"I did say that I, an alchemist, use empiricism, rationalism, and philosophy to explore my field of knowledge. I didn't demand that you use my word, neither am I emotionally affected by it." Neo replied to Aderyn, smoking more of his cigarette and keeping up with his native accent. Despite the accusation that he was being angered by the argument, the blonde alchemist took that statement as a sign that he was effectively coaxing the fae into doing something unproductive to the case, to his own amusement. While Rattus was concerned with strategizing, he wasn't. He knew to himself that he wasn't good at making plans in advance, but rather improvising on the go. As such, he appropriated that time to relax himself for what seemed to be a plan to break into the Old Facility, and argued with her more. "Empiricism does mean that knowledge comes mainly from what is being sensed biologically, such as sight and hearing. But there's also rationalism, which declares reason alone is the source of all knowledge. In philosophy, however, there is a view that the certainty of knowledge is impossible. Thus, what you said was what I already believed in the first place. You say that what you see can be more from what we could, but have you considered the possibility that there are greater creatures that can see more than any of us? If indeed there are such, are there creatures that can surpass them? In other words, why are you so mad?"<br/><br/>"Neo, it is empirically evident that you are provoking her into another long argument, thus using up precious energy needed for the next course of the plan," Rattus said, as an intervention. He knew how the blonde man thought, and about his penchant for trying to get a rise out of anyone he comes across with. "This is the second time on this night that you have done that, so far. With a black faerie, nonetheless. This argument is pointless, as I have heard and followed it. Neo, Miss Aderyn, I therefore demand that you cease this discussion. Immediately, and now."<br/><br/>"C'mon, mang," Neo whined, going back to his deliberately grating accent that he used everyday. "I'm jus' keepin' mah shit busy 'ere! I ain't got nuffin' ta do!"<br/><br/>"Be on standby, I am going to need you as a sentry for this area." Rattus commanded him. "Mister Islwyn has already decided upon his choice of firearm, and it will be a necessity for me to head back to the our command post to retrieve the package."<br/><br/>"Since ya' gonna go ba'k to tha penthouse, I'mma gib some real talk now," The alchemist said. "Dat's where mah bitch-gurl Raven got 'er ass whopped, so the room sorta 'reckt izzelf, yo."<br/><br/>"As long as any of the essential items we have there are in a serviceable condition, then I am willing to answer for the monetary demands that the hotel administration will request in order to restore it." Rattus tipped his glasses back. "I will retrieve the Walther Pistol, Model P99 with Anti-Stress mode, chambered in 9 by 19 millimeters Parabellum from my assigned abode."<br/><br/>"Ratt, he jus' said he wanna hav' dat ol' Colt lik' I do," Neo said. "Why not that?"<br/><br/>"I believe in the effectiveness, precision and reliability of the products made by the engineering and manufacturing experience and prowess of the German defense industry. It is my obligation that I promote it by demonstration," Rattus said.<br/><br/>"Go git da USP, den," he suggested.<br/><br/>"My previous statement includes firearm cartridges as made by Germany. As long as the 9 by 19 millimeters Parabellum exists, I will use it, and promote its use," Rattus usual tone never changed, but he had his conviction in what he said. "In any case, I shall leave now with Mister Islwyn here, and you and Yukina should now assemble the unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as the remote console. I wanted to mention that you should also do a system reliability check, but I believe Yukina will proactively do such."<br/><br/>"Yeah, fine," Neo stood up from his seat. He called Yukina, "Hey Jappy! We gonna work on dat drone 'nd sheit! Ya' heard 'im!"<br/><br/>"Yes, yes~" Yukina said with girlish enthusiasm, as she quickly approaches the drone and the other huge box, presumably containing the remote controls for the gadget.<br/><br/>"And before we proceed to our destination, there was something that I almost immediately forgotten to address," Rattus said, as he turned to the Senator.<br/><br/>"I know what you mean," the politician instantly recognized his concern, as he took out his smartphone. "I'm going to call my driver. I want some of you to come with me, and we're gonna bring this up to the Department of Energy."<br/><br/>Heather immediately asked him, "The Department of Energy, Senator?"<br/><br/>"Yes," he replied and nodded. "I guess it's about time you people should know something. It's something circulating in the state government, but the Department of Energy is in it, too. Now, excuse me." He immediately looked for a number listed in his phone, and began to call. He walked away to a more quiet and remote corner in the dilapidated Temple, as if he asked not to be disturbed while the call takes place.<br/><br/>Beth followed Rattus as he was about to go out of the Temple, "I will join you," she said. "This is my first time encountering a fae in person. I wish to know more about what he says regarding the theory of magic, so we all can have a talk about it while travelling."<br/><br/>Rattus affirmed her request. "So shall it be, Miss Keaton. I also wish to address his other inquiries regarding the formulation of our strategy in infiltrating the target area." He resumed his walk out of the Temple, and Beth followed them suit. He began answering more of the male fae's questions. "To put it simply, I would like a person who can operate, troubleshoot, repair, disassemble, assemble, analyze, fabricate, and engineer technological equipment. There are many fields in engineering, so the more fields this person is familiar with, the more beneficial it would be to the completion and resolve of this incident. The Research Facility dealt with nuclear power, so it will be obvious that it will hold electrical and mechanical systems, as well as sub-facilities intended for processing radioactive material."<br/><br/>"In that case, then we are dealing with a health hazard," Beth said to him. "It seems that you are forgetting that none of us, at least those who are human, can handle ionizing radiation in our bodies. So, have you come up with a strategy to deal with such?"<br/><br/>"I'll be honest with you, Miss Keaton. I did not anticipate that we will be potentially dealing with a radioactive hazard, as even Neo never had any idea that we will be exploring a nuclear facility when he was summoned upon here. All we know is that there are patrols wearing hazardous-material protection suits armed with directed-energy weapons in the area, suggesting that ionizing radiation is in the area." Rattus directly said, as he took out his flask to drink. "However, it begs the question of why such radiation isn't causing effects to the urban area and its residents, as well as any areas surrounding the Facility. My understand of radiation is only very minimal, much like most whose field of expertise isn't focused on nuclear radiation. My only refuge, then, is hope that we are not required to tackle such obstacle. I admit ignorance, formulating a strategy with missing details, and lack of foresight."<br/><br/>Beth took a deep breath after his statement and apology. Her face turned grim, and she shook her head as the prospect of potentially needing to expose themselves to radiation made it obvious to her that even stepping into the Old Plant will be harder or, at most, deadlier for everyone. "So, I guess it was a good that Islwyn asked about the building plans, was it? After all, it did make Senator Madison call the Department of Energy."<br/><br/>"Indeed, it is. Again, I apologize for being ignorant about all our conditions. It almost jeopardized the safety of many of you, our associates." Rattus, despite his feeling sincerely sorry, didn't deviate from his deadpan tone and posture as they walked away from the Temple.<br/><br/>"Speaking of energy, however," Beth addressed Islwyn directly. "I agree with what you said about a human not needing magic to provide power, even at such scale. But it doesn't answer the question of why would a human need such large amounts of magical power if he can't use magic. And, relating it to the conversion of energy, why would then he convert it into another form?"