KAIJU FIGHT #3

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: mind control, parasitic worms, gore

▶ 001. POSITIVE THINKING.

The aftermath of the last kaiju battle, has had LILITH researchers scrambling to find an adequate way to combat the aftereffects of the kaiju discovered in the desert. While their research is still very much a work in progress, for now… it’ll have to do. In the early hours of the morning, a message will appear on everyone’s oculars, asking them to suit up immediately and meet at the given coordinates, which will act as the Outsiders rendezvous point. These coordinates lead to an abandoned hotel within 1 mile to the outskirts of the strip.

"The system is updating…

The system is updating…

Downloading: ⇓"

A new update awaits each Outsider on their oculars. There is no option to decline, and right away it prompts you through several steps. This update was all in part thanks to the various dreams that the oculars have been reacting to. The researchers for LILITH figured out a way to combat these pesky mental side effects by forcing the mind into a state of equilibrium. In order to do this, Outsiders will be asked to think of their happiest memories. Perhaps, due in part to everyone downloading this update at the same time, people will automatically feel an odd sensation as they think back on these memories, almost as if their mind is connected to a collective. These memories will leave each Outsider feeling fulfilled, or even a temporary sense of high as the download continues. As a result, Outsiders may feel giddy or a sense of calm. Some may be motivated to talk about their happy memories with others the first time they do this.

▶ 002. BREACH OF THE CITY.

Once the download is completed, there’s zero time to rest. It looks like whatever they found in the desert isn’t interested in just sitting and waiting. They’ve come to the city with clear intentions of gradually infiltrating its borders. Who are they? Why, the missing people of course.

Apparently, as part of the kaijus life cycle, it lays eggs, which then hatch into younger worms, similar to actual earthworms. These young worms, unable to protect themselves, control the minds of other living entities in order to do their bidding and keep their own bodies safe. Once infected, their hosts become vicious and hungry for meat, attacking any living thing in sight and trying to eat its flesh to nourish the parasite within.

It’ll be up to the Outsiders in order to scope out these young worms controlling the people of the desert, while simultaneously knocking those individuals out of commission. In some rare circumstances, there will be no turning back for these individuals; if the young worm actually burrows themselves into the bodies of the controlled, they are no more than a reanimated corpse, and will need to be eliminated immediately. The longer these worms exist within these people’s bodies, the larger they grow, and by extension, the more influence they can exert over a larger net of people.

Instead of the camper vans, LILITH has provided other sleeker vehicles in order to quickly traverse the city. The vehicles are equipped for speed and are meant to assist in getting to the various coordinates LILITH sends out to everyone’s oculars. The coordinates all mark where these “controlled people” have been seen via drone footage.

▶ 003. WORM ON THE MIND.

While the attention will be focused on destroying the monsters that have come up to the city, there will be occasional tremors that can be felt that seem to come from far below— almost as if they were cries from the old city that lay forgotten below. Unfortunately, it’s much worse.

In the middle of staving off the attacks from the mysterious creatures, there will suddenly be the sound of the defense alarm blaring, and without any additional warning, something breaks through the center of the city. This will first be punctuated by the sounds of the building around them crumbling, followed by the clear visual of the large serpentine creature they’ve encountered in the desert. The large sand worm doesn’t even pause to regain its bearings. As soon as it recognizes the presence of other organisms, it begins glowing a fluorescent shade in varying indefinable colors—

Thanks to the updates on the oculars, there will no longer be hallucinations that follow any contact with the worm, however, if one stares too long, they will still be met with splitting headaches and a pressing sense of agitation, so Outsiders are cautioned against prolonged exposure. That said, it won’t always be easy to take a breather against such a large creature.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: ALITTA VIRENS
HEIGHT: 400 metres
WEIGHT: 1,900,000 kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Las Vegas, USA
ABILITIES: Mind control. Although full details are UNKNOWN, its young can take control of human and animal hosts. Once under their control, the hosts will become aggressive and hungry for meat, which is theorized to feed and nourish the young worms until they are ready to emerge.
EXTRA NOTES: According to what the researchers have surmised, similar kaiju have appeared on a much smaller scale and are susceptible to water poisoning and electrical shocks. LILITH has not found a way to fully free the hosts from the parasite, but they can be stunned after receiving multiple electric shocks.

"
YAMAKAWA: Angels of LILITH, please be advised of your roles moving forward. With the city already infiltrated, we will need to be quick."

A brief is sent along with her message.

█ █ █ MISSION ROLES:

✖ GROUP ONE: Those who fulfill this role will need to be equipped with brute strength and the ability to survive the attacks in a city that is the midst of being destroyed. They will also need the stamina to keep the worm at bay as the others complete their tasks before also gathering to exterminate the kaiju.
✖ GROUP TWO: With strong mental fortitude, these individuals will be expected to clean up the group of controlled individuals; not all will be able to be saved, and the ability to make that distinction is imperative for this role. Those who appear too far gone will not be able to regain their senses. They will need to be killed.
✖ GROUP THREE: This group will be concentrated on being able to property evacuate the citizens that remain in the city of Las Vegas. Preferably those who are quick on their feet, or are able to stealthily circumvent the dangers in the city in order to get the people to safety would be ideal for this role.
✖ GROUP FOUR: Those with support skills or a medical background will be expected to assist those in the other groups, whether by healing, additional abilities, or by assisting the other groups as needed.

Note: Roles can be decided by the characters themselves as to what they figure is appropriate and most fitted to their skill set. Everyone will eventually fight the worm (so this does not affect the fight mechanics of the worm itself) and people can also jump from one role to another.

▶ 004. LET'S WRAP UP.

The areas the worm has traversed leaves the ground above it weak and unsteady. Due in part to this, those who have evacuated will need to remain in the shelter until further notice. As a result, it’s up to the Outsiders to clean up the city. Aside from the large gaping hole in the center of the city that they can’t address immediately, they are first expected to get rid of the carcasses of the larvae.

Each Outsider will be provided with a suit and will even be given hover packs to scale down the side of these large holes. They will also be given traditional ropes and lines for those who want to get creative with scaling, or who simply didn’t make it there quickly enough to grab a hover pack (with the destruction to the city, some supplies are still in transit). They will be expected to review each carcass and tag which ones can be sent to the lab for further review, and which should simply be discarded as being unusable.

A coordinated effort is needed to adequately dispose of the largest kaiju. The alitta virens will need to be cut into several thousands of pieces, and so work needs to begin immediately. It’s not like the people can return to everyday life with a giant serpent-like entity laying on top of their city. Outsiders should be particularly cautious with it; even when dead, as it still seems to have strange tendrils inside of its body that appear to be writhing even after its death.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third kaiju log!
Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the smaller kaijus. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below!

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

EVENT BREAKDOWN (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. POSITIVE THINKING: LILITH has updated everyone's implants and encourage them to think of their happiest thoughts to give the technology the mental boost they need. Some characters may feel high or giddy and want to express their happy memories to someone else.

2. BREACH OF THE CITY: The worm larvae have a parasitic nature and are taking over the bodies of civilians. Outsiders are tasks to seek out those affected, killing worm larvae or civilians with parasites who are beyond help.

3. WORM ON THE MIND: The largest worm breaks through the ground in the heart of the city and Outsiders are encouraged to attack within their arranged group.

4. LET'S WRAP UP: After the sandworm monster is killed, Outsiders will be tasked with clean up efforts.

code

Comments

3. Wrap Up and Disposal

[blastedass]

[He'll give Ratio credit; the man knew how to organize and run commands through a group of people. While LILITH dropped a lot of information onto them, upgraded the oculars, and provided surface-level directions, Ratio handled more minute details and directed traffic between two of the groups. Bakugo, being part of group one, was on the front lines blowing the ever-living shit out of the worm, so much of his listening to Ratio was more as occasional background for groups that the hero wasn't concerned with. Still, it gave him more insight into how the man operated and gave a rather glowing review of his tactician nature.

Compared to the experiences he had with Ratio in Vegas, Bakugo's willing to admit the guy is a good man. Very intelligent, still a control freak (in a positive way), but the ego he was concerned the man had isn't a cause for wariness on the explosive hero's part now. He has enough humility to admit his weakness in one area over the strengths in another, didn't put himself above the law, and seeks to use his knowledge for the betterment of most. It's a new view of the man, and Bakugo's willing to be more lenient.

Though, he's not that surprised to find Ratio down here exploring worm holes and investigating the monster's corpse. Bakugo's not interested in cutting up the carcass, but when he notices the writhing tendrils, a beam-like explosion zips past Ratio and detonates against them with a burst, frying the wriggling things into a crisp.]

You better study shit fast. LILITH always takes as much of the kaiju with them as possible. [Though the number of larva, corpses, and the size of the Alitta Virens, suggest they're not going to get all of it.] This amount means they'll probably just take what's valuable.

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio starts when a beam flies past him and detonates against the still writhing tendrils in the deceased kaiju. He frowns. He'd been hoping to study the tendrils as well, but... there were bound to be more elsewhere. ]

Fortunate then that I've already had a chance to study its larva.

[ Not that it had been particularly illuminating without any of the tools he prefers to use for such studies. But it had been enough to grasp the internal anatomy of the creature and replicate it through drawn diagrams, and create hypotheses of the purpose of certain structures. He intends on submitting a report of his discoveries to LILITH once he gets a chance, and though he hopes it's enough to convince them to be more forthcoming about their research, he doesn't expect much. ]

They will no doubt want to determine how the creature influences the mind with its luminescence. I have some idea as to which organs will be worth their attention.

[blastedass]

[There are other tendrils, but Bakugo doesn't like anything wriggling and threatening getting near someone he knows. Especially with the parasitical nature of these wormy fuckers. Screw if Ratio wanted to study it. He can do that at a distance.]

What'd you find out?

[Anything beyond what was already known to them? Bakugo moves to Ratio's side, frowning at the beast in front of them. He really wants to just nuke the damn thing into atoms and forget it was ever there. But unfortunately he doesn't have that kind of power at the moment. While he'd certainly be able to incinerate a fair bit of it, maybe a football field size, this things over 1k ft long. He'd end up blowing a lot of gore all over the buildings and making a bigger mess.

Anyways. That's for another time. They'll likely have to carve this thing up and drag it out into the desert piece by piece for disposing.]

That thing can make its entire body glow; there's gonna be a shitload of those organs.

[curingidiocy]

Not as much as I'd like to, bereft of my usual equipment as I am. I have created a diagram of the kaiju young's anatomy, but that is only the beginning.

[ Given its size, he has a hypothesis that the worm may be segmented internally, each section sustained by its own set of organs. As the worm is taken apart for disposal, that hypothesis will find its proof, or disproof. ]

Regardless, we should be harvesting several sets of organs from this creature for research and archival purposes. Anything that can compromise our ocular implants must be thoroughly analyzed to avoid the same issues in future missions.

[blastedass]

I'm surprised they let you dissect the damn thing.

[Mostly LILITH wanted them to fight the kaiju and clean up after them. Studying them was never part of their orders, though Bakugo's aware there have been people who wanted to do so. He'd also been curious, but dredging around in a monster's gore wasn't his idea of a good time.]

You'd think it'd have to be electrical to fuck around with our oculars.

[Instead, it was just light. Granted LILITH managed to filter it and lessen the effects, somehow, but... the fact it happened is unnerving enough.]

This bastard back home had a Quirk that could make anyone laugh for 2 hours after seeing his smile. It even worked on robots.

[curingidiocy]

I did not ask for permission.

[ If they punish him for assisting them, then they are fools. Simple as that. ]

There may be an electromagnetic, or some other unseen component to its ability. There is still much to discover about this worm.

[ He's going to step closer to the sandworm now that the tendrils are gone and start examining the cross-section of the worm's structure. Another diagram to create and submit to LILITH once they return to base... ]

And what is a Quirk? I presume you are not referring to the term as it is used in quantum physics.

[blastedass]

Good. We shouldn't have to.

[As much as he'd love to break into LILITH's headquarters and demand information and answers, that's not really going to get them anywhere. Can they even demand the same technique that brought them here be forcefully ignited to send them home? They could, but would it help? ... Not this world.

Bakugo's never given up on going home, but due to a few people he knows informing him they went home and came back, with no difference in their homeworld, suggesting their worlds really are "on pause" for each Outsider here, it's become less of a burden to drive towards and more an end goal for once they triumph over the kaiju.]

An EMP that made it through all that fucking sand, from that distance? [Definitely not unheard of, but that's a very powerful force, and doesn't explain how some people were unaffected by it while others were. Especially when they all had the same ocular technology in their heads. He doesn't interfere with Ratio's research this time, but if any of those tendrils start moving, he's blowing it up.]

Quirks are what we call the superhuman abilities in my world. My Explosion is a Quirk.

god save me from bullshitting sand worm stuff

[curingidiocy]

A hypothesis, though perhaps unlikely.

[ If he wants to ascertain the true nature of the sand worm's abilities, he will need more than just his own two eyes to analyze the worm's structure. Genius he might be, but he's only still human. Still, observing the sand worm's remains is illuminating, he continues to compile all the information in his mind as he speaks. ]

Interesting. I wonder, what evolutionary mutation could have led to the appearance of Quirks?

[ It's a rhetorical question, partially because he doesn't expect Bakugo to have the answer, but mostly because he's focused on the worm. ]

yeets the deets!

[blastedass]

Whatever. It's gonna be a buncha guesswork for a while.

[Ratio's got more will than Bakugo when it comes to looking into this worm and how it works. He wants to cut it up, drag it out into the desert, and blow every damn piece of it to atoms! However, he's also wary about the people working in LILITH. Considering they've fed orca meat to the Outsiders, used the electric geckos to power a teleportation device, what the hell are they going to do with worm organs that can induce hypnosis and dredge up hallucinogenic memories from people within eyesight?

Maybe it's a good thing Ratio's going to secret away some of these organs to the Outsiders can have their own crack at it. Bakugo's not a biologist, so he'll have to leave that shit to smarter people.]

No one knows. [They've looked into it for four generations now, and it's a complete mystery. His tone's mostly dismissive, as that's a topic for another time.]

I don't trust LILITH. Whatever you can learn about how this bastard put us under, the better.

[curingidiocy]

[ Though Ratio is unused to the gore of battle, when it comes to cadavers and animal carcasses, he has more than enough experience dissecting them and analyzing them. This is his element, and he will be damned if he does not utilize his knowledge for everyone's benefit.

If LILITH was so inclined to hypnotize the Outsiders, it's likely they could have already done so through the ocular implants. So Ratio is less concerned with any potential maliciousness on the organization's part. If anything, perhaps the worm's abilities could be turned on future kaijus they encounter. That would be worth having as an option under their belt. ]

What reason has LILITH given you for such distrust? What is it you believe they have to gain by using their knowledge for malicious purposes?

[blastedass]

[Bakugo's long-since discarded his initial distrust of Ratio and his hunger for knowledge. The man has the betterment of most people in mind when he applies his intelligence and seeking to the obstacles in front of him. Letting him put his brain to the task at hand is a benefit for most of them now. Too bad LILITH won't work with him, or any of them, in that realm.

Perhaps they haven't had the means or technology with which to hypnotize them so far. Just like the teleportation device was completed after they worked in the gecko kaiju knowledge. Besides, these damn things are already capable of ripping their thoughts out and slapping them into open space whenever they want. Bakugo already doesn't trust them on that action alone.]

They're fucking kidnappers.

[Granted, he's willing to cut LILITH some slack, a lot more slack, than he used to. He acknowledges they generally have the best interest of their own people and world at heart. But he also doesn't trust them to make poor choices despite their good intentions. He's never going to forgive them for ripping him out of the most important fight of his life.

... even if it's not really a matter anymore, due to knowing his world's "on pause" while he's here. It's weird.]

They overstep their boundaries with some of the shit they do.

[curingidiocy]

[ Their kidnapping of all the Outsiders is, in fairness, a good reason to never fully trust them. However, given the nature of their existences, separate across universes (potentially, he still holds some skepticism), and duplicated from the original, he doesn't hold it against them. At the very least, he is certain their desire to help their own world is true. Whether that desire extends to treating the Outsiders kindly is a different story, but so far, they have not acted to the contrary.

He is a skeptic, but he also believes in people, and does not believe members of LILITH to be intentionally cruel. ]

They have little reason to influence us with the sand worm's capabilities. We have complied with all of their demands to date. However, I will acknowledge the potential for them to ignore our rights should it benefit them and this world.

[ Because they're Outsiders. It's in the name. They are not part of the world LILITH is attempting to save. ]

[blastedass]

[Considering Bakugo's been kidnapped twice in his life already, a third time has only exacerbated his animosity towards people who do such things. But by now the blonde's been more mollified with the experiences he's had here, and has defended some of LILITH's efforts in the past to others who don't want to look facts in the face, uncomfortable as they might be. He'll never forgive them or fully trust them due to their kidnapping, but he's accepted working with them via his own choice.

After all, it'd be a lie to say LILITH treats the Outsiders like shit. They just... sometimes overstep their boundaries in Bakugo's opinion. The fact there was some infighting earlier when that schism of people took off with kaiju samples and made clones suggests some other issues going on in the high ranks.]

Che. The potential. [That's the big issue. He scans the worm's insides again, making a face at the sight. Gross.] I'll be more comfortable if we're prepared for that.

[curingidiocy]

[ It is perhaps a scenario they should be preparing for. He doesn't like being under their control as much as Bakugo does, having always been a self-made man. Should LILITH deign not to support him in his efforts to help them, then he can only suspect the worst of them. ]

Let us see how they respond to my report. If they truly mean well, then I believe they will be receptive to my overtures of assistance. Once they trust me, I should be able to gain access to their facilities.

[ And once he's in, he will be able to keep an eye out for malicious intention, as well as learn about their technology. If need be, he would be able to protect the Outsiders from LILITH. ]

[blastedass]

[ooc: sorry for taking so long! holiday weekend and family coming over really axed me.]

[While it's not hard to realize these people have good intentions, probably even further down than "surface level" when scrutinizing them, Bakugo has no intention of offering LILITH any form of blind trust. People who decide their best interests are best served by stomping on the free will of another person isn't someone the young hero wants to put his faith in.]

Yeah? How responsive have they been to your previous reports? They haven't given you free access to the information you asked for last time, right?

[At least, Ratio seemed to suggest he was going to be asking for more information... He scoffs at the notion of LILITH "trusting" Ratio enough to give him access to their facilities.]

Don't get hopeful; they haven't let anyone into more sensitive areas.

[Especially things that might relate to keeping the Outsiders in this world.]

[curingidiocy]

[ Npnp!

And that is why Ratio is here. To deal with the less-than-scrupulous organization on behalf of Outsiders who may not be as comfortable working with them. It is part of his daily life to collaborate with an intergalactic organization that often prioritizes profits above people. He is used to negotiating with them, but has never failed to stay stalwart on the truly important matters—that is, the safety of the people. ]

This will be the first report I submit. I have only been here since the beginning of May, so I have not yet had the opportunity to 'prove myself trustworthy', as they have requested. While I do not believe they will acquiesce to my demands so quickly, it is important that I build a cooperative relationship with them.

[ If they wanted any shot at accessing LILITH's data, cooperation would be the most logical method of earning their trust. It's not like he doesn't have a more underhanded plan in progress even as they speak (which he should follow up on because it's been a while now). He's working on it Bakugo, just give him some time. ]

[blastedass]

[Tch, if Ratio wants to handle all the stupid business side of things, he's welcome to it. Bakugo wants answers and fights, and to have his privacy left alone, without being shoved into a bunch of social experiments by a fucked-up AI. Same goes for all the people he's come to give a shit about here. Does he think Ratio's going to get any further than people who've tried similar things before? Nope! Bang your head on the door all you want, Know-it-All.]

Hmph, we already cooperate with those bastards.

[Granted they tend to cooperate with the Outsiders as well, minding them for the most part and making sure they're not abused or run ragged... for the most part. Bakugo's real beef with them in this area is he's seen LILITH withhold information in the past, not wanting people to have access to what it considers sensitive to its ability to keep control. Considering the schism involving the hybrids and rift, that attitude's not likely to change.]

They trust us to fulfill their missions. Not with a lot else.

[curingidiocy]

[ Sure, the Outsiders cooperate with LILITH, but has LILITH cooperated with a researcher who is far better at their job than them? Ratio has full confidence he will get further than those who have tried before him. ]

They will see folly of their actions in due time.

[ Anyway, the whole time they've been talking, Ratio has been memorizing the sand worm's anatomy, having walked around to examine various parts of the cross-section, wiping away blood where necessary. He's even taken tissue samples and bits and pieces of the worm using equipment he'd filched from various labs across the city that wound up abandoned as citizens evacuated from the danger. Everything was then stored into his subspace storage. ]

I am finished with this section of the worm. This area is not where the organs sustaining this portion of the worm lie. We must proceed further to retrieve them.

[blastedass]

[Don't ask Bakugo that question, Ratio. He'll give the man such a look for the hubris in it. LILITH would be better off working more with the Outsiders when it comes to information. It's annoying as fuck they won't be as transparent as they could.]

Even if they do, they're not going to send us back home until we finish here.

[That's what he believes. While they talk, Bakugo's only prerogative here is to keep watch on the remains and blast anything that moves towards Ratio. Noticing the small collection of supplies the doctor has, shit that normally isn't accessible outside of the medical wings, suggests the guy swiped a few. Whether it's from abandoned areas or from LILITH's workspace is a question he's not gonna bother asking. But how he stores it all, well...]

You wanna walk across all that shit? [And gestures to the innards of the worm further away from the open section they've been standing in this entire time. Gross...]

[curingidiocy]

[ Such is the ego of a genius. He knows what he is capable of.

Bakugo is correct, unfortunately. Unless Ratio can get his hands on their Outsider summoning technology, they will not be sent home until their purpose is served. Though, given that some Outsiders are apparently sent back home every once in a while, he suspects there's more to the summoning than just being deposited here. It may perhaps require a constant supply of energy to keep them here, thus any deemed not worth the cost are let go.

But that is a topic to explore another day. Ratio kneels down to examine the innards strewn across the floor. They are slick with blood, digestive juices and other fluids he can't identify at a glance. ]

With adequate protective gear, the worm's fluids do not appear to be hazardous. It will be difficult to traverse, however.

[ Since he's already wearing one of the LILTIH provided suits, he places a foot in the goopy substance and tests the grip of his boot. It slides without effort. With a sigh, he pulls back his foot and gently shakes the residue off and looks over to Bakugo. ]

I intend on proceeding. What will you do?

[blastedass]

[Even if the Outsiders gained access to the technology, Bakugo wonders how many of them would actually follow through on the demand to return home. Looking at himself, the answer's not clear. He knows their worlds aren't moving without them, even if it still gives him lingering worry over the unfinished business. But abandoning this world that still needs him? Can he, a hero, do such a thing? His companions and teammates are here as well, friends he's made... leaving them behind is a hard choice.

Something he'll think about on his own time, thanks. Even if it's kind o preferable to watching Ratio kneel on the gory floor. Gross. Bakugo's going to be putting his boots through deep cleaning once he gets back to the dorm.]

Where do you wanna go? [He indicates deeper into the worm, the direction that Ratio was previously facing before he looked at him. As much as he'd like to bail, he's not sure he want to just abandon the professor in a cavern of worm guts. Especially since it seems there are still some living things around...] I'll take you there.

[He detonates another explosion in his hand, indicating he's going make good on that offer.]

[curingidiocy]

[ If Bakugo is willing to continue escorting Ratio, he won't complain, even though he is more than capable of handling himself. The scholar takes a few steps forward, towards the yawning cavern that is the worm's innards. Light flashes and ripples from the soles of his boots every time they make contact with any surface, evidence of the Imaginary energy he's using to secure his footing.

It is dark, of course, but Ratio brings out a flashlight and turns it on to peer further in. There isn't much to see, as the worm's body curves off to the side, limiting their vision to just a dozen metres. He scans the inner lining of the worm, seemingly looking for something. ]

Hm. I do not know how much further we must proceed to locate its organs, but I doubt we will have to travel more than fifty metres.

[ He continues forward slowly, using the flashlight to scan every inch of the worm carefully in his search. ]

[blastedass]

[YOU COULD'VE JUST SAID YOU COULD WALK ON IT!! Bakugo's expression twists into annoyance when Ratio easily escorts himself rather than take up the implied offer of explosion-powered flight. Bastard! Bristling, the blonde waits where he is until the man's once more stopped, then bounds forward with an explosion. A second pair sear the gunk beneath him before he lands, crunching in the blackened surface while avoiding going ankle deep in the gore. Better footing.

The smell probably doesn't help. Burnt corpse. Maybe the suits help keep that out. No idea what kind of noxious gasses are floating around inside the bloated body. Bakugo eyes the surface the flashlight sweeps over, as well as the distance further in. Mostly he's keeping his eyes open for anything moving.]

Those organs are probably closer to the surface of its skin. It's not getting light out from all the way inside this fucking blubber. [Bioluminescence tends to be near the epidermis from what he remembers of science class. Maybe an organ inside triggers the crap near the surface though...]

[curingidiocy]

[ Listen. I, and therefore Ratio, didn't realize Bakugo was offering explosion powered flight. Shhhh. Ratio totally thought he just meant he would handle any threats with that little explosive demonstration okay. He is a self-sufficient man, he doesn't need to be carried places!

Ratio frowns at the blatant desecration of perfectly good tissue, but well... it's just the researcher in him that wants the entire worm to be kept pristine for study. Unfortunately, most of the worm will end up disposed of due to the lack of space to store it, and the lack of preservative technologies. If only he had access to an IPC standard laboratory... that wouldn't have been an issue.

Ratio hums in acknowledgement of Bakugo's words, but he keeps searching. It's not just the organs related to bioluminescence he's looking for. He wants everything. It's not every day one encounters a creature of this size that hasn't been obviously influenced by the Abundance, nor connected to the Propagation. He can't help but want to study it for his own curiosity. That it would be helpful for LILITH's purposes is all the reason he needs to allow himself the excitement. ]

The enzymes and molecules used in its bioluminescence are likely diffused into the cells of the epidermis. The organs producing them need not be so close to the surface.

Its light was quite intense. Could it be viable as an alternative light source on planets that cannot afford the energy consumption required of more traditional sources? With the correct bioengineering, it should not be difficult to produce bacteria or plants utilizing the worm's bioluminescence. But given it's hallucinogenic effects, we'd best study the reaction under the entire electromagnetic spectrum to determine if something other than visible light is being emitted.

[ He continues musing to himself as he scans the worm piece by piece. Eventually, just past the bend of the worm's body, they find what Ratio is looking for, and he begins to cut into the worm to retrieve the organs. ]

[blastedass]

[Oh no! Don't make him use his words even in the meta text! Next time he's just gonna let him squish on over there without saying anything. Though irritation aside, Bakugo's noting the way the guy uses that energy, how close it lies to the surface of his body, and if it seems to have any visible indication of its presence asides from the thin space between worm flesh and Ratio. He's a curious guy when it comes to superpowers.

Yeah, Ratio's a little too late to want the entire worm pristine. Not after the Outsiders beat the every-living shit out of it during the war. Gored, fried, electrocuted, blown up- Hell, Bakugo and Itadori threw a bundle of exploding car batteries into its gullet! (He's proud of himself for that idea.) But this carcass will go the way of the other kaiju corpses. Picked clean of useful stuff and then left to rot. At least LILITH won't be feeding this one to the Outsiders...]

Most creatures that make bioluminescence get it from their food, unless they can naturally produce it. [Fungi, micr0plankton, even minerals. Bakugo accesses a news feed from earlier and projects it from his ocular, giving him that weird one-eye-bright appearance. It's always strange to look at. But he's showing the exterior of the worm, what's visible of it above ground at least. The thing's 400 fucking meters!] This creature probably has multiple stomachs.

[But what the hell could it have eaten out in the desert, a place usually swarmed with light half the day, to generate such a light itself? He breaks from his thoughts when Ratio offers other uses for the creature's power.]

If it's taking them a long time to produce some damn painkiller plants, they're not gonna make glowing mushrooms any easier. [Yep, still bitter about that whole thing not producing any fruit.]