horrible_phd: (i've got mail)
Dr. Horrible ([personal profile] horrible_phd) wrote2009-04-29 10:18 pm

#28: Reporting In

Yesterday was inconvenient, but gave me the chance to test some equipment.  When I was wearing the heat vision goggles, I thought I saw some really huge heat source thing go by being hot and--thingish.  Anyway, I haven't posted in a while, have I?  Sorry about that...especially since my last post was...unbelievably out of character.  But hey, while I was buried in my laboratory I finished up one project.

[Filtered to ARTEMIS]

Attached please find my full report on arrivals to the city.  I employed several methods in my research such as making observations in areas known for a high density of new arrivals (Misery Square), interviewing citizens about their own arrivals, and looking through the Network archives for "arrival posts."  More details are included in the method section.  Though these methods did not allow me to get a random or exhaustive sample, I think I have enough data to make some generalizations.  Unfortunately, the only major patterns in arrival seem to be geographic--most arrivals occur in Misery Square, and a surprisingly high percentage of new arrivals find themselves dumped into the fountain.  Most arrive at ground level, but some have been known to arrive by falling from the sky.  In at least one case the individual who arrived this was was capable of flight.  Arrivals come with their clothes and occasionally a few moderately sized items that they were holding. 

I was able to observe a few arrivals for myself, and there was no discernible pattern.  I never observed a gateway, but sometimes there was a flash of light.  I also took EMF readings and occasionally found spikes on several frequencies, but not the same ones, and not ever time.  Again, the full data is attached.  The readings on my Magnificometer were also random.  For the most part, there was nothing out of the ordinary besides a person suddenly appearing.  I don't think it's likely that this will be a productive line of inquiry, at least for a scientist.  Perhaps someone working from the magical side of things would have more luck. 

[ooc:  So--the report will have a lot of stick figure drawings substituted for portions of equations, but at least some of it will be comprehensible.  Only Dr. Horrible actually knows what a Magnificometer does.  You can ask him, but his explanations will not actually be helpful.  Also, mods were consulted on the nature of arrivals.]

Private

[identity profile] favoritetraitor.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ARTEMIS Filter]

Thank you for your timely report, Dr. Horrible. Could you please send a copy of your notes to my office at the Lab? I'd like to take a closer look at the data... Also, I agree that it would be advantageous for someone with a different set of skills to see if they can get different results from yours... is anyone interested?

[Private to Dr. Horrible]

On a side note, I wanted to speak with you about some serious allegations that Captain Hammer brought up against you... predominantly that you've been guilty of sabotage as well as theft...

Is there something that you'd like to say about this?
Edited 2009-04-30 03:00 (UTC)

Private, and obviously voice

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
Sure I'll do that. And I do want to respond to what Captain Hammer said. First of all, he's a moron and he hates me and he represents everything that is wrong with society, so you shouldn't listen to what he says. As for the sabotage, there was this stupid Superhero Memorial Bridge dedication--and those superheroes, especially Captain Tool, totally did not deserve a bridge named after them. So I decided to interrupt the ceremony and test out my newest creation...

And I think today's the day
To discuss the Freeze Ray
Which I think might be the way
That we could stop the clock

The clock itself would be fine
But as for the time
It would be stopped on a dime
And just in that one spot


See, the clock doesn't respond well to attacks but if I used my Freeze Ray maybe that wouldn't trigger the defenses, since it would just stop the clock working and not damage it. And maybe the curses would stop. The problem is that the Freeze Ray needs Wonderflonium to work, and I can't find any, so I either need to find some, or radically rework the design, or maybe I could even synthesize some if I...

Anyway, the theft was of some Wonderflonium, which I needed to use for my original Freeze Ray. I couldn't get it any other way and besides, I was putting the Wonderflonium to much better use than anyone else would have. The general public has no idea how to harness it's most interesting properties. So anyway, yes, I'm totally a villain in my world and Captain Hammer is my nemesis, but I've never made any big secret of that, so I hope it's not going to be a problem. I'm not stealing from the company or anything.

Private, and obviously voice

[identity profile] favoritetraitor.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Silence... is followed closely by a soft chuckle, finally erupting in a sharp peal of laughter.]

Hehheh... no... no. Of course not. I've always thought well enough of you Doctor... heh... I just had to ask. Of course you can understand that...

Please forgive me if I had you worried... oh, you do so amuse me...

[He coughs slightly, composing himself once again.]

I do have some news for you concerning our mutual friend Captain Hammer. You'll be pleased to know that I was able to speak to him concerning his attack on you. And he agreed to pay ARTEMIS for the destruction he caused to your equipment. I'll be sending you a portion of this to cover your medical costs.

I think that's what I'd call a successful negotiation...
Edited 2009-04-30 04:06 (UTC)

Re: Private, and obviously voice

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, was I--the singing, it just happens. Er.

Well anyway, that's good.

I'm surprised he actually agreed to do that...I don't really understand why he would unless it's some sort of PR thing. I guess you are pretty good at negotiations. But really, there's not much medical expenses that need covering. I never actually went to the hospital.

[identity profile] primrosella.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
There you are. Goodness, it has been a while, hasn't it?

[ARTEMIS filter]

[identity profile] somekindofsin.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
Electromagnetic spikes? That makes sense, of course... it would take an incredible amount of energy to transport someone from one universe to another. Do you suppose a portal of some sort would open if enough electromagnetic radiation was generated?

I haven't heard of a Magnificometer. What does it do?

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
I guess so. I don't usually go so long without updating my blog--here or at home--but this time, with various things...guess it slipped my mind.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately there's no real pattern. And it wasn't enough to make me think it was an essential part of any portal. But it wouldn't hurt to at least try.

It's my own design. I'll send you a copy of the schematics and the basic explanation.

[Sends some scanned notes. These are very similar to his plans for the Death Ray. They should be largely incomprehensible and there will be several inexplicable doodles of tropical fish in the margins.]

[identity profile] lovingmybamfgun.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 01:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Heat vision goggles. Good idea. Will remember that for next time.

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
There a pretty handy thing to have around, for a lot of reasons.

[identity profile] i-know-stuff.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Heat vision goggles? Interesting. What kind of projects do you do?

[identity profile] primrosella.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I'm glad to hear from you again. And that you've been keeping busy, as well.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[identity profile] somekindofsin.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
A vague direction is better than no direction at all!

Ah. Thank you for the schematics, of course, but I'm afraid I still don't understand.

Are you interested in fish, then?

ARTEMIS filter//apologies for the belated! ignore if you want

[identity profile] phdinbones.livejournal.com 2009-05-01 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I've never heard of a Magnificometer.

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
I'm a scientist. Making crazy gadgets is kind of my specialty. Right now I'm working with an organization that studies the City to see if there's a way to end or at least counteract the effects of the curses. Maybe even escape this place.

ARTEMIS filter//all my replies are late anyway orz

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
That's because I invented it.

Though...have you heard of Wonderflonium?

[ARTEMIS filter]

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
Oh...the fish are a sort of mnemonic device/code. They indicate certain things having to do with the construction process, but aren't necessary to the basic idea. You couldn't build one from the schematics without understanding though.

Only I was bored at some point and just started doodling fish. So my the Magnificometer might have to remember have to be one of a kind unless I can remember whether the one with all the finny bits was supposed to be there.

ARTEMIS filter//<3

[identity profile] phdinbones.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
No.

ARTEMIS filter

[identity profile] horrible-phd.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
Nobody who isn't from my world seems to know what it is and it's really annoying. I have like a billion things I want to use it for.

ARTEMIS filter

[identity profile] phdinbones.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
What is it?

[identity profile] i-know-stuff.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I know someone whose like that. Good luck with that, I'm sure you won't be successful.