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Of Gods and Non-Believers
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Post by Cross on Sept 11, 2018 2:32:57 GMT
There was something peaceful about the gentle roar of Behemoth's engine as the endless wastes of rock, stone, and the occasional wrought iron skeleton of once buildings flashed by. The soothing rumble almost taking the edge off of the crawling unease that worked it's way up Cassandra's spine where she huddled low against the bike's chassis one hand gripping the handlebar and the other clutching her hat tightly upon her head. Of course here today it was not Doctor Cross astride the demonic bike, but an unfamiliar Sorcerermon. A combination of actual disguise and the Holosuit masking the Doctor's features easily. Today she went by the name of Argent, a budding D-reaper researcher and occasional intern to one Doctor Mikemon. "This is as far as we can go together." Argent murmured as Behemoth came to a stop the darkened skies glowing with the distant crimson light of the Sea of blood. The stone and metal tower carved from a small mountain outcropping visible in the distance ahead as the demonic bike rumbled it's ill-content. "I know, but you're with me...the real me too often Behemoth. They'll grow suspicion if a mere champion rides up astride you. Specially one that is more learner then fighter." The disguised Doctor murmured running her hand lightly over the bikes seat in an affectionate caress. "Go on. I'm sure wherever you come from they're growing suspicious at your absence." Argent murmured taking a careful step back as the female Sorcerermon made a small shooing motion with their gloved hands. "Don't worry Cloak and Dagger are resting in the V-pet. I shan't be alone." She added as the bike finally gave way with an irritated rumble speeding off in a cloud of dust as Argent turned with a sigh and began the rest of their hike. Their robes slightly dust covered and appropriately travel worn when they finally knocked on the libraries looming door.
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D-Reaper Scout
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Never The End
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 11, 2018 3:09:59 GMT
The unforgiving nature of the Dark Area had its advantages - namely, that it was a very good place to keep things hidden in plain sight. Out here in the wastelands, for example, was a surprisingly regal example of a Libary, one that might catch Argent off guard. It wasn't quite as ornate as those in Luminas or as expansive as those in Whitewater, but she would still find herself walking past a small front garden towards a sturdy, wooden door.
At that knock, a small buzz echoed from the speaker, a small camera focusing from above. "Ah, and you must be Argent? Come along inside, then." An electrical whir spun just in front, as the door unlocked before the Sorcermon, opening slightly inward for her convenience. She'd be greeted with the foyer, with a small desk at the front - the walls within lined with books, of varied age and quality. Towards the left were the more properly bound scientific journals, organized by print date, year, and topic; to the right, a catalogue of 'loose papers and musings', likely ordered together by the owner of the abode.
Well, co-owners: "Bah, like we owed that cat any more favors." On that right side, tapping away at a laptop, was a Datamon (X) "I'm telling you, we'd do much better to keep our heads down until we know just what we're dealing with."
"Excuse my associate, sorry." With a nervous sigh, the library's second owner, a Wizardmon (X) greeted his guest, offering a proper handshake. "Come along, let's grab a seat in the back - the tea's on. Now, I know a bit about why you're here - and its quite an active field right now," the Wizardmon gave a nod, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Folks are either scared by the risk or drawn by the mystery. Well, I'm sure we'll have a lot to cover..."
Argent could practically hear the interest in his tone - and why not, with another colleague in the field! "So how long have you been at this?"
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Post by Cross on Sept 11, 2018 3:37:31 GMT
Argent blinked at the rather ornate layout in the veritable wasteland and while her gaze glanced over the gardens and door her eyes drank hungrily in the sight of the various books and journals her fingers practically itching to run over the binding and peruse the pages for herself. Still the Datamon's words were quick to garner her attention as the robes Digimon dipped her head and hat in a nod of greeting.
"Is something the matter?" The Sorcerermon hazarded a guess tilting their head as Argent's blue glowing eyes peered out at the Datamon from the darkness of their face. The majority of their features carefully concealed with scarves. Though the approach of the libraries second owner quickly drew their gaze.
"Oh it's fine. Caution is an admirable trait." Argent assured them seeming to perk up at the mention of the drink far rarer in the Digital World then she would have liked. "You have tea?" She questioned letting some eagerness fill her voice to match his even as she let the Wizardmon lead her back. Allowing the hardness of her own shell to melt away a touch beneath the anonymity of her disguise. The thought of a cup of tea in a library where she could at least somewhat freely disguise her field with those of like mind seeming like a welcome dream after the nightmare of recent events.
"I've been interning with Doctor Mikemon for a little while off and on as a field researcher. I was mostly working on variations in digital code like those caused by extreme damage or corruption. However Doctor Mikemon allowed me to assist with some of his patients that had contracted the D-virus and I noticed the variations it caused in their code over long exposure. I've been curious ever since." Argent explained the eagerness in her tone aligning somewhat with the Wizardmons unable to resist entirely the chance to talk shop to some extent without risking ending up on the dissection table herself.
"With the recent announcement of the discovery of the effigies I've been trying to research the history of the D-reaper in hopes that if we understood it's past we might better understand how to deal with it in the future. The Doctor thought I might be onto something, but couldn't pursue the thread of questioning with how busy he is so he felt it prudent to introduce us." She elaborated unslinging the bag messenger bag they had been carrying from their shoulder to clutch it lightly to their chest.
"The Doctor though failed to mention if either of you used the human way of naming oneself like has become popular of late or not?" Argent added realizing that while they knew somewhat of her the Doctor had failed to mention much about them.
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D-Reaper Scout
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Never The End
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 11, 2018 4:02:41 GMT
"Hmph." Was something the matter? Datamon didn't seem apt to respond to that, simply pretending to focus on that largely-automated task in front of him. Unfortunately, he didn't trust much at face value - and after the incident in the Dark Area, and Luminas' political response, he wasn't eager to simply jump back on that horse.
The Wizardmon, meanwhile, was far more hospitable. "Oh yes - just a simple black tea." It was a rarity to see in the Dark Area, as something even as basic as that might be taken as a delicacy. It wouldn't take him long to lead the sorceress towards the back end of the library. He pulled her seat back, raising his free hand to levitate the fresh teapot, and two empty mugs, over to the table, settling them nicely in the middle.
"Hm, the doctor's been taking interns now?" That didn't sound like the doctor that the Wizardmon knew, but he didn't dwell on that topic for long. Sitting across from her, the wizard crossed his arms on the table, easily taking in all of her words. She'd been interested in how the D-Reaper impacted its victims, and wanted to get as much information as she could about the 'monster'.
That was the long-and-short of it, anyway. "Well, you have the right view about it. So many are just so ingrained in their experience that they forget to take a look back at the basics, the 'origin'." Considering that point for a moment, the Wizardmon started to formulate his response in his head.
But of course, introductions! "Well, no, we're simply 'Wizardmon' and 'Datamon'. Officially, I would be 'Expert Data Analyst Wizardmon, Number Two', but Wizardmon is far more comfortable." Chuckling a bit at his expense, he returned the question: "And how about yourself?"
Past that, though, the topic of the D-Reaper's history was quite an interesting topic: "Unfortunately, the D-Reaper itself is quite the ancient beast. Even the statue of the Phoenix has proven to be a few thousand cycles old, by our own testing - and those were likely constructed in response to the threat. Though, there are still a few hints that we have been able to gather... hm. Tell me, how familiar are you with the Sea of Blood?"
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Post by Cross on Sept 11, 2018 4:25:47 GMT
"Tea sounds lovely." Argent murmured only momentarily taken aback at having her chair pulled out for her as she settled into the seat with a nod of thanks. Pausing to tug her scarves down enough to reveal blue skin like most Sorcerermons had and a stitched mouth, careful images projected by the Holosuit to hide her identity under close observation and allow her to pour and sip her own tea with a happy hum.
"Ah well I consider myself an intern," She explained a ducking her head to hide the slightly dark blue flush across her cheeks. "Mostly the Doctor just let me tag along in the field and take notes at first and it evolved from there." Argent elaborated nodding along quietly as the Wizardmon explained the simplicity of just calling him Wizardmon with no others of his digimon type around unless you wanted to get technical. Until he turned the question on her in turn.
"Oh I worked with a Xros General for a little bit. It's how I got my name, but they ended up leaving the digital worlds so..." They responded with a small shrug clearly not to keen on elaborating on a likely somewhat touchy subject. Though they brightened up at talk about the D-reaper.
"I know of the Sea of Blood. That it's an area of corrupt crimson data, but I'm afraid my knowledge of it is limited beyond topography reports." Argent added considering the questions at hand. "I heard a rumor that there's been a larger number of D-reaper Nests cited within and around it, but with all the misinformation going around it's hard to pin down the truth without seeing it."
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D-Reaper Scout
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Never The End
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 11, 2018 22:57:36 GMT
Argent seemed like a fan of the finer things - at least, this was the Wizardmon's thought, hearing such an elated reaction to tea. The sorcerer returned a smile and a nod to his fellow spellcaster, pouring a cup for his guest.
The 'qualifier' that Argent gave for her relation to the Doctor quickly leveled Wizardmon's expression. "Ah, that would make more sense. Well, glad to know that a head like his is on this issue as well - what was once a very niche expertise is quickly becoming one of the more prominent fields of our time." Taking a small sip of his own tea, he gave his guest a few moments to settle in, the small-talk giving him somewhat of an idea of her background. Her name was given by a Xros General?
"Hm, a shame, but it happens more often than one would think. Unfortunately, the demands of tending to two worlds is quite stressful - I apologize, were you two close?" Realizing he might have just been treading on her feelings, the Wizardmon was glad to see a chance to change the subject...
... And, really, finally get this discussion on the road. Her answer about the Sea of Blood was about what he expected: "Well, none of that information is wrong, but its far from a complete picture. 'What' it is, is simple: a large body of corrosive data that will twist and turn whatever it touches. Like any ocean, it serves some purpose of regulating the temperature of the world overall - and, indeed, it is a host to several advanced D-Reaper nests. However, we've known about these nests for years: they have never been, nor are they currently, threats to the Digital World as a whole."
Starting with that, the Wizardmon half-stood-up, plucking a particular book from a shelf - not of scientific origin, but a historical one. "More to the point, the Sea of Blood served a different purpose." He flicked open the book, landing on a certain page before offering it towards Argent:
"Execution Grounds."
Indeed - that very tome held quite ancient records. Though the language might have been incomprehensible to human eyes, it was easy to see the structure: painted pictures of criminal Digimon, next to their description, offense, and sentence. Listed here were some of the worst, including Demon Lords and Fallen Knights.
"The practice has been officially banned for thousands of cycles, but back in those times, it was common practice to offer up the worst criminals to the sea. It seemed effective: those fallen in the water would not see their data return to the Village of Beginnings, nor would their data persist into another age after being loaded. It was theorized, at one point, that even the 'Titles' of the Demon Lords could be removed through such a method - but that eventually proved false."
The Wizardmon, holding an interested tone, continued on: "That aside, it was eventually discontinued. It had turned out that those 'executed' by the way of the Sea did not, in every case, perish. They might not remember their initial forms, or even their purpose in the world, but such amalgamations caused quite the terror in the Dark Area in its own time." Should Argent turn the page, she'd see an example of such, the damage an Arkadimon wrought upon an old Dark Area settlement.
"But that means another thing: the Sea of Blood, as it is now, contains the oldest living data of the Digital World - ages that rival or exceed even the spirit totems."
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Post by Cross on Sept 12, 2018 0:23:15 GMT
"I was one of the last to join his team so we were not terribly close for good or for ill." Argent murmured softly taking another sip of her tea before brightening all, but lighting up at the sight of the book set before her. The Sorcerermon's gloved fingers carefully flipping through the books pages with painstaking care and rapt fascination.
"However," She adds glancing up at the Wizardmon her eyes alight with the spark of curiosity. "He did get me access to a lot of the libraries in the human world. Are you familiar with the Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy?" Argent questions flipping back and forth a few pages before she settles on the picture of the Sea of Blood once more and gesturing to the picture.
"The law states roughly that the amount of mass and energy in the universe is constant. That it cannot be either created or destroyed. While a human world theory I believe it applies to data as well, but..." Argent trailed off her nose scrunching up slightly in thought as she tugged her scarf up momentarily her eyes distant as she mused.
"How long has there been D-reaper nests in the Sea of Blood? Where they there even before the statue broke? Could the nests in the deeper sections be formed from ancient D-reaper data deposits that were attempted to be disposed of in the sea ages ago? Though if the sea really does contain some of the oldest living data of the digital world...do you think any of it might still be...sentient? Viable? The historical knowledge alone..." The Sorcerermon murmured sighing wistfully at the mere prospect of what could be learned from it if it could be obtained.
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D-Reaper Scout
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Never The End
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 12, 2018 0:50:57 GMT
Not a close connection? Well, the Wizardmon would let that one simply sleep, then - no need to unnecessary pull at any nails or hairs that didn't need to be pulled. The point about libraries in the human world did perk the Wizardmon's interest, though.
"Ah, yes - though its not widely recorded, that's a theory that's yet to be easily disproven on this side as well." He gave a nod, after Argent explained the law. "In essence, it means that the 'size' and 'population' of our world is relatively constant - fluctuating slightly, but everything works relatively well within its constraints." It was an interesting point to bring up...
... But with the flurry of questions, he, at first, returned a chuckle. "Age is a bit tricky to analyze, but the record of its existence does go as far back as our written records. And yes, the nests existed before the statue broke - largely in the same state that they are now." Reaffirming that last point, he considered the next: "Considering how the D-Reaper operates, I largely doubt it. Its 'base' lives on a corrupted patch of data, and the agents' have an absolute range, equal to the reach of their cables. The effort it would take to relocate a D-Reaper's core, and its low likelihood to survive the transit, means that the D-Reaper was not likely transplanted into the sea."
As for the last question?
"Its a question of sanity." He gave a shrug: "You can consider this in a human context as well. If you dig far enough down into the earth - as it is in the human world - you can find older and older 'records'. Air pockets can tell you how the weather was or how hot it was, fossils and amber findings can show what life was like in that era. So too is the sea: the deeper the level the older the data. But 'life' as it is down there can't really be compared to the surface."
After all: "No social connection, no stimulation - just endless red and random corruption. The data itself may show us something of the old time, but unfortunately, the thoughts and ideas from those back then would be lost to madness."
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Post by Cross on Sept 12, 2018 1:12:31 GMT
"So the D-reaper nests likely formed there on their own eons ago..." Argent mused staring down thoughtfully at the pictures in the book tracing her gloved fingers lightly over the images there depicting the fallen knights and villains tossed into the sea.
"What exactly are D-reaper Cores?" She questioned softly, though Cas herself had her theories she doubted Argent would possess such advanced knowledge.
"I could see how sanity might be an issue with any intact individual we find. They'd need to be exceptionally powerful or strong willed to have persisted through the ages and kept even a fraction of their minds intact." The Sorcerermon mused frowning slightly behind the cover of their scarf only to pause and pull it down to take another small sip of their tea.
"Has the Sea of Blood always been like this?" She questioned motioning to the corrosive and corrupted red waters. "Or did it only become like this after digimon after digimon was tossed to their deaths in the waves?"
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D-Reaper Scout
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Never The End
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 12, 2018 1:27:56 GMT
Ah, now Argent was getting to the root of it - what were the D-Reaper cores themselves? "Ah, now you're starting to strike at theory." The Wizardmon gave a chuckle, processing how to explain it as best he could. "The D-Reaper is not wholly a destructive force. Several of its agents have clearly been seen observing and even imitating what Digimon are capable of, and by the current theory, the 'Cores' serve that same purpose."
Rolling that thought over in his head, he continued: "The Core serves the same purpose as the core of a Digimon. Without it, nearby nests would be unable to propagate - though D-Reaper cores tend to be more exposed and far more resilient than a Digimon's own. The Core itself has the ability to contain a creature, and those within tend to 'integrate' into the D-Reaper. It both learns from its host, and incites its host to try and extrapolate whatever it doesn't currently understand."
Past that? "It doesn't take much theory to note why the Sea of Blood is such a successful ground for the D-Reaper. Such addled souls are perhaps the easiest to fall victim to the Cores - hm?" Was the Sea of Blood always like this?
"We currently have no records suggesting its ever been in another state. One theory is that the Dark Area was once a thriving part of the Digital World with a normal sea, but no fossil data suggests that occurrence. Another is that there's simply something about this place that draws in 'trash data', and over time, it somehow convulsed into such a form - but again, such a draw nor a history of it has not been confirmed."
In all honesty, it was hard to say. "But as for your theory, why would have the Sea been used for the purposes of execution, if it did not have that quality when the process first started?"
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Post by Cross on Sept 12, 2018 2:05:39 GMT
Argent nodded along thoughtfully absorbing this information like a sponge. "These D-reaper nests are clearly ancient if they've existed there for as long as the records say. If the Cores truly do contain a living functioning host then it would serve to reason that such old nests must have grow up around very powerful and strong willed Digimon. Perhaps even..." And the Sorcerermon paused turning the book around and pushing it towards Wizardmon as she lightly tapped the images of the knights and villains thrown into the sea. "Some of the Sea's first victims." She extrapolated her excitement slowly mounting.
"While any data or individuals we might recover from beneath the Sea of Blood would likely be compromised due to their sanity, the mind of the host would likely be the aspect a D-reaper nest would most prize giving the D-reaper incentive to keep said hosts in peak condition." Argent pointed out. "Thus there's a chance the cores have acted not unlike a time-capsule. Meaning if we could break open and remove a host there's a good chance that if they could be cleansed other then the initial trauma of the D-reaper they would likely be mentally intact."
(Post 666)
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D-Reaper Scout
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 12, 2018 3:18:35 GMT
Ooh, wasn't that an interesting idea? The Wizardmon gave a nod at his colleague's musings, taking a glance down at the same records of the victims that he had shared with her moments prior. "Perhaps even older than the pages of this book... though perhaps even being subjected to that sort of fate has warped their mentality. In fact, that's almost a certainty."
Argent's theory did have merit, that much the Wizardmon knew. "In theory, it might be possible that a Digimon has maintained their form and data over such a long span. Still, it might be a bit more than 'initial drama'." The sorcerer gave a sigh, shaking his head: "Over such a long period of indoctrination, it could hardly be considered a rescue. Their minds would have been picked away until they were naught more than servants of the Reaper. But the very data itself might still be worth investigating. And its not as if we'd be hunting blindly."
Drawing their attention away from the book for a moment, the Wizardmon pulled up something else: a binder, filled from edge to edge with graph and drawing paper. Flipping through, he'd find a page near the back, and set it down to Argent for observation - a surface map of the Sea of Blood, with Greek letters and corresponding shaded circles marking a number of areas.
"This is how we've been mapping the detected nests that we've located in the Sea of Blood - noted in order of discovery, currently from Alpha to Lambda." He gave a tap, over two in particular: "Theta's data signal is by far the largest, but its border, the most erratic. Delta has the most refined shape," almost a perfect squashed oval, "Which might be indicative of its age. Of course, these tend to vary widely - especially on the bi-weekly basis on which they are mapped. This would be from... yes, four days ago."
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Post by Cross on Sept 12, 2018 3:37:45 GMT
"True indoctrination is almost certain." Argent murmured scanning the offered binder as she chewed on her lower lip for a moment in thought. "Their data though could still be highly valuable not to mention I imagine being a D-reaper core is a fate worse then death. I am unsure anyone saint or fiend truly deserved what was done to these Digimon." The Sorcerermon mused empathy lancing through her heart, an emotion rarely felt these days for her with such clarity. These digimon...they could have been her. Might still be her.
"There's a chance though that the erratic nature of the nest might hint at a Core Host that is still struggling against the D-reapers control. Not to mention there's a possibility said erratic reactions might be to our benefit if we were to theoretically go in with a fast strike team to snatch and grab the Host. Ensuring the then crippled nest will have even more difficulty responding." Argent suggested looking over the map and trying to ignore the lump of emotion foreign and strange that sat low in her throat or the ever present weight blocked, but never gone of the Reaper in the back of her mind.
"Then again a more stable nest would have patrols that are easier to predict. I suppose it depends on if we are willing to gamble on a nest with a Host that is possibly theoretically resisting and may be able to mentally recover enough to aid us or one that is likely entirely integrated, but easier to get." The Sorcerermon mused quietly despising as she always had in her profession the need to prioritize just who to save. If any.
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D-Reaper Scout
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Never The End
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OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 12, 2018 23:09:10 GMT
"Its likely what would have been those inside the cores forgot who they were ages ago. Their forms and memories might be somewhat in-tact... though, I suppose the real value would be to analyze such a long-standing specimen." The Wizardmon considered that, for a moment - oddly lacking that very empathy that Argent gave. "D-Reaper indoctrination, though known, isn't a common occurrence on the surface - and, unfortunate to say, the only known victims are that of my old research team."
Wizardmon sighed at that - the Dark Area incident was made oh-so-much-worse by the turning of those four members of the D-Reaper Response Unit. Still, at this point, it was a matter worth discussing. He considered Argent's words, giving a fair nod to her point. "It could be that, or it could be a widespread reaction in an effort to claim additional 'area' as fast as it can. But its simple to look at it from a top-down view - as it stands, the sheer depth that these nests are in the Sea of Blood would make any trek quite the journey."
Stable or not, the Wizardmon considered the proposition: "And even reaching that depth, there would be the matter of how to act against the D-Reaper from inside the vessel. This... this would take some work."
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Post by Cross on Sept 12, 2018 23:31:53 GMT
"Were you...were you able to recover them?" Argent questions softly trying to ignore the way his words made her itch, skin and bio-metal crawling at the idea. The irony of their situation not lost upon her.
"I suppose without close observation it would be difficult to tell whether the nest is simply trying to rapidly expand or if it's suffering some sort of feedback from it's hosts resistance. We'd need to see how it's agents acted to be certain. Not to mention find a way to scan how deeply the nest descends beneath the Sea of Blood and locate the core." The Sorcerermon mused finishing her cup of tea as she poured both herself and the Wizardmon a second cup a slight wrinkle between her brows as she considered the problem before them.
"I've read books about operations like this humans have done. They call them deep sea recovery missions. Though the human world oceans don't usually have D-reapers in them. We'd need a submarine of sorts capable of cloaking and diving suits resistant to the Sea's corruption. Though...wait no we'd risk damaging the host when we cracked open the core if we had to pull them out through open water. Maybe find a way to attach the sub to the core and formed a sealed entrance to it..." Argent muttered digging into her bag to pull out a few pieces of scrap paper and a pencil as she jotted down plans and tried to trace out designs.
"It's doable, but would need to be a fast snatch and grab strike team. Get in and get out. We'd need a way to isolate the host so that the D-reaper nest couldn't track us through them once we re-cloaked." She murmured quietly as much to herself as to the Wizardmon.
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