"Intriguing, it seems to be somewhat adaptive. I really shouldn't be surprised by that, I suppose. Still, I wonder what it uses for a power source if it is too far from a star for the photoelectric conversion panels to work." Quentin went back and forth from various instruments to his quantum senses, to just his eyes, and anything else he could think to use.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
10:36, Today: Gravitas rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,10,6,4,2,3,3,1,2,10. Scientific Prodigy.
I get to reroll 10's for Analytical on the non-mega dice:
10:36, Today: Gravitas failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4. Scientific Prodigy - Analytical.
Nope. So this is a total of 7 successes, as the only successes were 10's. That's +7 to the real roll, for the sake of convention, they'll be the last 7 dice on the roller.
Wow, dice roller tells me there's a 20 dice limit on recording each dice for a roll, and I need 22. So this'll be two rolls.
10:40, Today: Gravitas rolled 11 successes using 20d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,3,8,5,1,6,8,3,10,9,6,8,8,8,7,1,6,10,9,9. MInt+Int+Sci+SciProd.
10:40, Today: Gravitas failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,6. MInt+Int+Sci+SciProd.
So, tallying up. Mega-Int: 2 success, Int+Sci: 7 (with a 10 to reroll), SciProd: 3 more (with another 10 to reroll).
10:43, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,8. MInt+Int+Sci+SciProd - Analytical.

Add in two more for a grand total of 14 successes after rolling like 35 dice. Sort of underwhelming, really.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Tue 09 Mar 2010.

The work is taxing, and slow.  Because of the unknown nature of the device, and fear of both damaging it, and possible repercussions, the group moves in baby steps.

The outer shell, panels, and sensory equipment is exhaustively analyzed.  Material samples are taken, energy currents measured, and analyses of the surrounding rock are made.  Even the shape of the object is scrutinized for possible insight into the purpose of the device and the minds of the creators (it has a highly symetrical appearance, despite the panneling and the sensory devices on top, and has a certain aesthetic quality suggesting either an appreciation for art/balance/beauty, or perhaps that the species' thinking is inherently tends towards such), a task Impetus is actually able to help with.  As the analysis becomes more detailed, Impetus ends up merely analyzing the possible psychological impact of things, as he is mostly just in the way of the great minds at work.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
gotta love that dice roller.  and no, the equipment is required for the roll to even be made.  The only way you would get an equipment bonus would be if you actually had some noetic tech to use.

---

Eventually the team comes to the point where dissassembly is the only option for learning more.  Zero draws up the plans for the dissassembly, and lays out several testable hypothesis, while Gravitas merely stares at the object, lost in thought.  With a cock of its head, the doctor spares a look for its fellow scientist, and starts the process.  The object is seemless, complicating the process, but Zero manages to use a combination of super-human dexterity and strength to peirce the object and then search through its guts, using a camera and flexible tools more commonly used in internal medicine.  Zero then begins throwing out data about the object, and the sensors also begin to pick up more energy readings once the shell is peirced.

Gravitas begins colating the data, writing some equations on a smart board(mostly for the benefit of the others... at least until he realizes that anyone that can actually understand the equations won't be needing them written down), before he switches to simply staring at the data coming in.  Zero's measurements and understanding of the device allows Gravitas to skip many preliminary processes, allowing him to focus on the difficult questions.

Zero notes that:
1>The internal mechanisms are a blend of hard tech, and some form of wetware, a biological machine that feeds off of the power of the generator, and disrupts quantum fields
2>The power source for the machine utilizes a rechargable battery of incredible efficiency.  The battery connects to both the panels, and the organic material.  The battery is recieving a slight recharge even now, and more than is accounted for by the slight energy coming in from the lights in the lab.
3>The outer panels of the device, and the sensor array at top, are apparently a separate piece, connected via a fused power and communications wire to the internal machinery.  There are likely more functions that will require further time and specialized eqiupment to investigate.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
no more roles are required, and it doesn't factor into the plot... basically just refinements in robotics and engineering that will fast forward modern tech if it ever gets out... and allow those present to make really cool stuff.

---

4>The device utilized nano-machines in its construction, or exceptionally precise telekinises, due to the intricacy of some of the technology.
5>The device reacts to Quantum energy fields (like the one emited by Zero nearly constantly), and the organic components seem to wither under it's influence once fully exposed to it through the hole in the plating (forcing Zero to pause and redesign its tools and approach; it ends up about 10' away, with a tube connected to the device through which it slides the observation equipment).
6>The organic components don't like air and don't like vacuum (anaerobic resperation system held in close balance by the closed shell; Zero again modifies approach, sealing the area around the probe)
7>The device has a complex computer that tracks and records information, though the coding on the computer and the types of telemetry are unclear.
8>The device sends out a continuous stream of the unknown energy, directed at a certain area of the martian sky.
9>The odd energy field disrupts quantum energy, and seems to be primarily emited by the organics in the device.

Gravitas mulls over the information as it comes in, his brain processing the information, and following multiple lines of thoughts to their logical conclusions, most of which are unviable explanations for the device and it's purpose.  Only a few explanations make sense, given the information at hand.

Purpose:
Given its lack of long range sensors, and the fact that the only thing the device responds to (other than for purposes of power consumption and adapting optimally to its environment) is quantum energy, it is reasonable to assume that the probe is primarily meant to monitor background quantum levels withing the solar system.

Science:
The device functions utilizing an unknown energy source.  Through leaps of logic and predictive calculations too complex to convey using current mathematical writing methods, it becomes clear that this energy source is the answer to a great many questions, providing the underlying link between matter, energy, and the various universal forces... And between thought itself.  This energy seems to be linked somehow to quantum energy, which was previously thought to be the explanation for the above phenomena, but is now clearly only the the first layer of a much more complex issue.  The ramifications are truly staggering, and somewhat disconcerting as well; this energy, existing at the subquantum level, is actually able to control quantum energy, and though it is not capable of the raw power of quantum forces, it exists at the sub-quantum level, allowing for a precision not available through quantum use.

Origin:
At first glance, this appears to be an alien artifact.  It may even BE an alien artifact, and a probe of this nature would make sense for a quantum or sub-quantum active society.  Such a society would logically only be threatened by hostile conspecifics, or others creatures that can manipulate these fundamental forces of the universe.  The item seems non-threatening, so it could be merely for tracking, or perhaps to indicate an oportune time for first contact.  Alternatively, it could be a signal to attack before a given culture develops to a point that it could present a challenge.

Another possibility, especially relevant to Gravitas given his unique abilities, is that this could be a time displaced object originating from Earth itself, put in place by novas from the past or future... Perhaps even placed their by Gravitas himself.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
You've discovered something very meaningful.  You will also be able to identify the unique resonance of psiads if you encounter them, assuming you were one of the people using quantum sight.  So, where do we go from here, and how much does Gravitas share out of his insights?

---

Comstock helped however he could.  But the machine scared him.  The implications of it -- time travel, aliens, conspiracies -- offended his desire for simplicity.  And the images his mind conjured as he detected it were complex and contradictory.

"Someone break this all down for me ... what do we do with it?  Who's it talking to?  I mean, would we be better off just breaking it?"  He sat off to the side while the others worked.  He wasn't sure he had a place in all of this now that their fortress was complete, though he had helped in the construction and adjustment of various tools.

Quentin shares as much of his insight as he is able to convey to the others. Multiple perspectives would be useful in trying to determine the origin of the device and, perhaps more relevantly, what to do about it now.

"The technology involved in this device is, clearly, more advanced than anything even nova science is able to produce. The easiest explanation is that it is extra-terrestrial, or more probably extra-solar, in origin. That, at least, would mean that it isn't from the future or some similarly improbable source." He frowned at the object as he stared at it, frustrated by its near-total deflection of their most useful powers. "Its bio-organic properties are also of note. I'd like to try to get a sample of the tissue without killing it. There's certain things you can expect to find from terrestrial life, given our common origins, that can help us to determine if it came from Earth or not."

He looked up from the object towards the section of sky where they estimated it was transmitting to. "I suppose if we look that direction enough we mind find what its talking to." He tears himself away from the sky and attempts to summarize, "So, the device is a probe, almost certainly alien, but possibly not. It seems intended to monitor the overall level of quantum energy, probably for the whole solar system. If the overall quantum field is anything like electromagnetic or gravitational fields, our presence here is probably heavily influencing how much it is sensing, since we're so much closer."

He shrugged and paced over to a computer where he began to pull up star charts to determine where the device might be pointed. "The exact intent is unknown. It could be there for detecting certain first-contact conditions, it might be monitoring us to detect whether or not we're a threat to whoever built it. It might even just be there for scientific observation; they may have tagged our solar system in much the same way we tag migrating animals."

He frowned at the charts, for virtually any given direction there were dozens or hundreds of stars within what he was estimating to be a 'reasonable' travelling distance, and many thousands more if he started to account for extra-galactic sources. "The only thing I can say with a high degree of certainty is that whoever built this probe is incredibly advanced in their technology and has a grasp of quantum - no, sub-quantum physics that nova science," by which he meant himself, "hasn't even discovered until now.

"Until we know more specifics, I'd like to keep this between us and the rest of the team. I may go looking for whoever built this if I can arrange enough time away. I just don't want to cause any sort of panic back home, and I also don't want the probe and its technology getting back to Earth. Particularly not after seeing what people are willing to do with nova-derived technologies during that Cartel business. This... It represents something even more basic than that, and the extent of whatever this sub-quantum power is capable of is still a wild card."

"I would argue that we don't tell anybody about this, period.  Not until you've sussed this thing out, Grav.  If it's designed to detect overall levels of quantum, do you think our proximity to it is a problem in and of itself?  None of us are exactly quantum lightweights any more."  He rubbed his eyes.  "Since it hasn't blown up yet we can assume that whoever built it is either not overly warlike, or exceedingly arrogant and believe that their probe would remain unfound an dimpossible to examine by humankind, or stupid.  The latter is probably right out, so that leaves option A or B.  I like A personally, but the thought of dogfighting UFOs around the rings of Saturn does give me a thrill."

"Given the probe's general resistance to our powers, I don't think we'll be dogfighting UFO's any time soon. We're likely to be remarkably powerless against them if most of their technology is like this. I sort of doubt that they discounted humanity's ability to get to Mars, though they probably did not expect us to arrive quite so quickly."

"I am curious if it's our powers or raw quantum that this thing is resistant to.  Can Stock break it with his bare hands?  can I rip it out of the ground with TK? Can Zero grab it and teleport?   These questions'll have to be answered later though, and I hope to god that the answer to all three is yes, because otherwise it means that it is technologically possible to totally shut us down, which'll make that war that Mathematician claims he can see coming even more likely."  Imp absently began rolling the coin across his knuckles.  then frowned, "This may be a bit of a non-sequitur but, have you guys heard of any nova, in Utopia or out of it, having a kid?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:13, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Ok, this concludes this scene (and it has definitely been a long one).  If you would like to explore any of these topics further, just post it here; this only concludes this portion of research, there are still many things to explore in space, and in quantum and sub-quantum theory.  I'd like to see people looking into other discoveries here as well, if the interest is there, and perhaps doing projects that involve the larger world, so that we can get some interesting scenes working here.

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Gonna finish out this part of the conversation as it is sort of relevant to other intra-character threads as well. It's also sort of a different topic than the space-exploration stuff.

---

Quentin frowned. He was motionless for a few moments as he reviewed his rather extensive memory. "I don't recall ever reading or seeing anything that referenced novas having children. Curious. One would think that with the rampant popularity many of us are able to garner relatively trivially there'd have been at least a few cases." He eyed his teammate critically for a moment, weighing options of what he should or should not say or ask.

Ultimately his curiosity won out. "Is your question just hypothetical or rhetorical, or have you heard of such a case?"

Imp sat down on a handy rock outcropping.  "It's not hypothetical, no.  Before Car went into her Crysalis she told me that we were going to have a baby.  She should have come out months ago.  But, well, she hasn't.  I looked into the strange abscence of new nova moms on N!, and it turns out that I'm the only nova to have passed through a MR lab to have successfully reproduced that I could find.  It's troubling."  Imp's normally active, vibrant demeanor had been replaced by quiet, withdrawn worry.  The change was startling.

"Could just be some genetic problem.  I mean ... Imp, I don't want to be a jerk here, but how many times did it take before one of the women you slept with got pregnant?  I mean ... what are the odds?"  Comstock kept his hands busy shoring up the walls of the mars base as he talked.

"Well, condoms are 96% effective, so, in theory, in the last few years there could have been," he frowns, then looks embarrassed, "let's just go with less than a hundred instances where the condom could have been defective.  So, one child isn't outside the realm of possibility.  But, most nova women don't take the pill cause it doesn't work at all anymore.  Do you think  they're all practicing safe sex?  All thousand of them or so?  Wouldn't one or two want to have babies?  And, most damning, as Grav said, where was the media circus when the first nova baby was born?  Who was the first nova mother?  I don't forget stuff anymore, and I'm guessing you don't either.  that kind of thing would stick."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Sat 20 Mar 2010.

Quentin shook his head, "No, if such an event has happened, it was kept away from the media, at the very least. The topic is somewhat troubling. The eruption rate among the populace is low, but seems to be increasing, despite the background radiation from Galatea dissipating. If this rate increases, and novas continue to not reproduce, it could represent quite the population problem in the long-run, particularly if the potential to erupt is genetic, as it is believed to be." He was silent for a moment as he thought.

"It really doesn't make sense in general, though. Novas represent the peak, or event beyond the peak of the human condition in many ways. We do everything humans do, but better or more, or at least more extremely. Why not this one thing? This one extremely fundamental thing." He simply looked troubled. Now that the issue had been brought to his attention, it bothered him; nagged at him. He'd have to do some research on the topic.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Tue 23 Mar 2010.

"There's some pretty simple ways to test it, Grav.  Sperm samples are easy enough to come by," He raised an eyebrow and looked at 'Stock. "I wonder if our...changes are apparent in our sperm.  Are Comstock's swimmers little steel men in little steel submarines, for example, or does Antaeus produce vegetative gametes?  Eggs are going to be more difficult, but still not impossible.  Run tests on em, or find a woman, or group of women who are interested in procreation, and artificially inseminate them.  then see if the women can carry their babies to term."  He frowned and three small rocks levitated off the floor and started spinning in the air.  "Thing is, I know that we can have kids, why can't most of us have kids?  Have novas had children before eruption, then nothing after?  If so, why?"  he sighed.
"And the Galatea explosion is only tangentally related to eruptions, Grav, you prooved as much in your article in Nature last year.  The eruption rate is increasing while the radiation levels are dropping.  It's not cause and effect, it's two things happening at the same time but not having anything to do with eachother."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
FYI, Imp hasn't gotten his results back from Devries yet, so he has no idea that horrible tentacled monsters might blcakbag the women involved in such a study.

---

"Well, yeah but ..." Comstock paused, thinking things through.  "Okay, so ... what?  We need to find out more about Nova genetics and reproduction if you want answers."  He squirmed visibly, a little perturbed by the topic.

"And that," said Quentin somewhat dramatically as he claped his hands at the small of his back, "is the plan." The holographic slide-show zoomed back out to demonstrate the scope of the project. "Any questions?"

Hands shot up from virtually every occupant of the room. Most everyone was a scientist from one field or another, some small number of journalists were on hand too, including folks from Nature and National Geographic. A number of students who attended the university that was hosting his presentation were present. He'd also invited officials from NASA.

"What will be installed on these... probes?" asked the first person he called on. "Or telescopes, or whatever you're going to call them."

"'Probe' is probably the best word," Quentin agreed, "As for what will be installed - quite a bit. We're going to pack these full of sensors for just about everything we can think of. I'm aiming to include Gamma, UV, microwave, visible, and radio telescopes as the primary packages. They'll also have a pretty sophisticated communications package so that they can talk back here, or at least relay to the next-closest back home. The entire array basically composes a single larger telescope as one vast interferometer. My own biases color some of the detection units - they'll be able to measure gravity waves far more easily than Earth-based detectors do." The entire time he was talking the hologram shifted to zoom back in on a single one of the units and highlighted the detectors he was speaking about as he mentioned them.

"So, that's the probes individually. We'll have another probe or two, similar to the older planetary probes used in the 70s and 80s, for mapping the target system in a bit more detail. For those of you coming in late - the target system is Alpha Centauri, our closest stellar neighbor. Telemetry from the far side back home will take several years to arrive - about four and a half - and the data from probes in the middle will take varying times to get back - we'll have to store a bunch of the data while we're waiting on the rest to arrive in order to really compile a whole picture from the system."

He called on someone else, "Who would be with you to deploy the system?"

"I'm planning on taking at least one super-strong individual to help position and handle them the probes, and a shuttle full of baseline and nova specialists as determined when we deploy each probe. My interest in all of this is purely scientific - now in the Nova Age, we've got a chance to again expand our horizons and explore once again.

"Nova powers may be what enables us, but it is human curiosity and the desire to add to our collective body of knowledge that drives this endeavor. This isn't about novas and baselines - its about humanity. We have the opportunity to explore, to discover, and to learn. I plan to have a mix of both baseline and novas along for the ride specifically to demonstrate that eruption doesn't necessarily imply ability. I've actually got a short roster of baseline specialists that I'll be asking to come along - no I won't provide that list right now, I'm going to contact them individually first before announcing participants."

"What are you hoping to find over there?" asked one of the students he called on.

"I don't know," he said, one of the few times since his eruption that he'd uttered those words on the record. "And that's the best part. We have some idea of what we'll find over there from our observations up until this point, but you just can't get the same information from four and a half lightyears away - getting up close and personal with the system and the bodies in it will yield a wealth of information that just isn't available from our solar system."

"Where do you plan to go from here?" asked someone else, "Any plans to expand this system?"

Quentin nodded, "Certainly that's a possibility. That will depend on a few key factors." He numbered them off on his fingers as he spoke, "Funding is certainly one of them. Interest is another. We'd also need to decide what our next target system would be, there's a few good candidates, but they're all a good deal further away than the Centauri system. Gliese 581 is one of my personal favorites, but its about five times the distance. It's got quite a few planets, though, and I think we'd learn a lot from going there."

The questions continued for quite a while, and Quentin eventually flipped back through the slides to give the presentation over again to help sum things up. Clearly there was a lot of interest from the scientific community. The problem, he knew, would be garnering the funding he needed to get the system of probes built. The entire system of probes, a bridge to their nearest stellar neighbor, was probably one of the biggest proposed undertakings in space exploration history. He hoped that it would also be one of the most successful.

Hundreds of people milled about in the large auditorium, waiting for the presentation scheduled to begin in 20 minutes.  The organizers, a group of billionaires who met at the 2004 TED conference, had managed to pull in the best and brightest of a generation with promises of money, historic discoveries, and out-of-this-world opportunities for advancement.

The gathering was diverse; both nova and non-nova scientists, businessmen, engineers, and ex-military brass, were all in attendance, along with at least a dozen nova freelancers of highly varied abilities.  Representatives from large military contractors, computer and software manufacturers, and major companies in a dozen other fields mingled with one another and the nova freelancers, hypothesizing what the presentation would be about.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Mingle.  Talk.  Meet each other again.  Everyone is welcome EXCEPT those still with Utopia.

---

Dillon came in a suit.  Low profile.  Since he was still nominally a Utopia employee, he wasn't sure if someone was going to ask him to leave or turn him away at the door.  But if they did, it was just a short drive back to Las Vegas.

After 5 minutes of handshakes, military recruitement attempts, job offers from fortune 500 companies, and requests for favors from fellow novas, Comstock was likely questioning why he had shown up.  He had money, fame, and was making a sizable contribution to society with his many projects.  He was busy, he was productive, and he certainly didn't have to put up with these people to make a living.

The latest request was from a young nova that went by Kitten; enhanced agility, grace, and a few readily apparent body modifications made it clear why she went by that name.  "So, Mr. Amargosa, or do you go by Comstock in person?  Anyway, I'm honored to meet you.  I was wondering, do you have any suggestions for getting a job with Utopia?  I'd just love to make a difference in the world, but their hiring people are so picky..."  The girl (was she even 18?) didn't take hints very well, and followed Comstock around, asking questions and commenting even as several more businessmen made unsubtle offers of employment.  Kitten's eyes widened at the 7 figure salaries before continuing on.  "So, I actually live around Vegas you know.  Well, now I do, it's the place to go for novas wanting to get ahead in the world, that and New York.  But I never liked it out there, with the cold and all those mean people yelling at each other.  So anyway, if you want to do lunch maybe we could go sometime?  You could even bring your friends if they're around, I'd love to meet other people from Team Tomorrow, maybe even Impetus..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:23, Wed 09 Feb 2011.

Though he never thought he'd be entirely comfortable with it, doing PR for Utopia and begging philanthropists for money in the last year had made Dillon a lot better at networking.  He was here to meet and greet, to see what was coming down the pipe, and to try and find another few million for good works.  Keeping himself visible and keeping his nose in the air didn't hurt either.  Not much anyhow.

"It's Dillon.  Pleasure to meet you."  Kitten was easy on the eyes, but he'd been through this song and dance before.  After a few failed efforts to shake her, he produced a business card.  "If you're interested in working with Utopia, you're working for a good cause.  It's highly rewarding, and even if it doesn't pay as well as some of these other gigs after a year or two you're first in line for the best jobs.  My contact information is on the card, and I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have or forward you to someone who would know better.  Impetus, on the other hand, is a busy, busy man.  I can't make any promises."  A year ago, the Teragen was nothing more than a side-project and philosophy club as far as Dillon had been concerned.  Now, it was a decisive force in the balance of global power.  And a cult.  Dillon wanted to trust Imp, but the man's influence did this.  Drew sycophants and worshipers, through televisions and pictures and even through Dillon.  Like he was a god.

What a strange thought.

"Let me give you a little advice first," he changed topics in a hurry.  "If you haven't registered your nova name, Kitten, I'd get on the phone first thing in the morning and get right on it.  Brand recognition is important, and someone might register it first.  Now, do me a favor," he looked about the room.  "Do you have any idea what's on the agenda?  I ... drove out here last minute.  Busy schedule."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:00, Thu 10 Feb 2011.

"He's right you know.  With nova population doubling every year, all the good names will be gone in the next few years.  Better hop right on that... If you need an agent, catch me on the way out."  Phantasm came up behind Dillan, the crowd hiding her until she spoke.  When Dillan turned to look at the familiar voice, she smiled a tight smile.

"Hey big guy.  Long time no see, huh?"

Kitten gave a small pout at Comstock's businesslike treatment, and his avoidance of anything to do with Impetus, but perked up when he offered her advice. Advice from Comstock, one of the most powerful novas on the planet, a veteran of two violent conflicts, and a world famous philanthropist, was always in high demand.  She listened raptly, and was preparing to answer his question when Phantasm arrived.  Kitten's eyes widened and her mouth made a little "O" of surprise.

"Oh. My. God.  Phantasm's here too?  You're both here?  And I'm here too?!  Wow, this is just so incredible, the only way this could get better would be if Impetus showed up... Phantasm, I have all you and Zero's CD's, I even have your singles, it's so neat to meet you, I'm Kitten..."

If Comstock had held on to any hope of being rid of the enthusiastic young nova, he was to be sorely dissappointed.  Barring physical violence, Kitten was going to be his constant companion until the end of the presentation.

Wilhelm tromped into the auditorium, heedless of whether he was attracting attention or not.  As a competitor for military contracts, a computer manufacturer, and a businessman in a dozen other fields, he thought it sensible to make an appearance despite the mysterious circumstances.  He'd had an invitation to attend TED 2004, but he just couldn't bring himself to spend $6000 to pal around with the likes of Al Gore.  Perhaps he would have been better informed had he bit the bullet.

Wilhelm stood blocking the entranceway into the auditorium for a moment, surveying the crowd.  He kept a mental rolodex of known novas cross-indexed by power.  It proved useful in recruitment efforts.  It was time to try and update the information.  Making the rounds, Wilhelm eventually got around to Comstock, Phantasm, and ... Kitten.

"You, you are the metal man.  Comstock, Dillon Amargosa.  And you, you would be Phantasm, correct?"

Wilhelm turned to face ... Kitten ... and scanned her from feet to head.

"I don't know you."

Wilhelm turned away brusquely.  He'd seen all he needed to.  He extended his three-fingered grasper toward Comstock and Phantasm, more out of lingering habit than out of any expectation that anyone would shake it.

"The name is Förster, Wilhelm Förster.  Or Hell Kraken of Kraken Heavy Industries.  Both names suffice.  There are rumors that you have increased the scope of your metal-shaping powers, Amargosa.  That you can change things from a distance.  Unconfirmed of course.  If it's true you could name your price."

Wilhelm's mental rolodex didn't indicate any further subjects of industrial relevance to bring up.  Time for small talk then.

"Would either one of you happen to have a copy of the agenda?  Inquiries to the others have proven unavailing."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Thu 10 Feb 2011.

Dillon smiled and exchanged fond greetings with Phantasm.  "You're looking good.  Here to keep an eye on me?"

When Kitten's excited interruption was, in turn, interrupted by the approach of the Kraken, Dillon couldn't help but stare.  "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Förster.  And I still need to get my hands dirty just like everyone else."  He shook hands, somewhat perturbed by the teflon sheath and the gripper.  "We were just wondering about the agenda outselves.  I've seen you on television lately.  Something about the Nevada Test site.  Are you moving into Vegas?"  He shot Phantasm a look.

His bionic replacement leg not yet entirely compete, Quentin hobbled into the room with the use of a cane. He did not, strictly speaking, need the cane. He affected it because, in a way, he'd earned it. It was a jarring reminder to those around him that novas, despite their incredible power, were still mortal flesh and blood. It also reminded them of his own role in the final Colombian battle.

Though he certainly would have qualified to be one of the people at the 2004 TED conference, it had been at a bad time for him. He'd been digging into the first phases of his research into cybernetics and had been frequently called upon to assist with dealing with the influx of recruits the Teragen had been collecting. In a way he hated to see the group get watered down by the new members, on the other, if they could be properly trained in the philosophy of Teras and the techniques they'd developed to channel continual evolution, they might yet make powerful allies. Only time would tell which were joining to better themselves and which were simply being trendy.

The result was, of course, that he didn't know much about what the topic of the event was beyond the broadly advertised labels. Those were certainly appealing enough to him, though, so he'd opted to show up. He was dressed for the event, suit and tie in normal cloth, no eufiber or other uniquely nova-age textiles.

He greeted a few of the people he knew, talked a little shop. Inevitably people asked about his plans for further exploration. For the most part, he opted to withhold comment noting that planning would be easier once events settled down; T2M was in flux, Teragen was in flux, the global balance of power was slowly shifting, and all of that made a poor environment for long-term large-scale projects.