Meditation can be difficult, given the life I've chosen. But it is necessary, and the others let me have it when I need it. The problem is, of course, getting to that final state, past all the chatter of the conscious mind, past the voices of doubt and worry, past the concerns of the day, and finally arriving at that place where there is no thought, where there is only peace, where there is....
Where there is a phone ringing. Dammit.
"Blackstone here. Noah, how are you? Good. And the ladies? Fabulous. So, what can I do for you, or is this an Institute matter?"
Noah Scott and the folks at Stellvia. Lovely people all the way around. He sounds concerned about something.
"Depleted uranium? Well, we happened across a grassroots effort to recover it from the Viet Nam peninsula and felt it was worth helping. There is quite a lot of the stuff lodged in the topsoil in that area; you may remember something about a police action from a few decades back?
"Oh, Mr. Salk just needed a little bankrolling. We got him some safety equipment and put him in contact with medical personnel, in case he needs them. I looked over his plans; they seem pretty sound. I spoke with the UNEP, and they have been making appreciative noises. Director Steiner should be providing some additional logistical support. Mostly transportation and contacts with the government. You know how much of an impediment the bureaucracy can be.
"What? Oh, the DPU? It's being stored in an approved facility. It is, essentially, toxic waste. The UNEP and the Institute are working out appropriate disposal. For the moment, it's at a secure facility. Yes, it's passed all inspections."
"The facility's location? Well, I'd rather not say, Noah. It's only temporary, until the UNEP finishes deciding what to do with it, and the fewer people know about it the less likely we have someone trying something stupid. Personally, I hope to put it on a one-way trip to the Sun. The stuff's no good for anything except weapons.
"Which makes me wonder, Noah: why are you looking for it?"
----------------------
Blackstone's not lying; he really just wants to get rid of the stuff. However, when OBJ starts up, senior members of the Institute will mention that the DPU is there and available for use. Because the Blazers are less willing to go to full-on war, it won't be used until late in the OBJ arc.
Ebony the Black Dragon
Senior Editor, Living Room Games
http://www.lrgames.com
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com
"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."
Where there is a phone ringing. Dammit.
"Blackstone here. Noah, how are you? Good. And the ladies? Fabulous. So, what can I do for you, or is this an Institute matter?"
Noah Scott and the folks at Stellvia. Lovely people all the way around. He sounds concerned about something.
"Depleted uranium? Well, we happened across a grassroots effort to recover it from the Viet Nam peninsula and felt it was worth helping. There is quite a lot of the stuff lodged in the topsoil in that area; you may remember something about a police action from a few decades back?
"Oh, Mr. Salk just needed a little bankrolling. We got him some safety equipment and put him in contact with medical personnel, in case he needs them. I looked over his plans; they seem pretty sound. I spoke with the UNEP, and they have been making appreciative noises. Director Steiner should be providing some additional logistical support. Mostly transportation and contacts with the government. You know how much of an impediment the bureaucracy can be.
"What? Oh, the DPU? It's being stored in an approved facility. It is, essentially, toxic waste. The UNEP and the Institute are working out appropriate disposal. For the moment, it's at a secure facility. Yes, it's passed all inspections."
"The facility's location? Well, I'd rather not say, Noah. It's only temporary, until the UNEP finishes deciding what to do with it, and the fewer people know about it the less likely we have someone trying something stupid. Personally, I hope to put it on a one-way trip to the Sun. The stuff's no good for anything except weapons.
"Which makes me wonder, Noah: why are you looking for it?"
----------------------
Blackstone's not lying; he really just wants to get rid of the stuff. However, when OBJ starts up, senior members of the Institute will mention that the DPU is there and available for use. Because the Blazers are less willing to go to full-on war, it won't be used until late in the OBJ arc.
Ebony the Black Dragon
Senior Editor, Living Room Games
http://www.lrgames.com
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com
"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."