Girl Genius XXXII: The scientific method at work!

[Grim Portent]

I see three unresolved plot threads:
1) The beastie that Hautwyrm just released
2) Finding the Iram Solis
3) Finding out what Vipsania is really up to - people in Mechanicsburg were suspicious that she wasn't really with the library, so maybe she's not after books

3 is resolved is it not? Vipsania is sketchy because she's not allowed to do expeditions like this and was lying about it, but she is a librarian, just one whose teams keep getting killed.

[Manga Shoggoth]

I have the feeling that the beastie unleashed is actually Hydroargyros, and the room itself is either a trap or decoy (or both). And if that is him, that also answers where the Iram Solis is.

[Shining Wrath]

I have the feeling that the beastie unleashed is actually Hydroargyros, and the room itself is either a trap or decoy (or both). And if that is him, that also answers where the Iram Solis is.

Two problems:
1) Where did Hydroargyros get a dragon skeleton that resembles how he was depicted in Franz's memory?
2) That feline countenance doesn't match how he was depicted.

[hajo]

If the FSMADDs have anything like that Lumi is the most likely to know.

Indeed
Also, 'Castle day'

[Divayth Fyr]

That actually looks feline, but not like the FSMADD. Those didn't have the prominent ears, nor an array of "eyebrows". The heads of the FSMADD were smaller and more functional, the function being dispensing A & D. I mean, it could be artistic license, but this looks like a larger creature with a more elaborate head.

I'm not really sure the heads are that different (glowy bits aside). Probably a regular FSMADD, just with a touch of Phil's usual size shenanigans.

[Rockphed]

Indeed
Also, 'Castle day'

Well, looks like I was wrong on all counts.

Spoiler

Show

This devil dog not having a secret off switch, which every other one seems to have, is modesty amusing, especially given the physical comedy involved.

[Shining Wrath]

I was wrong, although I guess they don't tell the kids about the "agony" part, only death.

I think Humongulous is going to take Franz being slashed badly.

[sihnfahl]

Well, looks like I was wrong on all counts.

Spoiler

Show

This devil dog not having a secret off switch, which every other one seems to have, is modesty amusing, especially given the physical comedy involved.

Well, it makes sense that if Hydroargyros had it guarding his lair, that he'd make sure that he would be the only one to be able to turn it off.

[Shining Wrath]

How did Hydrargyros get a FSMADD in the first place? Having obtained one, how did he reprogram it?

I smell Sparky Shenanigans. Someone helped him out here, and I doubt it was a Heterodyne.

[Manga Shoggoth]

How did Hydrargyros get a FSMADD in the first place? Having obtained one, how did he reprogram it?

I smell Sparky Shenanigans. Someone helped him out here, and I doubt it was a Heterodyne.

He - or part of the army he was in - could have picked one up when they tried to invade. The actual reprogramming? Well, the dingbots did it once, and without that they have a certian degree of independence: If it's being used in a post-death trap then the FSMADD would be fine in autonomous-kill-everything mode.

And OF COURSE they are popular children's rides. Why wouldn't they be?

[Grim Portent]

How did Hydrargyros get a FSMADD in the first place? Having obtained one, how did he reprogram it?

I smell Sparky Shenanigans. Someone helped him out here, and I doubt it was a Heterodyne.

We know he was buying goods and services from other people, and that he was active after the fall of Castle Heterodyne, so it seems reasonable to assume he bought it from someone who managed to salvage it from the Castle and reprogram it.

I'm not sure the person he hired for it is going to be relevant, more likely to matter are the other people we know have been in and nicked some of the hoard from the deceased von Wyrmhaut, referenced by Hector and implied to exist by Vipsania way back at the start. We know some people have already been in and recovered some small items from the hoard, how is still up in the air, but it was at least one item from the hoard being stolen years ago shortly after Hyrdrargyros died that set this whole story off in the first place. If the Iram Solis is among the pieces that was looted by the prior group it could somewhat wrap up Franz's involvement in this affair, as the monks and the living von Wyrmhaut race off to try and track it down leaving Franz and Vipsania to go about their own business with the books.

[Manga Shoggoth]

...And if you want Heterodyne involvement, a gift from the Heterodyne, secretly loaded with (now forgotten) spyware. After all, the Heterodynes always liked multi-function devices...

[Shining Wrath]

OK, idea - Hydrargyros won the FSMADD as a party favor at the after-siege banquet the Heterodyne threw after Franz kicked his tail.

[sihnfahl]

OK, idea - Hydrargyros won the FSMADD as a party favor at the after-siege banquet the Heterodyne threw after Franz kicked his tail.

Or it was just a party gift. FSMADDs for everyone! The kids'll love them!

[geoduck]

It's possible Franz didn't get to finish saying his password.

[Xel]

I see three unresolved plot threads:
1) The beastie that Hautwyrm just released
2) Finding the Iram Solis
3) Finding out what Vipsania is really up to - people in Mechanicsburg were suspicious that she wasn't really with the library, so maybe she's not after books

4) Finding out what happened to Hector in more detail and what his current state is.

[Xel]

Despite the foreshadowing that this is a post-vital trap, it's possible that it's not something Hydrargyros set up. Possibly a survivor of his killers, or someone who got there before our heroes who didn't want the treasure disturbed for some reason. For instance, could this be Otilia?

[tyckspoon]

4) Finding out what happened to Hector in more detail and what his current state is.

Whaaaat? He already told us! He fell down a pit, now he's dead. It's all very straightforward.

[Laurentio III]

Called it. So much joy.
But I prefer my headcanon name. "Death gifter" is more personal and, I assume, better received.

[Shining Wrath]

"And that's the family sense of design". The Heterodynes do build their creations to last.

EDIT: New strip.

Alas, young student in blue. That blow appears to be lethal, since it features a rather large gout of blood. A fell creation of the Heterodynes which is old and slow is still more than a match for you. Also, did you not watch it soak being blasted by the Professor at point-blank range? And you were going to hit it with a hammer? Truly you have failed your final exam in "FSMADD: Practical Applications".

Now, will Humongulous be able to Lyft the FSMADD? If so, throwing it back into the room it came out of might be a good start.

[Kantaki]

New comic

"That thing is old. Slow. I'm gonna try to..."
"... get killed gruesomely." is what he meant to say. Presumably.

Seriously, if you're gonna run at least wait until the murder clank isn't right next to you.
Or, even better idea. Liten to the expert* on Heterodyne creations.

*By virtue of being one.

[Laurentio III]

It interesting to see that Franz is quite intrepid and direct when he fights for himself, but became very prudent and wary when other people are in danger.
Really, he is worried for a clank he knows to be strong and tough.
Truelly a Papa Wolf guy.

[theangelJean]

Was that one of the students who made a run for it? I thought at first it might be our monk...

[Shining Wrath]

Was that one of the students who made a run for it? I thought at first it might be our monk...

So did I, but Brother Marcus has sleeves and a different hat, and doesn't carry a big hammer. Possible pun alert - did he get mauled? I think that's Foglio dark humor right there.

[PraetorDragoon]

I put 10 quatloos on the old creaking sounds being deliberate.

[Divayth Fyr]

Was that one of the students who made a run for it? I thought at first it might be our monk...

I think he was reaching for the hammer. And you can get a decent look at him in panel 2.

Our good brother seems to be offscreen for now,

[Shining Wrath]

I put 10 quatloos on the old creaking sounds being deliberate.

FSMADD is certainly quicker than Humongulous.

[Laurentio III]

FSMADD is certainly quicker than Humongulous.

Given the fight with Franz and now this, Humongulous is confirmed skipping legs day.

[geoduck]

Given the fight with Franz and now this, Humongulous is confirmed skipping legs day.

You don't need legs to lift things!

[Scarlet Knight]

Given the fight with Franz and now this, Humongulous is confirmed skipping legs day.

Grooooan!