Dusts of Avalon - Beastwithin.org

“Well, I'm glad some of my fears are false, but…”“…you're not exactly sure that you're believing what you're seeing?” Dr. Grovepathasked.“Yeah.”“Well, it's only natural to be a bit sceptical.” Dr. Grovepath said.“You're right, doctor. is is all very remarkable, but I want answers.”Dr. Grovepath smiled to Daleworth. “at's the spirit, lieutenant. Let's go andget them from Merlin, then.”Daleworth smiled ba. “Sure, doctor.”e scientists and Daleworth headed to the repair room — Merlin's strangeand orderly-in-disorder habitat.“Ah! Merlin, I presume.” Merrywood looked mu happier.To the scientists, Merlin in this particular incarnation looked like just a plainold ordinary killer robot… from old speculative romances, not the killer robotsthey faced in the balefields of the gas giant moons and Martian mining colonies.Full two meters tall, the body was fairly cylindrical, with large wheels under it,three flexible robot arms that pointed every way, and a semi-spherical head witha single camera. Merlin was, in fact, wearing a pointy hat, but the sight was soludicruous that the scientists just assumed Merlin had put it on his head to testtheir reactions and provoke a response.“And so, the scientists — and finally some amusement — arrive”, Merlin saidwith slight annoyance in his voice, but he clearly seemed genuinely relieved thatat least he had met contenders for his mat.“I am Dr. Robin Merrywood. is here is Dr. Paul Grovepath, who visited theNew Avalon before the fight in Paris.”“I had wondered who had moved my crystal ball”, Merlin said.“Uh, that was probably one of the soldiers”, Dr. Grovepath said.“at's right, one of the men from… er, the Beta squad did the rooms while wewere here, I think”, Daleworth said. “If they broke it, I'm sure the WFDF will buyyou a new one. Or at least reimburse for materials if you know how to rebuild it,because, you know, we don't have many magic crystal ball makers.”“ere is nothing wrong with my crystal ball, silly woman”, Merlin said. “Itwas merely disturbed, not broken.”“But if you're su an awesome wizard, can't you, you know, look into thecrystal ball and see who did this?”Merlin sighed. “I asked for experts. I got laymen. I wanted to avoid unnecessaryexplanations. Are you experts of magic?”“We do not have any evidence that magic would even exist”, Dr. Grovepathsaid.“Now now, Paul — I've always said magic is a good metaphor”, Dr. Colbertsaid.