//------------------------------// // Tech comparison // Story: A Tale Of Three Worlds // by Sornos //------------------------------// “To think that your technology runs on the power of storms and not souls,” Qa’taro commented as he toyed around with an omni tool. “On electricity and mass effect fields, not storms.” Torrin corrected. “Ya for sure your not getting any tech programs for a while no offence.” “None taken. With no complete clue on how the Dwemer disappeared, most of Tamriel simply try to understand the basics of their technology before going into what may have caused them to disappear,” Qa’taro explained. “And for you information, your short description of both sound like storms, as in thunderstorms, with lightning and everything.” “Fair enough. I was in luck though. Found a few intact models of my kind armor, and even a massive supply of omni gel.” Torrin smiled. “With the gel i can make armor worthy of a cabal squad for sure.” “While that may look like a cheap material, Khajiit will just keep his mouth shut and agree to disagree,” Qa’taro muttered. “It's a kind of plastic that is stronger than the toughest steel. Lightweight yet sturdy. It would take a rocket to even heavily damage this.” Torrin said. “Now you are giving Qa’taro thoughts of making fake Glass armor,” he said before accidentally shocking himself with a cat like hiss. “Oh sorry I didn’t warn you. That tool had a overload program, wouldn’t do a lot of damage to organic material, but would hurt.” Torrin said. “Understandable. I at least understand why that is where it is in the device.” “We would want to test it on magical barriers to see if it has any effect. For research.” Torrin said. “I will have to work with the omni gel carefully.” “Are we both talking about the same thing or are we in our own little worlds?” Qa’taro suddenly asked. “Well I went off on a tangent. Sorry.” Torrin said with a sheepish look on his mandibles. “Now then go ahead and see if any of these models have things you can use. Never know what could come in handy right?” “Even if this one hardly understand most of your technology,” Qa’taro said as he opened a crate and pulled out the first thing he saw, a phaseton. “Like this?” “That’s a phaseton. A assault rifle common among Turian soldiers.” Torrin explained. “It’s a ranged weapon.” “Ah,” Qa’taro sighed. “So...which end is business end and where can Qa’taro aim, so he can fire off one shot safely...for personal opinion on weapon?” “The barrel is on the front end. To fire pull the trigger once as if you hold it with a amtoucic weapon like the phasteon, it will fire multiple rounds.” Torrin explained. “Aim along the top of the weapon.” Qa’taro did as instructed, and fired, accidentally firing two shots, but he seemed impressed. “Interesting. The projectile flys more straight than an arrow or a bolt.” “Do you like it? Funny enough this is one of less accurate guns. Still more so than most of its type mind you.” Torrin said. “When comparing these guns to a bow or crossbow, accuracy is much easier with one of those than this.” He pulled his crossbow off of his back. “Fair point. Your in luck as that gun seems to be set on cool down. Had it been set to need thermal clips, it would only work for so long.” Torrin noted. “Thermal clips? Cool down? This one lack’s understanding,” Qa’taro said. “Most weapons bac home use disposable heat sinks called thermal clips, think of it like the weapons ammo. With it set to cool down, all you have to do is make sure not to have it overheat and it will last a long time, ten years before new ammo is needed.” Torrin explained. “Sounds fascinating.” Qa’taro looked over the weapon in curiosity. “Is it okay for Qa’taro to learn how to use this and maybe other weapons of your arsenal?” “Yes so long as you promise me not to use them out of malice.” Torrin said. “If Qa’taro was to harm someone out of malice, he has his own weapons for that,” he said. “And remember the keyword: if.” “Alright then. We can start with your aim with the phasteon.” Torrin said, standing up and adjusting Qa’taro’s. “An assault rifle is not meant to be used at a massive long range. It’s meant to bring bullets down range quickly. So to focus your fire. Relax your mind and aim. Short bursts of three to five are best.” Qa’taro aimed down the sights and just as he was about to touch the trigger, a loud, “Hey Guys!” sounded out behind him, causing him to accidentally pull the trigger and send a burst of shots inside the ship. Both Torrin and Qa’taro dove for cover as the shots ricocheted around the room before stopping after a few seconds. “Who is there!? Show yourself!” Torrin said tensing up. “It’s me, Pinkie Pie!” she said as she suddenly appeared on Torrin’s head. “Oh, by the way, do you want these back?” She shook her tail and a small pile of bullets fell out of it. “You can keep those Pinkie, when used up they aren’t much good.” Torrin said. “What brings you here Pinkie?” “Plot convenience!” She exclaimed. “Twilight was just informed to get you two and the rest of us. How I know this, despite not being told yet, only Sheogorath knows. Anyway, plot convenience over! Pinkie Vanish!” She threw a cupcake on the floor, causing a large pink cloud of smoke to puff up. When the smoke cleared, she was gone, leaving a small platter of cupcakes and a note. Torrin goes to pick up the note and reads it. ‘These are for Torrin only. Dextro based stuff. Enjoy!’ Torrin takes one and eats it. “Wow, she really knows her stuff.” “Unfortunately, her Oblivion damned madness does unintentionally waste ammunition,” Qa’taro said as he swept up the bullets. “Its fine, the weapon still has a lot of ammo in it. Say do you like long range combat?” Torrin asked. “Yes, but having back up weapons and such are not bad either.” “Go ahead and break open the crate labeled raptor.” Torrin said. Qa’taro did as instructed. Pulling out another rifle from the box, he examined it. “Aside from range and maybe other obvious features, what is this thing’s difference from the assault?” He asked. “A scope as a starand for one thing. This model take some practice to touch at long range, but it has a modest clip size and can fire as fast as you pull the trigger, it’s got a bit of weight to it though without being modded with lighter materials.” Torrin explained. “Qa’taro has handled heavier...including a man so fat that his belly swallowed a friend’s sword whole.” He commented with wide and disgusted eyes. “Why not give it a try?” Torrin offered. Qa’taro pulled the weapon to his shoulder and took aim down the scope. Just as he put his finger on the trigger, they heard, “Hey, Taro? Torr?” Causing him to accidentally pull the trigger. There was a ricochet sound and they saw Applejack lacking her hat and seemingly missing a small patch of hair on her head. “Sorry Applejack. We were testing weapons in here.” Torrin said. “It’s alright...for now,” She said as she picked up her hat (now missing a small chunk of the brim) and put it back on her head. “Twilight told me to get you two and come to the train station.” “Alright. Qa’taro, grab as many thermal clips as you can carry in your pack ok?” Torrin said. “Understood!” He grabbed his side pack and backpack and did such. “We will be ready shortly.” Torrin said. “I want to be prepared.” “Understood, we’ll be waiting.” Applejack then galloped off “Let’s go Qa’taro!” Torrin exclaimed. Several hours later, in the Frozen North “Did I mention how much my kind HATES the cold!” Torrin whined. “Don’t be such a milk-drinker,” Qa’taro said. “This is nothing compared to the cold of the Soul Cairn. Qa’taro had to go in there once with another vampire hunter, and it isn’t pleasant...especially since you have to offer up part of your own soul as as an entrance fee.” Torrins eyes go wide at that. “Ok that's a bit darker than I care to hear.” “On the bright side, Qa’taro got that soul portion back and he can now travel in and through said realm as he wishes.” “Can we not talk about that?” Twilight asked. “As fascinating as that sounds, we’re already on edge about trying to save an ancient empire from a dark king. We don’t need soul cars or whatever fouling our mood up even more.” “I agree with Twilight on that. This Sombra while he sounds more angry at the world than evil, seems a big deal.” Torrin said. “I say that due to seeing that had I not had people that cared about me at all in my life, I could have ended up just as much a monster as he has been forced to be.” “What do you mean by that?” Rainbow asked. “If anything, he’s just another villain. Why care about him?” “Open your mind and listen. No one starts a villain. Likely the hate for the fact he was not a “true” pony caused people to see him as a monster, which over time caused him to be forced to take on that role that others have given him.” Torrin explained. “I could have ended up the same way, a father that hates me, a dead mother, and most my kind thinking me cursed by the spirits just for my powers. Can you see my point Rainbow?” “Oh...umm...what?” Rainbow said. “To summarize what our armored friend said, no one is born evil. They become evil after a series of unfortunate events...and why am I suddenly thinking of lemons?” Qa’taro rambled. “Exactly. It might not be too late for sombra. I’m not saying risk your life for him but at least see his pain.” Torrin said. “The pain that caused him to become the dark king.” “If we put it that way, almost anyone of us could have become a villain, under the correct, or rather incorrect, circumstances,” Rarity said. “My oath would keep me from doing so, but yes for the most part.” Torrin agreed. “Now, so aside from freezing our cheese wheels off, what is our plan for taking down this Sombra?” Qa’taro asked. “Because, as far as khajiit can tell or guess, blades and bullets can only do so much.” “Well I could set him up with some of my powers. What then though?” Torrin said. “I think our best bet is to get into the Empire and figure out any weaknesses there-” “Why is there a massive pink dome over the empire?” Torrin asked confused. “Is it some sort of magic shield?” “Yeah,” Twilight answered, after giving Torrin a short glare for interrupting her. “I was told that Shining Armor and Cadence are there right now.” “Have those two managed to get married yet?” Qa’taro asked. “Never heard any public announcement of a new prince or whatever.” “That’s because they are already married, as I had to find out after the fact. Stupid brother, pulling the wool over my eyes because of maintaining security,” Twilight grumbled. “It wouldn’t have been hard to send one of those timed message things to tell me that my old foalsitter is now my sister-in-law.” “I see. They wanted to have a public one to show the stability of Equestria.” Torrin said. “Makes sense.” Qa’taro started humming in contemplation, getting weird looks from everyone in the car. “Anything to add Qa’taro?” Torrin asked. “I’m just thinking about what we were told about the Empire,” he said. “How positive emotions, like love and happiness, are radiated from the Empire.” “Makes me wonder how Sombra could have ever fallen, if that was all that come from here.” Torrin noted. “You likey are thinking of something else?” “Not of immediate relevance,” Qa’taro said. “Regardless of how he fell, how he managed to change a place of such emotions into a place of hatred and despair is what we need to know.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if it already had the cracks forming, and he just punch a hole of fear through them.” Torrin stated. “That aside, we’ll need to head into the Empire to see how Sombra can possibly be defeated,” Twilight said. “Well yes, that much was never in doubt.” Torrin said shivering like mad. “So, will the train pull into the Empire?” Rarity asked. “I don’t think Torrin can stand this cold any longer.” Shortly after she said that, the train slowed before jolting to a stop...a good mile or so away from the shield. Qa’taro then began laughing. “Looks like you’ll have to endure the cold,” he said, before lighting one of his hands on fire. “Or I can give you the occasional roasting to keep you warm.” “Shutting up and running!” Torrin said. “Then shut up and run, you piece of hardened, blue shit!” Qa’taro shouted, firing off a small burst of flames past Torrin’s face. Torrin is like a blur running so fast he simply passes through the barrier. Qa’taro then turned his predatory gaze on the rest of the car’s occupants. “You all need to get going as well! And forget your luggage!” He shouted, causing everyone to rush out of the car, Applejack having to drag Rarity while she was complaining about her clothing and makeup. Qa’taro then casually exited the train while chuckling. “Works every time.” In the Empire Qa’taro entered the shield while carrying an incapacitated Shining Armor on his shoulder. “You really know how to be stupid, don’t you,” he said. “You should have seen everyone running from the train as if a madman with a torch and a bloody axe was chasing them.” “That’s what got me going out there in the first place!” Shining retorted. “It’s too cold for anyone to run outside right now.” Torrin said. “So what we need to do is plan.” “Alright, Qa’taro will lecture him later about running towards danger without backup,” Qa’taro said. He then dropped Shining on the ground and kicked him towards Torrin. “Shining how is Cadence holding up? Its likely not easy on her to use up so much magic.” Torrin said. “Qa’taro why did you kick him to me?” “His horn is covered in crystals harder than stalhrim and it’s blocking his magic,” he said. “And if you can’t tell, I tried getting it off, but look what it did to my axe!” He pulled out his axe and showed the chipped and cracked blade. “I can try, but the risks for failure are high. If i try a biotic kick it could work, or could break a bone. Even if that works, my amp will be heated a great deal due to ho much energy i would have to put into it. If that's the case, I can’t do the other thing I wanted to do.” Torrin said. “I could hold a biotic barrier for long enough right now to give Cadence a chance to rest and recover her magic. Not forever, but for a good while” Qa’taro looked between the shield, Shining, and his axe. “Eh, he could use some time without his magic. It might be a good cure for some of his ego,” he said. “Khajiit at least need his axe either repaired or replaced.” “Stick to your guns for now. Latter we can get you a replacement.” Torrin said. “Now where is the highest place in the Empire?” “Well, it should be obvious that the top of the castle,” Rainbow Dash said, pointing up towards the center of the Empire. “Thanks!” Torrin starts to run to the castle. “Hey!” Qa’taro shouted, and started after him. “Don’t leave Qa’taro here with babysitting duty! It should be your turn!” Qa’taro chased him through the Empire until they reached the door of the castle. “If I do that I can’t make a good barrier.” Torrin said as they get stopped by guards. “Then why didn’t you say so!?” Qa’taro bellowed. “The magic barrier is already getting weak, I need to hurry.” Torrin exclaimed. “Why couldn’t you do so when we were at the barrier to begin with!?” “Who are you and what are you arguing about!?” One of the guards interrupted. “We came with twilight sparkle, we wish to ease the burden on the one casting the shield.” Torrin said. “Please allow me at least to pass.” “Let us check with the Princess,” the other guard said. He then entered the castle and left the three there. “I really didn’t want to have to do this. But If i wait, we could be doomed.” Torrin said. “By the power I hold as one above your laws, let me pass.” He said in a way that spoke of authority. The guard didn’t flinch, but he stepped aside and said, “If you’re that insistent, I’ll let you past. Just be careful of the other guards. They don’t have to deal with the kind of problems we door guards do, so they may or may not attack on sight.” “And Qa’taro guesses that if they do, fight back with no lethality?” He asked. The guard nodded and let them pass. “Going to have to use khajiit claws rather than weapons. Still sharp, but less lethal.” “I do know talon to hand combat. Let's go for stealth where we can.” Torrin said. “I also have a tech program to help with this.” “More for you and less for khajiit,” Qa’taro muttered. “I could also give this program to the omni tool I gave you,” Torrin said. “If it still works with all the tinkering this one has done with it,” he said as he pulled out the tool and fitted it onto his arm. “You got nothing to lose as far as this.” Torrin said copying the program to his tool. “It’s a tactical cloak.” With a few taps on the tool’s screen, Qa’taro turned invisible...only to trip over his own feet. “It doesn’t last forever, but can really get you out of a pinch.” Torrin explained. He felt around until he found Qa’taro’s arm and lifted him up. “Now then let's move quickly.” Torrin started to run off. They walked through the castle, nearly losing each other on occation. Thankfully, for both, Torrin was able to give Qa’taro a crash course on using his omni tool’s radio and tracking device. Their search for a way to the Castle’s central tower took a while, but it gave them a chance to get some of the layout of said castle...and map some of the ‘dangers.’ “Remind Qa’taro to stay away from the castle pantry,” he said into his radio. “Khajiit had a close shave with his nemesis.” “Duly noted. Now then we are here.” Just as they got with in sight of Cadance, the cloaks gave out. “Huh? What are you two doing here? I thought the guard said you left with no explanation,” Cadence spoke. “No time to waste. Drop your barrier, I can take over for a bit.” Torrin said. “But-” “No ‘buts,’ your highness,” Qa’taro interjected. “While unsure as to how long you may have gone without food or sleep, this one knows that it is best to not push yourself past your limits. Now get some rest and make sure your staff gets rid of those cucumbers in the pantry!” Torrin closes his eyes and when he opens them, they glow with power as a purple barrier comes up as the pink one drops. “I will have to reinforce it every once in a while, but I will be fine for at least a day before my amp gets close to overheat.” “Alright, but what do you mean by the cucumbers?” Cadence asked. “Are they rotten?” “No,” Qa’taro answered with a shiver of fear. “They exist.” “If it’s anything like earth cats back in my own dimension. It’s a smell that they give off.” Torrin said. “Qa’taro’s not sure what scares me about cucumbers, but it wasn’t the smell,” Qa’taro shuddered. “No need to get rid of them then, just keep them in a place my feline friend can’t see them.” Torrin explained. “I’m so glad I managed to bring a few months rations with me.” “Even though it will probably take just the rest of the day for the problem to finish,” Qa’taro said. “If the invasion is anything to go by.” “I have two reasons for the over kill. One is that using my powers makes me need more calories. Two is just in case this takes longer than expected.” Torrin explained. “Eh, true enough,” Qa’taro said as he started flipping a septim coin. “While you’re maintaining that, I’m going to explore the room.” “You don’t have to take more than a nap if you wish Cadence.” Torrin said. “I’ll do so, and hopefully Shining didn’t do something stupid and get hurt,” Cadence said. “He didn’t get hurt, but the stupid part…”Qa’taro muttered as Cadence left the throne room. He then started looking around the room. “What's up Qa’taro? Need to explore?” Torrin asked grunting slightly as the barrier took its toll for now. “Just this room,” he answered. “Qa’taro has a feeling that Sombra may have hidden something that may be important later. Like a journal, an artifact that exposes his weakness...or is his weakness, or even a secret room or so with both.” “Isn’t that a bit to much like a holo vid?” Torrin sighed. “Well worth a shot.” Torrin looked for a guard. “Guard make sure Cadence is close at hand.” “Why so?” The nearby guard asked. “It’s best we switch before we burn out, rather than keep it going tell we are nearly passing out.” Torrin said. “Got-” The guard started, but a clanging sound was heard, interrupting him. Both Torrin and the guard looked at Qa’taro, who was ‘tapping’ his axe’s handle against the ground. “What are you doing Qa’taro?” Torrin said. “Checking for a hidden door or passage,” Qa’taro answered as he kept tapping the ground. “Tapping with a foot, or with these crystal floors, a hard item, one can find a sound difference.” “Fair enough but seems like a bit out of the way.” Torrin said. “Why would he make a hidden passage.” “There are some individuals who actually plan things out, rather than make them up as they go along,” Qa’taro said. “This is just a theory, but khajiit is sure that both Celestia and Sombra are the first kind.” “Ok fair enough, it's not impossible.” Torrin amdited. “I have seen just as many planners during my time in the cabals.” “But there are moments that plans don’t go as planned because of unconsidered variables, like us,” Qa’taro continued. His tapping slowed as he reached the center of the throne room. “Celestia had her ‘rule’ secure...until we punched right through her plans. Sombra may have anticipated getting free and having to contend with someone for the Empire, but with only ponies in mind.” “Exactly. Perhaps we can throw a curveball at him.” Torrin said with a smile grunting as it took its toll again. “You need a respite?” The guard asked. “My amp is not even halfway to overheat Cadence needs to rest more than me right now.” Torrin said. “If that’s the case, that means Qa’taro will have to explore the secret passage...if his search methods has found it...which it should be...right here,” he said before taking his axe blade to throne room floor and carving an ‘X’ in the room’s center. “Ask a guard about how Cadence is doing.” Torrin said. “You’re standing next to him, you ask,” Qa’taro retorted. “Is this guard near her to check? I think not.” Torrin said. “Urgh, Talos preserve us,” Qa’taro muttered. “Guard! Check on Cadence and if she is even remotely awake-” he pulled a green bottle out of his sachel. “-give this to her and get her up here.” The guard saluted, took the bottle, and ran off. “Sorry for that but we have to be sure to keep the barrier up till we have a permanent answer.” Torrin said. “Which might be soon,” Qa’taro said. His ears suddenly perked up. “You might want to step away from the door.” Torrin nods and moves closer to the center of the room, grunting again as the toll of matning the barrier is taken from him again. The door suddenly burst open, with Cadence, Twilight, and Spike arriving in the room “Either the guard was very fast, or you knew we needed you here, Princess,” Qa’taro said. “A little of both actually,” Cadence said. “The guard came in and gave me that potion, but just as he was about to say why he came, Twilight entered and told me that she knows how to stop Sombra.” “Whatcha got Twilight?” Torrin asked grunting a bit louder than before as the toll was taken this time. “An artifact, which is called the Crystal Heart, is what can stop him,” she said. “Before his defeat, Sombra hid it away so that no one could find it and defeat him, but I believe it is hidden somewhere in the castle.” “Alright sounds good. Qa’taro do you have a extra one of those potions you gave Cadence?” Torrin said. “Qa’taro should have a magika potion, a health potion, and maybe a loaf of bread to keep the potions from becoming volatile in the stomach,” he said as he pulled said items out of his satchel. “And khajiit should at least inform Twilight that he may have found either the hiding place or the entry to the hiding place.” “Really?!” She asked excitedly. “Where?!” Qa’taro pointed to where he carved the ‘X,’ causing Twilight to put a hoof to her chin in contemplation. “Hmm...Sombra kept a secret passage in the throne room…” “A escape route just in case? Sounds logical.” Torrin said. “Or to keep an eye on the passage if it was used for hiding something,” Spike said. Twilight gasped happiness and gave Spike a grateful hug. “That’s it Spike! He must have hidden the Crystal Heart somewhere that only had one entrance and where he could watch! Where would I be without you?” “Probably holed up in the Canterlot Public Library, doing nothing but reading,” Spike muttered to quietly for her to hear. “Now that we’ve got a strong theory, we should get searching,” Qa’taro said. “And unfortunately, khajiit doesn’t know how to open the passage.” “I might have an idea, but you might want to stand back,” Twilight said. She then powered up her horn, but it shortly changed from her standard lavender glow and turned into a sickly green and seemed tinted with shadow. She then shot a black spell at a crystal just above the throne and it cast a shadow over the area Qa’taro marked, and revealed the secret passage...which also turned out to be directly underneath Qa’taro as well. “Damn my tail to Oblivion,” he said before starting to tumble down the passage’s stairs. Twilight and Spike quickly rushed down after him. “Cadence, take over for me. I’m going with them.” Torrin said. After a quick gulp of the potions, Cadence raised a barrier, allowing Torrin to drop his and follow down the passage.