B-Admin's office is spartan, even more than mine. A square desk is flanked by filing cabinets, which also line the walls. An Oberon terminal and several computers sit at a desk next to it. B-admin sits me down, passing the file over. The report is surprisingly simple - detailing merely that the Troubled Wards had become 'beliggerent and incapable of being talked down'. Once the oxygen flush had been active for a week, cleaner crews from B and C moved in, utilizing fire to destroy and incinerate bodies, cleaning effluvium as they went. After all was said and done, custodial C-staff moved through the area, sweeping up the ash and depositing to recycling chambers. The loss of life was significant - the Troubled Wards were completely lost along with all functional equipment there. In the sense of resources, the Troubled Wards are only useful for storage, presently. At least a couple hundred lives - mutated or changed or whatever - were lost in the shuffle, the fire.

For the first time, I feel a sense of shame. Certainly I did all I could. But even so, these lives were mine to care for. T-Admin's words make sense. I slump back in the chair.
"I understand your reaction, sir." B-admin states, "It's a normal thing, to feel so responsible. A good sign. But all you can do is work to prevent it from happening again. And you've done so, yes?"

"...Yes, yes I have." I admit. THe book is sealed away. My dreams have been untouched by the entities in the book or otherwise.

"Then what could be the point in allowing yourself to be burdened by it?" B-admin advises. "You have tasks before you. Perform them to the best of your ability. React accordingly to unexpected events. Prepare for problems of the future. No one could fault you so long as you are diligent."

"...I suppose you're right, B-Admin."

"Please. B777 is fine." he says, smiling. "Feel free to come by anytime if you need someone to talk to."

I rise and return to the elevator to my office, sitting in the chair with a sigh. OBERON welcomes me back.

It is time to govern.


>Request Reports.
>Request Audience with...
>Redirect Resources from... to...
>Investigate Floor
>Speak with OBERON (Ask a question)
>Perhaps something else?

>>4498649
>Request Reports.
>Investigate Floor

>>4498662
>Request Reports.
>Investigate Floor

>Speak with OBERON (Ask a question)
How long have you been active for in this bunker?
Have you ever seen or existed outside of this bunker?
How many other bunkers or human refuges exist?
Can we communicate with any of the other bunkers?
Why can't we expand further into the earth and try to mine metals and other minerals to replenish our decaying infrastructure?

>>4498649
Hmmm. Maybe, in addition to rehabilitating those who get put in the Troubled Wards, we can investigate factors leading to people being put there in the first place, and prevent it?
>Speak with OBERON (Ask a question)
"What are the various reasons that people get put into the troubled wards for?"

Also, T-admin said she suspected the bunker wasn't as sustainable as we thought it was, didn't she? I'd like her to elaborate on that. I would also like her input on the above question and ideas of 'preventative rehabilitation' or 'preventative care'. The premise of the idea being that preventing so-called "broken people" from breaking will have less of a resource cost than it will to have what could be productive workforce locked, unproductive, in the basement until rehabilitation (which may not happen for ~30% of people there)

I've been toying with the idea of converting part of the troubled wards into a sort of relaxation area we can rotate people into.

>>4498649
>Request Reports
How long has the stuff in the Trouble Wards been going on? When did it start?
>Order total search to see if there's another one of those books in the Bunker.

>>4498649
>Request Reports.
Best to nip problems in the bud.
>Investigate and replace the corrupted technology when appropriate.
It's advisable that we attempt to find preventive measures for more Magic resistant technology. The drone sould be investigated and destroyed. And I'm sure that the symbol holds some importantance, possibly magical, so be weary.
>Request audience with T-Admin
Now we have a complete blank slate in regards to the wards, as T-Admin about her insight and recommendations about Ward improvement. Task her with such.
>Ask Oberon for a report on the Book and if any other magical incidents or artifacts cropped up.
There are subversive elements at work here in the Bunker. Is there any sort of ideology defense in the Bunker that we can rely on? That which we can reinforce with Education or other methods?

"OBERON, I have a few questions." I lean back in my chair. In the time I've been working with it, such thoughts have been pestering me, and I've been keeping a notebook. "Most of this has to do with the Ascension."

"Understood, Administrator. I Will Answer To The Best Of My Ability."

"First of all, how long have you been active here?"

"Since Its Construction, During Which Time I Assisted With Various Logistical Matters. The Actual Crossing Of Time Is Vague, I Was Not Equipped With A Chronometer Until Some Time One Hundred Fifty Years Ago."

"Were you ever active outside it?"

"...A Difficult Question To Answer. The Best Reply THat Answers This Is That This Instance Of My Self Has Only Ever Been Here. And Since I Have Not Been Connected To My Other Instances Of My Self, Then I Might As Well Have Only 'Lived' Here."

"How many other bunkers were built?"

"A Great Number Of Bunkers Were Indeed Constructed. At Least One Thousand In Initial Projections Of Necessity. More Were Started After That. At Least Half Were Actually Completed. It Was A Complicated Time, The Last Days Of Human Glory."

"Can we communicate with other bunkers?"

"None Are Close Enough. We Are, Sadly, Somewhat Isolated."

"Is there a specific reason we cannot expand further?"

"Perhaps It Is Difficult To State Just How Much Hate Humanity Had Garnered From The Elemental Beings That Permeate This World. This Size Is Likely The Largest That Can Largely Go Ignored. Larger, And The Earth Itself May Take Notice. Or Perhaps Some Entity Or Another Would Attempt To Gain Entrance. We Have Already Had An Intrusion, Not To Mention Our Current Matter With A Subversion Of A Mining Drone. We Are, As Humans, Under Somewhat Constant Siege."

"Can you tell how long it took the Troubled Wards to enter the state they were in?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Likely The Influence Stretches Back To Your Predecessor's Time." OBERON replies. "Having Looked Into The Matter, I Can Conclude That The Stolen Food Was Caused In Part By This. The Changes Caused By Their Uses Of Magic - To Warm The Wards, To Darken Them - Also Necessitated More Food. The Paste Was Insufficient. Thus, They Sent Agents To Steal It, While Naming Some Other Cause."

"Have you handled the corrupted drone?"

"One Moment. I Have Delivered It To B-Floor's Firing Range. This Demonstration Is For All Your Sakes."
A camera feed clicks on, "You Will Notice That I Have Instructed The Other Cameras Turned Off. My Own Monitors Are Powered Down. There Are Many Lesser Fae Beings That Wish To Bring Harm To Humans By ANy Means Possible. One Method During The Fall Of Man Was To Subvert Technology. Behold."

>(More)

The firing range holds a mining drone. It's about the size of a person, shaped vaguely like a spider. It has a collection canister on its back, and grasping arms as well as a 'mouth' that pulverizes stone. But now it looks different. The canister is discarded almost immediately with a hiss, as if fired at the nearest visible human. It stands on its hind legs, metal screaming as it is twisted beyond tolerance. The mouth 'opens', drill bits spinning angrily as it stalks towards the B-staff, who draw their guns and open fire. Small arms ping off the shell - made to withstand high pressures underground - until a rocket propelled grenade screams into its chest, blowing it open. It takes stumbling steps back, and another volley of focused fire pours into the opened hole. Something goes 'plang!', and the whole mess shudders, shifting, into motionlessness. The floor opens under it, some contraption taking it away.

"I Then Incinerated It. What You Just Saw Is A Technofae. They Were Most Prevalent Just During The Fall. You can Imagine Those Days, I Imagine. I Was Constructed And Installed In Isolation For A Very Good Reason."

I shake off the terror.
"R-right, OBERON. Uhm. What sort of things put people in the Troubled Wards?"

"Mental Illness Was The Most Likely Reason. An Inability To Be Reformed From Various Crimes, Mostly Violent. Seditious Desires Against The Administration. Similar Issues."

"I see. I think we may have a path forward. Can you summon T-Admin for me? I'd like to discuss the future of the Wards with her."

"Shall I Prepare Music, Or Perhaps A Specialized Meal?"

"What? No. This is an administrative meeting."

"Very Well."

>"Oh no, You have to explain that bit."
>Clean up your desk. It's a mess.
>Get into a new jumpsuit.
>Put out fresh water for the both of you.
>Something else? (Writein)

>>4499806
>"Oh no, You have to explain that bit."

>>4499806
>"Oh no, You have to explain that bit."
>"Isn't music considered an extraneous activity?"

>>4499806
....QM, this is an administrative meeting. T-Admin's entire floor got wrecked, many people under her care are dead, and we are discussing the future of her work in this bunker. Now is not the time to be hitting on them. Just...offer them the same as you would any other visitor. And get your desk cleaned up, regardless of visits. I doubt even our efficiency-dork of an admin fails to understand what Oberon was getting at there.

>>4499837
Your right. She is emotionally vulnerable at this moment. It's the best time to hit on her. Bring out the Moonshi-*bang*

Demon eliminated. Operations will be back to efficient state in a couple of minutes. Carry on.

>>4499806
>"Oh no, You have to explain that bit."
Lol

But also these. When was the last time we changed clothes?
>Clean up your desk. It's a mess.
>Get into a new jumpsuit.

The water might be going a little far though.

>>4499938
Yeah, we can't have her thinking we're a _simp_

>>4499955
Yea, we're just efficient! Now let go over how many resources you need for all your dreams to come tru-*bang*

Sarcasm is not efficient. Carry on.

>I Can Conclude That The Stolen Food Was Caused In Part By This.
>Thus, They Sent Agents To Steal It, While Naming Some Other Cause."
Didn't we sentence some people to hard labor for stealing food recently? We should take a much closer examination of those individuals again.

>>4499806
OBERON, if we just lost a mining drone to this "technofae," what's stopping you from being corrupted?

"OBERON, if we just lost that drone to a 'technofae', then what's stopping you from being contaminated?"

"To Begin With, Were I Actually Corrupted, You Would Know By Now. Suffice To Say That Technofae Are Not Subtle Beings, And My Capabilities For Murder Are Quite Astounding."

"...Sure, but-"

"This Is Without Mentioning The Physical Distance I Am From The Bunker, The Many Safegaurds In Place - Such As Numerous Suicide Failsafes - And The Fact That I Am Smarter Than Your Average Fae. Trust Me When I Say This, Administrator: Should I Fail You, I Will Do Absolutely Everything In My Power To Prevent Myself From Harming You.
"I Bear Humanity No Grudge, And Owe Them A Great Deal. You And Your Lot, I Have Deduced, Are Worth Death."

"I... uh. Wasn't expecting that sort of response."

"Then You Were Not Fully Aware Of What You Were Truly Asking, Administrator."

"While I'm talking with T-Admin, can you look into the men we sentenced for the food-"

"Already Handled. They Asked To Remain In Their Sentence, Respectfully, Having Found A Great Deal More Enjoyment In The Hard Labor."

...Huh.

T-Admin enters, carrying loads and loads of documents - it's only by swift action that I prevent her from toppling over. She is absurdly slender, willowy, and rarely cuts her hair. It shadows over her face constantly unless she pulls it aside to review this or that. Directing her to a seat at my desk, I set down my own papers, realizing in the shuffle that I hadn't even done any of the preparation I had intended.

"T-Admin, thank you for coming. I was thinking we could discuss the future of the Wards."

"Yes, yes. They are prime for reconstruction." she agrees, "There's much that could be done with them. What are you proposing, sir?"

> Write in your proposed use of the former Troubled Wards. Similar writeins will be rolled-in together.

>>4501129
"Specialized treatment on each floor, each dealing with a specific common problem that is solvable or salvageable (overwork, lifestyle stress, injury, etc.), for the upper levels. To the more... unique and harder problems we may face, may require a more specialized and tailored approach to how we handle them, to regulated to the lower levels. The hardest and most hopeless cases are to be handled at the very bottom, to be strictly contained, monitored, and reeducated until such a time as they are deemed fit to reintroduce them back into Bunker society, if it ever arises. As we decent into the lower levels, we may have to get increasingly... creative, and potentially experimental the futher down we go. We should also find some useful tasks so as to make the lower levels feel valued and improved their self-worth, as it may contribute to their rehabilitation.

I'm rather parched, would you care for a glass of water?"

Well, if we don't have any time do our other actions...

*OBERON starts playing some old world music to T-Admin's shock and wonder, and to the Administratior's horrified embarrassment*

>>4501180
Why would we offer her a glass of water if it's us who's parched? It's inefficient. Just drink silently like a normal efficient person.

>>4501211
Not necessarily inefficient, just different context. It's more efficient in the long run to work out the inefficient kinks in a professional relationship. Hence, we offer her water because she is in our space and we're the host. This has the added benefit of increased familiarity, after which we would dispense with the inefficiency of being polite and get straight to business without a souring of relations, and thus without a potential drop in efficiency.

>>4501218
We can just stop being polite right now without these extraneous rituals.

>>4501221
Unfortunately, just because we've achieved a state of enlightened efficiency, doesn't mean the others are so lucky. These ritual, as archaic as they are, still hold a small but measurable sway among them. We are 'the new kid on the block', untested of you will. We must engage and be proactive in establishing a freindly tone for our relationships with the other Admins. To do otherwise may turn them against us, and that would be the death of efficiency.

>>4501618
Your word eruption is extraneous. Just admit you want a waifu.

>>4501723
Frankly, I want more character development other than autisticly efficient. Efficiency is a way of life, not a mental state.

>>4501834
Or disorder. But a waifu certainly helps.

>>4501211
>>4501218
>>4501221

For a moment, I freeze. Probably to T-admin it looks like nothing happened, but I must contend with what's going on in my head. Let's put things simply: I am an Administrator of the Bunker. I am not some addled teen, lost between Vocations, giggling about the breeding floors. Before me is a colleague, respected, and between us is a task, which we will approach with care and efficiency. I have been under a great deal of stress, and perhaps my own mind was seeking a way to relieve it - but this is not the way. I shall not lose the respect of my staff, myself, and this Bunker on such frivolity. I am, when all is said and done, an Administrator.

Deep breath.

"Before we get started, let's get us both some water." I state evenly, "There's a fair bit to go over, starting with the rough outline of my own proposal. Nothing really specific at this point, more of an outline. We have a lot of floors to work with, and I think we should use that to our advantage. Specializing floors by their trauma or core issues may be a great help, assuming we can figure out the correct sort of floors to build. Lowest floors could be useful for the special cases - dangerous or hopeless cases. Give them specialized labor, as well - mental or physical."

"And for reintroduction?"

"Its my hope we get that done with as many patients as possible. We want to keep people moving about, separate. No large groups should be allowed to form if we can help it. This place is incredibly vulnerable."

"Yes, we can't allow them to be swayed by dreams, or sway others." she nods. "This looks good. I think we should implement it when it's more complete." shifting around her books, looking for something. "I wanted to bring another idea to your consideration as well." she says, sliding forth a slim folder. A proposal marked with the AP code: Related to the Ascension Project. "I propose we make a new class for interacting with people of the surface. Perhaps someone with a particular mental structure from my wards would be ideal, even."

>It sounds like a decent idea - start scouting your wards for someone suitable.
>Why not yourself, T-Admin?
>I think I can be the face of the bunker, if need be.
>I think we should have a group greet them - several admins, if possible?
>OBERON, any thoughts?
>(Write in)

>>4503362
>I think we should have a group greet them - several admins, if possible?
>OBERON, any thoughts?

>>4503362
>Why not yourself, T-Admin?
>It sounds like a decent idea - start scouting your wards for someone suitable.
It's been noted she has an exceptionally strong will earlier, during the event where we had to burn out her floor. If not her, then she could at least pick out those of the outside trekking groups that get corrupted if she's the one looking directly over them.

>>4503362
>I think I can be the face of the bunker, if need be.
As in, it'll probably come down to me. Officially a last resort, if you will.

>It sounds like a decent idea - start scouting your wards for someone suitable.
>Why not yourself, T-Admin?
>OBERON, any thoughts?
I'd rather not have multiple admin ms meeting them in the same room, not only is in inefficient, but dangerous. A single spell, and there goes most of the Bunker administration...

>You mentioned some of the wards having dreams. Can you be more specific?

>>4503442
>outside trekking
Whoa, lad, your getting a little ahead of yourself there...

...you should atleast had the breeder introductions first. I believe back the Old World they used to call them 'dates'.

>>4503362
>It sounds like a decent idea - start scouting your wards for someone suitable.
I imagine the restless explorer types probably end up in her wards, though loyalty to the bunker and a strong will are must have traits

>>4503605
my goodness, administrators breeding? that's pretty inefficient if you ask me familia

Personally I wanna see if we can interface with OBERON's hard drives, if yo catch my drift

Do computers like pet names? Maybe Obi for short?

>>4503632
Help Me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're My Only Hope.

>>4503362
>It sounds like a decent idea - start scouting your wards for someone suitable.
>OBERON, any thoughts?

>>4503362
>It sounds like a decent idea - start scouting your wards for someone suitable.
>OBERON, any thoughts?

>>4503362
>>4503362
>I think we should have a group greet them - several admins, if possible?
Allow volunteers from every level.
>OBERON, any thoughts?

>(Write in)
I'd like more internal barriers and doors in the wards so we don't have another incident where we pull apart a crudely made barricade and have nothing to close and lock when we see what horrors are on the other side.

>>4504422
"First of all, I'm going to note that we should probably install more doors and bulkheads down there. ...Just in case. You know." I say, and chuckle at her hasty agreement. "But secondly, I think you've got a great idea. In fact, I think you should be the head of that team, once we open the doors and get that project running. It's a big undertaking. I'll also trust you with first-contact duties if someone comes knocking sooner." I say. T-Admin's capability for understanding, her adaptiveness, and her earnest desire for everyone's best outcome are quite positive traits for a diplomat. "Scout among your charges for a proper team, and work with OBERON on welcome-wagon protocols. OBERON, I'm adding T-admin to the clearance list for the Ascension Project."

"Understood, Sir."

"Any thoughts of your own about this?"

"Nothing Rises To Mind, Except That My Own Existence Should Be Hidden From Other Humans. It Is Possible Some Other Oberon Shard Was Corrupted, One Way Or Another, And Would Be Seeking Other Shards."

"I see."

I close the binder of the Troubled Wards project, considering the matter finished for this meeting. The larger binder of Ascension remains opened as T-admin rises.
"I think I should get moving. I've a lot to sort out. I'll send the various requests to you and you can approve them to the necessary floors, yes?"

"Of course. I'm excited to see what you'll do with your projects."

"Likewise." she turns and heads down the elevator.

>Right. Need to call in B and C admins for discussions on Ascension and plans surrounding it, next.
>I should visit C-floor and ask about their surface-scouting project.
>I should visit B-floor and see about their prep for the door.
>Something else? (Write in)

>>4504763
>>I should visit C-floor and ask about their surface-scouting project.
Having an idea on what's out there would give us a better idea on how to prep cracking the seal on this can.

>>4504763
>I should visit C-floor and ask about their surface-scouting project.

>>4504763
>Right. Need to call in B and C admins for discussions on Ascension and plans surrounding it, next.

Seems prudent to iron out some of the kinks with both admins together so we all have a better grasp of the Project overall. After, we can visit the floors individually and see how their projects are coming along. Very efficient, if I do say so myself.

>Inquire OBERON about research and analysis of the Book, the Fae in it, and how it arrived in the Bunker in the first place.

After all Administrative duties are dealt with, this should take priority. After all, Knowledge is Efficiency.

>>4504763
>Right. Need to call in B and C admins for discussions on Ascension and plans surrounding it, next.

>>4505576
>>4504804

First of all, I summon the admins for the two most relevant floors when it comes to Ascension: the closest thing I have to a militia, and my tech experts. "The first thing we need to hammer out is whether we can get the door working at all. There was some doubt before - C-Admin, have you hammered that out?"

"Ah, yes, sir." the engineer smiles, "With the extra materials gained before we stopped the mining, we will definitely be able to get the doors running smoothly by as soon as next week. That leaves the other considerations."

B-Admin nods.
"We've inventoried the armory, charged the nonfatals, done some minor repair work on our equipment, and are ready to go at any time, sir. I've been drilling the men to keep them prepared."

"Excellent. Now, C-Admin..."

[As a reminder: Ascension is at 3/5 progress.]

>>4504789
>>4504775

"...I need to speak with you, on your floor?"

"Sure, boss." he says, as B-admin bows and steps away. The elevator ride is short, but feels oddly tense. "Things have been a little off-put since a B told us about that Technofae thing and I confirmed it. Scary stuff, boss. Scary stuff." he emphasizes the words oddly, "But I think I know a way around it for your project topside. Been working on it with Oberon." he leads me to a table of what looks like mechanical...

"Are these meant to look like creatures above?"

"Yessir. And it's a two-step thing. They only each have power for one trip up and a quarter trip back. A technofae can only inhabit a device that is running, has power. Power runs out, fae is ejected, sometimes with enough force to knock it senseless for a while. So..."

"So you send one all the way up, it records footage, heads back, dies. You send another to retrieve. And another, and another..."

"Yep. Then we replace the batteries here, recharge them, review footage, and we oughta be safe."

"This sounds..."

>Absurd. We're running on too much going right.
>Promising. We're on the right track here. Work on reliability, I don't want them getting lost.
>Excellent. Proceed on this course. Here's hoping for results soon.
>(Write in)

>>4510526
>What of the very last one? The one that returns to the Bunker? It has to be powered to do that, right?

>>4510526
>Promising. We're on the right track here. Work on reliability, I don't want them getting lost.

This is a great start. You do the Bunker proud, you and your Floor.

Welcome back by the way, Management! I was afraid we lost you there for a moment.

>>4510526
>Promising. We're on the right track here. Work on reliability, I don't want them getting lost.

Good to see you back, Management.

>>4510546
+1

>>4510526
>Promising. We're on the right track here. Work on reliability, I don't want them getting lost.
But...
>>4510529
>What of the very last one? The one that returns to the Bunker? It has to be powered to do that, right?
And then would we just have a technofae running around inside the bunker?

>>4511121
+1

"One problem. What of the last one, that comes back here?"

"Mmmmn... I'm trying to adjust the charge values to the point where the second-to-last one dies right outside our protections. The last one goes up, secures the footage, and that's that. It's a fair waste, to be honest. Something I only want to execute once." he sighs. "And then there's the creatures up there. We saw a lizard-thing operating the messaging board. It had a weapon, and clothes. Imagine if we're sitting right under a tribe of those. I don't doubt the B-floor boys, honest, it's just... It's daunting."

"Well, I'd say we're on the right track here." I smile, "Make them reliable and recoverable, I'm sure we can figure a way to reduce the waste as much as possible."

"Naturally, sir. Hopefully the topside isn't all tribesmen. I wonder if there's some sort of ruin left. Doubtless some tech survived."

"I think it's best to temper our expectations and work with what's in front of us, C-Admin." I admonish. "Focus. We're very close now."

"Sir."

I return to my office, slumping into my chair. The day is about half done. Oberon's screens turn on.
"Sir. I Have Some Reports About The Book Of Iron For You. And An Idea About The Images From The Technofae We Saw Earlier." it states.

>Tell me about the images.
>Tell me about the book.
>Ask Oberon something else? (Write in)
>Do something else entirely (write in)

>>4511736
>Tell me about the images.

>>4511736
>Tell me about the images.

>>4511736
>Tell me about the images.
>Tell me about the book.
>Ask Oberon about what he meant earlier with the meal and music.

I am interested in his response, as it was highly unusual.

While the Administrator probably did get the just of it, I imagine the context was lost on him, do to such education being extraneous in nature.

>>4511736
>Tell me about the images.

>>4511736
>Tell me about the images.
>Tell me about the book.

>>4512616
>>4511871
>>4511870
>>4511787
>>4511762
"Tell me about the images."

The monitors fill with a series of stills from the feed before. A face divided, a long sort of skull. Green eyes piercing the red of the image's filter.
"These Were The Final Transmissions Before The Drone's Camera Was Destroyed. Likely They Were Constructed Whole-Cloth By The TechnoFae." Oberon explains, "However, That Does Not Mean They Lack A Basis. Many Fae Take Forms Based On Folk Tales, Traditions, Et Cetera. I Have Been Combing Old Files Since The Incident. Many Of Them Are Depreciated, So It Took Time."

"And you discovered...?"

"I Found That The Images Are Reminiscent Of An Entity Known Of As The Mother Of Monsters. Consider Her A Sort Of Elemental Expression Of 'Survival'. Or Perhaps 'Natural Selection'. Interestingly, She Was Sympathetic To Humanity In Ways, Before The Cataclysm. It Is Unlikely The Technofae Are Bound To Her."

"So... what, she's a possible ally?"

"Tentative. Very Tentative. Consider Her A Neutral Point. If The Lore Speaks True, We Must Avoid Killing Any Of The..."
"Yes?"
"...Beastmen, Let Us Call Them Beastmen, Who Worship Her. If There Are Any."

"Very well. And the book?"

"This Is The Spellbook 'The Book Of Forges And Plows'. Written By A Fae Of Civilization, Or Change. It Primarily Concerns Itself With Environmental Spellwork. As For How It Arrived Here, I Believe It Fell In A Vent."

"Those vents exit into a cave network."

"Very Well, It Fell Into A Cave, Then Into A Vent." Oberon corrects testily. "Unlikely To Happen Again - Especially Since My Mining Sealed That Cave Entirely. I Can Surmise That The Book Is Simply Too Dangerous To Use Properly - To You, To The Bunker, And To Your People."

>It seems prudent to dispose of it, then.
>Then we'll keep it here.
>I still think I can use it, if I'm careful.
>Change topic (write in)
>Do Something else (Write in)

>>4513246
>It seems prudent to dispose of it, then.

>>4513246
>Then we'll keep it here.
>I still think I can use it, if I'm careful.

I don't intend, or am interested, in its proper usage. All I wish is to gain some information from it. There must have been some users, who dropped it into the cave. It is still probable that they are still around, waiting above ground. There's also the question of whether dropping it was accidental or intentional, and why it would try to seek the people of the Bunker, and think that they have the proper constitution and willpower to properly use it, by its own definition.

It is unfortunate, but these questions have to be answered.

>>4513246
>Then we'll keep it here.

>>4513246
>It seems prudent to dispose of it, then.
A mystical entity gives you a corrupting artifact, but promises that you totally are better than those other guys and can control it's power? It's a trap, and one of the kind where you start with "I'll use this power for good" and end with "DIE PUNY MORTALS"

>>4513338
While true, we did prove to have more willpower than the entity itself. Plus, he did mention extracting his own costs from his mentor-ship, which means the transaction has to be consensual, otherwise he would have extracted it outright.

Plus, the intention isn't to try and gain power, but instead knowledge of that power, it's advantages and especially it's weaknesses. Like it or not, we'll be forced to contend with other entities like this, and we can't dispose of them all, however much we'd like or want to.

>>4513246
>>It seems prudent to dispose of it, then.

Magic cooked this world. We must remain pure and untainted.

>>4513481
You seem to be assuming there was no deceit or sham in the entitiy's actions.

>>4514035
You seem to be assuming an active hostile intent on the entity's part. To Oberon, I'll concede, but to us in general? I'd say it remains to be seen.

>>4513246
>Then we'll keep it here.
As much as I'd like to just be rid of it there's something important to consider here: The people who came before us had more resources than we do and they still fell to magic. Now maybe the problem was they tried to use it themselves and maybe the threat will be less once we emerge. The fact of the matter is that we don't know for sure and at a future date it may become necessary to understand magic better in order to combat it, therefore we should secure but hold onto this one of a kind resource.

>>4514085
Of course I'm assuming a hostile intent. Isn't the humanity forced to hide from these creatures in a bunker?
If this entity is in any way smart, it won't show its hostility until the moment it thinks we can no longer do anything about it. The lack of outward signs of hostile intent shouldn't prove anything.

>>4513246
>Then we'll keep it here.

This is a source of information that is all it is, the danger comes in who has the information and how it is used. I trust us to not use magic, but we have no reason to cast it out.

>>4513246
>It seems prudent to dispose of it, then.
but ask in what way is it too dangerous? The courruption/taint?

>>4513246
>Then we'll keep it here.

Then we're unworthy of ever leaving our shells.

>>4513294
>>4514110
+1 to both writeins

>Dispose
>>4513260
>>4513338
>>4513899
>>4514444


>Keep/Research
>>4514604
>>4514110
>>4514097
>>4513321
>>4513294
>>4514730

Writing Update

>>4515978
"I don't think I will be using it. Nor will I be handing it off to anyone - even the depths of the earth." I stand from my chair, walking around the desk to lean close to it. I can feel the Taint in the air, or perhaps it's my imagination - a feeling of grease and grime that sifts through the empty space. "Magic boiled humanity alive once it was turned against us. This," I point at the book that now recedes into the desk, "Is simply going to be a warning to myself. It's going to be a useful font of information. Your views on magic are helpful, OBERON, but they are shrouded in overcaution."

"No Such Thing, When It Comes To Magic."

"Exactly. But if I need to know a way through a magic problem and not around it, this will come in useful. I don't think I will ever cast a single spell. I am the Administrator of the Bunker, and I'm not expendable to begin the process that being in the book detailed to me."

no sacrifice for your people, no power to lead

"No." the book was speaking into my mind, weak, pathetic, a whisper, but I cut it down sharply anyway. "That's not how things are done here. I will spend sleepless nights looking over thousands of files to find one security flaw. I will roam every floor in this facility to seek out a single hazard to my people. I will step into hell - and have done so! - to see their horrors first hand, but I will not throw myself on a pedestal for some notion of the 'greater good'."

"Sir, I Caution You Against-"

"Enough, OBERON, I am making myself clear to the talking book." I growl, "It is not efficient for me to be lost simply to benefit this Bunker. Nor would I throw ANYONE into your grindhouse for a few creature comforts. We have worked and toiled and sacrificed too much for your sweet lies to destroy it all now. You are an advisor, an informant, and wholly subservient to me, do I make myself clear?"

but with just one-

"Evidently not. Seal it away, OBERON."

I find a cloth and wipe my face. I've never felt quite that emotional before. I lean on my desk with a sigh as the book is encased again in whatever material masks it from me and me from it.

"Was there Something Else You Needed, Sir?" OBERON asks, "Or Shall I Consider You Retired For The Day?"

>I need to sleep, approach the next day with everything I have.
>No, no, there's something on my mind... (Write in)
>I need your input on... (Write in)
>Something else (Write in)

>>4516036
>I need to sleep, approach the next day with everything I have.

>>4516036
>I need to sleep, approach the next day with everything I have.

Thank you, Oberon, for your assistance and advice. It is appreciated.

>Dream

>>4516036
>I need to sleep, approach the next day with everything I have.

>>4516843
>>4516125
>>4516057
A quick notice: Things are unsteady here. I'll update when I can, but we're on thin ice.

Sleep comes and goes almost without my notice. I land on the bed and awaken to my alarms almost instantly, staring at the chronometer with distaste. Sleep is one of the last few luxuries everyone is afforded here, and I feel like I barely got any. I'm halfway through my morning routine when I sit down with OBERON, going through my messages.

There isn't many. Everyone is busy with their own work. I have a feed from the outside of the main doors open on another screen, and it draws my eye thanks to some movement.

Scratch that. A lot of movement. Several of the lizardfolk have arrived in the cave, leading others. One of them is a human - a real, actual human being - who looks over the panel in thought. He's wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, a long leather coat, but details beyond that are hard to make out.

"O-OBERON, is this feed live?!"

"Yes, It Is."

I stand up, sending my chair clattering across the office. What should I do?!

>Contact T-Admin immediately, tell her to meet at the Doors.
>Get to the doors, there isn't a moment to waste.
>Call up B Admin, move to the doors.
>Remain where I am, watch the proceedings.
>Something else (Write in)

>>4520673
>Remain where I am, watch the proceedings.
>Notify T-Admin and B-Admin of the situation

I doubt they can break in, but they should be notified about the situation regardless. I don't want a major disruption in the operations of the Bunker, as efficiency may be unnecessarily hampered by unwarranted confusion and chaos. There need not be an immediate response to our... guests, as it may be in our best interests to play dead to better observe and study their activities.

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope your situation turns out for the better, mate.

>>4520723
+1

>>4520723
Seems good

>>4520673
>Call up B Admin, move to the doors.

>>4520673
>Call up B Admin, move to the doors.
SECURITY FORCES AT THE READY!

>>4520723
+1, we cannot afford to compromise ourselves should things go awry

"Oberon, I'm on my way to the doors. Mobilize security and call up T-Admin, we have a situation!"
I dash to the elevators, antsy on the way down. A visitor! Wait, a human being! There were humans on the surface, people on the surface! Did that mean there are other bunkers that survived? Or survivors of the original incident? Augh! It's too much!

The elevator doors pop open and B-admin is waiting. We walk - hurried - to the Door room.
"We stand at ready, in case they can somehow open the doors themselves." he says, and indeed, everyone is lined up with lethals at ready.
T-admin arrives, panting, but manages to get out,
"No guns!"

There's a long pause and B-admin manages to finally speak.
"...What?"
"No guns." T-admin states, "Nonlethals only, not at ready. We don't want to greet these newcomers with death or pain pointed at them as an initial interaction. It sends the wrong message. Now... Don't put the guns back in the lockers. Keep them on holster. But..."

"Young lady, are you intending to tell me my job?"

"No-sir." T-admin states. "But I am the head of outsider relations. And those," she points at the door, "Are outsiders. Last I checked."

Something in the Door room pings, a pleasant chime, and the comm terminal lights up. Everyone except T-admin jumps. "Please, sir. Weapons down."

>Agree with T-Admin
>Agree with B-Admin
>Modify T-admin's orders (Write in)
>Stall by calling in C-Admin.
>Something else (Write in)

>>4523062
>Ask B-Admin if has has a longer range solution he can use if things get... kinetic
>Agree with T-Admin

We don't want to provoke a confrontation, so nonlethals should be shown. However, I am hesitant to completely rely on them if the situation goes... kinetic. We do have to keep in mind that we don't know much about the surface or it's inhabitants, and while they might be peaceful, the Fae aren't, and magic spells being thrown around around my Bunker, at my people, is... intolerable, to say the least. A longer range solution is required, as sheltered and hidden as possible.

Also, notify C-Admin that we have visitors, though he's not to meet them yet. I don't want all my Administration grouped together within spell range quite yet.

>>4523182
Supporting. Tell B-admin to get the most obedient motherfucker he's got behind that sniper rifle(?).

We reeeeally don't wanna fire the first shot here.

>>4523062
>Agree with T-Admin

>>4523062
>Something else
Half lethals, half nonlethals, not at the ready. Lethals only to be employed if nonlethals prove to be ineffective.
We don't even know whether nonlethals work well on those lizardmen. Or the surface humans, for that matter.

>>4523062
>Agree with B-Admin

I don't wanna take the risk, it also sends the right message, we're protective as fuck of our own and you don't wanna mess with us

>>4523182
+1

>>4523182
"B-admin, get some nonlethals in close, and find some longer-range lethals. T-admin's correct. We don't want to send a message of violence or passivity if those doors open, understand? Not to mention the possibility of... offensive magic. We don't know what outsiders are capable of."

There's a brief shuffle of personnel, an exchanging of equipment, and soon the Door looks like an amphitheater, the security boys like an audience. Carefully, quickly, me and T-admin make our way to the Door's communication panel. There's a single new message there. It's not the gibberish of the other creatures. It's actual, real text.

It is with great happiness that I'm able to use one of these. I'm so happy you've kept it online. We've got a lot to discuss, but this thing doesn't seem to have a character cap, so I'll go a little ham. It looks like your Doors are out of service for the moment, which is fine. But you need to get them working again, and soon. The people up here - and don't be mistaken by the scales and claws, they are people - are not hostile. Nor is their deity, not really. Mother-Of-Monsters is exacting but fair. A Fae of Natural Selection, I think? Anyway. You need to get out here. As a child of another Bunker, you can trust me. Things are about to get really bad for you all down there.

Don't panic. Whoever is reading this, get the Administrator. If I'm typing at the Admin, then great. Your Bunker is going to be destroyed. It's a matter of, at best, years, not decades. It happens to every Bunker - the earth sort of swallows them up. You have a little more time because of M-O-M, she keeps a lot of the nastier fae away, but some sneak through anyway. I'm telling you all this because my own Bunker wasn't told. We lost a lot of people. Listen to the earth, Admin - perform geo surveys OFTEN. If you see seismic activity, immediately evac. I'll be waiting out here with Scale-Bite, I'll guide you through the surface if you need help.

It's what I do. My name is Dregas. I'll be checking this screen every day or so. I know it's not the most efficient way to handle this. But I've my own things to handle up here. Just please...

Remember to listen to the earth.

END OF THREAD TWO

>>4525109
Good thread, can't wait for the next one mate!

>>4498648

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QrMCervc9M

And we're archived. Thank you all for your patience in the last few weeks. Things got rough at work - We were suddenly very short-staffed, some new upper management had an eye on me for bit.

We're getting into the nit and the grit here, and with that in mind the next thread will hopefully be more active. I hear that a lot of people here wait for thread 3 to jump in, so hopefully we'll have a lot of new players.

With all that said, just like last time, this end-of-thread is left open for discussion and questions!

Well I guess we were gonna be forced out into the surface one way or another. Unless maybe we took some extreme risks with the book.

>>4525109
The plot thickens!
Thanks for running.

>>4525120
Great thread mate, really enjoyed it!

So on the back of the other anons assumption is it entirely impossible to stay in the bunker for ever? Or is it just very hard?

Also are there space-fae? Because i was thinking if we, far in the future can rebuild a sattelite or something that would awesome.

>>4525312
>So on the back of the other anons assumption is it entirely impossible to stay in the bunker for ever? Or is it just very hard?

The difficulty present is that the Bunker will eventually be attempted to be subsumed by the forces of the earth itself. There's ways to prevent such events, but even with a fully intact Bunker it may prove wise to expand outside it.

THis is more a prompt to explore more of the setting than it is to move out of the Bunker.

>>4525454
They want to take our Bunker? Well, I'd love to see them try! Oberon! Where is our tactical nu-*bang* Rouge thought neutralized. Carry on.

>>4525454
You know I have many questions, but I'll patiently wait until they come up in quest.

Hoping to have the next thread up sometime this week! Watch the new QTG for announcements.

Would Oberon or Admin be able to guess or determine the human is a magical user?

What actual defenses do we have against magic besides hiding and burning it all down with fire. Does pure Iron, Silver or Gold hold magical or anti magical properties? What about wood from certain trees?

New thread >>4540113