Discussing Lorem's Ideas (Part 2)

Jp with Lorem and Cindy

As Elizabeth was looking over the bus blueprint, she noticed Lorem get up and placed several others throughout the room.

She had to admire the young woman's work. Elizabeth was currently though thinking maybe she should have learned German, along with the other languages she knew.

The details for the bus were drawn well enough that it did not need much information. The height and such were easy to tell.

Before she looked at the other blueprints, Elizabeth spoke up, "The bus is really good and just what we need for the team. It would take bigger facilities than the carriage house and likely an entire team to build it. Did you want me to speak to headquarters about it?" In London, Elizabeth knew there would be the facilities and the crew for something like this but the Paris headquarters were smaller and she did not know who would be available.

Lorem returned within closer proximity to Elizabeth and agreed with her assessment.

“Yes please. I wanted to talk to you about commissioning these works so that they could be fabricated sooner rather than later. Not to mention the size and scope of them. Even the hand gun would need to be mass produced so each person would have their own.”

She paused, “of course that is if you actually want to produce all of these?” Perhaps a few of the designs weren’t necessary in Lady Elizabeth’s opinion. She would be happy to answer any questions about them if necessary.

"Who did you have in mind for the commission work?" Elizabeth asked, having a feeling she might already know the answer.

The eldren rose and started looking at the other designs. "Explain to me about the mechanisms of your handgun design." It was clearly different than the average handgun but without knowing German a little difficult to deceiver.

Lorem didn’t hesitate in her response. “The only nearby company that I know can handle these type of projects is the Wuppertal Company here at the expo. I trust their expertise, quality and craftsmanship. Are their better options that you know about within the order, for I understand the sensitive nature of this type of intellectual property might not be suitable for a private corporation.”

Lorem seemed very eager to share more details about her designs. “You are right in that it isn’t your typical handgun. It launches single capsule like shots, loaded one at a time, which are nonlethal.”

The gnome brought out another series of diagrammatic blueprints. Each new document showcased a different type of capsule that could be loaded and fired from the steam powered handheld device. “The different capsules behave differently on impact. This one emits a gas that causes involuntary tears and irritation to breathing, this one fragments into a shower of small rubber balls that sting on contact, this one emits an disorienting ear piercing bang, this one an intense flash of light, and the final one here marks on impact a dye color which is very difficult to get off.” Her dainty little hands were moving over the drawings as she explained things.

“I was contemplating if I should make more dangerous capsules. I am pretty sure I can make something incendiary with little effort for example. Ultimately I wanted to have something for each team member that could be versatile, useful in crowd control, initiate individual take downs, tilt a situation in our favor and perhaps counter magic users. Effective while minimizing harm.”

As Elizabeth suspected Lorem wanted to use her former employer. It was correct though they had the staff and the facilities. "If we were in London I could easily say that thr headquarters had everything and everyone you would need. The Paris headquarters are smaller with less staff so no I do not believe they would have enough to do these jobs. I, however, can only approve team members. I would need permission from the headquarters here to approve that request. All of those working on any projects would be sworn to secrecy. Do you believe that would be an issue?"

The gun actually exceeded Elizabeth's expectations. Her mind wondered the possibility if she added some magic to those capsules.

"This is a wonderful idea. I do like the capsule idea. Would there be a special case designed for carrying the gun and different. Perhaps a way to keep the capsules separated so they are easy to get to but do not get mixed up?" Elizabeth did not know if Lorem had thought that far ahead.

Lorem’s attentive mind filtered through the Human Resources at Wutterpal and their policies. She considered their history as well as their aspirations, having sat in the back of some of their board meetings before. While she trusted the company, there were a lot of unknown variables, especially with new hires. While their hiring practices were strong, they weren’t fool proof. “I think it would be best to go through channels which you approve Lady Elizabeth. I believe that the selectiveness of the Order of the Moon lends itself to better secrecy.”

Lorem blushed slightly at the affirmation of her invention. She nodded to the ideas Elizabeth proposed. “Yes.”

She retrieved another set of documents. It was a series of rough draft sketches of a variety of different designs that would do what she had inquired about. “Here are some thoughts I had for that.”

One was like a utility belt with capsule holding slots that go around the waist. Another was like a x shaped harness that went around the torso. Another was a box like satchel that held the different capsules. As for the capsules themselves, they were color coordinated. She even had a bee like coloration for the one that exploded into stinging rubber balls and called it Bee Sting. “I am always open to suggestions as well.” She smiled humbly.

"I will speak with headquarters and see what they will approve." It meant, more than likely, speaking with the Baron but it would be fine. "I am not sure how long it would take but they would likely just look into the backgrounds of the workers and choose a crew for you to work with. If you have any names from Wutterpal that you would prefer, please just jot them down and give them to me tomorrow morning and I will attend to the rest."

Elizabeth looked over the drawings. It her mind she was thinking of different scenarios and likely the best option for the team members. "I am leaning towards the x shaped harness. Could you do a mockup of that one?" Her reasoning was simple, some members already likely had holsters or utility belts, this design wouldn't interfere if they choose to wear both.

Elizabeth moved on the one marked on the top as the Brazen Bull, which was a vehicle but definitely unique. "Tell me more about this one."

Lorem nodded, “I will have a list prepared for you tomorrow.” At the top of her list was her father and his crew of friends at Wutterpal. In her opinion they had already been vetted by their standards.

Lorem reached inside the pockets of her dress; an invention of hers for all her clothes. She pulled out a construction pencil and put a check mark next to the X shaped chest harness. “I will create a prototype for you to try out.”

Lorem moved her attention over to the Brazen Bull. “I was designing that one originally to be a four wheel drive vehicle that could transport chemicals and, or, gases used in many of Wutterpal’s other vehicles. I was thinking for our purposes, perhaps it could still do that, perhaps for longer trips it could help refuel the vessels we need. In addition, I was also thinking the two storage containers could be modified for transporting perhaps dangerous individuals? We could even rig the tanks to administer a sedative … or simulate particular environmental conditions.” She looked to Lady Elizabeth to see what she thought.

"Those are both good ideas. Especially the transport for dangerous individuals." The vehicles were steam-powered, which made Elizabeth wonder. "Would they contain extra coal or water or did you have an idea for possible other fuel?" Maybe, Lorem knew of some chemical that could be used more effectively.

With that vehicle explained she went on to the next one. The one that looked like a motorbike almost but then again not like any Elizabeth had seen. "What about this one?"

Lorem responded with enthusiasm, “They do initially run on steam and coal, and there are compartment for extra in case one runs out; however, each of these vehicles has a perpetual clockwork system in their undercarriage. Basically once it gets moving due to the steam power the forward progress winds the gears of the system and then you can switch over from steam to clockwork. Really the steam and coal is mainly for starting momentum, then the other mechanism kicks in. Now of course it really isn’t perpetual, because of entropy and friction, but it is a very significant increase to the kilometers travel on one tank of water and coal reserve. These all run on highly condensed coal bricks.”

Lorem retrieved another blueprint. It showed a machine that looked like coal was deposited inside and it would then compact it, among other things too, and out would come a brick looking object made of modified coal. It was actually smaller than an actual brick, about six inches long, three inches wide, and two inches high. “These bricks are inserted into the combustion slots and provide the fuel source for generating the heat for the water to boil. They’ve been augmented, so they last on average three times as long as the highest grade coal on the market. It is what is being used in the German airships.”

In reference to the motorbike, “That one is a motorbike for one rider. I designed it to compact and quickly disassemble into a portable rectangular shape. These can be easily stored in a trunk, or on the back of the bus, etc. and then they can quickly be reassembled to ride. I figured we may need the additional mobility, but wanted to save on space and weight.”

"All of these look great and useful. Might have to expand the carriage house or build an extra one to hold all the vehicles but we can worry about that when the building of them gets underway." Elizabeth thought for a moment. "I am fairly certain I can get approval for the extra staff. Do you have copies of any of these blueprints?"

Lorem looked around them at all the blueprints. “No, these are but side projects of mine from my journaling. So there aren’t any copies.” Any of her company projects would have a department dedicated to making copies of all designs, but these designs were not yet apart of their scope of work.

"That is quite fine. It would be easier to convince the Baron, Baron Hadwin Greenwood, he is in charge of the Paris headquarters if I could possibly take one of these with me. Or if you are uncomfortable with that, which would be understandable, perhaps you can come with me and explain a few of these designs yourself to the Baron."

Elizabeth would understand if Lorem was not comfortable with that, it would just make convincing the Baron a great deal easier.

“I trust you with them; however, do you think it may be a good idea for me to be present in case anyone has questions?” Lorem inquired.

"That would be wonderful." Elizabeth smiled. "Mr. Sung will accompany us, of course." Though Sung did not know this, yet, it was a given. "I believe this is an excellent start. If you're not too busy feel free to join me at four for a more social tea. I should let you get back to work and I have some correspondences to write up. Thank you Lorem this has been interesting." It was an incredibly polite way to end the meeting but it was still clearly a finish.

Lorem smiled and curtseyed slightly to the ending of their time together and Elizabeth’s, or new boss, decisions. “Yes ma’m, thank you.” The gnome began moving about carefully collecting and safely storing the blueprints in their appropriate carrying tubes. When she had gathered everything she would be escorted out and assisted back to the carriage house.