4th gear | video

[paishodown]

[Here's someone who hasn't been on the network so much lately. When Asami appears on the camera, anyone who hasn't seen her recently will notice that she looks a bit older.]

I finished it!

[Stepping away from the camera, she reveals a hotel courtyard with various tools and scraps scattered about. A metal contraption that appears to be some kind of battery sits a safe distance away at the center of the shot.]

At home, we employ lightningbenders to make our electricity. They shoot energy straight into batteries, and it can be stored efficiently without having to burn coal. I'm hoping I can get something to work similarly with Pokémon's electric attacks.

[She glances off camera.]

When you're ready, Supāku.

[A Flaafy shuffles onto the camera, winds up, and releases an electric attack at the metal conductors of Asami's invention. After several moments, an indicator meter on the device's facade turns to maximum, and the Flaafy stops.]

I think it worked!

[Asami trots over to the device with another 'Gear in hand (sorry Korra, she had to steal yours for science purposes) and plugs it in.]

It's charging!

[She turns back to the camera.]

I'm hoping I can continue working with this idea and eventually come up with something small enough for trainers to keep on their person while they're traveling. The technology here is evolved so much farther than at home, I think it might be possible.

Comments

[capitald]

Ah, so a portable means for electricity. That would make travel a simpler affair.

[He strokes his chin. There's certainly room for innovation.]

Would it be used to power appliances? These devices seem to operate well enough on their own, but I've seen a great deal of machines here that require a larger power source.

[Many of which are still startling new to him, like microwave ovens.]

[paishodown]

As far as household appliances and electronics go, I don't know how reasonable it would be to create a device that would be kept in a tightly enclosed space like a kitchen if it needed to be shocked for power. Even though there could be safe uses, if you're going for a product that's going to be widely distributed, it needs to be as foolproof as possible.

[Her nice way of saying "people are stupid."]

Home batteries might be a possibility, but I'd be hesitant to put something like this in an indoor domestic situation. At the very least, that's just asking for some accidentally blown fuses.

[Asami they're called circuit breakers now...]

[capitald]

Which would obviously bring its share of problems. If the batteries hold the concentrated energies of Pokémon attacks, then even a small crack risks the lightning bursting out and delivering a nasty shock to its owner, both literally and figuratively speaking.

[Blown fuses are one thing, but surely there's a risk of injury as well. With so many children traveling this world, extra care is a necessity.]

I wonder if there's a way to stabilize the energy. You said that people in your world utilize a similar technique; how have they managed to keep these batteries in check?

[paishodown]

Well, the energy is perfectly stable once it's stored and the safety holds are in place. The problem would be actually charging the thing. People are... generally not as responsible as one would hope, and I don't want anyone to get hurt because they thought it was a good idea to set off an electric attack indoors to charge their refrigerator.

[capitald]

And heaven forbid they do so after they've finished showering.

[It'd be careless, to say the least, but he really wouldn't put it past some people.]

Hmm... perhaps you could include a disclaimer in big, bold letters. Detailed instructions may also aid the less technically inclined, assuming they take the time to read them.

[paishodown]

That's always a given, unfortunately. Something like this for domestic use would be a dozen lawsuits waiting to happen, without pages and pages of fine print.

[SIGH why are people so difficult.]

Maybe I should just stick to the basics with something intended for travel.

[capitald]

Do whatever you feel works best! Nothing's preventing you from pursuing more ambitious projects later on, especially if these travel batteries succeed.

[Baby steps, as some might say.]

Who knows? Perhaps they'll become so popular that you'll become a household name among the locals.

[paishodown]

I'm definitely not in any rush to get a big business off the ground. I've had more than enough of that for a while. Just small things to keep me occupied, for now.

[capitald]

Fair enough! Sometimes it's easier to live a simpler life without those grueling responsibilities. A business would require a great deal of time, effort, and energy, so I can't fault you for working on a small scale.

But I will say that I'm looking forward to what comes of this! It's looking rather promising, after all.