Lilja attempts to use her new found abilities as a spark. Molly's art notes: Molly's art notes: Set up and rendered with Poser 13.0.339 using the Superfly Cycles X rendering engine with some post-work in Superfly and a tad more in Photoshop. The 7 separate images were then mounted in a graphic novel page format using Comic Life 3.5.21. Lilja Darkstar and Sonja Steelsinger are based upon La Femme with modifications by Tempesta3d and Afrodite-Ohki. Fat Bob is by Simon 3D. Weasel is by Jonnte. Miss Pannikin is by 1971s. The maid servants dolls are by Studio Maya. The butler and his wife are based on the CSI dummy by Cybertenko. The mechanical revenant is based upon Victoria 4. The setting is by Blue Tree Studios.. Support content creators!! I did include full size versions of the original panels. Finally, I worry that it's harder for those who don't speak fluent English to manage this format since cutting and pasting into a translator is not available with the images on a graphic page. Therefore, I reprinted the dialog below; if you use Google Chrome it can translate (right click and choose translate) or you can easily cut and paste into translating software. ------------------------ Dialog for use in Translating software follows this break-------------------------------------- PANEL 1 Lilja: These clanks are my prison wardens, aren't they? Steamgirl: Think of them as helping you to remember your situation. They will remain at the door and send for me if you require something. PANEL 2 Lilja: Then I suppose I had best ponder my course of action in regard to the Baron's "generous" offer of matrimony. Steamgirl: I hope you can see your way to accepting him. I have enjoyed our visit, Miss. I feel I should enjoy your company if you are permitted to live. Lilja: Thank you for all you've seen fit to share. You may go. I'll send for you if I need anything. Narration: And so the Steamgirl departs to leave Lilja considering her bleak alternatives. PANEL 3 Lilja (thinking): That mechanical girl might become an ally over time. Unfortunately, I lack time. I am confined to the room where I regained my senses just hours ago. Fortunately, I am alive and little the worse for having been coshed by my abductors. PANEL 4 Lilja (thinking): Coshed... the blow to my head unlocked something; I'm now able to sense clank seeds and see energy flow as would a spark... Hmmm... PANEL 5 Lilja (thinking): If I can sense like a spark perhaps I can also project like a spark! The clank is just a few feet away through this wall. Heavens! I did not expect a visible manifestation of my attempts to rearrange its seed! Sound effect: Z-z-z-z-t! PANEL 6 Lilja (thinking): This is so interesting! I can discern a loyalty hierarchy in the clank seed with the Baron at it's apex. If I can determine how to identify myself to the clank and move my identity to the top of the pyramid it will obey me over any other! Sound effect: Z-z-z-z-t! Narration: And while Lilja attempts to employ her new found abilities as a spark, a fateful meeting takes place at the Darkstar Engineering Aerodrome conference room... PANEL 7 Fat Bob: Ehm! Ehm! I done as yer asked an' builded yon model teh yer precise instructions, Miss Steelsinger. Weasel: I don't see the point of this but for demonstration of hitherto unknown artistic talent in Bob. Pannikin: 'tis fer plannin' yeh great knob! Sonja Steelsinger: Just so, Pannikin. They took nowt notice o' me as I scouted. I ken they figgers on th' lay o' th' land be their best defense. Just them rocky pillars and th' rest be submerged!