Da Vinci's Bizarre Friend
tagshow
 #1 Article |
 #1 Joke Article |
 Top Ten Article |
 Active Contributor |
 Contest Winner |
 Contest Runner-Up |
 Challenge Winner |
 Art Contest Winner |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 Beta-Orange |
Registered Phenomena Code: 465
Object Class: Beta-Orange |
| Responsible Departments: |
 Department of
Engineering  Department of
History  Department of
Physics  Department of
Psychology |
Hazard Types: 
Ballistic Hazard 
Incorporeal Hazard 
Mechanical Hazard 
Psychotronic Hazard 
Sapient Hazard 
Explosive Hazard 
Electromagnetic Hazard 
Destabilization Hazard 
Extra-dimensional Hazard 
Newtonian Hazard 
Visual Hazard 
Mind-Alteration Hazard
Containment Protocols: RPC-465 is contained in the Beta wing of Site-002. Due to its inert state, RPC-465 can be safely stored in a large containment room with a Level 3 magnetic lock. RPC-465 is assigned a quarterly scheduled cleanup and inspection.
Due to the anomalous energy source installed within RPC-465, MST Alpha-5 "Thor's Hammer" are to examine and if necessary take RPC-465 into a small race track with an integrated rail system to naturally expend any excess energy accumulated by RPC-465. RPC-465-1 is to be collected from the inner troughs and stored in airtight security containers.
The disassembled cannons are stored adjacent to RPC-465 in the same containment room for any purpose of testing and/or interviews. Aforementioned cannons that are reinstalled into RPC-465 are not to be manipulated and/or used for firing purposes.
Summoning RPC-465-2 is only to take place once a month, and requires the joint authorizations of both the Site Director and Head researcher. Personnel are not to be within RPC-465 when RPC-465-2 is being summoned. Only personnel with extensive knowledge of pure mathematics (geometry, algebra, calculus, logic, number theory) should directly communicate with RPC-465-2. Personnel who abuse this function and somehow escape being [REDACTED] by RPC-465-2 will be reprimanded accordingly. Personnel [REDACTED] by a provoked RPC-465-2 are to be sent to the psychiatric ward for further psychiatric evaluation and mental mapping.
No personnel or CSD-class may fire the cannons beyond testing purposes unless in extreme circumstances. Using RPC-465 for any type of test or containment of an anomaly is strictly forbidden, see containment breach log.
A sketch of RPC-465. The original sketch without the cannons was lost.
Description: RPC-465 is a variant of the "Mechanical Turtle": a project worked on by Renaissance-era Italian inventor Leonardo Da Vinci, popularly considered to be the precursor of modern military tanks.
RPC-465 is ringed by 16 cannons and within is a two-tiered system of a viewing nest at the top, and a driving cabin at the bottom. The driving cabin features an anomalous system of self-synergized dynamos with magnetic brakes and accelerators that act as the engine of RPC-465. These anomalous mechanisms and properties are absent from the publicly-known designs of the vehicle, which instead feature a hand-cranked driving mechanism linked to incorrectly-reversed gears that would prevent the vehicle from moving were it to be constructed as such.
While appearing normal from the outside, the interior of RPC-465's cabin hull and cannon muzzle interiors feature engravings depicting an assortment of pure mathematical equations and Latin script. The materials that compose the cannons are non-anomalous in nature and resemble conventional cast-iron cannons from the 15th century.
RPC-465's inner mechanisms generate RPC-465-1 as a form of waste. RPC-465-1 is an iridescent and unstable powder that accumulates within intentionally-designed collection receptacles lined around RPC-465's mechanisms. RPC-465 will continue to generate RPC-465-1 even while inactive, although at a greatly slowed rate compared to when RPC-465 is being actively utilized.
If RPC-465-1 is used as a primer for any type of ballistic weapon, the energy released upon impact with a solid object causes a marked decrease in the Anderson Coherency Scale resulting in the appearance of an extra-dimensional "tear" at the point of impact. These holes are capable of causing the projectile to anomalously penetrate all solid obstacles that it passes through until it runs out of this anomalous form of energy.
Holes that are large enough are capable of acting as a dimensional gateway. This usually results in the unintentional entry of extra-dimensional entities into this reality that display high degrees of hostility or aggression, then expiring and liquefying shortly after leaving the hole. Observations and autopsies performed upon any entities that have not significantly liquefied suggests their physiology is not able to maintain vital functions within our baseline coherency scale(ACS-4).
Prolonged usage of RPC-465's cannons or the carrying-out of a process detailed in Da Vinci's confiscated journal results in the conjuring of an extra dimensional entity labeled RPC-465-2. The wards and engravings within RPC-465 appear to draw RPC-465-2 from its native dimension to inhabit and possess RPC-465. RPC-465-2 is best described as mollusk-like in nature; it is an invertebrate that combines with RPC-465, causing the hull to warp into a fluted organic shell. A ring of blue-hued, white visual receptors line the observation tower of RPC-465, and the equations within the cannons activate to project a protective sheath around RPC-465-2's tentacles that emerge from the barrels. The innards of RPC-465 becomes fully occupied by RPC-465-2's body. Finally, the lower and upper halves of the hull disconnect, allowing RPC-465-2 to use a vertical "piston" mechanism to separate and lift the upper hull from the lower, in the manner of an opening and closing of a 360-degree shell.
RPC-465-2 can be communicated with, but efforts are hampered by several factors: RPC-465-2 features a distinctly alien mindset that does not comprehend various human concepts such as life, death and the space-time continuity as we know of it. Additionally, it does not fully understand human language and communication patterns, and must be communicated to in complex mathematics. Finally, RPC-465-2 displays a somewhat-easily irritable disposition and may wish to not be disturbed, sometimes demanding to be expelled back to its home dimension. Should personnel or interviewers refuse to allow it to leave, RPC-465-2 will proceed to utilize its tentacles to [REDACTED] any nearby humans into performing the necessary steps to banish it back to its home dimension, usually resulting in various debilitating effects such as temporary/chronic dementia, insanity, catatonia and altered senses.
According to the confiscated journal, RPC-465-2 was encountered by Leonardo Da Vinci during his breakthrough observation of its home dimension. The two would then overcome significant communication obstacles to engage in mutual endeavors. Da Vinci described that RPC-465-2 is driven to seek a particular colour, and that RPC-465 was designed as a protective outfit for it to safely enter and exist within our baseline reality in a highly limited manner, similar in concept to a pressurized diving suit. In exchange, RPC-465-2 would assist in providing a novel source of energy to power Da Vinci's inventions, possibly opening up new direction of technological growth.
Corroborating with Da Vinci's entries is the observation that RPC-465-2 can be persuaded to voluntarily extend its stay and provide additional info by providing it with a random assortment of objects that bear various colors and patterns. RPC-465-2 will carefully inspect said objects, before bringing any that particularly catch its interest into its "jaws" where the object is never seen again. Based on translated interviews with it, it is roughly understood that RPC-465-2 is attracted to colors whose changing hues can be controlled, or are resistant to change. RPC-465-2 appears to display an astonished reaction towards the concept of one color being presented across varying optical properties(matte, glossy, metallic etc.). What RPC-465-2 ultimately seeks to do with these colors is unknown, though it is believed to be sent back to its fellow entities for some form of cultural/religious purpose.
Addendum:
RPC-465´s original storage location, found under dilapidated conditions.
RPC-465 was retrieved from beneath Mount Vesuvius' monastery as per the "Sub-Vesuvius" protocol established with the monks. After descending a depth of 50 meters from the entrance of the crypt, Authority agents discovered a sizeable garage containing various non-functional and non-anomalous prototypes of Leonardo Da Vinci's wood-constructed vehicles, such as the glider-like "Flying Machine" and the helicopter-like "Aerial Screw".
It was in this garage that RPC-465 was discovered fully covered under a linen tarp. Sealed canvas sacks containing RPC-465-1 were found by the side of RPC-465. Interviewed monks cautioned that according to passed-down texts, the "Astral Powder" is not to be used in any type of ballistic weapon, especially within RPC-465. However, the explanation for this warning was lost over time.
A lectern was also found by the side of RPC-465, carrying a journal that belonged to Leonardo Da Vinci's and bearing encrypted text. Monastery monks explained that this journal detailed Leonardo's secret experiments and theorems, diary entries he could not bear to see revealed to the greater public. It, along with his inventions, were seized by the Authoritas, but for what reason remains unknown other than the action being carried out due to an incident involving RPC-465.
RPC-465 was transported to Site-002 with the journal and sacks. Because of the low levels of trust between Authority agents and members of the Auctoritas Imperata, an experimentation around RPC-465 and RPC-465-1 were planned to take place soon after the finalization and publishing of the existing containment protocols.
Davis Fullerton
<Davis.Fullerton@[REDACTED].RPC> January 11th, 2020
To my fellow research team members,
Under the benefits afforded to me as Head researcher, I am ordering the prioritization of live experimentation regarding RPC-465 and its generated materials. To assist in this, additional CSD-class have been granted to us for testing purposes.
The analysis so far hints that Leonardo Da Vinci tapped into an unknown source of power, and it has been gathering dust for the past few centuries. We must understand what he did here, and how he did it. This unheard-of power source may easily rival and surpass the limitations of today's tech.
In addition, I have been briefed as to the unusual Anderson-Coherency-Scale-altering properties the powder RPC-465 seems to generate while in use. What little that has been gleaned from Leonardo Da Vinci's journal seems to hint at bold new applications in combat scenarios. I will also fast-track the testing of RPC-465's powder.
To your stations, everybody. We will finish what Leonardo started, and be all the better for it.
Davis Fullerton
Assigned Head Researcher of RPC-465
Isabella Calder
<Isabella.Calder@[REDACTED].RPC> January 11th, 2020
With all due respect, I must voice my objection to the fast-tracking of the experimentation.
Leonardo Da Vinci was known to be a pacifist and it was no secret that he loathed the potential of seeing his designs be abused for war. It's a commonly-accepted theory that he intentionally sabotaged the designs for the non-anomalous version of RPC-465 to render it inoperable. Whatever potential RPC-465's inner workings and the powder it generates have in terms of military application is currently outweighed by the risk of the unknown.
Leonardo's secret journal was placed by the vehicle's side for a reason. The monks may have forgotten why, but they remembered that it was dangerous and best left untouched.
I am requesting for sufficient time and additional cryptologists assigned to the near-complete decryption of Leonardo's journal so that we can safely assess the true risks and danger behind RPC-465 and conduct experimentation accordingly.
Isabella Calder
Co-lead Researcher of RPC-465
Davis Fullerton
<Davis.Fullerton@[REDACTED].RPC> January 11th, 2020
Isabella,
Request denied. You know better than this. We are at war on all fronts. If it's not the Church of Malthus going on another killing spree or their packs of rabid child soldiers releasing their latest plagues, it's the Sons of Yggdrassil or Amazing!Co. thinking they can sneak about right under our nose and mass-distribute anomalies to the public. And if it's not those either, it's the likes of Project Blue Book thumbing their own nose at us over how superior they are with their extensive orbital support.
Time is a luxury for the Authority's beleaguered forces, and we don't have the time to be regarded as a joke by the international community.
We are not fools or strangers to the mysterious, the otherworldly and the extra-dimensional. We know our science and our precautions better than the crackpot alchemy that some 1500's inventor could ever hope to aspire to. Leonardo may have detested armed conflict, but for whatever reason he still designed the ancestor of tanks, took the time to have it built then ringed it with cannons. We're going to find out what it's truly capable of.
All experimentation is to be fast-tracked as planned.
Davis Fullerton
Assigned Head Researcher of RPC-465
Items used in the test: Various calibers of bullets and explosive rounds with matching shell casings, and a hand-operated ammo press with an assortment of hot-swappable shell-plates and dies. Two powder measures used to contain gunpowder and RPC-465-1.
Goal: To follow initial leads presented in Leonardo's journal that RPC-465-1 can be used as an alternate form of combustion energy.
Experiment: Bullets and explosives rounds are processed through the ammo press, with RPC-465-1 used as a powder charge in lieu of conventional gunpowder. A set of 3 ammunition types are created: 1) 100% RPC-465-1, 2) 100% gunpowder (control) and 3) varying mixtures of RPC-465-1 and gunpowder.
Results: Anomalous effects are observed to occur with the firing of RPC-465-1-infused ammunition. The combustion of RPC-465-1 causes the fired round to effortlessly penetrate solid objects as long as the propulsion energy provided by RPC-465-1 persists. Small tears into reality are created as rounds "phase" through solid obstacles, that slowly re-seal themselves over a few minutes and leave little trace of the projectile's passage. Anomalously-charged explosive rounds are observed to vanish upon detonation while still powered by RPC-465-1. Diluting the mix with gunpowder retains the propelling force of the projectile, while causing the anomalous propellant to dissipate faster. With the proper mix, this allows explosive rounds to fully re-materialize and explode at the intended destination.
Notes: This is astounding! Can the lot of you imagine the potential applications and burdens this will free up? The penetrative effect granted by RPC-465-1 means that armour penetration is a factor our fighters will no longer need to worry over!
With this power we could have examples such as… an operative firing a grenade towards one of those ridiculously-thick GARD tanks, phase through five inches of splid hull and then detonate within, killing the entire crew! Specialized ammunition that can eliminate high-priority targets and close the holes left behind, leaving little to no evidence of their passage! The assassins are going to love this. The MSTs are going to love this. Get the weapons testing departments in on this!
Items used in the test: RPC-465, unarmed.
Goal: To carry out an observation of RPC-465's motorized mechanism, and attempt to examine its anomalous mechanism of generating energy while in usage.
Experiment: RPC-465 is lowered onto a fixed track system, piloted by a pair of CSD-class personnel to move about in a fixed pattern.
Results: RPC-465 effortlessly glides across the system, and is accelerated and decelerated as controlled. The apparatus appears to generate new quantities of RPC-465-1 at an accelerated rate while in operation, presumably as a form of generated waste. Other than RPC-465-1, RPC-465 does not appear to generate significant amounts of conventional waste energy (heat, light, chemical). While direct observation of RPC-465's apparatus fails to determine how the energy is generated, ACS sensors determine the environment around RPC-465 appears to lower the more the mechanism is exerted. It is believed that RPC-465 draws in energy from a lower ACS dimension.
CSD-7264, the driver for the test, sprains foot while attempting to exit vehicle. Injury ruled to not be anomalous, or to have compromised RPC-465's internals in any manner.
Notes: This confirms it! Leonardo Da Vinci found a new source of energy! Such wasted potential for it to just gather dust. Once we find out how to safely replicate and harness this, the RPC Authority will gain an edge over the competition!
Congratulations to our imminent promotions, everybody. I'll be making Senior Researcher for this!
Items used in the test: RPC-465, armed. Hollow cast-iron cannon shot.
Goal: To observe Leonardo Da Vinci's original design rationale behind the construction and anomalously-enhanced engineering of RPC-465's combat capabilities.
Experiment: RPC-465 is lowered onto a fixed track system, piloted by a pair of CSD-class personnel to move about in a fixed pattern. In addition, CSD are to manipulate the cannons to shoot at a group of dummy targets. Due to the aforementioned foot sprain, CSD-7264 was re-tasked to bring new cannonballs to RPC-465 in between each firing volley.
Result: Initial group of target dummies bisected upon contact with anomalously-powered cannon shot, observed to split apart through dimensional displacement. Inertia from shot is not transferred into dummies, causing them to vertically fall. Cannon barrels observed to glow brightly from within, fully obscuring the barrel. Notably-sized dimensional rips on the wall behind the dummies.
Head researcher Fullerton disregards advice from peers to suspend testing and examine the barrels and rips, ordering the CSD crew to reload and fire at the next group of target dummies.
The cannons are then observed to jerk of their own accord right as they are fired, causing shots to miss and impact walls. These new dimensional rips combine with adjacent rips from earlier testing, causing a local dimensional collapse. Hostile and agitated entities spill out of the breaches and fall into the room, expiring shortly after. CSD crew panics and continue firing at them. ASF mobilized to dispatch stragglers while CSD are told to stand down and the test aborted, but the ambient ACS of the experimentation stadium is observed to continue falling. Tentacles are observed to be protruding from the extensively-used cannons. Their agitated flailing causes RPC-465 to rock side-by-side, leading to the first observed RPC-465-2 manifestation event.
RPC-465's wooden hull begins shifting in patterning and appearance, becoming increasingly organic. CSD crew are heard panicking from within, exclaiming that "the walls are turning to goop and flesh" and screaming to be let out. Tentacles emerge from remaining cannons, eyes fill the viewing port while swiveling about in a non-synchronized manner across the room. The hull of RPC-465 fully converts into an organic fluted shell, and audibly creaks as it splits open to reveal a soft organic maw. RPC-465-2 fully materializes and reacts by emitting a sonorous, disorienting sound while sweeping/flailing its tentacles across the floor and walls.
The ASF panic and respond by opening fire at RPC-465-2. RPC-465-2 retaliates by extending tentacles towards ASF at a speed of ███km/h, penetrating ASF heads and [REDACTED] ASF observed mouthing and twitching, supposedly observed attempting to resist RPC-465-2's [REDACTED] utilizing Sergent Blake's mouth while holding him up to CSD-7264 to conduct the following exchange of dialogue:
RPC-465-2 (through Sgt. Blake): LO-DA-VI!
CSD-7264: W-what?
RPC-465-2 (through Sgt. Blake): LO-DA-VI!!!
CSD-7264: I'm sor-I'm fucking sorry, I don't understand!
At CSD-7264's response, RPC-465-2 emits an 88-decibel trill, and proceeds to openly and methodically demonstrate the usage of [REDACTED] ASF to conduct an expulsion act upon itself. RPC-465 reverts to a non-anomalous appearance. ASF personnel collapse and observed to have seizures upon the floor.
Medical examination of ASF skulls indicates no physical trauma. An MRI of their brains, however, indicates possible cerebral damage resulting in varying levels of catatonia, dementia and schizophrenia among surviving ASF. CSD personnel found deceased within RPC-465, cause of death from forced translocation and exposure to [REDACTED].
Notes: Davis Fullerton subjected to administrative action, demoted and reassigned off-site. Isabella Calder promoted to Head Researcher, prior requests for increased journal decryption efforts granted. Experimentation of RPC-465 and RPC-465-1 suspended pending complete translation of journal.
Dr. Isabella Calder
<Isabella.Calder@[REDACTED].RPC> January 13th, 2020
To the Site Director and observing Global Directors,
On behalf of the research team, I sincerely apologize for the aftermath of Incident 465-1.
I can write the above statement with confidence thanks to various revelations revealed by the decryption of Leonardo Da Vinci's journal. The truth was staring at us all the time in his writings. Leonardo left his journal with RPC-465 to act as an instruction manual, to tell us what to do and what not to do.
What Dr. Fullerton ordered in test 3, what the ASF did, were what we were not supposed to do.
I apologize for not being firm enough with Dr. Fullerton. In his haste to improve the Authority's strength (I profess awareness of his personal ambitions), good men lost their minds and their sanity for nothing.
We made a wrong first impression with RPC-465-2. It is not our enemy. Requesting to not approach with hostile intent. We need to try and make things right, and maybe, just maybe, we could even possibly pick up where Leonardo left off long ago.
Dr. Isabella Calder
RPC-465 Head Researcher
[REDACTED]
<[REDACTED]@[REDACTED].RPC> January 13th, 2020
Dr. Calder,
Proceed with what you have to do. The last thing we need is a "diplomatic incident" with yet another extra-dimensional species.
We will be watching, as always.
Research, Protect, Contain.
GD-██
P.S. You are no longer required to address Davis Fullerton with "Dr.".
Magnificent! Everything has gone better than planned. Though much effort and pain was taken to hone these lens through the pattern of the True-Golden-Ratio, I am rewarded with sight farther than the normal limits of one's vision. As of now, my eyes behold the very same stuffs of my dreams clearer than my waking imagination could ever hope to.
…despite the infinite potentials of the unshackled imagination I continue to behold the same sight over and over: A sea without water, a void without emptiness… A vast infinity hidden beyond the sight of this world, grander beyond the scale of the stars and celestial bodies as beheld in our meager sight.
Though I do confess that there is some apprehension within my mind; I occasionally fear myself to be peering past the curtains behind God's stage, as I behold sights the human psyche was not engineered to take; experiences that may very well fray the tolerances of lesser minds.
There is much to observe and study in this waking sea of dreams. My dreams for a new form of power beyond our rudimentary usage of crude muscle will be answered shortly. I can sense it.
…I am uncertain as to who, or what, I have just met. It reaches out to me but my mind pains in conjunction with its own thoughts. My fingers brush across the shimmering dark, and I can feel something trying to feel back.
Yet, I can sense a distinct curiosity, the surprise of another living being to meet someone it should otherwise not have. A native resident of this astral sea, perhaps?
Dare I try harder to find a way to safely reach out to it?
Success! I have determined a means of viewing this being! It just took the usage of the Sixth Obscured Solid perceived through my True-Golden-Ratio-crafted lens angled towards a nonlinear perspective while under the application of anamorphosis.
…had to excuse myself for a moment, was under the impression that my meal was threatening to… evacuate through my throat.
…vaguely reminiscent of an undulating mollusc missing its shell, unlike any I have ever seen before. A ring of eyes affixed towards me, with the focus of an unearthly intelligence. Were I to craft a vitruvian of this entity… a triangle over a hexagon? I am perplexed.
…mental aches persist, but is gradually subsiding. My thanks to Giacomo for taking the time off of the tasks I assigned and instead tending to my bedside.
A passage of days has been counted since my erstwhile encounter ministered a delicate press upon my forehead. It was as if my own inner workings abruptly seized, like a stick fed through turning gears.
An indelible imprint has been left upon my psyche. I can feel it even as the pain subsides. It is… most curious. The rigidity of my developed mind has loosened ever-so-slightly, and I am now afforded a slightly-improved degree of mental flexibility.
Design obstacles I have been mulling over within my diagrams for the past year are now met with new ideas, new mechanisms. Astounding. But more importantly, I believe I now know how to cautiously open dialogue with my erstwhile encounter.
Mathematics. The everlasting constant is that it is the language of the universe, and beyond, apparently.
But first… a little more rest shall do me some good, I think.
…successfully begun rudimentary conversation with it through the introductory application of irrational numbers and abstract mathematics. I have only successfully deciphered single-worded responses so far, but this endeavor consumed my passionate zeal that I had not even noticed the rise of the morning sun.
Before I retire for rest I must bring this echo within my skull, what must be its name unto the human alphabet. I shall form a fragment of this echo as a string of letters without vowels to further highlight its otherworldly oddity.
XBBYLYK.
In exchange for what I chosen to call it, it refers to me as "LO-DA-VI". Curious.
I have communicated to it of my creations, my findings and goals. We struggle to understand each other at times. Our conversations may have been taxing, but so too as it has been enlightening on both our ends… Curious of my goals. It has agreed to assist.
In exchange it shares to me its own lifelong quest - an explorer of sorts? It seeks 'the perfect color', which it believes might be found in this world. I am unsure how to help, but I too am a patron and creator of the arts, so I am naturally happy to assist in such a bizarre yet relatable endeavor.
…and having secured the benevolent patronage and comfortable amenities provided by Prince Ludivico Sforza, who I may say also presents a fine partner in the discussion of the arts…
…Fantastic. Using the design for this "armored turtle" sketch I had laying about whose construction that the Prince is now funding, and conceptualized upon my initial designs of a "diving suit", I can house a chassis for Xbblyk to inhabit and curiously explore this world in safety.
However, I am not entirely approving of his lordship's gaze upon my obscured designs. Prince Ludovico's request to throng the "armored car" with cannons… It is clear he has his own motives in bringing my invention from parchment to life. Nevertheless, the cannons I believe can be modified with engravings; euclidean-aversion, provide utility for my bizarre friend's appendages…
Success once more! A bit unsteady, but a success still. Xbbylyk has entered this world, housed safely within the suit I have made for it. It isn't perfect; Xbbylyk complains that the irritancy of our rational world seeps in ever so slightly through the woodwork. I believe a uniform coat of varnish applied under one of Aristotle's principles of Sub-alternative Geometry should solve that…
The "Armored Turtle" glides of its own efforts! A link of sorts with my friend. In exchange I have been providing Xbbylyk with objects - how its eyes affix, entranced upon an innocuous flower I plucked earlier in the day! Pseudopod gingerly coiled about the stem, almost reminiscent of a child's innocent wonder. I also showed it an assortment of my paintings - it was in equal parts mirth and unamusement that I was brought to slap its appendage from grabbing one of my paintings and "eat" it!
I note bizarre observances by Xbbylyk. There are times where it believes itself summoned mere moments after the previous dalliance, when in fact it had been a week. Other moments when I had brought it to my workshop the day after we last met, for it to react as if much time had passed.
I can only conclude that time must travel without constancy nor law in Xbbylyk's own realm. Unlike our passage of time, equatable to a stream, it does not flow within that sea-beyond-sight so much as it smears and runs and pools and leaps - akin to the careless spilling of paint across the floor.
…not bode good. I appear to be aging with most visible results from my reckless enthusiasm of pouring into these experiments. Can I be blamed? There is too much to learn of this outer realm and its hidden workings than I could ever hope to complete within a million-million lifetimes.
His Lordship jests that I am in need of rest, and perhaps he is right. But the servants are gossiping of my late night workshop sessions, saying that I am cavorting with fiends who are sapping my vitality.
Nonsense! Xbbylyk is no demon, nor is it an angel; it is along with its kin but a resident of God's clockwork workings, whilst we are but residents upon the face…
His young highness has scheduled a live demonstration of the "Armored Car". I cannot refuse, for is it not finished in the eyes of any mundane man? I however need more time to finish the scripts about the hull, and to apply the varnish…
…Any forced usage of the vehicle may cause an involuntary summoning of Xbbylyk. I need more time. But the Prince is eager beyond the typical restraints of his patience.
Disastrous. The only word to describe the debut. I had not the time to complete the engravings upon the cannons.
The cannons fired and [REDACTED], causing panic among the crowd as [REDACTED] fled those 'rips' and perished under unprotected exposure to this dimension. Worse still was when, exactly as I feared, Xbblyk was forcefully made to manifest against its will and [REDACTED]
Were it not for the severity of the situation, I would find humor in the observation that House Durazzo's offspring are so hampered by incestuous mingling that Xybbylyk's grasp failed to worsen their mental faculties any further.
While sparing no effort to ensure eyes are persuaded (or paid) to avert their gaze, and for lips to remain sealed, Prince Ludovico has gently suggested the severance of his patronage should I be found guilty within public view of pursuing the occult. I have reason to believe that I may have very well brought down the eyes of inquisitorial investigation upon me.
A small consolation is that Lord Ludovico has lost all interest in using the "Armored Turtle" for the most bestial madness that is war. Nevertheless, I have ensured that the mundane sketch of the vehicle bear several errors to prevent its full functionality.
…Xbblyk is displeased with the poor reception it was involuntarily subjected to, and wishes to return to the glittering, tidal spaces it calls home. The laws of this world continue to aggrieve its flesh and I have no more time nor monetary allowance to finish its vessel. I cannot blame it, but I must at least strive to place some finishing touches to its suit, should it ever return one day. I am unsure if it understood my apology. I pray to God that it did.
The Authoritas. The boors who would keep mankind shackled in the shadow of ignorance are coming to take Xbblyk's vessel away.
I have requested in advance to find the means to have the chassis destroyed and Xbblyk freed from our contract, but my pleas fall upon deaf ears. They would rather study then impound it for an indefinite amount of time. The only consolation to be had is that they will not abuse this accursed invention of mine.
I pray they choose to never use it again, for even despite our misgivings I wish no ill will upon an erstwhile fellow of another dimension, and would still wish to regard Xbblyk as a friend and confidante.
I have voluntarily included the set of instructions and the lens to safely communicate with Xbblyk.
Interviewer: Research team member Jack Abrahams
Interviewed: RPC-465-2
Foreword: Due to the complexity of mathematical communications used and impossibility of transcribing RPC-465-2's response, interview is depicted in a non-traditional format. With a PhD in theoretical mathematics, Researcher Jack Abrahams is the most eligible on-site personnel to communicate with RPC-465-2.
<Begin Log, [Day: XX/Month: XX/Year: 2020]>
RPC-465-2 summoned. While nowhere as agitated as previously it nevertheless emits with a displeased trill, slapping several of its tentacles across the floor.
Rsc. Abrahams presents to it a whiteboard bearing a chart of the Fibonacci Sequence. RPC-465-2 affixes 3/4 of its eyes upon the diagram and appears to calm down. Trilling subsides, tentacles lower and coil around its base. Abrahams presents an opening statement of irrational numbers. RPC-465-2's attention fully affixed.
Communication proceeds with RPC-465-2 eliciting responses in a series of warbles and chiming as topic moves onward to the golden ratio supplemented with a variety of constants.
RPC-465-2 presents a tentacle towards Abrahams. Abrahams nervous but is convinced to proceed. Abrahams faces RPC-465-2, and the tentacle's tip is slowly inserted into Abrahams's forehead. Abrahams observed to quiver, although nowhere as violently as the ASF personnel RPC-465-2 attacked prior. The following exchange occurs:
RPC-465-2 (through Rsc. Abrahams): LO-DA-VI?
Abrahams: No, you mean-
RPC-465-2 (through Rsc. Abrahams): LO-DA-VI.
Abrahams: Nn-no, you can't. You aren't able to see him now. He's, he's dead!
RPC-465-2 emits a displeased trill and uses its connection to force Abrahams to gesture, indicative of the demand for an expulsion procedure. Demand complied, RPC-465-2 banished back to its home dimension. Abrahams examined and found to be in relatively intact in terms of mental health, albeit with an intense headache and a temporary requirement for longer sleep hours.
<End Log, [Day: XX/Month: XX/Year: 2020]>
Closing Statement: This is amazing! Xbby… RPC-465-2… It's not hostile with us at all, despite getting the rough first impression. It roughly understands what we humans are thanks to its previous interactions with Leonardo Da Vinci, so it seems to have taken things better than expected!
I think I understand things better - the act of accidentally summoning it through firing the cannons is akin to forcibly dragging it into this shell. Of course it's not going to like that!
Davis was so wrong. I'd tell him how he was so wrong about everything, about how he thought RPC-465 was Leonardo's serious take at reinventing warfare, but… He isn't in this site now, let alone having any info clearance levels past basic accounting. I'd give my sympathies, but… Maybe once the ASF finally recover.
Leonardo Da Vinci was always an amazing man, but that he managed to figure out how to communicate and befriend RPC-465-2 all by himself? I'm even more amazed of him than I used to be!
Lead Researcher Isabella Calder
Interviewer: Research team member Jack Abrahams
Interviewed: RPC-465-2
Foreword: Rsc. Abrahams has almost recovered from the brief contact with RPC-465-2, and has described a slightly increased understanding of attempting to communicate with RPC-465-2, as described by Leonardo Da Vinci in his journal. An assortment of time-measuring instruments including a calendar and digital, analog and mechanical clocks have been requested and supplied for this interview.
<Begin Log, [Day: XX/Month: XX/Year: 2020]>
RPC-465-2 summoned. Displays a calmer disposition, but supposedly gestures for the interview to proceed quicker.
Abrahams presents to it a whiteboard bearing a portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci. RPC-465-2 emits a low frequency sound as its eyes affix towards the portrait. A tentacle slowly glides towards the portrait and wipes it.
Abrahams writes the number "1500" by the side of the portrait. He then shows the clocks and translates time from years into seconds, and emphasizes the clocks to represent the passage of time. Abrahams then writes the year "2020" upon the board, to indicate the current frame of time.
Abrahams next puts up a diagram of a baby progressing to an adult man before degenerating into a deceased old man. He assigns "1452" to the baby and "1519" to the deceased man, indicating Leonardo Da Vinci's birth and death years.
RPC-465-2 picks up the analog clock and examines it, taking it apart in the process. RPC-465-2 does not appear to fully understand the explanation regarding the passage of time, let alone the long-passed death of Leonardo Da Vinci. RPC-465-2 emits a disgruntled rumble.
Rsc. Abrahams retries, starting with communicating via irrational numbers. RPC-465-2 picks up on this and continues observing.
Abrahams proceeds to increasingly simplify the communicating maths, leading towards integers. He then simplifies further, to the point of the binary of 0 and 1. Abrahams finally assigns "0" towards the portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci, approximating the message that he is no longer existent/functional.
RPC-465-2 observes the "0" intensely and quietly as its tentacles shrivel. Its bioluminescence visibly dims, and RPC-465-2 slowly raises its vocalization to a deep rumbling sound. It is believed to have roughly understood the outcome and status of Leonardo Da Vinci, and is now in a state similar to mourning.
Abrahams resumes the usage of pure mathematics communication, signaling to RPC-465-2 that though Leonardo Da Vinci is "0", the memory behind his art, engineering designs and legacy is at "1". He conveys that Leonardo's interactions with RPC-465-2 remain at "1", and conveys the intention of resuming and maintaining Leonardo's "1" with the continued use and maintenance of RPC-465.
RPC-465-2 observes the board quietly. It chooses to wipe away the "0", leaving a "1" behind as indicator of its decision.
<End Log, [Day: XX/Month: XX/Year: 2020]>
Closing Statement: Jack's risked and done so much for us! The interview only just finished, but we are still learning more of RPC-465-2's mindset.
It has a paradoxical line of thinking; somehow, it is only able to perceive the beginning and the end of data, but can still somehow accurately extrapolate the data in between! That sound it made through the mouths of our personnel, "LO-DA-VI"? That's the first and last letters of each word of Leonardo Da Vinci's name.
If our hypothesis is correct, it comprehends the beginning and the end of the infinite and unending - meaning it could even see until the very end of irrational numbers like Pi and so on. That's insane for us to even attempt to comprehend!
Assuming everything goes well, this could be the start of a very interesting partnership… The resumption of it, anyway!
Lead Researcher Isabella Calder
