❝Then I'll need one of you to become the test subject.❞

[clinical]

[A large, smooth metallic structure (a fon machine), with a readout machine set up beside it, is brought to the Astral Plane. Connected to readout machine, there is a smaller base. Jade's copy of Physics of the Impossible is set down, a glowing semisphere enclosing it, and information from its analysis is moving across one of the computers.

Doctor Mambo Jade has a small fon machine in his hand, a device for scanning people.]

I've made some experiments on the behaviour of the book that was recovered from the library some time ago. The copy we recovered radiates fonons—the base matter of our world and similar to the atoms of a number of worlds represented here.

In the presence of most individuals from my world, whether capable of fonic artes or not, the fonons radiated do not integrate into their structure. However, for two people of my world able to access the Plane, the fonons radiating from the book mix with our own, in a manner similar to my world's Contamination Effect.

With only two subjects and one book, the sample is inadequate. I would like to request volunteers from other worlds for testing. The process is brief and non-invasive. It merely requires a scan with the device in my hand.

Additionally, if there are scientists from these other worlds, I would appreciate their assistance in calibrating these fon machines to the structures of their worlds, which may be somewhat dissimilar from my own.

[Jade adjusts his glasses and adds,] For those concerned, this experiment is being conducted with the permission of the Malkuth Empire. If anybody gets hurt, you are free to take out your revenge on Emperor Peony Upala Malkuth IX.

[Best friend ever, right?]

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

My mistake.

[clinical]

With a heart as generous as mind, it's easy to forgive. I trust that doesn't change your mind about being a test subject?

[lamb_of_gold]

I'll be sure to limit my revenge to the non-violent sort.

[clinical]

I don't think it's in my contract to protect His Majesty from that. [He lifts up the scanning device] May I?

[lamb_of_gold]

Nonviolent revenge it is, then.

[Mu sits nearby and nods at Jade] At your convienience.

[clinical]

[Jade lifts the fon machine. A nice, shiny glow radiates over Mu anime Stuff Is Happening glow and the computer takes its read-out. Jade then turns the device off and walks over to the Machine.] You have abilities beyond that of the average human?

[lamb_of_gold]

Yes, I do.

[clinical]

And do you know what the base matter of objects in your world is? [He is trying to make sure the data isn't being skewed in any way]

[lamb_of_gold]

Atoms.

[clinical]

Hm. [He spends a moment with the read-out.] Accounting for the differences between fonons and atoms, it seems the book responds to you the way it responds to His Majesty and me. But I'll need further testing to confirm.

[lamb_of_gold]

Could you explain it in more detail? I did not notice anything odd with the book, but I'm capable of Seeing the flow of certain energies in my world. If your fonons behave similarly, I might be able to See something if I bring it home with me.

[clinical]

Since it integrates into the way we process fonons, it may be similar for the energies you See. The fonons radiate outward from the book, but pass through all but His Majesty and I. And you, of course. Based on energy traces, I believe the absorption is primarily focused around the head.

[lamb_of_gold]

Hm. [Mu's eyes seem to defocus a moment, but he shakes his head and closes them] I See nothing out of the ordinary at the moment. When you're done with it, may I take the book home to Look again?

[clinical]

Certainly. I'd like it back afterwards, in case I can get a further sample. [In other words, if he doesn't get enough test subjects, he will hunt them down for their informed consent.]

[lamb_of_gold]

Of course.

[clinical]

[He considers for a moment.] Is there an easy way for me to contact you after this is done? I don't want to make you wait here while young kids cause me trouble in the experiments.

[lamb_of_gold]

I'll be here on the Plane awhile yet. Shall I come back in a few hours?

[clinical]

That will do. Thank you, Mu.