"Lyla Chi. I have an appointment." Her tone was cold, clinical, clipped. Demeanor - and sense to actually schedule a meeting with the man she wanted to talk to - a far cry from how Ticoga's other recent interaction with a Tuffle went. She was entirely unarmed, only surrendering the chest piece of battle armor if it was requested of her. Lyla played nervously with the card at the end of her lanyard, stopping and tightening up only as the lift finally reached whichever room Ticoga had designated for the meeting.
She'd come here for a few reasons. Funding, scientific freedom, and to escape the mentally straining ITCH that had started to plague her on Plant. Discriminatory thoughts toward Saiyans, unfair favoritism toward Tuffles, and a noticeable LOOSENING of her regular ethics had all pushed the woman to find somewhere nice and remote from her usual haunt. The barren reaches of Arcose fit that bill. Lyla hoped she could pledge her services to the Emperor in return for haven and plenty of funding and materials. She wasn't arrogant or stupid enough to assume that the Empire had NEED of her specifically - they were one of (if not the) most advanced civilizations in existence, but surely they would always welcome extra hands.
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Dec 28, 2023 15:05:52 GMT -5
Lyla's arrival in the Palace was received with a typical quiet hurriedness that hallmarked Imperial efficiency. The receptionist - today, a blue-skinned Brenchian with waist length gold-white hair set in a single long, thick braid, greets Lyla. She stands from her seat, and glides her fingers across the flat, glossy surface of her semi-circular desk. If Lyla was able to read the Arcosian language, she would see her name appearing alongside a dreadfully long list of other names. Mostly dignitaries from any of the four hundred worlds currently under the Imperial banner.
Lyla's name lights up from a cool blue, to a warm orange.
"Miss Lyla Chi... yes, the Empire received your request for an audience with the Emperor." the receptionist confirms in a bright voice. Again, if Lyla could read the names, she may notice another Tuffle's name - Sen. Next to his name, written in almost a warning notation were the words; Close Watch. "Let's see... you are to be escorted to the throne room upon arrival. Please leave any and all weaponry here - it will be returned to you the moment you return to this desk."
With that said, Lyla would be escorted into a broad elevator to the left of the desk by a pair of soldiers. Both wore standard combat uniforms, and were equipped with arm blasters that were wire connected to their scouters. The left took several minutes, as the throne room was several hundred stories above the ground level. The guards escort Lyla to the massive golden doors of the throne room, which already stood open. A pair of insect-like aliens step out of the room, chittering and clacking their mandibles in discussion as they pass Lyla, paying her no notice. From their clothing, they may have been diplomats - but it was just as likely that they were potential client aliens, looking to purchase a planet from the Empire's backlog of habitable conquered worlds that were available for colonization purchases.
The interior of the throne room was massive; high vaulting golden ceiling connected to the glimmering silver floor by twin rows of thick black obsidian pillars that appeared veined with thin forks of gold. The throne sat upon a dais seven steps above the floor, and a wide circle of crimson obsidian stone imbedded in the floor was situated some ten or so feet away from the base of the dais. Ticoga was standing, rather than sitting in the throne, hands clasped behind his back. He gazes down at Lyla Chi with a curious expression.
"Miss Chi. Welcome to Arcose." Ticoga says in his neutral tone. His face gave nothing readable away, only a sense of curiosity, and his full attention. Ticoga, at first appearance, was a small Arcosian; almost comically small for the throne situated behind him.
Lyla briefly wished she'd spent more time on foreign languages at the academy. Arcosian script was eloquent and flowery, somehow combining strict efficiency and practicality with a stylized alphabet that was hard to learn, and even harder to master. The Tuffle would only be able to catch glimpses and snippets of the information racing by, mind focused on her upcoming meeting moreso than gleaning anything. The dead silent ride up to the throne room - which seemed comically high in the sky - was punctuated by the shorter woman standing prim and proper, a small frown affixed to her face as the Empire soldiers flanked her. They didn't have much to say.
"Emperor..." She'd awkwardly kneel, lab coat catching between her knee and the floor. "It is an honor. Thank you for having me." It was a bit odd to partake in such blatant reverie, given Lyla had lived under democratically elected leaders most her life, but she knew that such matters were critical to establishing respect and reputation in the eyes of an Empire. "While under most circumstances it would be more, ah, prudent and normal to apply for such matters without grabbing the Emperor's attention, I've come here today to request one thing. I'd like to work for the Empire. I have prepared a folder with all the necessary information for your consideration. Education, background, notable works."
She'd stand, adjusting her coat. "Effective immediately, if that would be possible."
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Jan 2, 2024 12:37:36 GMT -5
Ticoga listens to the Tuffle as she presents herself. A bit awkward, sure, but he'd been seeing this a lot from those who were raised beyond Imperial controlled space - so he took no offense. Not that he was easily offended, at any rate. This would make the second Tuffle to request to work for the Empire - and this time, they were one of the engineers or scientists. Which of them was Lyla, Ticoga wonders?
"In truth, I am pleased to speak with individuals personally. It makes entry into the Empire, and possibly even the process of integration, easier for both parties - or such has been my experience." Ticoga replies. The Emperor steps down the dais, and approaches Lyla; he was roughly a similar height to the Tuffle, which was an uncommon thing these days - most of his guests tended to stand some full foot or two taller than him typically. Speaking to a guest at eye level was a nice change.
"I would be more than happy to accept your request, but I would indeed like to have a look at the file you have put together." he continues. There was always fun to be had - at least for him - when he had a chance to study something new. Normally, he studied cultures, languages, and histories now that he had the authority and all the time he needed to do so. Studying individuals was something he also took enjoyment from. "Tell me, Miss Chi - what brought you to the conclusion that you wished to emigrate to the Empire? What do you hope to do, should I give you a place within the Imperial Research and Development Branch?"
"Ah - yes. Of course. Apologies." She'd offer the manilla folder. Inside were both traditional paper documents, snippets, validations of her credentials, and a holo-disc with a copy of all the same information if Ticoga would prefer. The BIG point of pride, among many engineering and scientific advancements, was her esteemed graduation from the University of Hatchi and subsequent placement as co-head of anomalous materials at the Lychee Research Complex. They'd made immense headway toward synthesizing a Katchin substitute with nearly the same strength as the original rare metal, not to mention advancements in programmable matter and robotics. Her record was clean. Scrubbed of any potentially less-than-savory spots.
Ticoga's asking what enticed her emigration gave the Tuffle pause. How best to phrase her reasoning without sounding like a lunatic? She left because the planet had started to have strange effects on her mental state. Thoughts that weren't hers. Compulsive emotions. A constant sense of paranoia. She suspected her former colleagues had done something to her... why, she couldn't say. "To be frank, the Empire's immense resources and dedication toward multiple paths of research compared to Hatchi's limited situation in both regards was a large factor in making this decision. I believe that my current potential is being restrained."
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Jan 3, 2024 15:04:10 GMT -5
Ticoga takes the presentation and begins reading as Lyla speaks, taking note of the achievements listed.
"These are indeed excellent traits and markings." Ticoga remarks, he raises a brow. "Synthetic Katchin? A study still in progress I see. That's quite impressive, considering the rarity of the metal. I'm sure it will please you, then, that we currently are in posession of several asteroids and a planetoid that we mine for this metal ore. Katchin will be available to you for further studies, should that interest you."
Ticoga nods at the massive doors.
"The internal structure of those androids is made with Katchin, in fact. Not all of it, just aspects that need protection in case of destruction, and against attempts to obtain our technology encased within them." Ticoga explains. "Externally, we use an equally rare material called Ghetti Alloy - a self regenerative semi fluid and semi solid metal that can be taught to maintain a specific shape with low energy discharges. We took inspiration from the Namekians and the Majins for that - so if you were to destroy an arm or leg, those androids can effectively mimic regeneration; though it is a much slower regeneration than the real thing can achieve."
Ticoga's eyes fly through Lyla's file further. She had all the necessary hallmarks of engineering that one should expect from high level thinking Tuffles.
"I can certainly understand the need to advance one's own understandings, and be able to work and experiment properly. A Bio-Android by the name Terium is currently the Director of Imperial Research and Development - though it may be quite some time before you meet him, as he is offworld conducting research of his own." Ticoga tells Lyla. "There are a few Tuffles within that branch, though they don't quite have your degrees or achievements."
Ticoga closes Lyla's document, but does not return it. Instead, he gestures for Lyla to follow, and he starts towards the doors to leave the throne room.
"What field of study and development do you wish to partake in?" Ticoga asks as he walks, turning the corner to go down a very long hall. "How best can we give you your work unrestrained, and how best might your particular skills benefit the Empire?"
SEVERAL asteroids. More of the stuff in the picks and drills the Empire uses to cut it free from the rock than has ever passed through the strained Hatchi laboratories. A part of her tightened, vehemently accusing the woman of betraying her people and their research - of being a filthy opportunist. It was right. "That is... quite pleasing to hear, Emperor. One of my biggest regrets was never sticking around in a professional setting to see the development of our synthetic materials reach an apex." Ghetti alloy was new to her, in a sense. She'd heard of it, of course, but had never gotten the chance to work with it or see it up close. "A shape-memory alloy..." Lyla mumbled.
There were lesser versions. Nickel-titanium and copper-aluminium-nickel, to name two. Yet what Ticoga described was no mere shape-retaining metal, but one capable of shifting between a liquid state and solid WHILST retaining the programmed shape. Her reverie was snapped in time to hear of the director, Terium. Lyla nodded politely. "I've no ego big enough to think that I deserve special audience or treatment with a tenured director. Being provided an adequate workspace and expectations will be enough." She'd trail after the Arcosian as he walked, assuming his possession of her folder to be a good sign.
"I'm capable of holding up in a variety of fields. Generally speaking, biology and psionics are my weakest suits. Engineering, chemistry, and other physical sciences are where I excel. ...If there was a particular invention from my home that you'd ever be interested in, I would not necessarily be averse to working on that if properly discussed beforehand." Lyla could've meant anything when she said that, but the dangerous undertone - what were Tuffles know for the most - remained.
Post by Emperor Ticoga on Jan 10, 2024 2:12:03 GMT -5
"Given your records, an adequate setting would be a gross misuse of your skills." Ticoga says, his tone quite serious. "I can only imagine the conditions you and your colleagues were forced to work with, given the volatility of your home and the resources readily available. That is not a slight against your people, of course, but an observation."
Ticoga turns and starts down a curving hall. Undecorated doors line the wall every twenty feet or so, with little to nothing marking whether a room was important or not.
"Terium has our biology and psionics studies down already, so that works out. He had an encounter with a Namekian named Shroom that attempted to invade and control his mind - I have tasked Terium with finding a way to counter and shut out mental invasions like that. I myself temporarily fell victim to a mind control attack during a visit to Konats by a Majin - fortunately, I was able to overcome it, but not before doing damage myself." he admits. "Naturally, defenses against such things is an absolute must, and high on my list of priorities for such studies. As your skills lay in other physical sciences, I hope that you may also find defenses that we can provide to our soldiers against mind manipulation."
Ticoga reopens Lyla's portfolio, and begins a second reading as they walk.
"You said you would not be averse to continuing your research and development of particular projects, but I know a hesitant tone." Ticoga says. "What manner of studies are you referring to, and what danger do they pose?"
Apr 6, 2024 1:21:15 GMT -5
Lottus: Friendly reminder for new folks to check the rules regarding art claims - AI Art is not accepted on Sparking for character sheets.
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