[video]

[knightoflight]

[So, Wing's been quiet lately, after his angst attack.]

[But he's got a project now, kind of. Or at least, a question.]

Those of you who are scientists, is there any possibility you could find a way to locate a certain chemical compound?

Comments

[knightoflight]

Energon. It is the fuel source my kind require.

[Read as much into that as you like.]

I can send you the chemical profile.

[timesbureaucrat]

[Energon? It's not something he's heard of and wonders if perhaps it goes by different names.]

Yes, send it to me. I'll see what I can do.

How much of it do you need?

[knightoflight]

[Wing sends the formula.]

I'm afraid...a lot. It is the food for my kind, but also, if we are to build the sort of defenses we need, energon will make the best fuel source.

[timesbureaucrat]

[Narvin glances at the formula. He'll examine it more closely once their conversation is finished.]

Can it be synthesized?

[knightoflight]

Yes...and no. My kind have developed energon synthesizers that take materials and render them into something we can use as fuel. But it is, of course, no replacement for the real thing.

[timesbureaucrat]

I'll get to work on that scanner. How soon will you require this energon?

[knightoflight]

It is not critical, yet. But if we are to power some sort of defensive system, as well?

...can I do anything in return?

[timesbureaucrat]

[Narvin considers the offer. Having a favour owed by a giant robot could be useful.]

I'll let you know.

[knightoflight]

In your world, how would you defend a site from assault?

[What if they can't get the energon? They need a back up plan. One that doesn't rely on energon. Or Wing, if the worst came to pass.]

[timesbureaucrat]

It depends on the size of the site and the resources available. My planet is defended by a transduction barrier that keeps out any hostile force. On a smaller scale, I've developed an adaptation of matrix partitions, but I don't have the resources here to replicate it. Time locks are excellent for short term defense, but are impractical for the long term.