Choices and Plans (Takashi Agera)
| Choices and Plans (Takashi Agera) | |
|---|---|
| Date of Cutscene: | 29 July 2023 |
| Location: | Dark Laboratory |
| Synopsis: | Takashi has a quiet discussion about his next moves. |
| Cast of Characters: | Takashi Agera |
Takashi Agera walked into the place that passed for his 'lab' - the hard earned room no bigger than a prison cell. A table in the center, strange looking magitech equipment crammed into the back wall, a little bit of storage. Very little. Prison cell was an apt term, he thought. Not enough room to expand out any further, to amass more tools, more space, more computing power. Anytime he wanted to do real, intensive research, he had to at best borrow someone else's lab space. Maybe that was the point, the intent, he thought to himself. Prevent him from growing his own power, keep him dependent on others. But none of the things he really wanted to build, research, do - none of them were things he wanted to do in a shared lab space. In that moment he regretted destroying that hidden space Professor Hara was working with. An emotional decision, one that had cost him now. "Stupid." he said, to nobody else in the room but himself. <<Du hättest nicht klar gedacht.>> (You wouldn't have thought clearly there.) The only other entity in the room but him currently said. His device, Axion. Usually, so quiet. Except when casting spells in combat.
Out of the corner of his eye, Takashi thought he could see a glimmer of light reflecting off the gemstone stud that made up Axion's standby mode. "It's rare for you to chime in." He said. It felt a little bit weird, talking to a machine, his own creation, in a dark and empty tiny space. A bit like he was losing his mind, really. He took out the stud and sat it on the table. Slightly less crazy, to actually see what you were talking to.
<<It is not often a child advises a parent.>> Axion replied. <<But you are disquieted this day.>> The little black stone did, in fact, shimmer when it 'spoke'. It helped, like being able to see a mouth moving.
"Fair." Takashi began, and sighed. "I am trying to plot out my next move. There is a lot at stake. Nephrite's plan is ambitious and dangerous. It threatens my success... as do the plans of so many others in this organization. I need more to be able to combat it. More space, more time, more energy, more technology, more help... more power." he admitted. "Together he and his brothers - they represent nearly a whole divison worth of resources. And here's me, sitting in a broom closet sized lab, a team leader with hardly any team." he grumbled. "The most intelligent person in this place but with the least resources to make use of it. Without such resources I cannot grow in power the way I need to. Everything will collapse because of short-sighted fools... children, playing with fire!" he said, and then slammed his fist down on the desk, which made the gemstone leave the surface and fly up into the air for a moment before settling back to the desk with a soft plinking sound. "Children playing with a fire that is my birthright." he added, his fist still clenched.
<<Zu viel denken. Sie mussen jetzt handeln.>> (Too much thinking. You must act.) Axion responded. Takashi looked over at the Device.
"Too much thinking?" he asked, leaning in. "Are you sure you're something I created?" he asked, looking at the gem skeptically.
<<You suffer 'Choice Paralysis', Meister. In fear of the imperfect action, you instead take no action.>> Takashi squinted, and looked down at the little black orb.
"Did you discover the Internet?" he asked, still suspicious.
<<Unerheblich.>> (Irrelevant.) the device replied. Takashi rolled his eyes.
"You're about to get really annoying, aren't you. Please don't go on websites for medical information when I'm injured, at least."
<<Noted. Also note: A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.>> the gem replied.
"I'd prefer a perfect plan violently excecuted now - but I see the point." he said, standing up. "Let's go." he continued, picking up the device off the table and gripping it in his hand.
<<STANDBY READY.>>
