Old World Blues And New World Hope

There is an expression in the Wasteland: "Old World Blues." It refers to those so obsessed with the past they can't see the present, much less the future, for what it is. They stare into the what-was, eyes like pilot lights, guttering and spent, as the realities of their world continue on around them.

[bigbrainsbigmt]

About The Blog

[stolevulpeshat]

"I wouldn’t mind that." he replied, working on getting his shoes off in a rather ungraceful matter before he conceded and sat down to pull them off. "I don’t really have any important matters to handle."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"Oh? I thought you were a Courier, my little bear." Dala certainly wasn't complaining. More time to spend with him. And more time meant more study, and that meant one day lobotomizing the hell out of him until he couldn't leave.

"Oh... could you hold up your foot and wiggle your toes? I do love the toes."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

Lobotomite misternotathome has entered the Dome!

*Oh, hell no. What are you doing here, House?? This is a Think Tank, for Science! Not so you can come showboating your stupid inventions!!*

[ The scientist is practically vibrating with fury, and its all he can do to keep his vivisectors from coming out. ]

[bigbrainsbigmt]

Companion Meme (Borous)

Name: Doctor Borous

Karma Level: Any

Alliance: Think Tank

Perks:

Cuddly Little Abominations: Nightstalkers and Cazadors do not attack you while Borous is your active companion.

Man's Best Friend: All dogs (cyberdogs and coyotes included) will follow you temporarily if fed.

Location: The Think Tank

Special Weapon/Apparel:

Melee: Vivisectors

Ranged: Brainial Beam, “A Rather Nasty WooEEEOooWooEEEOoo Ray That Can Make Your Atoms Do A Happy Dance”

Apparel: None (Think Tank Chassis)

NCR Disguise: “-These uniforms look FAMILIAR. Perhaps I saw them a lot at school?-”

Legion Disguise: “-A lot of red. Sounds like COMMUNISM to me!-”

General:

“-Did I ever tell you about the time I did badly on a test because Richie Marcus was COPYING me?-”

Combat:

“-FIGHTING! Yes, I LOVE fighting!-”

After Combat:

“-All in a day's work in AMERICA, right?-”

Opening Inventory:

"-Did you... want me to hold your books...?-"

Sneak Mode:

“-YES. Sneaking! Time to be full of SHUSH.-”

Death/Unconsciousness:

“-J....just like old times!-”

Revived:

“-There isn't a KICK ME SIGN on my chassis, is there?-”

Location-specific:

The Strip “-Bright and BEAUTIFUL! Good old CAPITALISM!-”

The Forbidden Zone "-We mustn't! It is FORBIDDEN to us!-"

The Think Tank: "-....where did I put Gabe's bowl....?-"

The Fort: “-Wouldn't Betsy Bright look PRETTY in that slave thing?-”

Character Quest:

Cyberdog Chow: Borous needs to feed Gabe. But he needs a few items. Get him Gabe's Bowl (wherever he put it), three doses of Psycho, and twenty pieces of Gecko Meat.

Fast Times At American High: Relive Borous' high school days in a simulator, and help him win a date with Betsy Bright.

[bigbrainsbigmt]

Companion Meme (Dala)

Name: Doctor Dala

Karma Level: Any

Alliance: Think Tank

Perks:

Harmless Teddy Bears: Lobotomites are oddly pacified in your presense when Dala is an active companion.

Filthy Formography: Dala's interest in your body keeps her wanting to keep you safe, as long as you play dress up. +2 DT and a 50% increase to poison and radiation resistance in any Pre-War clothing.

Location: The Forbidden Zone

Special Weapon/Apparel:

Melee: Vivisectors

Ranged: Brainial Beam, "A Rather Nasty WooEEEOooWooEEEOoo Ray That Can Make Your Atoms Do A Happy Dance"

Apparel: None (Think Tank Chassis)

NCR Disguise: "Oh... they really are a bunch of teddy bears.."

Legion Disguise:"I like the bottoms. They show off a lot of skin and muscle... for studying, of course."

General:

"Dala loves you."

Combat:

"Poor little Lobotomite. Now I have to gently lobotomize you from behind."

After Combat:

"How intriguing..."

Opening Inventory:

"Your little teddy bear hands are better for holding, but if you insist."

Sneak Mode:

"As quiet as little teddy bears."

Death/Unconsciousness:

"Oh."

Revived:

"How embarrassing."

Location-specific:

The Strip "Let's go to the fiery one first."

The Forbidden Zone "P-please, not in there."

The Think Tank: "Ah, sweet science."

The Fort: "I recall ancient Romans doing battle nude... will there be plenty of that?"

Character Quest:

New Stuffing: Dala's favorite teddy bear's been ripped up by Lobotomites. She wants new, soft stuffing for it. Kill twenty Cyberdogs without ruining their coats.

Fashion Baby: Go to Higg's Village and try on Dala's old clothes.

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

[Mobius] "Hello there, friend. You still seem to be very angry, so I can only assume you're doing well."

"You. I’m never fine. Tell me what you want."

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

"Eh? Mm, okay then. Good for you."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"Would you like a Menta- oh, I forgot, you don't like them. A shame, they're very tasty. So! Tell me about your day!"

[elsathebitterdrunk]

Elsa stumbled through the wasteland, trying to avoid the screeching maniacs swinging electronic axes at her.  She had no idea where she was or how she had gotten there, but cared about neither.  She searched for a building to take shelter and hide from the inhabitants of this place.

She came across a pale dome.  Maybe it was a safe enough place?  She hurried towards it, ducking through the doors just in time.

She found a strange box — an elevator, she believed it was called — that took her to a large room.  The only life, if it could be called that, emanated from five floating figures.  Were Elsa sober, she would have simply left to find somewhere safer.  But she wasn’t.  So she didn’t.

Instead, she approached the figure with the purple tank and spoke.

"Excuse me, but…where am I?"

[bigbrainsbigmt]

The purple biomed gel shifted in the tank as the chassis turned, ocular monitors shifting and adjusting to take the woman in completely. It was best that Elsa had approached her, of all of the other scientists. While none of them were as cruel as Klein, they had lost a lot of their compassion.

And Dala did love humans.

"Hello, little Lobotomite..." she said softly. "How did you get into the Dome?"

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

[Mobius] "Hello there, friend. You still seem to be very angry, so I can only assume you're doing well."

"You. I’m never fine. Tell me what you want."

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

"Heh, I suppose you’re right."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"Oh, thank you! I do miss being right."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

Companion Meme (Klein)

Name: Doctor Klein

Karma Level: Any

Alliance: Think Tank

Perks:

It Goes To Eleven: Klein's shouting makes you more frightening, increasing the chances of your opponent running from you by 20%.

Chief Researcher: Anything that boosts your Intelligence is doubled in its effect.

Location: The Think Tank

Special Weapon/Apparel:

Melee: Vivisectors

Ranged: Brainial Beam, "A Rather Nasty WooEEEOooWooEEEOoo Ray That Can Make Your Atoms Do A Happy Dance"

Apparel: None (Think Tank Chassis)

NCR Disguise: “I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THAT. I'LL LOOK STUPID."

Legion Disguise: “IS THAT A SKIRT?"

General:

“I CAN HEAR YOU GETTING LESS SMART. THIS IS BAD."

Combat:

“I'LL BURN YOU ALIVE WITH SCIENCE."

After Combat:

“KEEP THEIR PENISES AWAY FROM ME!!"

Opening Inventory:

"WHAT, YOU NEED HELP 'CARRYING' THINGS? YOU LOBOTOMITES ARE USELESS!"

Sneak Mode:

“ALRIGHT. SNEAKING NOW. WHAT'S WRONG?"

Death/Unconsciousness:

“MOBIUUUUUUS!!"

Revived:

“THAT WAS ENLIGHTENING."

Location-specific:

The Strip “LET'S GO TO THAT O- 0 NEVER MIND, THAT DOESN'T SAY 'TAPS'."

The Forbidden Zone "I'M NOT GOING IN THERE!!"

The Think Tank: "JUST LEAVE ME HERE WHILE YOU GO DO YOUR LOBOTO-THINGS."

The Fort: “WHY IS EVERYONE DIRTY?”

Character Quest:

Lab Assistant: Klein seems to be very busy with his work, and can't tend to the task of keeping things orderly. It's up to you to find anything 'out of place'. Locate and store away:

Dala's Teddy Bear

0's Securitron Model

Borous' Photo Of Gabe

8's Sonic Glove... if you can

Klein's Flask

Mobius' Clipboard

Talking Is Nice But Liquor Is Quicker: Discover the root of Klein's rage and rivalry with Mobius, then confront him about his destructive behavior.

[bigbrainsbigmt]

this meme is taking forever

[bigbrainsbigmt]

*trying to stay out of 8's sight* Hey, Zero, do you know anything about non-Newtonian fluids and their possible uses?

*O, sure. Common non-Newtonian fluids were everyday household items, like toothpa.... uh... any particular reason you're pressed up against the wall? What, did Borous bring in one of his pets again?*

[ adjusts ocular monitors curiously ]

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

[Mobius] "Hello there, friend. You still seem to be very angry, so I can only assume you're doing well."

"You. I’m never fine. Tell me what you want."

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

"I’m not really a good company. I’m sure other people went to your Dome, but you decide to come to me. Why?"

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"When you're alone, anyone's good company."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

I'll be queueing the other Think Tank Companion Memes so that I don't spam the Dash all in one go.

[bigbrainsbigmt]

Companion Meme (Mobius)

Name: Doctor Mobius

Karma Level: Any

Alliance: None

Perks:

Delicious And Smarty: Mentats effect last twice as long.

Ghost Perception: Hidden caches are easier to see, however they take on... unusual appearances (the flying tortoises were the worst!).

Location: The Forbidden Zone

Special Weapon/Apparel:

Melee: Vivisectors

Ranged: Brainial Beam, "A Rather Nasty WooEEEOooWooEEEOoo Ray That Can Make Your Atoms Do A Happy Dance"

Apparel: None (Think Tank Chassis)

NCR Disguise: “I don't think I'll look as good in that as you will."

Legion Disguise: “I seem to recall this from before the Great War. Cheerleading gladiators, perhaps?"

General:

“Mm-mm-mmmm~"

“I do so love Mentats!"

Combat:

“I see you. Now I end you!"

After Combat:

“Alright, calm down. Probably just a blip!"

Opening Inventory:

"Oh, for me? I have some things for you, too!"

Sneak Mode:

“Oh, right. Shushing up now."

Death/Unconsciousness:

“I need a... lay down...."

Revived:

“So that's what dying feels like."

Location-specific:

The Strip “Ooooh, how colorful!"

The Forbidden Zone "Dome, sweet Dome."

The Think Tank: "I wonder if my old room is still here."

The Fort: “Are we here to burn this place down?”

Character Quest:

Of Robo-Scorpions And Men: Mobius has recently built a Super-Giant-Robo-Scorpion, but see,s to have misplaced it. Help him find it before it does any serious damage.

The Saddest Little Shrine In Big MT: Mobius regrets erasing the memories of his friends. He wants you to go with him to Higgs Village, so you can collect remnants of the Think Tank's pasts.

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

[Mobius] "Hello there, friend. You still seem to be very angry, so I can only assume you're doing well."

"You. I’m never fine. Tell me what you want."

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

"Still… functioning? Yeah, I suppose so. Why would you even care?"

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"Well, why shouldn't I care? After all, the whole point of being a scientist is to help people. Well, and further the goals of wars, but that's all in the past, quiet literally, I might add." The mismatched monitors attempted to raise up at Frank, but the blacked out screen slacked ever so slightly. "Besides, I was getting bored talking to myself after you left my Dome. I guess I missed the company."

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

[Mobius] "Hello there, friend. You still seem to be very angry, so I can only assume you're doing well."

"You. I’m never fine. Tell me what you want."

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"Oh, I was under the impression that your anger is a state of normalocity. Forgive me. I just wanted to say hello. Eh… hello!"

[thepunisherishere-deactivated20]

"Mm, hello. What you want, really?"

[bigbrainsbigmt]

"To say hello, of course. And to make sure you were still functioning. Along with a small collection of other raisins."

[heleuses]

i don’t know what it is about the biology of lobotomites… it infects my thoughts. all that skin and muscle… and tissue.