Show Me What You've Got [Enigma]

[Natasi Fortan]

"They're going on the 'no' pile, I'm afraid," said Aurelia as she reached across the desk with a folder, reaching out to her assistant with an apologetic smile.

"Too expensive?" asked the assistant, lofting her eyebrows.

"Not too expensive, exactly," Aurelia said airily. "But more expensive than we're willing to pay for what they're offering. So... no, I'm afraid. Send in the next one."

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

In came Vanessa Kuhn. With her was a solid metal briefcase - one not able to be scanned simply due to the material it was made of - lead. "A joy to see you, Minister Volcata. As you may have heard from the message I sent to your secretary, I'm here to get Republic funding for the development of new weapons to fight the One Sith forces with. I've brought with me a small example of the technology utilized within such a weapon, in order to explain what we can do with it. I also have a slab of yorik coral outside for testing if you so desire."

Sitting back, she placed the briefcase on the table. It was all up to this conversation to determine how things would turn out.

[member="Aurelia Volcata"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Ms. Kuhn," Aurelia said coolly as she stepped in. She rose and offered a hand, offered refreshments, and conducted other pleasantries. When that was all concluded, Aurelia gestured to a seat across from her. "Please, make yourself comfortable. Let's talk capabilities and credits first, and if I like what I see we can arrange a demonstration."

She took a seat and refilled her water glass before sitting back. "Go ahead."

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

Pressing a thumb to the handle of the case, it popped open, revealing a large, somewhat antique-looking weapon. This weapon was one she carefully picked up, making sure its trigger wasn't pulled at all. "This is a Dicobaltine Jezzail Pistol. It emits a burst of three kilorads of radiation with a single shot. That much radiation will ensure the death of any living organism engaged with such a weapon after a period of no more than forty-eight hours. The effects take mere minutes to showcase themselves."

She placed the gun back into the case, shutting it once more. "Thoughts on making bigger ones?"

[member="Aurelia Volcata"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"That sounds rather vicious," Aurelia said quietly after listening to Ms. Kuhn's brief description. "What do you mean, like rifles? Or artillery?"

Artillery would be interesting, Aurelia thought. Not feasible, in terms of public relations, given the potential -- no, the all-but-assured -- collateral damage to civilian populations. Still... "When you say it will 'ensure the death' of anyone shot with it within 48 hours, what is that assuming? Surely there is some manner of counter-acting its effects?" She looked up from her notes to Ms. Kuhn and pushed her glasses down her nose to peer over the rim. "No?"

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

"Rifle-sized weapons will provide extended range over this pistol, certainly. Artillery-wise, I would rather see salted munitions utilized instead of a system like what this pistol utilizes." Pausing, she fingered the briefcase. "I've pored through more than my fair share of medical research, Miss Volcata. A shot from this weapon delivers to the target no less than three kilorads of radiation. And that's not counting what they soak up from the residue. Three kilorads has been scientifically confirmed to kill practically anything in forty-eight hours or less - even Vongtech. Not even a Sith will be able to do anything to stop his body from slowly dying thanks to the radiation inducing massive cellular necrosis."

She motioned to a hologram that popped up, showcasing a wireframe human. "Within minutes, vomiting and nausea will take hold. Post-this, in the span of nearly an hour, they will suffer from fever, diarrhea, headache, and rapid incapacitation of their central nervous system. Seizures. Tremor. Ataxia. Lethargy. Electrolyte disturbance. And of course, falling into shock as their organs fail one by one. Within two days, they will be dead. And that's how the cookie crumbles."

Now the question was whether or not she approved.

[member="Aurelia Volcata"]