Time and Time again,
A Saga of Tanya the Evil/The Irregular at Magic High School crossover.
I do not in any way, shape, or form lay claim to either of these works.
This is just a work of admiration from one fan, to those others that share the same interest.
The only characters or places I lay claim to are those solely of my own creation.
Heart of steel
New Berlin R&D center, 11:00 AM August 8th, 2092.
Doctor Schugel rubbed at her eyes, turning and twisting just a bit as she stretched her back. "I am sorry, Doctor Wylan, I was up late last night preparing my next report for the Committee. You have results for me on that project, yes? I am not sure how much more time we have, but I am sure that we are nearing the end of it." She says as she looks to the older man sitting across the desk from her.
Dr. Davis Wylan nods, his hands clasped before him. "Indeed, Doctor. I never imagined that we would have such an interesting subject to work with. The scans you have submitted are proving very valuable, we project massive cardiac damage, and the possibility of damage to the right lung. The damage to the lung and chest cavity I think we can repair. We will know for sure once we have the patient at hand. The heart though, I think that it wil be a lost cause. A transplant would be impossible, seeing as we have no tissue samples to work from." He gestures briefly with one hand, then settles them back where they were resting. "And if your hypothesis on the residual effects of the chronostasis are true, then I think that you are correct, ordinary attempts to use magic to repair the tissue could be...Problematic." He takes a slow sip of his tea, reaching over to his briefcase and handing her the files within. "Our latest, the model 3. A Caster Assistant Device built into a mechanical heart. The device uses the patients bio-electric and magical systems to power and maintain the unit. Of course, it will only be effective if she does, in fact, prove to be a mage. Otherwise, we do have a more conventional model on hand, of course, but I think that you are hoping for the model 3 to be used, am I correct?"
Doctor Schugel looks through his report briefly, nodding as she reads. "Yes, it is rare that we have a chance to conduct live tests like this with this kind of technology. An implanted CAD would prove very useful to us with deep cover operatives in the field." She looks at a diagram. "This is the control unit, then? It looks very much like a conventional CAD, does it not?"
Doctor Wylan nods, leaning forward just a bit. "That was the intention, we even have a protocol for the generation of the activation sigils. Now, for any truly powerful casting, we will not be able to disguise it. The power requirements and formula are too large. I plan on being the one to handle the implants myself, of course." He takes another sip of his tea. "We are fabricating the first series of implants and grafts now, and we will continue to work with the mock up so that we can be prepared when the time is right." He concludes, sitting back.
Doctor Schugel stretches and nods, offering a hand that is politely ignored. "We had already figured as much. We will keep you informed as we develop a better model on when the event horizon of the effect is likely to collapse."
He nods as he also rises. "I look forward to our continuing work, Doctor Schugel. Until we next talk, then." With that, he walks from the room, leaving the director to look through the drawing and diagrams of what will one day be the mechanical heart of Subject B.
"A brave new world. The first steps taken. I do hope that you both prove to be worth the investment, my young ladies." She says as she looks at the latest series of scans and photos.
January 3rd, 2094. 2:05 AM, Facility 1 Primary Containment, Emergency Trauma Ward.
Dr. Davis Dylan Wylan finishes his prep, hands and arms scrubbed and gowned. All he needed now was the patient. As calm as he appeared, deep inside he was almost giddy. The chance to operate on such a mysterious mage, from a time that was impossible. Perhaps from somewhere else, then? Such thoughts were better left to the director. His only real interest was in proving his own theories, or failing and going back to square one.
He strides into the operating theater a bare two minutes after his patient has been wheeled in and the preliminary steps taken. He eyes the recharge of her chest, surveying first hand the damage done by the heavy round. "Left lung has been nicked, but the damage appears minor. Heavier damage to the right, but I think it too is salvageable." He carefully opens her chest cavity the rest of the way, eyeing the damaged tissues and organs, glancing to make sure that the bypass is keeping his patient alive. "Massive trauma to the left and right lobes of the heart, preparing to extract." He says as he starts to go about his bloody business.
"More suction. Yes, there. Retract that. Good. Container." He places the ruptured organ into the appropriate container, sending it off to be examined. "I am ready for the Model 3." He calmly implants the artificial heart into its new home, attaching it to the salvageable parts of her vascular system, and making the appropriate connections to the nerves. Next, the conductor arrays are implanted, and connected to the Model 3. He looks at the clock, nodding as they appear to be right on the timeline that they had practiced for so long.
"Active the Model 3, bring the conductor arrays up first, make sure that we are drawing power." He says, as he checks each component as they come online. "Looks good so far. Engage the interface with the main unit. Make sure that you watch for any power fluctuations." He states as the system is brought up, watching critically as it begins to cycle, pulsing much like a real heart would do, keeping it's preprogrammed rhythm.
"All systems nominal, we are receiving a lower input than we were hoping for, but it falls within the expectations, considering the subject's condition, Doctor." The technician monitoring the heart reports.
The doctor nods, preparing for the next step. "I am getting ready to remove the bypass. Be prepared in case the system fails, we will have to move quickly to keep the subject alive." He says, then carries out the procedure, just like they had rehearsed so often over the last few months.
There is a tense moment as the system takes over, a long moment that seems to last forever then the technician nods. "We have systolic pressure. Heartbeat is steady, blood pressure holding within acceptable margins." He looks at the doctor. "Well done, sir."
Doctor Wylan nods, looking at his assistant. "Place the grafts and close up. I will let Doctor Schugel know of the success of the first stage, and check in on Subject A."
May 6th, 2094. 10:00 AM, New Berlin Hospital, Medical Research ward.
Visha talks quietly to the nurse on duty as Doctors Schugel and Wylan observe her through the security feeds. "She seems to be adjusting well to the implants, Doctor." Adeline Schugel comments, watching the woman in the bed.
"Of course, as if there ever was any doubts. I see from the reports that she is beginning to grasp the functions of the Model 3? Any problems with the interface so far?" Doctor Wylan says, his eyes never leaving Visha.
Doctor Schugel shakes her head slightly, sipping at her cup of coffee. "No, but her and Degurechaff are surprisingly quick learners, all things considered. Especially considering that they both seem to have been taught a theory of magic that lies outside the scope of our own. Degurechaff is proving to be particularly adept. On sheer output and potential, Serebryakov here outshines her. But, it's amazing to see what our other guest is capable of. Especially when she is harnessing the Type 95 of hers. As crude as it appears, it's workings are almost...divine. Truly inspired." She says as the other Doctor glances at her.
"Surely you do not give into that superstitious drivel, Doctor?" He says, an eyebrow barely raised.
"Of course not, but it is fascinating to study." She says. "Shall we observe her exercises, then? I think they are just about to begin."
The only consent she gets is a nod, but she doesn't really expect anything more from the obsessive doctor standing next to her. She reaches over, queuing the intercom. "Begin the battery for today." She orders, then stands back up, watching critically.
The exercises are things that any young, developing mage could be expected to do. Moving objects, activating a series of detection and manipulation spells. Increasing and decreasing the temperature in a carefully prepared medium. The areas where she has advances are noted, the ones where she is lagging behind their projections are documented.
At one point, Visha laughs and makes an odd statement. "I do hope that the Argent does not think that I need remedial training. I don't think I could handle being shelled in a foxhole quite yet." The comment is noted, recorded, and forwarded to be referenced when they next work with Degurechaff.
As the two doctors head back to Schugel's office, Wylan gives his companion a look. "I would like access to Degurechaff's training, as well. The recordings and readouts would be sufficient. I need to see better how they are both adjusting to the magical systems that we are using, and I think that Degurechaff would prove to be a good baseline."
Doctor Schugel looks over, and nods to him as they enter her office. "That can be arranged."
June 7th, 5:00pm, 2094
Visha hums happily as she works in the kitchen, casting quick little glances over to her former superior who is sitting in the living room watching the news. As strange and baffling as this new time and place are, as out of her element as she feels, the Argent is the one unwavering point of reference. Younger than her, but so much more experienced and mature. She has always looked up to Tanya. In many ways, it was Tanya that raised her, that shaped her. That saved her. A gentle pressure fills her chest as she looks at the one constant in her life.
Wiping her eyes, she goes back to cooking, losing herself in this one art that doesn't seem to have changed much, even if the tools they use are very odd to her. The ingredients are unlike anything she had ever had the chance to work with before, so it was a good thing that she had been practicing as much as possible the last month or so. The quality was unmistakable, that is for sure.
With a happy sigh, a traditional Germanian dinner was placed on the table, or at least as close as she could get in this strange place. She looks over to the chair that Tanya was sitting in. "Tanya, supper is ready when you are." She says as she stands behind her seat, waiting for her roommate.
Tanya turns off the television and walks in, smiling up at the taller woman. "Visha, you do not have to be so formal. You can sit before I get to the table, I won't have you shot, after all." She quips as she settles into her own chair, smiling as she takes a sniff. "You have outdone yourself, Visha. Who ever thought that I would feel nostalgic over a meal…" She trails off, giving a brief smile before she begins to serve herself. "I'd offer to return the favor, but let's face it, I am hopeless in the kitchen. What I am a master of, though, is take out. Tomorrow, we will have Japanese. I will make you forget all about your dear K-brat." She states as she starts to eat.
Visha beams at her former commander before sitting and starting to serve herself as well. "One question, Tanya? What exactly is Japanese?"
Tanya blinks at her for a moment, then starts to gesture with a forkful of sausage. "Let me instruct you, my young student…"
The dinner passes in a companionable manner, the two refugees from a war that seemed so distant finding a spot of solace.