❧ IC INBOX: Abraxas

[wiedzminka]

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[wiedzminka]

And how do you intend to do that?

[techmaturgy]

I don't know. I suppose going to Portam Hall to confront Reiner about it is not a very good idea.

[wiedzminka]

You told me there was something about the crystal that was locked to you, specifically.

What do you think happens if they decide they've reached a point where your participation is required?

For all you know, making your displeasure known publicly may well be giving them an excuse to say you're belligerent, make up some wrongdoing, confiscate your lab. Imprison you, even.

[ Maybe she's jumping to dire conclusions, but even if acting against one of the Summoned may be unpopular with some people, Ciri knows they're not actually protected by their status here. The Free Cities government thinks they own them. Proved it recently, even, rounding everyone up to take to the Singularity even when some refused. ]

Best they don't find out you have that piece of the explosive, either.

[techmaturgy]

They must have built their own device, using my notes. It's probably why it took them so long.

[To puzzle it all out. But that's also part of the reason why Viktor needs to talk to them--he needs to know just how much they understand of his theories. If they build a functional Hexcore, something that can iterate and evolve to perform any number of functions, they'll have a much larger problem on their hands.]

I have to destroy my laboratory either way. Everything I'm working on...my notes, prototypes, the automaton. That will get their attention regardless.

[wiedzminka]

Don't be so hasty.

What good does that do anyone, destroying all your work after they've already taken the most dangerous of it? Unless you're worried about something specific beyond the crystal?

[techmaturgy]

I'm not sure what else to do. I can't risk any further misuse.

[wiedzminka]

And then what will you do?

I know you, Viktor. You won't suddenly take up a new career path and decide never to touch a gear again for fear of 'misuse.' You certainly wouldn't be happy doing it.

There is no positive outcome in destroying all you've worked on. It'll all be in your head, regardless. They won't forget about you even if you decide to become a stablehand.

You're safer continuing on as you are and considering further failsafe methods like the way the crystal was attuned only to you.

[techmaturgy]

[She's right, of course. There's nothing else he can do--Viktor is not exactly skilled in other venues, and he ties his own self-worth too tightly to the things he can make for others. He doesn't have the stomach to destroy his work, even if it's being used to kill Thornean guards.

But he can't do nothing, either. He has to atone for this, somehow.]

They'll continue to use what they already have. I can't let them do that, either.

[wiedzminka]

How are you going to stop them?

[techmaturgy]

I don't...know. I don't know what to do.

[wiedzminka]

Viktor. It's not your responsibility. Don't take the blame for their choices.

They literally robbed you.

The information is in their hands now. You cannot undo that.

What are you going to achieve by making it clear how much you know and how much you're against it to those people, who don't give a fuck about what you think or what you actually wanted for your inventions?

I'm telling you to stand down. Imagine. I'm telling you that. If I thought we could simply take Klingel's head and that would be that, maybe this conversation would be different. But you know it's not that simple.

You cannot change the past. Give yourself the best chance to work toward a better future.

[techmaturgy]

[There is some time, before the answer comes, like Viktor has been properly chastised.]

I understand. [What he doesn't say is that he doesn't necessarily agree. Klingel didn't do this independently--he was taking direction. Viktor thinks he still might want to find out who that was.] I'll leave it alone.

[he says. like a liar.]

[wiedzminka]

[ She has an inkling he might not mean it, but it's not like Ciri can really do anything to stop him. She can tell him what she thinks and hope for the best, but even if she were in the city, they both know she's not going to literally try to hold him back.

She sighs, but drops it. ]

At least give yourself a little time. Think it over. When it's not so fresh.

[ And, a moment later, in a small attempt at levity: ]

I don't want to see my friend thrown in prison. I'd have to come break you out.

[techmaturgy]

I'll try

[The problem is that the longer he does nothing, the worse it might get. The less control he might be able to wrest back.]

I want to think I'm too useful for them to let me languish in a prison. But the alternative might be worse.

[Being forced to work for them, maybe.]