3517/Call It Field Testing

Call It Field Testing
Date of Scene:	13 December 2015
Location:	Brimsteel Frontier
Synopsis:	Field testing of a prototype weapon for Target.
Cast of Characters:	Corona Arclite, 750, 770

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Corona Arclite has posed:
Brimsteel has gotten it's fair share of visitors over the last few months, but few have seen just how harsh areas of the planet can be. Though it was actually a clear day so far, but that didn't make the Wreckage Zone any less ominous feeling. Piles of forgotten junk, rocky spires thrust up and the occasional magma gyser beltched out by the volcanic depths of the world, the shadows cast distorted by the angles and peculiar shapes. But it was far away from pretty much anywhere else hospitable, and that was exactly what Corona wanted.

It was also a good place to take her wrecker truck out for a test drive after finishing the repairs on it finally, though that was hardly going to be the only test today. But we'll get to that later. Right now, we've just got the rending sound of the drill mounted on the front of the 'truck' tearing through one of the piles of junk and sending fragmented metal scattering about. Good thing this vehicle actually has a cab.

Once the debris has settled and they come into a clearing on the other side Corona hits the brakes and the truck lurches to a stop. Some remaining exhaust belchs out of the steamstacks as the drill is winding down, and Corona leans out of the driver side of the cab. "Yeah, this looks like a good spot. Nobody comes round these parts much, it's perfect for stuff they don't want me messin' round in town with."

Well that's certainly reassuring, isn't it now?

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
For once, Target didn't really care to bump and tumble all the way to where everyone was going. As a result, the smaller kobold took up the backseat and was content to lounge as the vehicle punched its way through the wreckage zone. Despite the NOISE and the ride that is probably NOT smooth, he could have been napping back there.

When the truck comes to a stop, the Kobold yawns, stretches, and sits up, "S'a smooth ride, C'rona. Where we at now?" he asks, taking a look out the windows. "S'a clearing out in this place? Either ya cleared it out or .. ." A shrug, "You cleared it out right?"

Rebound (750) has posed:
"So this place is where you come when stuff might blow up? Remind me to keep my fuzzy butt parked over here." Rebound says, sitting on top of a rock with a pair of sunglasses on, simply content on watching the show for the time being.

Corona Arclite has posed:
"Or when I -want- it to blow up," Corona replies with a smirk as she climbs out of the cab, and kicks the door shut behind her. "We're on the fringe of what was the world's industrial center, before the big planetary tantrum wrecked it all."

While the others are getting out and set she walks back to open one of the truck's storage compartments in the side, and a few moments later walks back around with a gun case. "And Ah reckon there's still a chance fer this to blow up instead of blowin' stuff up, so better safe than sorry."

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
After taking a look around from inside the cab, Target climbs out through a window and hops up on top of it. "Well, a'least there's no one 'round here so we can test whatever ya got to test," he offers, peering down at the case that Corona has pulled from the truck. "So whatcha got anyway?"

Rebound (750) has posed:
"So you built this whole thing from scratch, huh?" Rebound asks, as she hops around the vehicle and admires it a bit, "Hmm. I could never put something like this together. I can barely work a computer half the time."

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite opens up the case, then looks up to Target with a grin. "Somethin' y'all be waitin' for longer than it should of taken," she replies as she lifts an elaborate looking weapon that's like some cross between a clockpunk shotgun and a grenade launcher out of the case. "But it took a while to find enough of the right alloy to make the barrel outta. But seein' as the time ya used my shotgun it didn't blow up in yer face, that was a start." She takes a moment to check the gun over once more, then motions to Target. "Hopefully it ain't too--" she stops as she almost says what could of been mistaken as a short joke. Quick, think of something else. "Cumbersome. It -is- still a workin' test model an' all."

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
The kobold blinks a bit and then he cracks a large grin, "Oh hooo. Yer lucky I got one of those rounds with me still. Since things calmed down a bit I haven't gotten any more'of'em recently." Seeing as its a GUN, Target hops down to have a look at it, "Eh, so what if'n its a bit big, eh? S'a prototype, after all," nope. No 'short rage' to be seen just now.

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite ah-huhs as she sets the gun on top of the case and takes a couple of steps back. "Y'all know that's not gonna last, so enjoy the moment while ya got it. There's some test slugs in the case too, iffen ya wanna fire a few rounds to getta feel before poppin' off the big boy." Her tail flicks around her ankles as she turns and jestures at the heaps of scrap machinery around them. "An' ya got no shortage of targets, either."

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
With the weapon set down, Target tugs it up and starts inspecing it from end to end, actioning it, checking the barrel, no slug inside, all the things someone familiar with guns would expect someone else to do. Satisfied, the kobold opens the case for one of the regular shells and eyes a damaged lamp post over yonder, which he motions at. "Lesse..." After taking a moment to aim, Target would squeeze off the round, very curious to see how the weapon feels, its stock in against his shoulder.

Rebound (750) has posed:
    Rebound actually whistles a little bit as she admires the weapon from nearby, "Looks like everybody's getting to join the 'Corona makes weapons for us' club." The kangaroo says, holding up her gauntleted arm, "She's pretty good at that sort of thing."

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona may be a bit on the mad side of inventors, but that doesn't mean she doesn't follow appropriate handling! Guns going off accidentally is not a prospect to trifle with. Like sticking a fork in a toaster... though she probably learned that one the hard way. When the toaster blew up.

As is she leans against the side of the truck, taking out her scanner with one hand to monitor idly. The gun gives a satisfying THWOOM when fired, but it's got a reasonable kick to the recoil, too. Probably going to need to keep that in mind.

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
After the shot, the gun is lowered slowly, Target works his shoulder a little, "Not to bad C'rona, s'got a kick but considering what its gonna be firin, that isn't so bad. Every time I fire onna those crazy things I don't really 'spect to be standin' afterward.." Another 'test' round is picked up, loaded in, and fired off at a random headlight on some vehicle out there. "What's in the test rounds anyway?"

Corona Arclite has posed:
"A bit of gun powder fer the effect, but mostly scrap filings to give em the same weight as an act'al shell," Corona replies, followed by a soft hmm as she looks at her device. Not picking up any unusual feedback or vibrations from the weapon. "Not quite a dud."

It's a bit of a delay before the shell, imbeded in the headlight, blows up in a big plume of smoke.

"But not big 'nuff to do much damage iffen they misfire, either."

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
Paff! Smoke. The kobold glances over, shrugs once, and then reaches into his duster. After a moment he produces one of those -bright- purple shells that has meant big trouble for a few people in the past. "Well, getcher scanner turned up cause ah, well, this is gonna smart," Target says, meaning himself more than whatever bit of scrap he sentences to becoming slag. After the shell is loaded in, the kobold actually puts his back to Corona's truck to brace himself a bit more.

"Alright. See that big'ol half tonner over yonder? S'a bout to be toasted," Target informs as he pulls up the shotgun to aim, puts the stock into his shoulder, squares himself and gets as much of his back against the truck as he can, and even digs his claws into the ground, "Alrighty, 'ere goes nuthin,". And ever so slowly the trigger of Corona's prototype is squeezed.

Rebound (750) has posed:
"You know I was gonna wait, Corona, but I figure it's close enough." Rebound says, "Do you guys have anything like Christmas on this planet? I have no idea what sort holidays you guys have." She hmms, and moves up to the truck, so she can root around in the cargo area. She had stashed something in there earlier.

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite glances over in Rebound's direction, raising a brow slightly. She didn't see the roo bring anything with, but then again, she was a bit focused on other things. "Well, yeah, folks out here gotta have somethin' like that to celebrate." Even if it's mostly an excuse to stuff your face, get drunk, and maybe spend some time family in there. Though afterwards Corona lets out a huff. "Though since Rusty passed Ah ain't had much for celebratin' with, what with no other family and all that."

Her ears snap up as she hears the gun fire, and her attention whips back in that direction. After a few test shots Target does well in compensating for the recoil and even with the kick the shot is almost dead on. To where it smacks right through into the cab of the wreck.

Moments later there's a big blast of blue-green fieryness from the pulsarium explosion, and then there ain't much left at all of the cab. Or two thirds of the old hauler in general. Not quite the cement mixer obliteration but it's still pretty damn impressive.

Enough that the brief almost sorrowful moment is forgotten as Corona pulls her hat off and waves it in the air with a hoot. "Yeehah, now that's what Ah was lookin' to see!"

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
And he drops the gun. "O-Ow.." Considering he didn't go flying, all of that recoil got to jam into his shoulder. So. "That -smarted-," he winces before slowly reaching down to pick the gun back up to offer to Corona, "I know s'a prototype but mebbe try to get some recoil help in there or somethin.." he suggets. "Other'n that it did better'n my shotguns that's fer sure!"

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite puts her hat back on. "Yeah, Ah kinda figured that. But it was hard t' gauge how much was needed without seein' it in action. Just put it back in the case, Target. Wanna make sure Ah got these readin's saved." The D-PAD can be heard click-clacking with its clockwork processing as she twiddles the controls to make sure everything is recorded properly.

Whatever Rebound was plotting has been partially forgotten in the moment of technical breakthroughs.

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
"Oh ya, sure sure," Target offers before putting the weapon away, only after doing all the same checks as earlier. "S'a good gun, C'rona. Hope you can improve on it. Rangers'll be chompin at the bit to get somethin that kin fire those rounds better'n what we got."

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite mmhmms, after closing up the device and tucking it back into one of her belt pouches. "Well, now that that's done with... It's my turn~"

But she doesn't go for the new gun. Instead she taps the U-shaped device hanging from her belt, and the Matter Manipulator manifests what could only be some kind of steampunk bazooka that she hefts up onto one shoulder. "What, y'all think Ah wouldn't get in on the fun an' fireworks?"

And a few moments after that a junkpile several meters to the left of the half obliterated truck gets blown up in a fiery explosion. Though it proves to have even more kick, and Corona ends flat out on the ground afterwards. "... Definately need to start workin' on recoil counteraction."

Rebound (750) has posed:
It took a little longer for Rebound to finish rooting around in the cargo area, but she finally brings out a big military style crate, with a small red bow on top of it, "I got this for you for Christmas, Corona. Merry Christmas, or whatever you guys call it around here." She grins and looks back to Target, "I didn't forget you either, Target." For him it's a smaller military style crate, though that is in no means a commentary on his size.

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
"Eh what?" Seems like Target wasn't entirely expecting the explosion that goes off all of a sudden since he was putting away Corona's prototype. When he turns around, spots the launcher, and then sees the damage done, "Well'n, that's pretty dang good!"

And then another surprise, ".. er.. s'all this?" the kobold sighs, "Aw, now Rebound ya didn't have to go'in do all this.." That isn't gonna stop the ranger from opening what it is that Rebound just offered.

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite returns the bazooka to the manipulator's storage as she sits up, and cocks her head at Rebound. "... The heck did you get those in there without me noticing?"

Probably when she was busy loading the gun case where Target wouldn't see that. ".. Ahehehe.." At that thought she rubs the back of her head a bit before trotting open and popping the case open. "Ah reckon Ah like yer style of wrappin'." She's probably already thinking about how to reuse that, too.

Rebound (750) has posed:
    When her two friends open their cases up, Corona will find what is best described as a 'laser drill'. It's a peice of mining equipment that emits a high frequency laser pulse to cut through stone and metal and whatever else might get in the way, "Since we kinda lost that tool in that giant pit at the bridge, figured I should replace it."

    As for Target, he's actually going to get food. All manner of meats and cheeses, plus a gift card for Antonio's Pizza in her home New York, "I admit that I didn't know specifically what to get you, Target, so I figured food was never a bad idea."

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
Target Sparktail blinks. FOOD!? "Aw now Rebound you know how to treat a fella, thank ya kindly for all this,". Of course his mind's already roaming on how to gift back, but that'll come later on. That's when he starts rummaging around a bit, "This is all lookin' good.."

Corona Arclite has posed:
"Well ain't that a beaut." Corona lifts the drill out of the case to look it over. "Ah should pro'ly wonder where ya'd even find such a thing, buy Ah know better than to look a gift ho--"

She stops, remembering there's actual horsefolk around. Brimsteel and the Multiverse at large.

"--Y'know, ferget what Ah was 'bout to say. Just thank ya muchly, Rebound... Sheesh, and Ah ain't even started! Ah kinda got use to not havin' much to worry 'bout fer the holiday..."

Rebound (750) has posed:
"You're all very welcome." She says, with a grin, "Don't sweat a thing. You guys have done a lot of good for me, and I just wanted to thank you guys for everything. Haven't exactly made a lot of friends in this multiverse, so I appreciate the ones I have."

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite puts the drill back in the case, and heaves it up to load it onto the truck. And then goes back for the other rifle case. "Ah'll do some tweakin' for the recoil Target and get this back to ya. It'll be a good thin' to have ready, considering how much the Multiverse likes robots and giant machines an' such."

Target Sparktail (770) has posed:
Target Sparktail says, "Yeh, it'll be good! I'm sure there's some other things I can use it on but, yeah, this place got no shortage of big nasties ta take care of, lookin forward to the final product! I'll get my hands on some more a those shells and send'em yer way if you want.. For testin. If you wanna give your shoulder some work ta do." Smirk. Then more rummaging in the crate before offering the inventor a random bit out of the crate, "Cause yer to good ta me a lotta the time. Aight?""

Corona Arclite has posed:
Considering how often Target is picking through her stuff for things he can use, Corona makes sure the pluck the offering from his hand before the kobold changes his mind. "Hey yer job is arguablly harder than mine, no need fer me to be rough on ya. Thanks." Now she's got a snack for the drive back home, yay!

Rebound (750) has posed:
"Anywho, as long as you guys let me tag along on all your adventures, I'll keep showing up." She says, with a big grin, "I enjoy this place, even if it's a bit on the weird side."

Corona Arclite has posed:
Corona Arclite stifles a laugh partially. "Considerin' where ya come from, iffen ya consider -this weird...."