C-TCS03 (Aug 10, 2001)
Puzzle
“Mr. Nusa is looking for a cup of Java in Baltimore.”
Research | 2 Words
Clue
Hover over the clues if you require!
Clue 1: Java, as in the island.
Clue 2: It's found in Nusakambangan.
Clue 3: It's a snake cryptid.
Answer and Explanation
Answer: Ular Pendek
Explanation: The Ular Pendek is a mysterious ophidian creature from Indonesia. The name means “short snake”. It is reported from the island of Nusakambangan.
Summary of Receipt
Marocchino informs the CaD about Mr. Nusa, an escaped Clockwork Serpent (also known as an Ular Pendek, a cryptid that resides on Nusa Kambangan). It feeds off electrical energy to creates time pockets. Though usually small, if given enough electricity, it could make one big enough to trap a few hundred people. Red Eye advises them to use a tuning fork to calm Mr. Nusa, then dunk it in some Vodka to keep it healthy and in stasis before she picks it back.
Transcript
RECEIPT AS OF: 8/10/01
BARISTA ON DUTY: MAROCCHINO
RECEIPT FILED AS: C-TCS-03
I got in touch with Red Eye over the CaDCom IM thing. She confirmed that we're dealing with one of her Ouroborians. She said it was a "Clockwork Serpent" though the tourists know it as an Ular Pendek. It's a fat snake thing that primarily resides on the island of Nusa Kambangan in Indonesia. So, like, what's it doing here in Long Beach? Well, that's what had Red Eye concerned. I guess it's not that uncommon for her to let Ouroborians out to play in the Flipside, though she has to check them in and out.
The Clockwork Serpent is one of the Ouroborians who likes to get out from time to time. The only problem is that it feeds off of electrical energy to produce its little "time pockets." A little electricity = a little time pocket. Just big enough for it to escape predators or to rest in. A lot of energy = a big time pocket. Obviously. I guess it could make a time pocket big enough to trap a few hundred people if it fed on enough electricity. So, that's why Red Eye lets it hang out on Nusa Kambangan—there's not enough electricity for the Clockwork Serpent to consume to cause any serious problems.
Of course, LA is a different story. So, Red Eye would like us to retrieve the Clockwork Serpent ASAP. Though, as my dad already found out, it'll pop into its time pocket if it's threatened. Red Eye suggested using a tuning fork to keep it calm. If we can submerge it in a container of ethanol, it'll keep the Clockwork Serpent safe and in stasis until Red Eye can pick it up again. Red Eye suggests, specifically, Vodka, as it's about the right ratio for keeping an Ouroborian healthy and contained.