The Damage Is Done (Takashi Agera)

The Damage Is Done (Takashi Agera)
Date of Cutscene:	09 October 2023
Location:	Dark Laboratory
Synopsis:	Takashi Agera has some improvements to the Heartstealer Rifles to show Professor Tomoe and Kaolinite... but will everyone see all of them as true improvements?
Cast of Characters:	Takashi Agera

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Takashi Agera stands behind the metal table, the two magitech rifles laid out in front of him. On the opposite side of the table stand Professor Tomoe and Kaolinite. "So as you can see, with the data I've recovered from field testing the Heartstealer Rifles and the feedback from the testers - as well as the generous increase in funding you've given me - I've been able to reduce the size of the rifle and even made it so that it can be broken down into parts and carried in a standard suitcase, for ease of travel." Takashi notes.

"Impressive work." Professor Tomoe says, picking up the rifle and aiming it - somewhat playing with it. "You're living up to the potential I saw in you. Bravo."

"It's good to see someone making good use of a budget around here." Kaolinite adds.

"But all of that really isn't the biggest advancement. These are more refinements of a new technology. What's really exciting is... so when I built this there were some questions about lethality. And as it turns out, yes, the current generation of Heartstealer Rifles crystalize all of the magical energy, potential, spirit - whatever you want to call it - in a person which means without them they... expire." he begins, somewhat of a showman. "This has resulted in a lot of unwanted attention to the rifles and redoubled the efforts of our opponents to prevent acquisition of the Heart Crystals." he notes. "It's more trouble than it's worth, bluntly." Takashi says, and Kaolinite raises an eyebrow.

"So the second generation of Heartstealers is fine-tuned via the magic of... magic..." here he shrugs, pauses, then gets back on track "... to fire a slightly different kind of blast. It still ejects the vast majority of the subject's energy potential, their spirit, into a handy crystalized form, convenient for travel and delivery. But it doesn't take 100% of it. It takes roughly eighty to eighty five percent of their energy. The subject's core remains mostly intact, and as far as my tests indicate, it will heal and recover over a period of time. How long, I'm not sure. I didn't shoot myself with it. That's for field testing." he says.

And then Kaolinite interrupts. "Tell me... why are you willing to accept a fifteen to twenty percent decrease in effectiveness to save the life of a target?" she asks, her tone harsh.

"Now now, let's not discourage this." Professor Tomoe interrupts her back. "Being able to crystalize that core energy without taking the core is quite a feat." Kaolinite sighs.

"There's another bonus, too." Takashi says, feeling Kaolinite's eyes on him, suspicious. "I'm still dialing it in, but the remaining energy being left plus the influx of Dark Energy that kicks the crystal out sometimes causes a transformation in the target, rendering them a free-willed but obedient temporary youma-type servant. So when I get it zeroed in fully, I believe... one shot, and you get nearly someone's full energy capacity PLUS a new youma you can send, to gather more energy or fight while you secure the crystal." he notes. "I think the applications of that are exciting."

Kaolinite doesn't look impressed or convinced. But Professor Tomoe smiles and claps his hands once. "Agera-san, I want you to continue working on this and finding more effective and efficent ways to collect energy. It is so good to see the younger generation working hard for our grand goals too. I'm also okaying another increase to your departmental budget." Tomoe adds.

"Actually, Tomoe-Sensei, if I could also talk to you about the fact that I have a departmental budget but I'm not really in charge of my own department..." Takashi begins.

Professor Tomoe tilts his neck to the left and right, popping it. "Let's make that an email, Agera-san. Long meetings are a special kind of hell."

Takashi Agera bows. "Yes, Tomoe-sensei." He stays there for a little bit.

Kaolinite's tone is still harsh when she speaks. "You can go now, Agera-san." Takashi bows to her and takes the two rifles and leaves.

After Takashi has left entirely, Kaolinite turns to Professor Tomoe. "You're not really preferring we shift to this new... weaker way of doing things, are you?" she asks him.

"Of course not." Professor Tomoe responds. "There's no point in saving a few humans when the Messiah of Silence will bring forth Pharoah 90 and the ones who don't die will be merely hosts. We will continue to implement the original system in our ongoing efforts to produce Daimons that can steal hearts themselves. When that's complete, we won't need to utilize the rifles anyways."

Kaolinite bows to Professor Tomoe. "Yes, Professor. But... why praise him for a step backwards?"

"It is an imaginative exploration of the technology. I wouldn't want to stunt the growth of a young mind. As long as he's working for us, we can utilize any beneficial discoveries that bring us closer to the Silence. And then... he'll make an excellent host for a Daimon once his usefulness is at an end." Professor Tomoe replies. His head turns as his glasses shimmer. "After all.... We've done very well with scientists for hosts, haven't we?" he asks, before he starts to snicker... then laugh... then full on arms out dramatically villian laugh, while Kaolinite joins in with her own softer, somewhat uneasy laugh.