✪ 002: Video (Backdated to 19th)

[megazero_to_superhero]

[For the next couple of days since he responded to Waver Velvet's summons, David's spent a few days in Aria's hideout looking over the reports Reno's collected, trying to get an idea of what to expect once the stealth operation is a go. On the 19th, he posts a video to the Network. Judging from the background, he's on Floor Three, the library.]

Arright—so I'm gonna get dis out of da way first, since I think dere's a lotta people who ain't seen me around an' I didn't introduce myself last time.

[He points a thumb at himself.]

I'm da Darin' Little David—but if you ain't into superhero names, David's arright with me. I've been spendin' a lotta my free time in da past year tryin' to get around a problem. I figure I might as well ask about it on da network 'cause I ain't gettin' nowheres—

[David leans off to the side. There's some rustling of something that sounds lacquered and metallic—and when David sits back up, he's got a rifle in his hands that's as big as he is, given he's kinda short. It's painted in the same "olive drab" and dull gold color scheme as the suit of armor.]

Dis thing here? When da Admins brought me to da Tower, dey left me without any ammo for it. Or any of my other stuff. I've been lookin' for somebody who can fix dat for me. Makin' it, creatin' it with magic or somethin', whatever works.

[As he speaks, he lets the video get a good look at the rifle as he turns it over in his hands, but keeping proper trigger discipline and handling at all times. After that, David leans over to the side again, putting the rifle away.]

If you can help me out but don't wanna talk about it over da terminals, lemme know an' well go someplace eavesdroppin'-free.

[... Maybe he should have worded that more like how Waver did when he posted his summons a few days ago.]

—but yeah, uh—anybody dat can help, I'll owe ya one!

[After that, David reaches over to the monitor and cuts the feed. Now, he just has to hope that someone responds ...]

Comments

video; hope a late reply is ok!

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Richtofen's eyes rest firmly on David's huge gun. He has a large weapon of his own, so his intense interest is probably not too surprising.]

What an interesting weapon. What is it called? [After a second, he realizes he should probably make an attempt to be... ugh... sociable.] I may be able to help.

[He looks off to the side, and immediately, his tone turns bitter.]

Though if it runs on electricity at all, I would not trust the resources here to make anything reliable...

[Yeah, he's had bad experiences.]

Perfectly OK! I backtag fo' DAYS.

[megazero_to_superhero]

[David doesn't immediately recognize any of the Nazi paraphernalia that Richtofen might be wearing. When it comes to soldiers of fascism, he's used to facing the 5th Column and the Council, whose troops are a lot more in-your-face about their allegiances.]

[This is a good thing, though! It means there's no awkward pauses while David weighs the pros and cons of getting help from a villain. For now, anyway! Instead, he's impressed by that weapon Richtofen's toting around. This guy sounds like he knows weapons. Of a kind more typical to worlds like Primal Earth, at least.]

Nah, no electricity for dis thing. S'an assault rifle from Vanguard—dat's a United Nations thing back home, international force for dealin' with aliens.

[That might have been more information than Richtofen wanted, which David realizes a few moments after saying all that.]

—but it's a lot like other assault rifles. Fires bullets an' all. 7.62 NATO rifle cartridges. Dat other barrel's for shotgun shells, uses up to 12 gauge stuff.

[doctor_dismemberment]

[A smile appears on Richtofen's face, and he leans closer to the screen as if it'll help him get a better look at the gun.]

Ooh, two of my favorites! [The kind of shots that make the big holes. Richtofen likes the big holes.]

If that is the case, then I just might be able to help you, mein Freund. Granted, it may take a bit of time with the tools provided here... [He wrinkles his nose, but follows it up with a reassuring - if not sickly-sweet - smile.] But do not worry. The doctor will help.

[If only because he wants to see that thing fire off a few rounds. He misses the good old-fashioned sound of bullets being fired. The magic and monsters in the Tower were fun at first, but he's quite thoroughly homesick after two years here. What he wouldn't give to be surrounded by a hail of gunfire again...]

[megazero_to_superhero]

[David visibly brightens at this! Sure, it's another "might" that's highly dependent on what's available within the Tower, but there's still a chance!]

[In the back of David's mind, though, something about the good doctor's demeanor unsettles him just a bit. Right now he's liable to dismiss it as just the sort of quirkiness that is rampant among superscientists—that iswhat Richtofen is, right? He's got that huge weapon, and he's calling himself a doctor ... and most doctors of superscience, medical or not, have some sort of eccentricity to them ...]

Hey, I'd totally appreciate dat. [David offers Richtofen a grin—an honest one.] Anything I can do on my end dat'd make it easier?

[doctor_dismemberment]

Well, you can let me get a look at it in person, for one. [Richtofen's grin is just as honest - he honestly wants to touch that thing. That is his #1 priority right now.] It looks so similar to the ones I've used back home, but I do not think I've ever seen one quite like that.

[A beat. Richtofen blinks as if he's just realized something.]

...Did you say you fought aliens back on your homeworld? [He's heard stranger things, but it's still intriguing.]

[megazero_to_superhero]

Arright. Where you wanna meet up? Da labs?

[David guesses that'd be the best place, since Waver mentioned experimenting with trying to make ammunition there.]

An' yeah—well, I have, but Vanguard was formed before I got into "da business." I've fought all kindsa stuff with dis baby—

[David starts counting off on a hand.]

—aliens, ghosts, demons, ancient magic-usin' civilizations, an environmentalist nut's science project ... Earth ain't wantin' for menaces to society.