Video, 15 Fiddlesticks

[cassiefuckingcage]

[Cassie inhales deeply.]

Right. So I'm not on the council, and I'm not exactly privy to what they discuss. But I am a soldier. In a way we're all soldiers now, but I was one before I got here. So if there's a plan in acquiring or producing firearms for this train I want in on it.

I think we've got at least 90% of what we need, if not more. We've got people like Piccolo who can use magic to conjure parts like metal tubes, and I know at least one person here who can conjure fire. There are at least a few designs where that's just about all you need. A sten gun, for one. The tricky thing would be the bullets. The rest would be a matter of setting aside space for the manufacturing process and organizing testing and logistics.

I've been told that there are apparently some geniuses on this train. Any one of these geniuses care to fill me in on what, if anything, we've got planned?

[Pause.]

Oh, and, uh, in case you haven't met me, my name's Cassie Cage. Sergeant Cassie Cage. I'm in the Special Forces back home. I know enough to know that I'm asking a lot, but I've seen some impressive things from the people here. And if we're expected to fight without having guns provided for us, we're going to need to up our game even further than that.

Comments

[maxwellsdaemon]

If we're getting guns I want in on that too.

I'd sell what was left of my soul for a decent gun.

[cassiefuckingcage]

[Cassie sighs.]

You and me both. I'm just about the best there is at hand-to-hand fighting, but that still puts me behind somebody who sucks ass with a gun.

[maxwellsdaemon]

As I hear it, getting weapons is something people wait for missions for and hope like hell that the world we fall on had something we can salvage.

So far I've been shit outta luck.

But if we start some way of manufacturing them, I'd help.

[cassiefuckingcage]

Well, like I've said, I'm hoping we have what we need already.

[She pauses for a moment, briefly assessing the look of this guy. He looks young, but...not, in one important respect.]

I'm guessing you were military back home?

[maxwellsdaemon]

We've got people with the skill, that's for sure. It's whether we've got the equipment. But there're people with magic around here so maybe we could use that somehow?

[He gave a shrug, magic was still a mystery to him so who the hell knew?

Duo flashed a wide grin.]

Who, me? Guess you could say that. Military trained. Mainly a pilot, slash demolitions guy, slash general pain in the ass for bad guys!

[cassiefuckingcage]

There are some designs simple enough that we could at least pull up the gun part. Getting the right propellant for the bullets is probably going to be the hard part.

[She can't help but return Duo's smile.]

Sounds like fun. What kind of pilot?

[It sounds a little more involved than Chair Force stuff.]

[maxwellsdaemon]

Actually, pretty sure Stark could work on that. Have you met him yet? Definitely talk to him!

[He laughed now, because this was always the fun part.]

Big ass robot, mainly. But I can fly, drive or ride most anything, on the ground or in space.

[tinkerheart]

The bullets are the trickiest part of it as those would require safely handling of molten metal in an enclosed space traveling through Void. This is, however, a technicality as I'm in the process of solving this particular problem.

[Heating metal is not a problem nor is fire. They already have one literal walking fire hazard on board. If the train can survive her, a small forge would do no harm.]

The real question is do you have a design or at least an idea for one?

[cassiefuckingcage]

I'm not an engineer. But I've field-stripped a lot of different kinds of weapons, and I know the basics of how they're put together.

There are some types where you can do almost all the work in a space the size of a train car with minimal welding. And we've got magic that I think can cover the parts where you can't. Like I said, I've met one person here who can use magic to create simple pieces we need like tubes and springs.

But if we're going to do it, we're going to need to make an organized effort, and I'm offering to be involved.

[tinkerheart]

Good. Then your expertise would be more than welcome. I'll remember to include you in the tests as soon as we have anything close to a working prototype.

[The real limiting factor is time and skilled labour but that's not something Fëanor would think about. Even genius as he is, he does hail from a preindustrial age of his people, and elves are immortal so time was rarely an issue for him. Here things are a bit different.]

Would do you mean by organized effort?

[cassiefuckingcage]

It's going to come down to more than just building something that works. We'll need a system to make enough for everyone who needs them, to test them to make sure they're ready, and to supply them to the passengers.

We'll also need to make sure we have space set aside for all those things. Especially the testing. We don't want anybody wandering into whichever car we're testing in.

[tinkerheart]

You mean ... mass produce?!

[The last two words he spits out as if they were toxic, slimy frogs. Cassie, you just mortally offended an artist. While he never saw the nearly industrial forges of both Mordor and Orthank, there's something utterly vile in the very concept of the process for him.

When he thinks of weapons, be it swords, spears, dagger, or hell even guns, he things of objects closely connected and fitted for the person that's supposed to use them. Deeply personal items with names and history.]

[nutkrusher]

I wouldn't call anything we can manage in a train car for a...I dunno, platoon-sized unit to be "mass production." But you'd be surprised at how many bullets a couple dozen soldiers can go through.

[tinkerheart]

I think I can imagine.

[No, he doesn't. Granted he saw how conservative 47 is with his gun, he has not even a shred of an idea. Yet, that is all beside the point. Getting to produce ammunition for said guns would be a true deal-breaker for him. This is tedious, repeatable work. Something he viscerally hates.

However, if Tony got involved in this, the situation might shift dramatically. They could build a machine that would do the tedious part for them. Like, you know, a proper industrial process should. Just don't let anyone call it that way lest you want to offend his artistic sensibilities.]

voice

[burntlikethesun]

[Is this the only English woman left on the train? Quite possibly.]

Hm, haven't thought of those in ages. Old school, but effective.

We'll also need enough appropriate metals for fabrication and a safe location to practice once a manufacturing process is developed.

[cassiefuckingcage]

[Cassie, on the other hand, is as proud a Yankee as it gets. But wartime Britain knew how to make something quick and cheap when they needed one. And boy, do they need something like that right now. Besides, who loves a good gun more than an American?]

More important, you can do most of the work of making a Sten inside a garage. I wouldn't turn down an M4 if I could get my hands on one, but...let's start with one impossible thing at a time.

I'm hoping we can handle the first part. We've got people who know magic on this train. But we'll have to coordinate the second part.

[burntlikethesun]

[She sighs.]

Not having my kit is about as helpful as wandering about naked, but a lot less fun.

Especially with children on board. The outer hull is already quite sturdy to handle void travel, so breaches are less of a worry than ricochets. The train layout of having to walk through every bloody car along the way is a real problem. It doesn’t look like we could convert the Storage or Luggage cars. Maybe set aside the top floor of a car?

I’ve also heard that the train has sometimes added cars upon request. Perhaps asking for a proper range would provide a more permanent solution.

[cassiefuckingcage]

[She nods.] I can hold my own hand-to-hand, but I'd feel a lot better if I had my guns back.

But yeah, space is definitely the biggest issue here. We should probably ask for a proper machine shop, too.

[blitzcheer]

Professional.

[ Said with a slick tone and a grin that softens up after a second. ]

Hey, good luck! I wouldn't mind trying one out if we manage to get enough to start practising with. My girlfriend uses--

[ erk! ] --I mean, my friend! She uses them if, you know, you need people to help with training later! She's got two!

[cassiefuckingcage]

[Cassie chuckles quietly at Tidus's attempt to walk it back. She's not sure whether she's even met the person he's talking about, but she already finds it adorable.]

We've been summoned here to be a fighting outfit. We'll need all the people to get us into full gear that we can get.

[blitzcheer]

Y-yeah. [ Ahem. Still acting like he didn't just do that. ]

She's not part of anything with a title or what you said, a Sergeant? But I'll bring it up to her and see what she says.

[ A pause, and then a note quieter: ]

...just don't tell her I said that if you see her, okay?

[cassiefuckingcage]

[Cassie bursts out laughing again.]

Okay. Your secret's safe, champ.

[blitzcheer]

[ He is making a Face. He knows he deserves that, though. ]

Thanks.

[redarrowqueen]

May I put in for arrows?

Think I'm the only one partial to archery.

[cassiefuckingcage]

Uh, sure, if you'd like. Not really my area of expertise.

[Arrows are Jin's department.]