The Legonater Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Soren pointed a thumb over to Zaria. She's got it right. I 'eard about the cube from Kish, and when I saw Blackguard blowin' holes in trains, likely harmin' passengers and stealin' Kish's property, I figured I was handy 'nough with a gun it was only proper for me to put a stop to them. They came back after the others had gone tryin'a finish what they started, but I'd already hidden the cube back where Kish had stashed it. 'Got roughed up a little trying to cover for it all 's you can see, but eventually Blackguard was warded off and the cube remained safe.
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 6 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "Because it's a more civil term than I'd like to use right now Mam. Please have a seat in the Dining Car." "You'd actually call me the 'K-word'?! I just, I can't!" Yelana threw her hands into the air with a scoff and walked out into the dining car.
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 9 minutes ago, Kintobor said: Zaria rolled her eyes. "Sergeant, I have no idea what Ms. Fennix is trying to say here, but she's been with Soren and I this entire train trip, Soren can vouch for me, as will Bloeberis, the steward. We bought our tickets together and boarded the train together. I do not know what her issue is, but she has been lying almost habitually to Soren and I ever since we stepped onboard the train. The fact she would lie to an officer is disgraceful." Zaria brings her hands to the bridge of her nose, rubbing it. "Soren, Yelana and I were hired for a business opportunity in Con'Stap. Seeing as how we are on a gas giant, we took the Boreal Express to reach the city, as travelling on foot or by road is impossible. After handling the stowaway, the three of us felt the explosion in the engineering car, so we moved forward to see what was going on. We saw Blackguard agents standing in the breach they made in the train, and I took it as a threat to both the safety of the passengers and crew. As a priestess and faithful devotee of Varuth, to not defend the defenceless when I could would be akin to sacrilege." Zaria straightened her posture. "We managed to kill one of them, as you can see. They had the cube on them, which they pilfered from the reactor core. When Yelana and I went to inform the rest of the train's crew that the train was safe from danger, I returned to find the cube gone, and Soren injured. When I went to move the unconscious engineers out of here to someplace safer, it appears to have made its way back into the reactor core." Zaria puts her hands on her hips and let out a deep breath. "I'm quite aware of her penchant for falsehoods, Ms. Zaria. You don't get my age in the force and not have a good insight. I'm not certain of her intentions either, but if you can vouch that she's not a threat, I think we can let this slide." 3 minutes ago, The Legonater said: Soren pointed a thumb over to Zaria. She's got it right. I 'eard about the cube from Kish, and when I saw Blackguard blowin' holes in trains, likely harmin' passengers and stealin' Kish's property, I figured I was handy 'nough with a gun it was only proper for me to put a stop to them. They came back after the others had gone tryin'a finish what they started, but I'd already hidden the cube back where Kish had stashed it. 'Got roughed up a little trying to cover for it all 's you can see, but eventually Blackguard was warded off and the cube remained safe. "Doesn't make a lot of sense why you'd go hiding it in the same place it was stored in before, Peters found it in a jiffy." Sergeant Myron keeps his suspicious gaze on Soren. "But, considering Kish here is vouching for ya, I ain't going to push any further." At this point Officer Chucks arrives in Engineering. "Sir, the stowaway is secured in the Baggage Car, I don't think he's going everywhere. The rest of the train is secure." "Good work Chucks, please escort Mr. Soren and Ms. Zaria back to the Dining Car please, I'd like to have a word with M. Kish here." The Space Police commander gives a nod to Zaria and Soren, "Thank you for the information."
Kintobor Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Zaria nods, respectfully giving the Sergeant the Varuth hand gesture of deference: her hand pointed towards the roof in a finger guns position. As she turns around, she stops and looks towards the Sergeant, remembering something. "Sir, I do not wish to tell you how to do your job, but if I may suggest having someone in the Engineering car to look over the reactor core and ensure no one else enters here, it would likely be in everyone's best interest." She turns back around and heads for the dining car.
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, Kintobor said: Zaria nods, respectfully giving the Sergeant the Varuth hand gesture of deference: her hand pointed towards the roof in a finger guns position. As she turns around, she stops and looks towards the Sergeant, remembering something. "Sir, I do not wish to tell you how to do your job, but if I may suggest having someone in the Engineering car to look over the reactor core and ensure no one else enters here, it would likely be in everyone's best interest." She turns back around and heads for the dining car. "Thank you Mam, that's standard protocol for any crime scene."
The Legonater Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Soren fell into a seat in the Dining Car, weary from yet another dust-up from ISPs. His thoughts drifted to the baggage car as his fingers danced around the key in his pocket, but at this point, he mostly wanted off this ride. He couldn't afford to be incriminated any more than he already had been. The tired pilot glanced up at Zaria. Long day, huh?
Kintobor Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 "One could say that." Zaria replied, taking a seat in front of Soren. "Ugh, I have had enough of trains. Give me another one hundred years and maybe I will ride one again." She let loose a small grin, admiring her own comment.
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Yelana scanned the dining car for ingredients with which to make Crimson Chai.
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 1 minute ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Yelana scanned the dining car for ingredients with which to make Crimson Chai. "Your tea, Miss. Sorry I wasn't expecting you to be gone so long." Bloeberis hands Yelana a cup.
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Just now, Waterbrick Down said: "Your tea, Miss. Sorry I wasn't expecting you to be gone so long." Bloeberis hands Yelana a cup. "Ah, thank you!" Yelana takes the cup and begins sipping it, while leaning against the counter.
The Legonater Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 4 minutes ago, Kintobor said: "One could say that." Zaria replied, taking a seat in front of Soren. "Ugh, I have had enough of trains. Give me another one hundred years and maybe I will ride one again." She let loose a small grin, admiring her own comment. Soren gives a half-smirk. Maybe by that point, you'll get in the mood for piloting.
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Yelana spoke up, after ensuring that the party was alone in the dining car. "You figure out what's in the cube, yet?"
Kintobor Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) 12 minutes ago, The Legonater said: Soren gives a half-smirk. Maybe by that point, you'll get in the mood for piloting. Zaria smiled, shrugging. "I suppose I might. Part of me has always wanted to just... pilot my own ship and just go where I want to go with no need to rely on the schedule or manifest of some other captain, but for now I will just have to make do with my own two feet." 9 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Yelana spoke up, after ensuring that the party was alone in the dining car. "You figure out what's in the cube, yet?" "For someone who seemingly does not know me you are very keen on talking to me." Zaria replied. She sighs, exhausted, feeling sore. Heroica was more of a workout than she anticipated. "Despite your actions I vouched for you, you know?" Edited September 27, 2021 by Kintobor
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 1 minute ago, Kintobor said: "For someone who seemingly does not know me you are very keen on talking to me." Zaria replied. "Oh, ha ha." Yelana took another sip of her tea. 2 minutes ago, Kintobor said: "Despite your actions I vouched for you, you know?" "Thanks. . . I really appreciate that. I'm sorry for not trusting you earlier."
Kintobor Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "Thanks. . . I really appreciate that. I'm sorry for not trusting you earlier." Zaria turned to look at Yelana, resting her hand on the table. Her tone was not malicious or condescending. "Second chances do not come easily. I did not step onboard this train looking to make enemies out of you or Soren. I put myself and my blade in front of many others to try and keep us safe. I understand you have plans, Yelana, but those plans mean nothing if you do not let others in on them." Zaria crosses her leg, looking pensive, hoping Yelana would listen. "Trust is the bedrock of working in this field. I do not know what sort of job you were engaged in prior to joining this organization, but when you are with a team, you need to cooperate and be open with your teammates. I apologize for trying to punch you earlier, I will admit it was out of line, but if you wish to prove that you are sorry, you need to do so with more than words."
The Legonater Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Weary of all the debate and conversation, Soren again bundled up his jacket behind him and laid down for the remainder of the journey.
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 After a good hour, Sergeant Myron arrives back in the Dining Car. "Well you three, after conversations with M. Kish, and a few of the train staff and the recovering engineers, I think I've got a pretty good idea what went down. We'll be taking the Tvilgard into custody once we arrive in Con'stop. The body of the O'Kor'uk will be processed and we'll follow our lines of inquiry with Blackguard and M-Tek. M. Kish and his traveling companion, will get a Space Police escort to their final destination. I've worked with the staff to get your contact information, we'll follow-up if there's anything else we need. Otherwise try to leave this type of heroics work for the authorities in the future." The Celestial retires back to the Business class car, every twenty minutes or so Officer Chuck patrols through each of the cars. Within a few more hours, the Boreal Express pulls into the station at Con'Stop. As they depart, Bloeberis stops them. "Thanks again for all you did. Given the nature of the journey we've been instructed to give a refund for everyone's tickets." The attendant passes each hero 100 Credits. "We do hope you use our services again on a hopefully less exciting trip." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wandering around the station it doesn't take the heroes long before they are approached by an Oc|Tan representative who leads them to a private shuttle that ferries them back to Ebria Spaceport. After a short wait the heroes are ushered into the conference room from so long ago, a familiar face in the stone stands up from the head of the table. "Ah, heroes. Back in one piece I see. I trust everything faired well and you were able to obtain the objective?"
The Legonater Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "Ah, heroes. Back in one piece I see. I trust everything faired well and you were able to obtain the objective?" We weren't able to nab the energy source itself, but we were able to grab all sorts of info on it. Soren pulls out the Project File Folder, dropping it on the table with a satisfying smack. This is an official document with core technical information about the cube and some safety p'rameters for transportin' it. We picked up some equipment designed specifically for use with this device, so we can pro'ly hand that over, too. Then, Soren pulled out Kish's Journal, and dropped it beside the file folder. And this is a journal from one of the scientists directly involved with the project. They list some notable dangers with the cube, 'gets real spooky. The scientist also included details for potential hopes on how the technology could be used well and ethically. 'T's some good stuff, I'd take an honest look at it if I were you. Satisfied, the pilot leaned back in his chair, glancing at his questmates. I think that was about everything? Edited September 27, 2021 by The Legonater
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kintobor said: Zaria turned to look at Yelana, resting her hand on the table. Her tone was not malicious or condescending. "Second chances do not come easily. I did not step onboard this train looking to make enemies out of you or Soren. I put myself and my blade in front of many others to try and keep us safe. I understand you have plans, Yelana, but those plans mean nothing if you do not let others in on them." Zaria crosses her leg, looking pensive, hoping Yelana would listen. "Trust is the bedrock of working in this field. I do not know what sort of job you were engaged in prior to joining this organization, but when you are with a team, you need to cooperate and be open with your teammates. I apologize for trying to punch you earlier, I will admit it was out of line, but if you wish to prove that you are sorry, you need to do so with more than words." "Alright. The cube contains a Hungry Ghost. Zaria, you can verify this: The 'source' was harvested on a moon of Aluriel, and Aluriel's government was given near-exclusive access to the technology to harness power from this 'source'. M-Tec, who've been working alongside the Thaumaturgic Society to reverse-engineer the Nendaran Æthergate, would have the ability to construct a containment unit for something as radioactive as a Hungry Ghost, and considering their mistreatment of their Undead workers, harnessing the energy of a Hungry Ghost is pretty on-brand for them. This also explains project's name - 'Exousía'; power over others. The name wasn't referring to the power in the cube; it was referring to the cube's technology itself." Yelana took a breath, sipped her tea, and sighed. "If I'd been able to get hold of the cube, I could've taken it somewhere secure. The technology could've been analysed, and the ghost could've been freed safely - As it is, M-Tec's going to profit off exploiting yet another Undead population, Aluriel will be complicit, and there's nothing we can do about it. We have no physical proof of any kind, and since we failed to contain the tech now, this shit's going to continue until it hits the godsdamn fan. And who knows what'll happen then." 1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said: As they depart, Bloeberis stops them. "Thanks again for all you did. Given the nature of the journey we've been instructed to give a refund for everyone's tickets." The attendant passes each hero 100 Credits. "We do hope you use our services again on a hopefully less exciting trip." Yelana scans the Credits into her wallet. "Thanks. . . " Edited September 27, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said: Wandering around the station it doesn't take the heroes long before they are approached by an Oc|Tan representative who leads them to a private shuttle that ferries them back to Ebria Spaceport. After a short wait the heroes are ushered into the conference room from so long ago, a familiar face in the stone stands up from the head of the table. "Ah, heroes. Back in one piece I see. I trust everything faired well and you were able to obtain the objective?" Yelana remained standing at the edge of the conference table, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I'll cut to the chase, 'Irgonstead' - Why'd you send a second team? We had it handled, but the fight that broke out cost us the cube; you should've sent just us, or just them - They had the cube too, but they lost it to us. The ensuing shitshow got the Space Police involved, and now the cube's safely in M-Tec's hands. And more importantly, who the hells are you? I know 'Leopold Irgonstead' is not your real name, and how would some middle-manager in the Mahkrian system get access to intel on something like this, anyway?" 1 hour ago, The Legonater said: Then, Soren pulled out Kish's Journal, and dropped it beside the file folder. Yelana reached over the table, picked up Kish's Journal, and began reading through it.
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 1 hour ago, The Legonater said: We weren't able to nab the energy source itself, but we were able to grab all sorts of info on it. Soren pulls out the Project File Folder, dropping it on the table with a satisfying smack. This is an official document with core technical information about the cube and some safety p'rameters for transportin' it. We picked up some equipment designed specifically for use with this device, so we can pro'ly hand that over, too. Then, Soren pulled out Kish's Journal, and dropped it beside the file folder. And this is a journal from one of the scientists directly involved with the project. They list some notable dangers with the cube, 'gets real spooky. The scientist also included details for potential hopes on how the technology could be used well and ethically. 'T's some good stuff, I'd take an honest look at it if I were you. Satisfied, the pilot leaned back in his chair, glancing at his questmates. I think that was about everything? "I thought... well that is disappointing news about the source. However the documents you've provided will be of great assistance. I take it you were discrete, nothing tied back to Oc|Tan?"
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "I'm sorry, what's this about a ghost? Are you saying the energy source is from another Sphere? And what do you mean you could have taken it somewhere, you were supposed to bring the source here if you had it." OoC: Spoiler The part where Yelana explains what is in the cube actually takes place while the party is still on the train (it is a response to Zaria talking about the importance of trust and cooperation). Edited September 27, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 3 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Yelana remained standing at the edge of the conference table, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I'll cut to the chase, 'Irgonstead' - Why'd you send a second team? We had it handled, but the fight that broke out cost us the cube; you should've sent just us, or just them - They had the cube too, but they lost it to us. The ensuing shitshow got the Space Police involved, and now the cube's safely in M-Tec's hands. And more importantly, who the hells are you? I know 'Leopold Irgonstead' is not your real name, and how would some middle-manager in the Mahkrian system get access to intel on something like this, anyway?" "The Space Police is involved? What did you tell them? Blackguard was a hedge of the bet, they weren't supposed to get involved unless the source itself was in jeopardy." Irgonstead gave out a deep sigh. "So if you had the source, how did you manage to lose it?"
Classic_Spaceman Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) Posts crossed! 😬 Edited September 27, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman
Waterbrick Down Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 10 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Yelana reached over the table, picked up Kish's Journal, and began reading through it. Irgonstead, slides it under the file out of Yelana's reach. "Irgonstead's all you need to know." 2 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Hide contents "Irgonstead" should be responding to this: OoC^^ MM Note: Already retconned.
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