003 Text | Computer

[spideyfanone]

So since everyone got all bent outta shape about me wanting to turn high tech, slightly terroristy bombs on those stupid statues, I decided to keep busy for a little while. So this David Proud guy who made the statues (if he exists, and isn't a tentacled elder god or super-evil AI or something, because I'm really not ruling anything out right now and he's not actually around, just some blurby info from the gallery). I did some reading about the mine where he's supposed to be getting the statue-making stuff.

For one thing, there's really nothing in the geology around here that would make statue-quality stone come out of a coal mine. I made a diorama about it in sixth grade, so I just had to confirm that.

The mine was owned by the Tuning Towers family. I kinda figured that'd have something to do with Thundercorp, but not that I could find by using the cool superspy methods of Google and the library. It's in the park system now. I dunno, maybe bats live in it or something. And it's supposed to be haunted. Spooky stuff in forests usually is, but I don't know if that might be true, considering the weirdness. Plus the Native American tribe that lived there really didn't want to share and make it into a coal mine, and they didn't exactly give up because some old coal baron dudes asked nicely. So that's creepy.

Private to Bakura

For being transformed into a crocodile:
I am a crocodile immersed in dread. I am a crocodile who takes by robbery. I am the great and mighty fish-like being who is in the Bitter Lakes. I am the Lord of those who bow down in Letopolis.
Found it! ...I wanna be a crocodile.

Comments

[Text | Handwritten]

[scramasax]

[Hesitation. He glances this over and re-glances. This is new information. It surely means something. But what's it indicate, that there's anything to be found in the mine and stone, or that David Proud is the unusual one?]

This is Anthony.

It may be haunted. [It really may, given things.] But, if it is within the national park, doesn't anyone go inside?

[Text | Computer]

[spideyfanone]

Nah, it has barriers up to keep people from breaking in and getting hurt. Makes sense. I've read about old mines around here and they were super shady places, safety-wise, even when they were still running. That's why I guessed bats. It's just in the park system. That doesn't mean people go in, just who owns it.

[scramasax]

Is it's been closed, then how would David Proud's materials come out of it?

[spideyfanone]

Yeah, the story's weird all around. I'm starting to think maybe they figured no one would ask any questions because the statues are making everyone obsessed and dopey, but then why bother? Gotta wonder what's up with that mine if they picked it. Or maybe it's actually supposed to be bad, like it's leaked information. Nothing's too weird right now.

[scramasax]

What theory do you think looks the most likely from what you've picked up?

Even if it is a trap, I think that it would deserve ["Investigation" may sound bad in this context.] more direct attention.

[spideyfanone]

Yeah, trap doesn't mean don't go. Trap means be careful, and see if we've got anyone with levels of rogue. Or trap-sensing powers. Because no way do I wanna be the guy who decides which of the stupid things coming out of my brain is true.

Private | Text

[shiromadoushi]

The dread pirate crocodile?

There a ceremony for that or is it just "chant until something happens?"

[spideyfanone]

It pretty much looks like chant until something happens. A lot of them say when you're supposed to chant them, but that's it. There's one called "A spell for going out into the day" and now I found one called "for repelling a beetle" so there's even ghost insect repellent in here.

[shiromadoushi]

Totally useful for keeping your mummy from being chommed and screwing up your afterlife!

[spideyfanone]

I know I hate it when that happens.

[shiromadoushi]

Just chilling in Osirus's fields or whatever and then suddenly your arm falls off because the beetles claimed it in the name of Beetletopia. Totally cramps your style.

[spideyfanone]

It might be a little easier to ask your family to spray the sarcophagus with raid once in a while. But less cool.

[shiromadoushi]

And that only lasts as long as anyone remembers to keep reapplying. Mummies last a long time after all.

text;

[hollowleg]

Those statues DEFINITELY aren't made of coal. Or any of the other boring rocks that are typically found around here. I'm no art critic but they looked like bronze or something to me. But what do I know.

[spideyfanone]

I'm checking out their official story is all. And it's weird that it's kind of transparent? I mean, are they even trying? Maybe they're relying on the statue mind-mojo.

[hollowleg]

maybe. does the mind stuff actually affect anyone else, though? im still not totally clear on how it works

[spideyfanone]

Can't tell you about the how, but it's really super creepy to watch my usually very anti-corporate parents talk about his great an evil company is because they looked at a statue a while. Confuse-rays wouldn't be that out there.

[hollowleg]

dude thats so fucking creepy. but i guess its proof that its definitely doing something to people. "regular" people

[spideyfanone]

More to regular people than us. I mean, I was there, and it was like I could hear the mind mojo stuff, but it wasn't working on me. Just everyone else. Have you gone? It's screwed way up.

[Text]

[professorwolf]

[There's his student. Coming up with interesting things to look into an poke holes into the official story. Lyall is proud. But he does have a suggestion:]

Are we even sure the stone CAME from that mine, and he didn't just say that to hide where it really came from? Wherever that might be.

Has anyone even gotten a name for the kind of stone they are made out of? I haven't found one, but I don't have as much time for research I'm afraid :P

[spideyfanone]

Oh, yeah, it could definitely all be a crock. I kinda think so, actually, but it's kind of a dumb cover story then, isn't it? Because it's not that hard to find out what the bedrock is like here.

[Of course everyone who hears that will go check on the local succession of strata. Who wouldn't?]

And when the last one broke apparently no one kept any pieces, so no idea. I mean, really basic mineral testing kits are easy to find, but they probably wouldn't be cool with that at the art gallery.

[Also teachers using emoticons is weird. Stop that.]

[professorwolf]

[Your teacher happens to be kind of geeky, Kurt, sorry. Emoticons-- simple ones anyway-- are going to happen.]

I didn't stay for that, I'm afraid, or I might have considered it. Though from what I hear, it didn't break into SMALL pieces, either.

If it's such a dumb cover story, why do it? Do they want people to go down there?

[And by "they" he could only assume the Thunder Corporation or the invasion or both.]

[spideyfanone]

That's another really weird thing. I'm developing a possible alternate theory that it's supposed to be stupid. Maybe since the mine doesn't have a Thundercorp tie that I could find, maybe it's not actually from them? Or it's some kind of really elaborate trap.

[professorwolf]

Then why would someone working for Thunder Corporation direct us there? Unless this David Proud or his PR manager, at least, is somehow trying to undermine them. Otherwise the trap option is really more likely.

I hope no one else decides they have to investigate more hands-on. I'd hate for it to REALLY be a trap that someone walks into.

[spideyfanone]

Both could be true. I kinda like the idea that it's someone trying to slip us information, but that'd require, like, a defector to the good side, and that's probably not a thing that'll happen. Still, I think I've done all I can do with the library.