Inside the Great Maker - Exalted IC

Unexpected Flowering ponders for a minute. It would be easier to to know what questions to ask if we already knew the details, she thinks wryly.

"Who does know about this project? What level of OPSEC is in play?"
 
Ein answers Flowering first. "Most of those involved are not aware of the full nature of the project. Working in conjunction with the scientists of Yugash, we have been working diligently to fulfil the objective. The true mission of Project Sunburst is rather . . . unique . . . in the history of Autochthon." She lets out a deep sigh, then says, "To be blunt, Autochthon is dying, and no one quite knows what is causing it. There are theories, but they are all shooting in the dark. But for whatever the reason, if something is not done soon, no one quite knows what might happen if the Maker fades away and turns totally into a Blight zone. Something has to be done, something drastic, and soon. Project Sunburst is designed to be that drastic step."

Ein shifts a bit in her seat and continues with, "There are few ideas on the table to turn this slow demise around, but the one that has been decided upon is to seek help from the one place that might be able to provide us with some answers: The ancient and powerful Solar Deliberative. There is only one problem with this plan. We have been cut off from Creation for the past five thousand years. In order for us to be able to get to Creation, we have to breech the Seal of Eight Divinities that has kept us locked inside the core of Autochthon. Project Sunburst is an effort to do just that in order for us to get to Creation. One way or another, this has to happen to save us all."
 
After a long pause, Flowering becomes aware of their city's expectant eyes upon them all.

"I'm sorry, this is...this is a lot to take in. The Great Maker is...I know He's physically imperfect, just like all of us, and gets sick like mortals do, but...dying?" The lector's voice cracks ever so slightly.
 
Needle is speechless for a long moment, thinking This is some crazy level of heresy, and if I had heard it from anyone else, I would suspect that they were Void-touched. "No wonder this is being kept secret; if word got out that the Maker is . . . well, saying that it would be bad is the understatement of the year. From my lessons in the old texts, the Solars were capable of many great and wondrous works. If there is anyone capable of providing us with answers on the deteriorating condition of Autochthon, it is them. Now, how can we help?"
 
Ray balks at the suggestion she needs the help of outsiders to combat the Void, but is thrown off at Needle's instant acceptance. "I don't understand. The Great Maker is not sick, he is under attack. The Void seeks to destroy him, and so long as we function we will do everything in our power to ensure it will fail. If our efforts are insufficient, we must redouble them. Mobilize for total war. Burn out every trace of the Void from every corridor and hall. What can these 'Solars' do that we cannot?"
 
Needle looks over at Ray with guarded surprise. "These 'Solars' were responsible for the death of many Primordials, and the imprisonment of the rest! I seriously doubt that the combined forces of the Champions of the Maker could do what they have already done, and over these thousands of years, one can only imagine what advances that they have come up with. Even now, we struggle against one another and are not focused on trying to cleanse the Blight Zones from the halls of the Maker. It may be that these Exalts could provide us with new weapons and technology that we have not thought of to speed the destruction of the Blight and to be able to restore Autochthon to full health even faster."
 
Ray returns Needle's look with mute horror, struggling to formulate the words to capture the all-consuming fear gnawing at the edge of her world. A fortune that could feed a hab block for a thousand shifts with plenty left besides was spent to build her, a brilliant torch to cut out the heart of the Void, a divine gift from the Maker to His people, and all this time there had been a door through which the Tripartite could summon Primordial-slaying luminaries with genius to rival the Divine Ministers?

Finally she replies, softly, visibly dismayed, "Then why were we built?" Even more quietly, "I was only just completed. I don't want to be obsolete."
 
Ein looks over at Ray with a sympathetic gaze. "Don't worry, young Champion. We exist to serve the Great Maker and the Populat; what greater purpose can we have? You are right in the fact that many of the Reaches of Autochthon are under siege from the Blight, not to mention the scarcity of raw materials that we have been finding lately. It is hoped that once we reach Creation, we will be able to find the resources we are lacking here, enough to be able to justify the expenditure of time, energy and effort into breaching the Seal. This effort is taking the combined output of the greatest minds and the investment of supplies to be able to build the needed Charms, so failure is not an option or else it will see the loss of both the nations of Kamak and Yugash."

She sits back in her seat, adjusting her position slightly. "Now that the talks between the three nations are about to be underway, and the risk of other attacks intending to disrupt the summit possible, I have another task for the three of you. There has been a recent breakthrough in the research being done in Yugash, and that data needs to be delivered here to be incorporated into our own research and construction. Along with the data, two of our researchers working in Yugash are to return home to oversee the next steps in our efforts. I would like you three to go to Yugash and escort Cayde-6 and Newton-10 back, along with the technical readouts that they have. You can either requisition an Aerial Skiff to fly there, or use the pneumatic trains to travel a slightly more direct route."


Ein looks at each of the three of you in turn. "This is vital to our survival that you keep this information secret. If Estasia were to discover exactly what we are involved in here, I can only guess at what their response would be. Possibly a total invasion in order to secure the research and materials we have labored for so long to produce, and while we would probably be able to fend off their advance, the loss of life would be catastrophic. Use whatever means you see fit to make this happen." She glances down for a moment, then says, "You should be on your way as soon as you can, within the next few hours. I have flagged your requisition requests as having priority status, so anything you need will be expedited for your use."
 
Flowering's mind is still whirling with the torrent of revelations, but she grasps at the one thing that can keep her head above the surface.

We're going to save the Great Maker. He's not going to die.

"Of course." She bows her head in acknowledgement to the ancient city-Exalt, then glances at her fellows with one brushstroke brow lifted

That eyebrow says, Well, I know I can't fly a skiff, can you?
 
Needle nods slowly, then says, "Of course, Noble Ein. We will make sure that the researchers and their data will return here safely." She glances over at Ray and Flowering, saying, "Well, I don't know about you two, but I cannot fly a skiff. If neither one of you can do so, we'll have to get a pilot, or take a pneumatic train. Hmmm. It might benefit us to have a small crew on a skiff, so we can focus our attention on the safe transport of the researchers."
 
Ein nods. "A crew can be assigned to your skiff if you require assistance in flying it. As you said it would free you up to be able to keep a closer watch on the passengers you are escorting. The only downside is that it will be a little slower than taking a train, since it has to maneuver out and around through the various tunnels that are large enough to fit it instead of being able to simply speed along down the tight tunnels of the train route. As I said, your requests have been tagged in the system as high priority for whatever requisitions you wish to make. I will leave you to your discussions on what you might wish to request. If there are any other needs you have, let me know."

With that, the avatar body of the great city rises up and heads for the exit, leaving the three of you there to talk.
 
It was comforting, having pre-programmed protocols for body language and speech. Even at your worst you could fall back on the crystal clear clarity of their instructions, behaving like nothing was wrong at the flick of a switch. "The train is swift and direct. We can seize the objective before the enemy can move to stop us. I favour it."
 
Needle nods, saying, "Either route we take, we had best be leaving soon. I will be ready to move as soon as I give some instructions to my network to keep up. It will be within the hour."
 
Flowering nods, deferring to Ray's superior combat awareness. "I also need to notify people that I will be absent for a short time. It shouldn't take long."
 
Later in the shift, the three of you have delivered whatever instructions you have for your subordinates for your time away from the city and are now ready to leave.

The train has several different cars to it, including ones that are dedicated for passenger use and others that are set up for cargo. The passenger cars are all sealed and pressurized against the hostile environment out there in the Reaches, but the cargo cars are not, but the goods that are being sent along are not sensitive enough to need the extra protection. It is also a good security measure, since there are few that can survive in the toxic air of the Reaches without protective gear.

Are there any special items that you would like to request for you to have to bring with you that you do not already have?

Psychie Psychie Random Word Random Word Arynne Arynne
 
Before leaving, Needle gives her intelligence team orders to make sure to keep eyes and ears open for anything unusual in the talks between Yugash, Kamak and Estasia. There is still a very real threat of war going on here, and it will not take much to spark the powder keg of battle. As far as equipment, they are traveling from one friendly location to another, so there shouldn't be a tremendous need for any extra firepower that Ray doesn't already have.
 
Self sufficiency is a virtue. Ray, in her heavy combat configuration, has firepower and mobility. All she wants for are eyes and hands, and so requisitions a veteran squad with extensive experience in defying the reaches, one she has served with on several extended extermination tours. She stands before them, her polished orichalcum battle armour shining brilliantly in the essence flood lamps on the station platform, as she waits in meditative silence to board.
 
By the time that Ray, Needle and Flowering reach the tram station, the armed squad of twenty-five men that Ray requested is already there waiting for you. They are standing off by themselves to keep from disturbing the other tram passengers, but when the three of you arrive at the station, one man breaks off from the group and approaches you. He salutes, saying, "Greetings, Champions. I am Cayde-6, and I have been directed to place myself and my men at your disposal for the duration." He glances around to make sure that the conversation is being listened into by any passer-by before going on with, "Uh, Noble Champions, we have not been briefed into any particular mission other than to follow your orders. Is there anything that you can tell us about what we are doing? Something to allow me to aid you in your mission?"
 
Ray looks down at Cayde-6, half a head taller in her armour, and replies brusquely, "Protection of this train and its contents is of vital importance to Ein. Watch for saboteurs and attackers, and ensure the train makes it to its destination and returns home. You may fire at will in the Reaches. Standard engagement protocols within allied territory."
 
"This is also a holy journey," Flowering adds. "Those who participate should know that while we all serve the Great Maker, this mission is particularly blessed. Someday, you may learn why. But for now, take heart in the knowledge your service is sacred."
 
Needle heads for the tram, saying, "I am sure that you and your men will perform your duties with the high level of dedication and discretion that we require. Come, my friends. Let us not delay our departure any longer. There are many miles to go before we arrive at our destination."
 
Seeing that he is being dismissed to get the squad on the tram, Cayde gives a nod and turns to get the members of the squad settled in for the trip out to Yugash. There are few other passengers on board; most of the space on this tram is taken up with goods and supplies for the struggling paratopolis that is your destination, with most of these items meant for Project Sunburst.

Once the doors are sealed, it does not take long for the tram to start out on its journey to Yugash. It will be several hours of travel time before you arrive at your destination.

Eventually, the smooth motion of the tram slows and comes to a stop. When the doors open, you are met by one of the Yugashi Champions, a slim woman of the Jade caste that you know is named Strength of the Populat. She offers up a slight bow as you step off of the tram. "Greetings and welcome to Yugash. We have been expecting you."
 
Ray nods in curt acknowledgement to Strength of the Populat as first one and then the other of her heavily armoured boots clanks onto the platform. A minute twitch of her hand instructs the squad to fan out to take up positions guarding the train. Ray scans the area for threats and, once satisfied, stands aside to allow Needle and Flowering to disembark, paying Strength no further mind as she continues to stand guard over the proceedings.
 
Needle steps out and takes a moment to examine the surroundings before turning her attention to Strength of the Populat. "Greetings from Kamak and the people of Ein. Since you are meeting us, I presume you are fully briefed in what we are here for?" She doesn't go into any more details than that at the moment, since there are ongoing security threats to Project Sunburst and the important work that the scientists are performing.
 
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