[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

The modulated laser moved across the surface of the material, carving a shallow groove. An image floated in the air beside his head showing the resulting damage at a microscopic level. Another image, a screen scrolling data faster than a normal human eye could follow, hovered near his left hand. He made several adjustments to the stream without looking, altering the equations and recalibrating the laser for another pass. More screens flitted about, moving into and out of his line of sight when needed. To an outside observer, it would seem as if the man inside would be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information, movement and color. To the man in the room, it was just Wednesday morning.

As Aleksandyr Myth prepped the equipment for another test, his comm chirped and a new image swirled into being, a massive man whose frame filled the wide screen display.

"A delivery for you. It's from Watchtower, marked 'Urgent.' You want it in your lab or in with the pile in your office?" Edward rumbled.

Despite his appearance, Myth knew the 'man' was in truth a Sol'ra, the original human psyche suppressed by means he had yet been able to remove. Oddly enough, he had been one of Myth's most loyal and hard-working employees since the incident.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Myth's head didn't turn away from his work as he responded.

"In the Lab Ed. Thanks."

Continuing to type away left handed on a holographic keyboard he gestured with his right hand and a larger more solid screen faded into view in the center of the room.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

"Right. Be there in a sec."

The screen faded away. Soon after, the door opened and Edward stumped in carrying a crate. He set it down on one of the tables and pulled the top off with his hand. He began setting smaller, sealed containers out onto the table. The smaller of the clear containers held what appeared to be several small silvery devices vaguely reminiscent of a spider, topped with a greenish capsule. The larger vessels contained some sort of pistols made of a polished metal. Edward reached behind him and pulled out a manila office envelope with several signatures evident on the side, the last one rather large.

"Delivery guy said this was all they'd managed to come up with so far on these. And to make sure you signed the envelope. Something about needing each signature to be witnessed or some such," Edward rumbled.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Saying nothing the Myth gestured with his ring and a wisp of smoke floated up from the envelope leaving his signature burned into it.

Placing his other work in a standby mode he focused on the metal devices.

Even he couldn't be certain but the items had the look of extraterrestrial tech about them and that was enough to gain his full attention.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Edward watched the signature burn in, nodded and left the way he'd come.

A closer visual examination of the items confirmed his suspicions. The pistols were definitely reminiscent of Hardradian tech. There were definite differences, but the base model was obvious to him. Myth was perturbed that it seemed these weapons were being mass produced, distributed to and used by street gangs. Even Watchtower teams didn't have access to energy weapons except in very limited and monitored numbers with severe restrictions on their usage. Most of them were very experimental and those that weren't were very bulky and mainly for use on vehicles. None had been cleared for any field use unless it was a global emergency.

The spider-like objects seemed to incorporate similar technology, along with some unfamiliar designs. The greenish gem was actually a clear container fixed to the top of the devices, filled with a greenish liquid. The six "lower legs" were obviously made to grip a subject. The "upper" pair ended in syringes, used to pump whatever the greenish substance was into the subject. According to the report, the substance was some type of mutagen that increased the subjects' physical prowess to extraordinary levels. However, chemical analysis had so far been inconclusive.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Now alone Alex focused on the different items completely. He gestured with both hands and instruments extended down from the ceiling separating and labeling each item.

"Item One: Unknown Extraterrestrial Energy Pistol..."

OOC: He will run a full analysis on everything that is here taking 10 on anything that he is allowed to (That will give him a 35 in pretty much anything. slightly higher in a couple of areas). Let me know if he needs to roll for anything.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

The test results were enlightening, to say the least.

The first couple hours examining the pistols went quickly. The technology was definitely Hardradian, but with noticeable differences. The materials used in their construction were, as far as Myth could tell, all from Earth. Some of the alloys used were remarkable in their applications and at least two only available from certain areas that were known to be meteoric impact sites. The internal circuitry of the gun was also remarkable in that at least three metals used were normally liquid at the working temperatures of the weapon. However, even the mercury and bromine were staying solid in the laboratory. The reason for using those particular metals in this application were puzzling to say the least.

The power source was interesting. It seemed on the surface to be a battery with an energized liquid core. However, a deeper investigation revealed the core to be composed of several organic compounds. The compounds actually generated energy when an electrical charge was applied, creating an output of energy exponentially greater than the input. It reminded Myth of the methods that some parahumans used to generate superhuman physical feats.

The final revelation was the pistols' practical functional interval. Due to the limits of the structural integrity of the materials, the weapon had a lifetime of somewhere between 25 and 30 shots. After this period, the power cell would quickly decay and become useless. Since the power cell was an integral component of the weapon, it would, in effect, render it completely useless. And this seemed to be a part of the actual design of the weapon. There was also a chance that, if the weapon was fired as the power cell decayed (an extremely short time interval consisting of 357 milliseconds), it could release the energy in an uncontrolled fashion, causing the pistol to explode.

OOC: Pause to allow for reaction, then I'll post the results of the examination of the spider-devices.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Considering the usual tactics employed by street thugs (Laying on the trigger and firing as fast as possible) Myth mentally estimated the odds of an explosion in a protracted battle to be better than 50/50.

Less than pleased with his discoveries so far the Doctor moved on to the mecha-bugs.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

The 'mecha-bugs' were comparatively simple. The report and his initial conjectures explained the bulk of their purpose. Their component materials seemed to be mostly steel and copper. None of the oddly solid metals. The clear casing was a glazed glass that had several chemical markers indicating the glass had been created from moldovite, a natural glass normally formed by meteorite impacts. The substance inside, however, was very interesting.

Whatever it was, it defied analysis. It wasn't Myth's equipment. The substance actually seemed to be actively resisting identification. Anytime the equipment began scanning or sampling the greenish liquid, it continually changed its chemical makeup, eventually causing the equipment to register a malfunction and reset the scan.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

If the situation wasn't so serious he would have smiled. It wasn't every day that the good doctor faced a real scientific challenge.

He waved all of the mechanical and electronic equipment, both physical and holographic, out of the way and walked to a sheet metal storage locker. He opened it with an old fashioned key and took out what looked suspiciously like a middle school chemistry set.

He set the equipment on the table and placed the chemical sample in the center.

Lastly he took a deep breath and slapped the patch applicator for his Acceleration Formula.

Doctor Myth's mind functioned hundreds of times faster than a normal person's but normally his body was only two or three times as fast. Under the effects of the formula he could move forty or fifty times faster than that.

Combined his mind and body were faster than any computer and he set that speed against the chemicals defenses in an effort to find out what it was.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Time outside the lab slowed to a relative crawl as Myth worked. The chemical analysis took all of his concentration. Every time it seemed he'd almost reached a solution, the substance changed again, reducing his work to that point to mostly moot. It seemed no matter how fast he worked, the substance could keep pace... until an idea struck him like a bolt from the blue. The green chemical exhibited properties much like that of a living organism, adapting to its environment. If he couldn't analysis what it was, he'd have to anticipate what it would become and design his approach in kind.

After several relative hours, Myth found his breakthrough. The chemical was, in fact, organically based, but not on a carbon-based lifeform. It resembled an organism that might've evolved in a phosphorus environment. Using this thesis as a basis, he was able to continue to unravel the secrets held within the green entity. The more he learned, the less he relished the challenge before him.

The stuff was definitely engineering. Its observed effects were just the tip of the iceberg of what this substance could be capable of. While he'd been working, Myth had run through the list of individuals and collectives who could've created this substance. Once his analysis was finished, the list had been pared down to a single name, and it wasn't himself.

Only one person could've created such a substance. It exhibited properties beyond that of "normal" chemicals, even the most complex that had been documented. The substance did more than just change... it transmuted itself. And only one man knew the practical secrets of those concepts. The self-proclaimed master of alchemy.

Paracelsus.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Myth keyed the comm-link in his ear.

"Ed I need to contact Overwatch, the current Watchtower Ops Chief, and Kardia. Pretty much ASAP."

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Edward's voice came back after just a few seconds, "Overwatch is waiting and I'm through to Watchtower. Col. Vorman's on duty. I can link them on a conference call if you want. Kardia's... not answering right now, but I'll keep trying."

It was then that Myth noted a disturbing phenomenon... the mass of the green substance had apparently reduced beyond that of what he had used in his experiments.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]


"Set them up on holo-conference. Keep trying to reach Kardia and make contact with The Council..."

"...and have someone bring me a container from the Miskatonic Room."

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Two figures seemingly materialized out of thin air in the room. One, a stately, solid-looking man wearing a simple uniform, sat as if at a desk. The other was standing and had already turned to face Dr. Myth. Col. Vorman always did have a knack for seeming to show off without meaning to.

"Still trying to reach Kardia. I've got it on a repeating transmission with a sweeping frequency. Kate's coming with the container. I'll go try and get in touch with the Council..." Ed's voice came over the commlink, his discomfort evident.

Edward always hated using anything that wasn't technologically based. A combination of the Sol'ra intellect and the residual emotional response of the former engineer most likely. The device the Council had 'donated' to Myth to reach them was definitely not like most of the communications equipment in the Foundation. The ritual alone required a mind few at the Foundation possessed. Edward's was unique and the Sol'ra could maintain the concentration needed to send and receive messages nearly as long as Myth.

"So, seems you got the package. Hopefully you've had more luck with it than we did. Drove our best guys loopy trying to figure out its structure," the sitting figure said, his uniform showing a tag with 'Campbell' stitched on it.

Vorman stood silently by, characteristically listening and paying close attention before he spoke.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Dr. Myth was not known for small talk and he didn't surprise anyone by engaging in it now.

"The material resists analysis because it is in part magical in nature."

"There are only two practitioners of this sort of magical technology. The Clockwork Machinist Leodinatus Rickett and the Alchemical Terrorist known as Paracelsus. Rickett is currently believed to be deceased and the material is of a chemical nature so it seems that Paracelsus is the most likely source."

Myth transmitted the 33 page report he had been typing with his left hand to each of the men he was speaking to  via the MythNet.

"This report explains my findings and the possible iImplications along with casualty estimates if the weapons based on this material aren't confiscated immediately."

"I am attempting to contact Kardia as we speak. He has more experience dealing with Paracelsus than any other active para-human operative. The Council of Magi will also be alerted shortly."

"The Foundation's resources will be at your disposal gentlemen but without cutting into out anti-Hardradian activities our manpower is too limited to deal with this directly."

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

Vorman nodded, unsurprised, and said, "Figured you'd say that. That would be why we've got a team assembled for support and transport. Most of our usual operatives are being contacted, but if this technology has spread as widely as you believe and our sources indicate, they'll be rather busy. Our agents, transportation and facilities are at your and Overwatch's disposal."

Campbell grunted, "We've got several paras on tap already dealing with some of this. We'll go ahead and activate the rest that'll respond. As for Paracelsus, well, if'n he ain't in the country, we ain't got much ability to deal with him... guess we'll just have to let some of our deputized folks enjoy the hospitality of Watchtower."

The gunny held his smile back well, except to Myth's trained eye.

The door wooshed open, revealing Kate holding an ornate box with raised golden symbols. She stepped inside, holding the box up as the alarms went off.

-INTRUDER ALERT. POTENTIAL CORE COMPROMISE. INITIATING LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES.-

[Myth Foundation, Primary Material Research Lab]

"Apparently gentlemen we will have to continue this later."

Myth stepped to the side of the room and shrugged out of his lab coat and into his battle harness. Quickly checking the loads of his Myth-teba Shunt Guns he spoke to Kate.

"Everything on this table goes in that box and it doesn't leave your possession until it's in Ty's vault. Understood?"

Having said that the good Doctor strode into the hallway and headed toward the detected breech.

[Myth Foundation, Primary Computer Memory Store Area]

As Myth walked down the hallway, security doors slammed into place as he passed, the system automatically closing off the rest of the building. The alarms continued, calmly informing the staff to report to their duty stations and proceed with emergency procedures. The doorway to the computer core loomed before Myth.

As the door slid open, he took a carefully calculated position designed to maximize his field of fire into the room while minimizing any vectors of return aggression. What greeted his eyes was... intriguing.

The memory core sat in the middle of the room, surrounded by cooling towers and piping designed to allow the system to run at near absolute zero temperature. The core itself stored numerous files dealing with various parahumans, projects and experiments. Though not all of his files were stored here, there were many that only a handful of eyes had ever seen. However, the core itself was very difficult to see past the coating of translucent green surrounding it. He noted the several drive lights flashing, indicating the drive being accessed. As the door slid open, a ripple crossed its surface and the coating began to change, regular geometric patterns forming across its surface. Within milliseconds, the coating had become a solid crystalline mass.