Modern Age Online

V'alla and Jerald glared at Kaleb's creation with undisguised derision. Kaleb could admit it wasn't his best work. But limited supply and materials were the parents of creativity. An adage Kaleb just came up with and was ready to espouse immediately. First though, he had to deal with a bunch of grumpy Brute Clan Elders. Who clearly couldn't see his genius as it stood two feet from them.

"It'll work."

"It's a broken umbrella." Jerald scoffed.

"No, it's made from a broken umbrella. But it's reinforced with metal plating and merely uses the skeleton of the umbrella as a guideline for the shape. Also, each tip of the new dish ends in an energy emitter that will project our new shield. If it's placed high enough, the cascading energy should shield this place."

Kaleb was crouched down near the strapped-together cyclers underneath the Shield Emitter's dish. It wasn't pretty by any means. But beyond the duct tape and mass of wires, was an actual device that would make the Brute Mansion a tough nut to crack. He and Daivor had voted against a complicated friend-foe marking system and instead went with a simple off-on state. Mostly because of the lack of computer components. Kaleb thought he could wire the thing into the mansion somewhere. But doing that would take too long. Now, all they needed to do if the mansion was under attack was press a button. Although by the looks on everyone's faces, they didn't even believe that.

"I'm sure it'll perform adequately." Wulkun said diplomatically.

Kaleb scowled, but stayed quiet. Once he had the thing installed, they would all see. Of course, that meant getting the heavy son of a bitch to the roof. Most of his Clan were still in the process of breaking down the last APC along with Roy. So, that was going to have to wait.

Rhot, who had been studying Kaleb's new creation with quiet wonder, finally spoke up. "What about this device's housing? One stray shot and these power cyclers will be breached, right?"

Kaleb and Daivor both nodded. "Yeah, I'm going to have to borrow your forge eventually, Elder Rhot. When I do, I can build a sturdy metal cage for the emitter."

"Shouldn't we test it before all that? How do we know the thing even works?"

Kaleb nodded as the gnome on his shoulder grumbled angrily. "We'll have to wait until we get it on the roof. Right now the range won't be far enough to cover much of anything. In fact, it might cut a few important things in half."

He smiled as the lanky lizard looked annoyed at the prospect. Kaleb would take his wins where he could among the council. V'alla however, noticed his smirk and rolled her eyes. Spinning on her heel, the Elder called back.

"Fine, you have permission to install your… device, Elder Pack Rat. However, any damage you cause will be paid back to each Clan in full."

Kaleb shrugged as she and Jerald walked away. Wulkun fell into conversation with a nearby Aqwen as Rhot shoved his massive body closer to Kaleb. The big lizard was back to smiling like a maniac and rubbing his hands together.

"Then is it time to forge things?"

Kaleb blinked and shook his head. "Uh, no. Not really. I was going to start work on the turrets and maybe get the front gate reinforced."

Rhot's face fell before quickly lighting up again. "What if my Clan helps? We can get the armor installed quickly."

"That would be helpful. But I would still want to work on the…"

Kaleb trailed off as Elder Rhot was already running to his side of the yard. The massive lizard made a beeline for his Clan's personal caves and disappeared inside. Shaking his head, Kaleb returned to his small working area and looked around. His Clan had tossed the various bit so turrets and their associated computer consoles, near his impromptu working area. In truth, it wasn't much to work with. Of the six barrels, four were melted beyond use, while all the control panels were wrecked in some way. He'd have to mix and match pieces, and maybe he'd manage one automated turret from everything.

Kaleb gathered the three solo Cyclers from the APCs and moved them over to the turrets.

"Do you still remember the turret control program for the hangar's turrets?"

Daivor scratched his head as he looked down. "Yes, but why?"

"For this turret, obviously. I know Farrah wrote the program, but I was hoping we could use it for this project."

"Why?"

"So the Clans could have added protection, duh."

"No, why are you making the thing automated? This is the Brute Clan, right? Just make the thing a manned turret. I bet they'd love that."

Kaleb rolled his eyes. "That would require a platform, a chair, and a whole bunch of other stuff, Daivor."

"Which is still simpler than coding a turret to recognize friend from foe and attack accordingly."

Kaleb scowled and looked up as the sound of shuffling feet grew louder in his ears. Looking up, he spotted Aqwen walking over to him. Wulkun was walking away over her shoulder. The two had clearly finished their conversation, and she was now back to bust his balls. He tried not to groan as he strapped the three solo Cyclers together. He'd have to combine their wiring, but for now, getting them in the right shape was a start. Aqwen watched what he was doing as she approached, her tail whipping around with curiosity.

"Are you going to do the same thing to these Cyclers?" She asked.

Kaleb glanced back at the shield emitter that was humming away and glowing faintly blue. The device actually took the solution from his arm like a charm. It took a bit to get the dosage right, and there were some near-accidents. But the Cyclers handled the heat and power well. He popped one of the Cyclers out as he nodded in response to Aqwen's question.

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"Yeah, now that I've got the right mixture down."

"And you're sure that stuff is safe?"

"I use it in almost everything I own, Aqwen."

The tall female lizard frowned. "That's not what I asked."

"I know, but that's what I can tell you. For right now, nothing I own has blown up because of the stuff. At least without outside help." Kaleb amended before a thought hit him. "Hey, do you think the Clans would prefer a manned turret or an automated one?"

"Manned, clearly. Any kills with such a weapon would bring great honor to the user's Clan?"

"Really? I figured the Brute Clans would be all about slaughtering from up close."

"Maybe originally, but we are adapting. Ranged kills are just as valuable, at least to some. Also, I wager our own Clan will be one of those that excel at such kills."

Kaleb finished removing the final Cycler's cylinder and smiled up at Aqwen. "Not much hope in our melee capabilities, huh?"

"Nessha is a powerful warrior. She will make us proud. If she doesn't kill you in a month. But the rest…?"

Aqwen's silence spoke volumes as Kaleb started gathering up wires. He started untangling them as best he could as Aqwen found her voice again.

"The rest of our clan is either old, infirm, or runts. The old way of combat will see our Clan killed, and you deposed before a month even finishes."

"Jeez! You're expecting a lot of combat between then and now, aren't you?"

"We have seen more in the past couple of days, and it shows no sign of stopping." Aqwen said simply.

Kaleb couldn't argue with that. "Well, I will see about energy weapons for the Clan. But we will not forgo close-combat training entirely."

Aqwen scoffed. "Of course not. I thought I would be a good choice for that."

"You're the only choice, Aqwen."

"There is Nessha."

Kaleb didn't even justify that with a response as he kicked a control panel over and started unseating wire clamps. A lot of the wiring was for the turrets into the control panels themselves, but he wanted everything unplugged before he started anew. Trusting in Daivor to remember the wire layout, Kaleb finished with the first panel and moved on to the remains of the second. There were a few frayed wires from some being ripped out, but they were still serviceable.

"I would like to have Nessha help with the training as well, either way. Even if she is Gor'kinak's Niece and will probably challenge you, her help will increase-"

"I'm sorry, what?"

Kaleb stopped what he was doing completely as he looked over his shoulder at Aqwen. The lizard woman was standing a few feet away and watching him like a hawk. So their eyes met as hers shifted to confusion.

"I know that training her will be somewhat problematic. But I still think she can help. I will train you separately, of course. No one in the Clan needs to know how poor your skills are. Although I think it's fair to say they know."

Kaleb rubbed a hand down his face as he stood up. "Aqwen, that's not the part I was asking about. She's Gor'kinak's Niece?! Why the hell is she even still in this Clan?!"

"Likely to take it back and kill you, of course. Although your strange manner seems to have unnerved her."

Kaleb turned around to where the massive female lizard was ripping the metal plate off the side of an APC. She didn't seem unnerved in the slightest to Kaleb. Nessha must have felt his gaze, cause the big alien spun on him and locked eyes. Kaleb did his best not to blink until Nessha was called away by another member of the clan. But in those few seconds, he could see it. The ghost of Gor'kinak stared back at him. He felt a headache starting between his eyes, but Aqwen was more blasé about it.

"It is not uncommon for the family of the defeated to take back their relatives' position in this way."

Kaleb felt a few bits of implanted cultural knowledge pushing into his thoughts. They pretty much confirmed Aqwen's words.

"Bit late on that one, system." Kaleb grumbled under his breath. Coming back to the conversation at hand, he told Aqwen. "I thought I asked if any in the clan were Gor'kinak's family!?."

"She's from a clutch on his wife's side. So she's not strictly in Gor'kinak's line." Aqwen Shrugged.

Kaleb shook his head and rubbed a hand over his eyes. "Fine! Just… let me know if she attempts a coup or something.

"Don't worry, Clan Elder. I will inform her of the proper rights of challenge at the first sparring event we host. Along with the others."

Kaleb wanted to argue that wasn't what he meant. But ultimately it was good enough. Deciding that was a problem for later, Kaleb knelt back down and continued his own work. Aqwen stood at a respectable distance for all of three minutes before she asked if she could help. Between the two of them, Kaleb had wires pulled and was placing in the dirt when the ground shook. The noise of thudding footsteps coming their way echoed all around, and Kaleb looked up. Rhot was running back, a few of his massive Clan mates at his side.

He felt Aqwen tense up, and Kaleb grinned. Where his Clan probably saw a massive attacking force, Kaleb saw a pack of playful puppies hurrying over to help. Rhot was skidding to a stop and still delivering orders as Kaleb turned to his own Clan. They had stopped working at the other Clan's approach. But he was quick to explain what was going on. He waved over Roy and instructed the boy to oversee the installation of the plates. It was going to be a pretty simple job, anyway.

He was kneeling back down to continue his work on the turret when Rhot grabbed him under the arm. Daivor nearly fell, and Kaleb had to concentrate to get his feet under him. When he did, he found he was being half-carried back toward Rhot's cave. Aqwen hot on their heels.

"Uh, Rhot? What's going on?"

"It's time to forge, right?"

"No, Rhot. I was going to build a turret. So that the Brute Clans could shoot at their enemies."

The massive lizard slowed to a trot as he looked down into Kaleb's face. "But the forge would help with that, yes?"

Kaleb thought about it for a few seconds before begrudgingly nodding. Rhot smiled a sharp smile and picked up the pace again. Aqwen had finally caught up and gave Kaleb a questioning look. He shrugged as best he could as he tried to run with the other Clan Elder.

"I think I'm going to be helping Rhot's forgers for this next bit, Aqwen. Why don't you grab the rest of the Clan and see if they want to join?"

"I see. I shall do so, Professor. What about your current work?"

"Could you bring it along? While helping Rhot, I can work on my own project."

Aqwen nodded as she ran and then dashed back the way she came. Kaleb blinked at the speed the big lizards could move as he gave up moving his own feet. Rhot was full-on carrying him now, and he was being dragged into a cave. While being dragged down into the depths of Under-Town was always a scary proposition, Kaleb felt oddly safe. The sounds of clanging hammers and belching forges hit his ear as Rhot took him into his Clan's cave. Kaleb swore he could smell the metal as a calm feeling settled over his heart. Building massive turrets or smelting metal, Kaleb was happy with either choice. With the prospect of a new forging room ahead, he was kind of excited to see what he could accomplish. On his shoulder, Daivor clapped his hands together excitedly.

"Let's see how these lizard-folk forge."