|
The Lab
May 23, 2009 22:53:57 GMT -5
Post by Erik on May 23, 2009 22:53:57 GMT -5
Erik led the way, eager and inspired. There were things he had not tried, ideas he'd had since the last time he'd done any work like this, that he thought he could improve upon. When Erik had a project, all else fell away, and whatever the circumstances surrounding it, all that mattered was the result.
He showed Julian the schematics of the prior models, and introduced him to a few techniques for rendering life-like qualities in the bodies themselves.
"And," he said at last, "with developments in biology that have occurred over the past several years, I see no reason why it should not be possible to grow the substances you need artificially."
|
|
|
The Lab
May 26, 2009 15:42:38 GMT -5
Post by Julian on May 26, 2009 15:42:38 GMT -5
*Julian followed silently, wide-eyed in wonder as Erik showed him the lab, patiently demonstrating this or that. His fingertips slipped softly over the various items, learning each though they seemed somehow familiar. Finally, he turned to Erik and spoke softly.*
"This is truly wondrous." *Already his mind was spinning with new possibility.* "I never expected these sorts of breakthroughs." *For a moment, his eyes slid askew, pondering on why his mother had stopped in this area of research for his own applications.*
|
|
|
The Lab
May 26, 2009 16:26:34 GMT -5
Post by Erik on May 26, 2009 16:26:34 GMT -5
Erik watched Julian avidly.
"It is a pleasure to be able to surprise you, still," he said. He had no idea why Julian did not have this knowledge, but Erik had been refining his automaton innovations for decades. "I am not certain about the viability of all of my theories, but some, certainly, are at least likely."
|
|
|
The Lab
May 26, 2009 18:14:17 GMT -5
Post by Julian on May 26, 2009 18:14:17 GMT -5
*Curiosity got the better of him. Julian took a step closer to Erik, brow quirked in question.*
"Why, if you have the ability to create organic material...did you not seek to apply it to..." *His lashes fluttered briefly before his eyes fell. Erik was beautiful and Julian would have him no other way, but it seemed that Erik would have sought to apply some sort of organic mask at some point during his studies.*
|
|
|
The Lab
May 26, 2009 18:28:00 GMT -5
Post by Erik on May 26, 2009 18:28:00 GMT -5
Erik frowned.
"I did not say I had perfected the technique, yet," he said. "For instance, the last... 'successful' experiment resulted in something rather unexpected--and was not wholly organic. I have not yet been able to, for instance, transmit a living being into another form of my making."
|
|
|
The Lab
May 26, 2009 18:31:20 GMT -5
Post by Julian on May 26, 2009 18:31:20 GMT -5
*Julian shrank slightly, feeling chastised by Erik's displeasure. But he tried not to focus his mother's attention on it, instead looking to move forward with caution.*
"Would you suggest a mechanical frame then?" *He asked softly.*
|
|
|
The Lab
May 27, 2009 10:43:16 GMT -5
Post by Erik on May 27, 2009 10:43:16 GMT -5
There was something about Julian's reaction--about many of his reactions--that confused Erik. In many ways, Julian was as familiar as Erik himself. But in others, in this show of timidity where he was concerned, Erik was lost. After all, his disappointment was directed at the technology, or if pressed, himself. Julian had nothing to do with it. The nuances of Julian's moods were lost on him.
"I'm not certain," he said. "It depends on what is acceptable to your... to those who wish this done. On the other hand, there is no reason I cannot progress further, with your help."
|
|
|
The Lab
May 29, 2009 10:15:11 GMT -5
Post by Julian on May 29, 2009 10:15:11 GMT -5
*These…feelings…were strange. Perhaps the most unnerving part of this new existence. Well, at least one of the more disturbing parts. It only renewed Julian’s resolve to be done with this task and get back to normalcy. He offered a small shrug, but seemed more confident with Erik’s support.*
“My understanding is it must be controllable by one that is…as I am. Was.” Will be again. *His lips pursed briefly.* “I would not be opposed to working with you to try to develop your original work further. Perhaps it would produce more satisfactory results.”
|
|
|
The Lab
May 29, 2009 13:27:21 GMT -5
Post by Erik on May 29, 2009 13:27:21 GMT -5
Erik shrugged elegantly. "My working hypothesis is that it is very difficult to dislodge one personality from its shell--whatever you want to call it, soul, spirit, what have you. Any existing body will cling to that memory. Erik cannot test this, of course, merely surmise it from your experience. The logical solution would appear to be creating one from scratch, without that... imprint. But it is up to you, of course. Your understanding of your task is, of course, far keener than mine can be."
|
|
|
The Lab
Jun 1, 2009 16:12:27 GMT -5
Post by Julian on Jun 1, 2009 16:12:27 GMT -5
*Julian gave a slight shrug of his own, his lips parting as if to speak but then shutting briefly.*
"Perhaps we might try several approaches." *He suggested.* "They may be knowledgeable, but matters of this plane do not always..." *He searched for the word.* "...translate well. Even if I could ask them directly, I doubt they could offer a simple answer."
|
|
|
The Lab
Jun 1, 2009 17:00:06 GMT -5
Post by Erik on Jun 1, 2009 17:00:06 GMT -5
Erik nodded.
"Very well, then," he said. "Most invention is, after all, trial and error."
He pulled free some papers, filled with scrawled notes and diagrams. "We can start here; I will show you what I have done so far, and we will move from there, hmm?"
|
|
|
The Lab
Jun 1, 2009 17:10:36 GMT -5
Post by Julian on Jun 1, 2009 17:10:36 GMT -5
"Yes." *Julian concurred, most assured now and seeming more positive about the potential. They could sort this out together.*
"If we were to begin with some sort of armature, some smaller project to test the theories..." *He wandered purposefully about the lab, starting to collect some items, obviously deep in thought.*
|
|
|
The Lab
Jun 1, 2009 17:18:41 GMT -5
Post by Erik on Jun 1, 2009 17:18:41 GMT -5
"There would be no consciousness to animate it," Erik mused. He thought for awhile. "Unless... unless we might affix one of us to it, in a temporary fashion."
|
|
|
The Lab
Jun 3, 2009 13:55:55 GMT -5
Post by Julian on Jun 3, 2009 13:55:55 GMT -5
*Julian's lips tightened, perplexed at the thought. Could he still loosen his shell? Would he be able to return. Swallowing slowly, he nodded.*
"Of course." *He answered cautiously.* "But perhaps we should attempt to create a prototype first. I would not wish to be..." *He frowned.* "...lost."
|
|
|
The Lab
Jun 3, 2009 14:01:21 GMT -5
Post by Erik on Jun 3, 2009 14:01:21 GMT -5
Erik looked up.
"Oh, no, no," he said. "Erik did not mean to suggest it. I was thinking, rather, that..." He fell silent, musing. "I will have to think on it further. But we can begin the prototype, as I do so."
|
|