5th Test // Video // Backdated to morning of the 25th, after the Masquerade dream

[heal_or_execute]

[The upbeat Salarian scientist looks a lot less upbeat on the video today, head bowed as he stands behind a lab counter. Actually, he looks downright embarrassed.]

Hello. Need to report... mishap with research. May have affected ImPorts. Possibly natives as well. Trying to determine scope of impact.

Was conducting stress testing on Evoker device. Partly responsible for previous event involving “Shadows.” [Air quotes!] Trying to determine the cause, prevent recurrence. May have inadvertently created new event.

[Mordin reaches off camera to pick up the culprit and show it to the Network. He’s holding a silvery gun-shaped device: Minako Arisato’s Evoker.]

Power surge during testing, resulted in massive Evoker energy discharge. Appears to have spread beyond lab, could have reached into the City. Evoker affects target’s subconscious. Summons images and powers from user’s own psyche. Can involve repressed fears, personality aspects. Effect described as... uncomfortable.

[Mordin sets down the Evoker.]

Difficult to say what might have happened. Anything from worst fears manifesting to disturbing dreams. Need to know if anyone experienced anything odd on night of the 24th. Could be related to accident. Will attempt to counter any harmful effects.

Abandoning research for now. Clearly risky, counterproductive, haven’t gained any useful data. Returning Evoker to owner, with apologies. Won’t risk further incidents.

Will be available if anyone needs assistance.

Comments

[waiting]

Huh. Sounds like something you should get someone who already knows magic to look at, then.

[ Then again, the way he says supernatural suggest to him that Mordin's not too keen on that angle... ]

[heal_or_execute]

Perhaps. Might produce more results. Might also result in more accidents. Understand magic tends to be unpredictable.

Will let Evoker's owner decide.

[waiting]

Yeah, I hear you. You were around that time everyone's ages got messed up, yeah? [ He winces at the memory. ]

Seems like the place has a way of screwing that kinda thing up. More than usual, anyway.

[heal_or_execute]

[Reciprocal wincing.]

Yes. Unpleasant circumstance. Hope it doesn't repeat.

Situation frustrating. No way to tell whether magic or tech will malfunction without investigation. Investigation raises possibility of malfunction, increases risk! Current incident a good example.

[waiting]

Why are you so keen on figuring out it works, anyway? It's not like you're planning to make more of 'em, right?

[heal_or_execute]

No. Would be interesting, but foolhardy. Priority to help Evoker's user understand her power, identify cause of 'Shadow' incident, prevent recurrence.

Also, scientific curiosity. Have expertise in most forms of tech, but unable to understand Evoker's function. Challenge, curiousity, excitement. Urge to understand powerful, separate from practical application.

[waiting]

[ The doctor patters so quickly that Bradbury just about gives up trying to follow along halfway, just letting him do his thing. ]

Guess that makes sense. Can't really help, though -- the stuff's all Greek to me.

[ He could suggest that Mitch speak to the thing, but besides not being on speaking terms with his boss at the moment, he's also sure his powers don't work. ]

[heal_or_execute]

Unsurprising. Extremely advanced science involved. Requires certain combination of experience, talent.

[Mordin is the most modest scientist in the City Rick check it out. He patters on, oblivious to Bradbury's lostness.]

Outcome regrettable, but have other projects. Can refocus on those. Hopefully achieve more, find more productive uses for energy.

[waiting]

[ Well, he's not going to argue with the alien scientist. Who knows what he's capable of. ]

Seems like you've always got a project in the works. What else are you working on now?

[heal_or_execute]

Accurate description. Enjoy multitasking. Keeps energy flowing, maintains focus. Currently maintaining Clinic affairs while continuing anti-Vulcanus research and learning more about Earth. Humanity's homeworld fascinating, especially in this century. Always more to learn!

[The Salarian smiles, getting chatty and more casual.]

Also taking time to continue artistic pursuits. Practicing singing, seeking collaborators for performance. Considering more ambitious avenues.

[waiting]

[ He can't help but laugh. ]

Is there anything you don't do?

[heal_or_execute]

A few things. Not much interest in sports. Never tried visual arts. Toyed with idea of starting seashell collection, never followed through. Have attempted singing hymns before.

[Inhale.]

'Amazing Grace' rendition needs work.

[waiting]

[ Does he not know the meaning of a rhetorical question, or is he just messing with Bradbury? He honestly can't tell. ]

So... does everyone on your planet believe in multitasking, or is this just you?

[heal_or_execute]

[Mordin shrugs.]

Salarian personalities and interests vary as humans' do. Some focus completely on a single task until it's finished, others have short attention spans, never get anything done.

Admit I'm considered unusually gifted among my people. High academic honours, prestigious assignments. Not typical representative of Salarians as a whole.