December 25th
Jedda, Saudi Arabia
7:15 AM
DEI Main Campus
"Look alive, Eliza!"
"Nrgh."
Ah, Christmas.
Placed at the center of the Dimensional Energy Institute's Jedda campus, a mighty fir stood tall, decorated with gleaming baubles, tinsel, and quaint little ornaments in the shape of Gespensts and Axios. It was a yearly occurrence, one greeted with enthusiasm and holiday spirit by the uninitiated, and... pure, unfiltered terror by those who knew better.
Standing below, considerably less mighty, was the diminutive form of Eliza Kruger, her form wrapped in a coat, scarf, mittens, and fluffy pink earmuffs. She was flanked by the as-ever loud and proud Director Bertram Kessler, bedecked in a festive white and red jacket and christmas hat, his sunglasses sparkling with glitter that matched the gleam of his permanent grin of confidence in whatever he happened to be trying to sell you at that particular moment.
"This better be good, sir." Grumbled the scientist, "I still have nightmares about last year."
The Institute's Director scowled, and shrugged.
"I'll admit: Proton Energy Christmas Lights may not have been the brightest idea-"
"Oh it was BRIGHT alright, Bert. I heard you could see it from orbit. Before it blew up."
"This time, I've already had Doctor Couch conduct all the necessary safety tests."
"Is that supposed to reassure me?"
Undeterred, Bert clapped his hands. A pair of SD Cornix flapped their way awkwardly into the plateau, pulling free a crimson sheet that had been placed atop the tree. Beneath was... Well.
A Christmas tree ornament like no other.
A gleaming star that refracted all the colors of the rainbow, its edges trimmed with brilliant gold. Even Eliza was taken aback briefly by its beauty, her eyes widening like little saucers as sparkles practically burst into being about her.
"BEHOLD! THE D.E.C CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPER! ...Patent pending!"
"That sounds... Uncharacteristically safe." Hazarded Eliza, leaning over as Bert produced a small remote control, beaming with confidence.
"What does it do?"
"Well aside from retailing at the low, low price of only four hundred thousand Directory credits, it saves a tremendous amount of time and money on labor!" Explained Bertram as he fiddled with his device. Sparks of energy began to crackle through the air, condensing about the tree, emitting a low, baritone hum.
"You see, instead of hauling the tree back and forth from the lot, we simply use the latest in dimensional transfer technology to warp it directly to the consumer's living room! Then, once the festivities are over, place it back into a dedicated pocket dimension for preservation until next year."
"Is that really safe?"
"Absolutely, just watch!"
"AHHH NO WAIT-!"
There was a blindingly bright, incandescent flash of green... and then-
Nothing.
Where the great tree had once stood, remained now only earth. Eliza peered out from behind Bert, her features turning from caution to elation as she clasped her hands together.
"Bert! WE DID IT!" She cheered, grabbing the man's shoulders and shaking him violently; "Something actually worked for once! Quick, what do we do next?"
Regaining his composure, Bert gave a warm chuckle and laughed, patting her shoulder.
"Oh, that's simple. See, we attach this tracking device-"
"Right."
"-to the tree, and then we can direct its location-"
"...Right..."
"-by... by using this... tracking... we... attach... attach..."
A long, quiet silence fell over the two as they looked at the beacon still held in Bert's hand. A tumbleweed drifted past. Eventually, the silence was broken by a quiet sob from Bert, as he covered his face.
"There there, Director." Sighed Eliza not unkindly, patting him on the shoulder as she led him back towards the campus.
"There's always next year."
Where will the D.E.C.C.T.T end up? As it travels all across L'Isola and beyond, add your own chapter to the story!
Jedda, Saudi Arabia
7:15 AM
DEI Main Campus
"Look alive, Eliza!"
"Nrgh."
Ah, Christmas.
Placed at the center of the Dimensional Energy Institute's Jedda campus, a mighty fir stood tall, decorated with gleaming baubles, tinsel, and quaint little ornaments in the shape of Gespensts and Axios. It was a yearly occurrence, one greeted with enthusiasm and holiday spirit by the uninitiated, and... pure, unfiltered terror by those who knew better.
Standing below, considerably less mighty, was the diminutive form of Eliza Kruger, her form wrapped in a coat, scarf, mittens, and fluffy pink earmuffs. She was flanked by the as-ever loud and proud Director Bertram Kessler, bedecked in a festive white and red jacket and christmas hat, his sunglasses sparkling with glitter that matched the gleam of his permanent grin of confidence in whatever he happened to be trying to sell you at that particular moment.
"This better be good, sir." Grumbled the scientist, "I still have nightmares about last year."
The Institute's Director scowled, and shrugged.
"I'll admit: Proton Energy Christmas Lights may not have been the brightest idea-"
"Oh it was BRIGHT alright, Bert. I heard you could see it from orbit. Before it blew up."
"This time, I've already had Doctor Couch conduct all the necessary safety tests."
"Is that supposed to reassure me?"
Undeterred, Bert clapped his hands. A pair of SD Cornix flapped their way awkwardly into the plateau, pulling free a crimson sheet that had been placed atop the tree. Beneath was... Well.
A Christmas tree ornament like no other.
A gleaming star that refracted all the colors of the rainbow, its edges trimmed with brilliant gold. Even Eliza was taken aback briefly by its beauty, her eyes widening like little saucers as sparkles practically burst into being about her.
"BEHOLD! THE D.E.C CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPER! ...Patent pending!"
"That sounds... Uncharacteristically safe." Hazarded Eliza, leaning over as Bert produced a small remote control, beaming with confidence.
"What does it do?"
"Well aside from retailing at the low, low price of only four hundred thousand Directory credits, it saves a tremendous amount of time and money on labor!" Explained Bertram as he fiddled with his device. Sparks of energy began to crackle through the air, condensing about the tree, emitting a low, baritone hum.
"You see, instead of hauling the tree back and forth from the lot, we simply use the latest in dimensional transfer technology to warp it directly to the consumer's living room! Then, once the festivities are over, place it back into a dedicated pocket dimension for preservation until next year."
"Is that really safe?"
"Absolutely, just watch!"
"AHHH NO WAIT-!"
There was a blindingly bright, incandescent flash of green... and then-
Nothing.
Where the great tree had once stood, remained now only earth. Eliza peered out from behind Bert, her features turning from caution to elation as she clasped her hands together.
"Bert! WE DID IT!" She cheered, grabbing the man's shoulders and shaking him violently; "Something actually worked for once! Quick, what do we do next?"
Regaining his composure, Bert gave a warm chuckle and laughed, patting her shoulder.
"Oh, that's simple. See, we attach this tracking device-"
"Right."
"-to the tree, and then we can direct its location-"
"...Right..."
"-by... by using this... tracking... we... attach... attach..."
A long, quiet silence fell over the two as they looked at the beacon still held in Bert's hand. A tumbleweed drifted past. Eventually, the silence was broken by a quiet sob from Bert, as he covered his face.
"There there, Director." Sighed Eliza not unkindly, patting him on the shoulder as she led him back towards the campus.
"There's always next year."
Where will the D.E.C.C.T.T end up? As it travels all across L'Isola and beyond, add your own chapter to the story!