...presumably you would end up with an army of living bombs that would have no regard for whether they lived or died - if anything, they would be rather content to destroy themselves.

Either that or you would get a large lot of sociopaths that took great pleasure in making each other explode.

[AWESOME WOULD HAPPEN, GORTHAN. AWESOME WOULD HAPPEN.]