Inside the Great Maker - IC Thread

[Sherwood]

It takes Unity some time to go over the physical inventory of the grenades stored in the various weapon lockers, but after having crews of security workers going over each case, you do find that the weapons used in the attack were not from the supplies in Ein. Of course, it is theoretically possible that the hard records of the inventory were also altered to show that there are no missing grenades, but that would be harder to pull off.

While this is going on, Most Assurant is able to locate the two of you with her hard copy of the image that she was able to pull from the minds of the various attackers.

This is the image that you see.

Neither Unity nor Justice recognize this Exalt, but now you have an image with which to begin your search.

Finally, after what seems to be a series of long shifts of dead ends, you get word that the high speed courier with the Estasian investigator is about to land. When you get to the landing platform, you are just in time to see a small, two man flyer come arcing through the sky before it settles down on the platform. Once the engines cycle down, the canopy opens and a single occupant comes out. With a quick step, the person comes over to you and you can see that he is a Starmetal Caste Exalt. "I am Ever Inquisitive Analyst, and I have been tasked with the duty to look over your findings. Is there a place where we can begin to go over your current findings? I am sure that you have been busy since the incident that has called me here."

 

[WlfSamurai]

“Welcome, Ever Inquisitive Analyst,” Unity nods in greeting. “I am Relentless Laborer of Sacred Unity. We have a meeting room secured and prepared. Right this way.” She leads the Starmetal Caste Investigator into one of the governmental domes. Unity leads the Estasian down the lift to an underground crisis shelter and command center. Their walk ends in a large conference room where the rest of the circle resides.

“Please,” Unity says motioning through the doors into the conference room. “Let us know if there is anything you need while we discuss.” She follows the Investigator into the room and takes her seat after introductions.

 

[Sherwood]

Analyst goes over to begin examining the records you have assembled so far, quickly reading through the various reports. After he gets to the image that Most Assurant has pulled out from the minds of the attackers, he pauses. Looking up at the assembled Exalts here, he says, "Where did you get this image? Is this supposed to be the one that set this all in motion?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

“Most Assurant of Three Assemblies was able to pull this from the minds of the attackers,” Unity says. “We’re unsure of anything other than it being an Exalt. We don’t know who it is or where they’re from. The image was the only piece of information she was able to salvage.”

I hope sharing that wasn’t a mistake, runs through Unity’s mind over and over again.

 

[Crocodile]

"That is sadly still in determination. My subordinates and I have been combing over all avenues to try to provide more data to consider. I have reports on what findings we have thus far," Justice Enforcement Engine said as he regards the new arrival calmly. Even now he considered them a possible element involved depending on the depths of this conspiracy. It could be simpler with a few hidden actors like this strange crystalline exalt.

"Sadly there is some rogue element at work. One that was able to access our weapon stores as demonstrated with the grenade attack. We are still running down who accessed those stores and who could have gotten access for more interrogation subjects.," Justice notes with an obvious frown of annoyance at this unseen threat to the peace between the two nations.

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant nods. "I understand that you may have some reluctance to accept what we've found, but I assure you, this image is inside the minds of the attackers, hidden away as if the very memory of seeing her has been scrubbed from their minds. It was only due to my experience dealing with the new neural nets that our Chief Surgeon is working on that gave me the knowledge to pick the fragments out and piece them together. Now, is it possible that this memory was also implanted as a false flag for us to find?" She muses for a moment, then shakes head and says, "I must confess that yes, it is possible. But it would take an extended amount of time to implant such a deep memory, and the whereabouts of the assassins has been well documented and tracked over the course of the past several shifts. At no time have the lot been unaccounted for for such a duration to do so."

"In other words, you can operate under the premise that this is a genuine lead for us to follow. Now, your reaction seems to indicate that you are familiar with this Exalt. Have you crossed paths with her before? If so, any information on her could be highly significant for our investigation."

 

[WlfSamurai]

Unity nods. “We are being as forthcoming as possible and truly wish for full partnership on this matter. We would hope that would do the same. It’s imperative that we avoid unnecessary conflict so we do not get distracted from the real responsible parties. If you know something about the image of the Exalt, please share.

 

[Sherwood]

Analyst is silent for a long moment, looking down at the image. He finally tosses it down onto the desk and looks about the room at the other Exalts. "This is someone we refer to as a ghost, seen by very few, but she was very active in Estasia several years ago. No one knows where she came from, and there is no definitive data on her identity or even her Caste. I personally had an encounter with a strange Exalt that I suspect was this woman, but she vanished and was somehow able to wipe the memory of this encounter from all of the security forces I had with me as we were moving in to arrest her. It has taken me a very long time and much mental effort to be able to remember anything at all."

He pauses, then looks down at the image on the tablet. "If she is here, you can expect a world of trouble."

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant frowns. If what he is saying is true, we do have a third party somewhere out there using Champions to ferment discord and strife between our nations. Someone wants war between the two of us. "Thank you for your information, but this doesn't get us any closer to finding this person. We need to hunt this person down and stop her, and in the process, find out what else she has done to try instigate war between our nations."

 

[Sherwood]

While Analyst is examining the various files of evidence, a quiet tap on the door announces that a security guard is there, with a small object in her hands. The woman looks at the various Champions in the room, and says, "Unit, Most Assurant, and Justice, can I have a moment of your time?" She seems reluctant to talk in front of the Exalt from Estasia.

Analyst hardly looks up at the interruption, as his focus is locked on the data files that have been gathered so far.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Seeing the look on the guard’s face. The reluctance in her eyes. Something more... Unity’s thoughts turn to the endless negative scenarios. She does her best to focus and mentally shake the thoughts off.

“Ever Inquisitive Analyst,” Unity says to the Estasian, “please excuse me.” She strides from the room into the hallway with the guard. “Is this something we can speak of here? Or do we need to find a more private room?”

 

[Sherwood]

The guard shows you a small message cube. "This was given to one of our guards for delivery to the Champions investigating the attack, but by the time he arrived here, he could not describe the person that gave it to him. It appears to be Essence-operated, so we have not been able to play whatever message lies inside its memory without risking damage to it."

The message cube is identical to thousands of others that are used to communicate privately between individuals, but you can see that this one is equipped with the Essence lock on it. It will most likely take only a single mote of Essence to operate it.

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant steps out to see what is important enough to interrupt them in their meeting with Analyst. "Hmm It appears to be a standard message cube, far too small to be a explosive. I am curious to see what message is contained in it. Shall we?"

 

[Crocodile]

"We shall return momentarily," Justice offered as he moved to go see what was going on now. Leaving Analyst to examine the information available. It was all copied anyways, which would prevent possible tampering. He finds the others soon and sees it as he hears about it.

"We might as well see what intrigue has elected to rear its head."

 

[Sherwood]

When you place your thumb upon the pressure plate of the message cube and channel a mote of Essence into it, a 3d hologram appears above the cube. It is a woman's face, somewhat covered in a hood to conceal her appearance. The message starts to play:

"Noble Exalts, I am Stalwart Champion, and I am a ally in your search for the perpetrator of this cowardly attack. The one you are looking for is hidden amongst your people, taking the place of one you trust. I wish to offer my services to help you catch this criminal, and I have information for you. Meet me in the Garden of Creation at the beginning of the third shift. End message."

A quick check of the time shows you that you have roughly three hours before the beginning of the shift.

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant raises an eyebrow as she contemplates the message. "Interesting to say the least. I wonder who our mysterious benefactor is." She glances at the wall clock to check the time. "We have some time before this meeting is supposed to take place. I suggest we get there early and see who comes to talk with us."

 

[WlfSamurai]

“I agree,” Unity says and nods. “I do not wish to deceive our Estasian guest, but I’m no longer sure who we can trust at this point. If it this goes nowhere and it turns out there is no reason to hide the information, we will share it with Analyst. For now, let’s keep this between us until we investigate.” Despite saying the words, Unity knows if Analyst were to find out that the information wasn’t brought forward immediately, it would break trust. It had to be done, regardless.

 

[Crocodile]

"Agreed, this sadly seems the best course for our investigation," Justice replied as he nods and looks towards the others. The message disturbed him greatly, more so to think there was a possible infiltrator amongst their allies in one form or another. It meant the citizens of the nation were in danger on a level he dreaded to deal with. Thankfully they might still manage to head off disaster.

 

[Sherwood]

Making your way to the Garden of Creation shows you the wonderful recreation of the world that the people of Autochthon left so very long ago. There are a medium sized bunch of people currently off work and are enjoying the park, roughly two dozen or so, scattered about the place, relaxing inside and away from the biting cold of the outside. The park is large, and you didn't get a very good look a the face of the woman that sent you the message. You are also early for your scheduled meeting by two hours.

Where do you wait for your meeting?

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant will take her time, enjoying the sights of the long lost land of Creation. After spending an hour being a sightseer, she will position herself nearby the main front entrance to allow herself to be seen by this mysterious person that has reached out to contact them.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Unity takes note of where Most Assurant posts up after taking in the park. She takes a long stroll herself around the entire perimeter, taking in as many people and faces as she can. When she finishes the circuit, she approaches Most Assurant and nods.

"A nice day," Unity says. "Good day for the park."

 

[Sherwood]

It is a pleasant place for the Exalts to linger as you wait for the meeting with Stalwart Champion. At the moment, the Garden is set to reflect a quiet afternoon, with many birds chirping in the background and a relaxing warm breeze flowing through the place. It is right at the appointed time that you can see a woman in her heavy robes come walking in, slipping past several other members of the Populat that are there to unwind after a long shift.

She sees you, and slowly makes her way through the pleasant grove to stand a short distance from you. With a slight bow, she says, "Greetings, Noble Champions. I am Stalwart Champion, and I wish to thank you for meeting with me."

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant returns the bow as she carefully examines what she can see of the other woman. "Greetings, Stalwart Champion. As you probably already know, I am Most Assurant of Three Assemblies of the Orichalcum Caste. You asked for this meeting, so I will turn the time over to you. What can you tell us about this Exalt that is trying to stir up trouble between Estasia and Kamak?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

Unity nods. "Relentless Laborer of Sacred Unity. Jade Caste." She waits for Stalwart Champion's reply by folding her arms. Though the new Chosen seemed friendly enough, recent events taught Unity that she can trust no one. She keeps an active scan of the people around them.

 

[Sherwood]

The woman bows slightly to each of you as you introduce yourselves. She simply states, "As I indicated in my message, I have information that might help you with your current problem. This is most certainly the work of one woman, a twisted Exalt that has named herself Black Spiral Dancer. She is an agent of chaos, and is quite mad with Gremlin Syndrome. It is her goal to bring death and destruction to all the Nations of Autochthonia, and has laid her eyes upon the bubbling turmoil between Estasia, Kamak and Yugash as the perfect place to begin. I have been on the hunt for her across the wastelands, and I am confident that she has taken up a position of power here in Ein by replacing one of your Tripartite Assembly."