No Effort, the Series [ Part 1 ]

[Malok]

Geonosis

Deep in the belly of a rusted Foundry did a single production line move. Acquired by the Vicelord's personal company, the machinery began to shape and mold and molten material. Crimson metal washed down chutes and tubes, only to be painstakingly shaped by machinery down the line.

But who was in charge of finishing the product?

An alchemist by the name Vort and his student, EJ.

This is his story.

 

[Malok]

Vort: "Alright EJ, what's on the menu today?"

EJ: "Workflow says Agrinium."

Vort: "Agrinium? Thought we were doing Desh today."

EJ: "Nope, says right here. Agrinium."

Vort: "Gimme that."

The portly alchemist seized the clipboard in hand, flipping the workflow over. Sure enough, the usual order had been backlogged - there wouldn't be any Desh-Terenthium made today. Instead, the man upstairs wanted something out of the blue - Agrinium upgraded to protect specifically against Electricity, Ion, and EMP attacks.

EJ: "...And for the record, I have no idea how to do that..."

 

[Malok]

A huff escaped the alchemist, causing a ripple to Cascade through his third and fourth chins.

Vort: "We're playing on the basics here."

He threw a switch, causing an ungodly wail to occur down the line. Sacrifices - mostly Slavers and the like from the Arena - were lowered before the conveyer belt. Chained, of course.

Vort: "And what are the basics?"

The clipboard was handed back.

EJ: "Lightsaber resistance, Nexus, and eating electricity."

Vort: "Bingo."

 

[Malok]

Now with his hands free, the alchemist pressed a rusted button. It didn't respond, as the corrosion caused it to stick.

Vort: "Oh for the love of-" he began, jabbing his thick finger onto the button over and over and over again. Finally, after a concerted effort, the button slid into place. A vicious whirr sounded down the line - along with screams, gurgling, and silence.

The blood would be funneled into the metal and reheated down the line.

Vort: "Right. So. Scrub the saber resistance, scrub the Nexus, and rearrange the runes on the Lightning end."

EJ: "You got it."

EJ abandoned the clip board upon the ground and stepped over to an elaborate console. A pattern of runes, affixed to squares, had been assembled. When put together in a certain way, the metal going down the line would be given different affects.

Today, EJ removed the runes for saber resistance and dark side karkery and replaced them with extra lightning runes.

EJ: "All set!"

 

[Malok]

Vort: "Good man. Now then."

The portly man stepped over to yet another console. This one had a rather large, rust covered lever at the heart. Vort eyed the lever. He eyed the rust. It was caked on - worse than the button.

Vort: "Well Kark that." he muttered. "EJ!"

EJ: "Yes?"

Vort: "Pull the lever, EJ."

Obediently, EJ stepped over and applied some youthful elbow grease. The runes quickly illuminated, casting a crimson glow about their work surface. Down the line, a similar glow would erupt underneath the molten Agrinium. The Dark Side would alter the material, utilizing the blood of the sacrifices as fuel.

Vort: "That should do it. Job well done."