Audacious

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

Counterpoint: Once there are stakes for either side, he’s incentivized to tell the truth. We can’t verify how this device is configured yet.

@Legend

There were always stakes for either side. I shouldn’t have anchored myself to this thing…

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Abominations>

I’m willing to trust that assertion if you’re willing to wait with us while we evaluate the damage.

@Legend

<Snipped quote by Legend>

It can't. I assure you, the time crunch is mutual. Besides, firing it can't be reversed now. Don't go messing with settings after I spent time determining exactly how to discharge the thing without hurting anyone.

@Abominations

This isn't negotiable! We can't just let some anonymous jerk fire a weapon of mass destruction. Any info they'll get from this can't be something with good intentions.
*Looks at my hands and frowns*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Abominations>

*Looks upward*
We’re in a time crunch. Would you make your case quickly?

@Legend

*Looks up as well*
How about you disable the controls and come with us? Don't even fire the weapon.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

*Frowns*
This is a poor user experience.
*Picks up and inspects the remote display*

@Legend

You're telling me. I'm a living battery.
*The tablet responds to your touch, and the monitor on the screen shows where on the tablet inputs are detected*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

*Hits the button and opens the slot*

@Legend

*A small handheld screen with a mirrored display pops out, not held by anything once ejected and falling to the floor*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

*Traces the wires again, searching for inputs*

@Legend

*Wires don't lead anywhere, but on the console you find a button and a slot where something is stored*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

That’s an open question.
*Taps experimentally at the screen to test its reactions*

@Legend

*The screen does not respond to touch*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

These are numbers, and they’re counting down. It’s possible that the device is going to launch some kind of offensive.

@Legend

Sooo will it let you stop it?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

I see. Very well.
*Plucks a device out of my eye and leaves it suspended, directed at the screen, and begins a linguistic pattern analysis of the character structure, order, and frequency*

@Legend

*There are 12 total characters represented, and the change increments and pattern indicate a countdown in a base 12 number system*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Audacious>

Are you able to read this?

@Legend

*Arches my back, leaning as far as I can without letting go of the pylons*
Uhh, no. No I can’t.