(( OOC notes: all of the Carrolli corp dudes are NPCs. Only way to gain access to this info ICly is by not only finding the facility, but also hacking said facility's security system to get the logs)) This footage is taken from security cameras in a highly secure, highly classified facility. There are two men in a hallway, currently in the process of shaking hands. One is a human in a bulky space suit with the helmet removed. The other is an Apex is a scientist's lab coat. The walls behind them are white and lacking decoration, reminiscent and quite stereotypical of a research facility. "Doctor Drissner," the man greets. "Sergeant. To what do I owe this visit? Come to check up on progress?" "Not today, doctor. Another one of my pet projects. I could use your assistance in the matter, as I've run into some difficulties regarding the technical details." "Of course, of course!" the Apex replies good-naturedly. "Follow me to my office. We can discuss the details there." The man nods, and they walk out of view of the camera. The feed cuts to three minutes later, where the man and the scientist are sitting in the latter's office. There are papers strewn haphazardly over the desk, and the two men are leaning over them, occasionally gesturing and pointing. "The main problem I've run into is the counterweight. I've already had to remove the jump jets from the equation - there's no way this thing will get off the ground with the end weight we're looking at," the man explains. "Not to mention the power source. The current one installed in the Orion would barely charge a shot at medium power." Drissner scratches at his chin. "Yes, yes, it seems to be an issue - the counterweight, I mean. We don't want anything that can potentially interfere with the power supply, and it should be relatively inexpensive to cut down on costs and resource drain... I will look into composites. We may be able to design the launchers in such a way that we can deal with the counterweight issue without having to resort to any drastic measures. And as for the power source... well." The Sergeant glances at him warily. "You're talking about the Relic. Is it safe?" "We will certainly have to run some tests to make sure there isn't any interference, but at this point in the research it is certainly possible," the Apex replies, nodding. "By the way, Sergeant, have you decided on a name? It looks like an older brother, even down to the design." The human is silent for a moment, looking down at the blueprints, before speaking up. "Taurus."
The feed on the camera reads this as roughly an earth week after the previous meeting. The two are in a busy laboratory, looking over a floating hologram of some sort of cannon or rifle. Other scientists are in the room as well, some working at their own terminals and some watching the hologram in the center of the room. "Durasteel-nanotube composite. Bit of cerulium in there, for stability. We're going to try and make it efficient and cost-effective for what it does. This thing is gonna be a huge drain on current resources as it is, especially if it's gonna be a straight upgrade of the current frame," one of the scientists, another human, explains. The Sergeant is staring at the hologram, scowling slightly as he listens. "What about the power source?" Drissner sighs. "We ran some tests. If we replicate a scaled-down version, it should still work while giving the frame and its systems enough juice, but we still don't know all the secrets. Our version would be a mockup at best, and a complete failure at worst. Not to mention the stability issues... we'd have to install automated reboot sequences after every shot to make sure the entire system didn't collapse in on itself and take half the planet with it." The human rubs the bridge of his nose. "Give me estimates on the weapon's output - if this generator is a success, I mean. What're we looking at?" The group of scientists looks at each other, whispering amongst themselves. Finally one of them responds - a Glitch, white in color with bright orange eyes. "Informative. It will down a dropship with a single shot." The Sergeant looks at Drissner for confirmation, who nods in response. He then looks back at the hologram, still silently rotating and displaying the weapon for all to see. He stares at that screen for a good thirty seconds, debating internally, before finally speaking up. "You're authorized. I'll see to it that you get the resources and funding, and I'll personally be overseeing this project. Let's get started."
