Chaotic and Elagn rebuild the generator work team, redoubling efforts in the field. Problems with insulation are addressed, having proved to be the most pressing concern. Several solutions are put forth, such as sheathing of leather or parchment, a coating of heat-resistant wax, paint, and segmented ceramic casings.
Patham attempts various methods of recharging his device. After various cautious forays, he simply conveys the electricity from one place to another. An impressive, if somewhat wasteful, display of power. While this is hardly a long-term solution, the device seems operational and ready to be searched. Initial probes raise concerns of software corruption.
Moony retreats to his chambers, beginning casual work on magnetism, but mostly lazing around. One of the stray cats who came with the migrant wave chooses to share his solitude, a great act of feline kindness.
Mayor Murdoc is readily able to haggle out prices for the Caravan's bulk supplies, assembling a census of the more readily useable, less sensitive items of research in exchange.
A search of the smaller vendors unearths a variety of goods. One old female of dubious provenance offers a sizable chest filled with jars of seeds. To the delight of the farmers, this is readily purchased with a single small bar of gold, perhaps twenty-five grams, and several samples of cavern flora in damp jars.
Aside from a a few kegs of fine alcohol, obtained relatively cheaply to be rationed among those most stressed, the only other vendor of interest offers a half-dozen books. The only one titled in Dwarvish is "On the Whims of the Gods, as They Pertain to Weather". He seems eager to sell, and a deal is struck. The dwarf ends up with a comparatively small shard of Beast-Diamond, carefully screened for hints of its provenance, and an apparently rare spare book from the fortress' tiny library, in exchange for all six of his.
Work on the Mayor's Book continues at the expected crawling pace, though the memories of others from Home prove useful in filling gaps in the drafting. Additionally, Magus Patham proves unexpectedly knowledgeable. While the man specialized in arcane practices, leaving him no great buff on other topics, he does not hail from the same Earth as the others. As such, he has some knowledge of scientific discoveries not made yet in the Homeland. The Book may hold unexpected knowledge.
A small meeting of Foremen and Serf spokesmen is joined, discussing the idea of improvising some system of education for the populace. While no real successes are had, and the very idea seems almost unheard-of, this latest act further cements the Mayor's reputation with the Serfs, while further worrying the Infantry.
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Topic: If Bay 12 was a fortress Part 3: RETURN OF THE CHAOS (Read 235046 times)