Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“Since we’re committed to this, you should tell us everything you know about the undersea base.”</span>
Ana nodded her agreement. <span class="mu-g">“Has your time with this ‘Atlas Foundation’ given you any unique insight on any defenses that might remain active?”</span>
All at once, Pele’s hair stopped flowing and undulating, and instead fell back into the perfectly straight style of Gloria Munoz. A moment later, her clothing and complexion shifted back to the way it had been before. It happened so suddenly that it was almost hard for you to believe that she had just transformed into the shape of a Lava Goddess.
<span class="mu-b">“Atlas has a long history of committing atrocities. I’ve seen them use slave labor, create armies of the undead, and subtly manipulate the minds of children through catchy slogans and jingles. Believe me, there is no level they won’t stoop to if they think it can further their criminal ventures.”</span> Gloria warned. <span class="mu-b">“It wouldn’t be entirely unreasonable to think that they’ve manufactured more than a few ‘Avengers-level threats’.”</span>
Felicia whistled. <span class="mu-b">“Damn. What’d they make you for?”</span>
Gloria folded her arms and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. <span class="mu-b">“Not sure. I have an inkling that they wanted me to kill Thor, but we never really got that far before I managed to escape.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Was it because you didn’t want to kill him?”</span> Flint asked.
<span class="mu-b">“I didn’t want to find out which of us would win. He flies and he’s got a magic hammer to wave around. It just sounded like a suicide mission to me. And apparently, it was the right assumption to make.”</span>Gloria said. <span class="mu-b">“The condenser unit they outfitted me with was originally meant to detonate when I sustained too much damage. So, I ripped it out and left it down there before I escaped.”</span>
Ana gave her a horrified look. <span class="mu-g">“And…you want us to go down there and retrieve it? A bomb primed to explode?”</span>
The synthezoid gave her a flat look. <span class="mu-b">“The condenser requires a direct signal from my body in order to trigger the activation sequence. One that I’ve long since disabled. But, just in case, I’ll give you a container to prevent it from being damaged in any significant way. Try not to jostle it too much on your way out.”</span>
You all exchanged unenthusiastic looks at that.
<span class="mu-g">“What exactly is that condenser unit meant to do?”</span> Prowler asked.
<span class="mu-b">“The condenser can convert and store massive amounts of ambient mana. But instead of it being a bomb, I plan to alter it in such a way that it gradually releases the pent up mana in order to avoid a volatile reaction.”</span> Gloria explained.
<span class="mu-r">“Wait, but you’re an artificial being. How can you use magic?”</span> you pointed out.
(Cont.)
