Inside the Machine God

[Raparth]

As she looked through the explosives, Marionette was torn between the emotional investment of countless lives... Estasia had been home, a home to be proud of, in so many of those lives, but seeing it now, fighting against the best hope of saving the Maker, was heartrending. Finding that the bag was far from full kicked her brain back into cold, tactical analysis. She pitched her voice up to carry to her companions below, "Three or four delayed Essence explosives missing. Likely armed. Three more recovered. I will search the higher areas."

Examining the three that she had, Marionette deactivated them*, before carefully checking the ceiling and other areas not visible form below, starting with the central power generator.

OOC:

Spoiler: OOC

*If they don't look like they're networked in some way that might set others off.
She also said 3 or 4, because I doubt you'd just assume you had exactly half from a bag... unless they're clearly in a group of exactly 6, in which case, I'll edit my post.

 

[WlfSamurai]

The threat wasn't over. How could she be so stupid? She had let a human moment through into her mechanical life. It won't happen again, she decides. There's too much at stake.

Loo leaps up to meet Marionette in the support beams. "What did you find?" she asks.

 

[Psychie]

With Marionette's announcement, people and service drones scramble to action, looking for the other explosives. It does not take long for the first of the hidden bombs to be found, concealed on the power core where it would not be found except by a careful search. Two more are not far behind in being found, but the search continues with multiple drones working diligently to search every nook and cranny for other signs of sabotage. So far, none is found.

Several technicians arrive to collect up the remains of the enemy Exalt's body for analysis, along with his weapon. Upon hearing the supposition that there may be some tampering done to it, they use extreme caution in gathering it up and transporting it to be studied.

It is later on in the shift when the various Champions are summoned to Minister Havash's office. He is there with two other members of Ot's Tripartite Assembly, Sloan of the Olgotary and Exeter from the Theomarchracy. All three men look worn out from the work that they have been doing since the explosions rocked the city, but they are still hard at work and will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Sloan, a hard woman by any measure, wastes no time in addressing you. "We have an important decision to make, and the input of so many Exalts from both Kamak and Yugash will be useful. To be blunt, Project Razor is currently at a crisis point. According to our analysis of the damage, it will take us nearly as long, if not longer, to repair the critical systems needed as it would be for a whole new system to be constructed somewhere else. With our . . . security lapse . . . it has been suggested that this work be taken up in the city of Ein, using what we have learned in the construction so far to speed things along. Others believe that relocating Project Razor would be a mistake, especially with the growing evidence that Estasia was behind the attack and the proximity of the nations to one another, and the growing tensions between our three nations."

It is a known fact that there have been a growing number of 'incidents' between Estasia and Kamak, the latest being a raid that resulted in over a dozen people on both sides being killed, with no real winner of the fight and no obvious reason for the attack. In fact, there is a meeting between envoys from Estasia and Kamak due to take place in less than a week in the city of Ein that her Champions are expected to attend as extra security and to represent Ein, listening to the charges that are expected to be leveled from the envoys from Estasia.

Minister Havash steps in. "We need your input. We have spent too much and lost too many lives for us to just set aside our work on Project Razor. Few people even know the level of catastrophe we face if we cannot breech the Seal of Eight Divinities and get access to the knowledge and resources of Creation to aid Autochthon and hopefully awaken Him from His slumber. What say you?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

Loo folds her arms and leans against the wall. Everyone needs something, it never fails, she thinks to herself. And this would be a tall order. Especially with the Seal of Eight Divinities being involved.

Loo points to Marionette. "I'm just following her, for now. If she says we go, we go. If not, no hard feelings."

 

[Raparth]

Gleaming Marionette of Relentless Progress listened to the testimony of the Tripartite Assembly-members, standing before them, but slightly to the side, as there were more senior Champions of Kamak and Yugash that would likely receive preferential voice. Although she shone as befit her designation, the other Champions could, in size and other ways, overshadow her. She imagined a struggle between upholding the pride of one's own city and the desperation to protect that city from further attacks. With seemingly a single assailant crippling the patropolis, it was not much of a reach to think that a greater assault might kill him. The relative proximity of Kamak to Estasia was of concern, but, unless the Yugashi had unwisely hidden their defensive abilities from the Starmetal tactician, Ein would be a vastly superior defensive position. The wealth of Kamak, the central status of Ein, and the temperature variations that their home traveled through were all sizeable advantages.

The younger Champion was internally surprised when Infinite Corruption Termination Loop indicated Marionette as the deciding factor, at least among the Kamaki Chosen. The Whispers had not expected her voice to be the deciding factor. Her blue-jade eyes considered Worker and Labor Unit for the duration of a human breath, before she gave an overt nod. Turning her gaze back to Sloan, "Ein can withstand a greater external assault than Ot, even were he in a healthier state. She is also the home of more of the Chosen than Yugash fields, enough to deal with the Estasian Champions. Even Kamak feels the sickening of Autochthon, and so the support of Yugash will still be essential to Project Razor. Anything or anyone you can send with us will be utilized for the good of the Maker."

 

[Psychie]

Exeter looks displeased by the vote to relocate, but he doesn't argue the point. Minister Havash and Autocrat Sloan nod, as if they were either expecting that answer or, at least, hoping for it. Sloan stands and says, "Very well. I shall begin with preparations for the transferal of the blueprints and what hardware we can to Ein." She looks over at Exeter and says, "But, there is no reason why we cannot continue on our own effort to complete the bridge to Creation to have a second pathway for contact to be made. Champion Halcyon Autonomous Labor Unit, I will recommend that you continue to work on Project Razor with your counterparts from Kamak, representing Yugash and reporting back to us as to your progress. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to make the needed arrangements for security to guard the transfer, and look into the growing evidence that Estasia was behind the attack." Sloan shakes her head, puzzled. "I am still wondering just how the location of the new complex being built was leaked, and if so, just what does the other nation know of what we are doing here? I have much work to do in order to root out this security leak."

Havash looks at the lead law enforcement agent in the city with a sympathetic gaze. "If anyone can do so, it is you and your staff of investigators. Use whatever methods you see fit to gather this data." He looks over at the various Exalts in the conference room with him, and says, "We will, of course, be sharing all of our findings with Kamak and Ein, and hopefully your agents will be able to use what we find in your upcoming meeting with the ambassadors from Estasia. Champions, thank you for your time and input."

With that, the meeting starts to break up, with Autocrat Sloan gathering up her aids and heading for the door. Exeter looks at the Exalts here and says, "I do hope that this is not a mistake, but I will abide by the decision to move Project Razor to Ein, so long as we can continue our own work. Please, go with the blessing of the Great Maker upon you." He rises and offers his hand to Minister Havash, who takes it with a firm grip. "My friend, I must be on my way. The people need me out there right now. I shall now take my leave, and I wish all of you the best."

Minister Havash says, "I will make arrangements for you to be returned to Ein as soon as possible."

In the meantime, you have a day before the airships needed are ready to go. What would you like to do in this time?
UnassumingBoxCat WlfSamurai Blackadder Raparth

 

[UnassumingBoxCat]

HAL wanders the streets of the patropolis, ducking into factories, houses, dimly lit alleys, wherever he might find and speak to members of the Populat. He encourages them in the face of the attack, saying that "even as our enemies destroy us, we build back better than ever before!" He tells them that he must leave, and asks them to not despair. After a few hours, he returns to a vat facility to exchange some of his Charms.

Spoiler: CHARMS

Switching Clockwork Dexterity Perfection Nodes for Manifold Transhuman Implants

Switching Third Stamina Augmentation for Hydraulic Musculature Reinforcement

Psychie

 

[Psychie]

HAL's presence in the city is a welcome sight to those that have suffered in the disaster. You are approached by many, asking to spend a moment with one of the great Champions of the city. Where you go, morale is boosted, even with the message that you are going to be leaving the city for a time.

 

[Raparth]

Marionette spends the remaining time in Ot shadowing the local authorities (as much as they allow her to join in) during their continued investigation, seeking to learn whatever she can for the future. She also requests that the captured explosives be sent back with them, to Ein, in case they may be useful in dealing with Estasia. She would leave the clear implication that the Solar Cannon would be useful as well, but will not ask for it, considering the damage it inflicted on Ot. The Plot-Weaver will ask her fellow Champions (and Yugashi authorities, if need be), if there are any indications of where this particular Artifact came from, or clues to its past they may have.

In the hours before they leave, she'll personally check all the details of the journey back to Ein, including making sure that the people and technologies involved are all as they should be.

OOC: I am not sure how rare the cannon is, in terms of "Only a Nation could make it" or "Only a few select cities could make it" or something even rarer ("Only ones from when the Maker left Creation").

 

[Blackadder]

Knowing of the nature of Project Razor, Developer took the opportunity to have one of his uninstalled charms summoned and upgraded. His translator, he determined, would benefit from enhanced fluency in communicating with the Solar Heroes and the people of Creation. When the time would come, the great reunion would need his skills to communicate and reestablish harmonious bonds.

 

[Psychie]

The Cannon is very rare, being a 5 dot Artifact, and would require the resources of a large city to be able to construct it, partly due to the extremely delicate mechanisms involved. The scientists of Ot examine the weapon using the most intensive search techniques that they have at their disposal, and a few items of interest become apparent. First, there does not appear to be any kind of sabotage mechanism or effect that would make an Exalt go crazy. From their study, the weapon has not been modified in any way. Their next find is more disturbing. There are distinctive tool and master craftsman marks that are clearly from the weapon manufacturers of Estasia. More and more evidence is pointing to this attack being a deliberate act from the other nation.

Thousand comes in while Marionette is busy with the weapon analysis. In a serious tone of voice, she says, "There is a series of video stills that the security forces were able to bring up of the Exalt that attacked the Project work site. According to their files, he was Most Assureant of Three Assemblies, reported as missing in action from the ranks of Estasia's Exalts. The head of Ot's security forces is thinking that the report was a ruse to send him out and, in case of his failure or capture, they could deny his actions as some sort of black ops style mission. If this is correct, we will have to up our security. If Estasia is willing to send one of their Champions on a suicide run like some kind of guided missile, it will be that much harder to protect our own hardware for Project Razor."

Developer gets a welcome reception at the Vats when he goes to get his Charms switched around. You run into Worker as he is getting a change out of his Charms for some that will aid the Jade Caste to speed the rebuilding effort of the damaged city. "I wish to thank you for your assistance that you and your fellows gave us in the power core. If it were not for your team, that attack could have destroyed much more of the city. We are in your debt."

Security preparations for the trip back to Ein are proceeding without a hitch. Two Aerial Skiffs are being set aside for you to use for your trip back, since the pneumatic train route between Ot and Ein is still being repaired. You are due for departure in ten hours.

 

[Blackadder]

"But the matter remains unusual." Developer observed. "Even putting aside the implications of the attacker's final words, the attempt was quite crude and unprepared. It failed to account for the circuit breakers, and while potent, the Solar Cannon would not have been the best method to use. Whoever ordered this did not take time to prepare."

 

[Psychie]

Worker muses, "I wonder what he meant by 'Thank you' and 'Forgive me'. Was he thanking us for ending his life? Why would he do that? Then there is the question of, why does he seek forgiveness? Did he not want to attack the power core? If so, why did he do it? Was he under the control of another Exalt?" He shakes his head in frustration. "So many questions, and I have a feeling that we will never know the answers to all of them. Even so, we will investigate everything about this Exalt, and perhaps we will find some evidence on his remains, what little there is to look at."

 

[Raparth]

The evidence mounted and the Dagger of Autochthon felt its weight. Still, there were parts of her soul, parts of the memories carried into this life, that told her it was all too easy, all to certain. She nodded at Thousand Gears of Industry's words, however, responding in a soft voice, "You are not wrong. And yet I hope that even this would be beneath the pride of Lux. We must prepare for either eventuality, both the one we see and the one we do not."

She turned and left, deciding to examine the last few months' reports from the Reaches around Yugash and Ot in particular, in order to look for anything else that might have been missed at the time. When there were only 5 hours remaining, she went to do her full security check, spending the rest of the time watching over the transports, until they departed.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Infinite Corruption Termination Loop is out of Essence and energy. She kneels on the catwalk, summoning what she has left. The faceless Orichalcum Chosen below fires another blast from his Essence canon, disintegrating the catwalk and sending Loo flying. She slams to the ground. Before she can rise, he's on her again, the barrel of his cannon shimmers—

And then it all melts away, replaced by the grey of Advanced Game & Strategy Room. Loo stands and nods to the Operator behind the control room window. "Are you all right? You took a beating on that last one."

Loo shoots a withering glare at the control room. "Doesn't matter. Again!"

"Okay... If you say so," the Operator replies. He activates the Essence refuel mechanism, then queues up the scenario rebuilt from the surveillance.

Minutes later, Loo stands, the simulation dissolving around her. "Again!" she demands. And again, after a few minutes, she picks herself back up. "Again!"

"Again!"

"Again!"

"Again!"

Hours, drilling, and nothing to show. The Exalt had been too much for her. Nothing she had done then seemed to make a difference. And simulation is no different now. Loo can feel her resolve slipping from her grasp. Fighting, exterminating, hunting is what she’s built for. It’s her purpose. Yet, she had been nearly useless. How? Her life had culminated to this failure of the one purpose she was built for.

No! she decides all at once. No. I refuse to accept this output. “Again!”

“Really?” asks the Operator. “We’ve been here for hours. How much longer—“ His sentence is cut short by the look he receives. He activates the simulation again.

 

[Psychie]

Under heavy guard, the two Aerial Skiffs are loaded with some of the undamaged critical hardware and prepped for flight back to Ein. Once everyone is at the landing pad, the Circle is now ready to board with Marionette's men that she brought along with her. Signals have already been sent ahead to inform Ein's Tripartite Assembly of the events of the past few shifts, giving them a heads-up of your impending arrival. A quick inspection of the Skiffs show that these are a military design, equipped with both shields and Essence cannons to help make sure that you arrive in one piece. There is even going to be a pair of Exalts in flying Warstriders that will be escorting you through Kamaki airspace, and you'll be met by gunships from Ein to continue to guard you on your way in.

The trip back to Ein is uneventful, thank the Maker, and your armed escorts on both sides of the trip have a quiet flight to and from the rendezvous point. For HAL, this is one of many trips you have made back and forth to the Kamaki capitol, so you are somewhat familiar with the layout of the other city. You are met at the landing grid by more of Marionette's security force along with Autocrat Garret and Brilliance in Shadow. They are there to help escort you into the work space set aside for the work on Ein's effort to breech the Seal of Eight Divinities.

As you enter the secure area, Garret tells you, "I am now authorized to tell you that we are farther along on our research into breaking through into Creation than was released. While Ot had been the forerunner in the designs of the Gateway, we have been building our own slightly behind the schedule of the Yugashi project. With this hardware giving us a jump, we will be ready to make our initial attempts to open the gate within a matter of weeks. In the meantime, we are going to be keeping security tight, especially with the envoys from Estasia coming to discuss their allegations of our supposed border intrusions. In order for us to keep the talks safe, I would like all of you to be there, both as security and as a show of power, giving our 'guests' something to think about if they are seriously considering military action against us."

At this point, Shadow looks over and asks, "So, what can you tell me about this Exalt that attacked the power core that might not have made it into your reports earlier."

 

[Raparth]

The transport of essential materials encountered no complications, something for which Marionette was thankful. The fact that Kamak had been investing in a redundant system was fortuitous; as Ein would once have been a second gateway, now Ot would be. The alliance would continue apace.

Brilliance in Shadow asked for more specific commentary and, sensing some hesitation on the part of the Yugashi, as well as remembering the focus put on her by her elder Champion, the tactician stepped in. "The target attacked a structurally significant power generator in a way that Developer has determined was inelegant and insufficient to the task. The Orichalcum had also placed multiple delayed Essence-charges that look to be of Estasian origin." The Starmetal opened the case of said charges and presented them to the Autocrat and Champion. "Using optical camouflage to evade detection failed due to utilization of Ot's Municipal Charms, allowing us to engage the enemy Champion. Their battle tactics were oriented towards dissuasion and escape, but they were overcome. Halcyon Autonomous Labor Unit struck the final blow, and he and Infinite Corruption Termination Loop can testify about the peculiarities of the Orichalcum's final words. In subsequent analysis, the Yugashi aided Thousand Gears of Industry determined the cannon to be of Estasian origin and the Orichalcum to be Most Assureant of Three Assemblies, registered as Missing in Action by Estasia some time ago."

She looked around at her companions one more time, then took in a breath that reminded her of lifetimes in living flesh, as she turned back to Shadow and the Autocrat. "I do not recommend that this information be ignored, but I would advise you that, were I to plan to cripple another Nation, I would start by seeding compelling evidence against another."

 

[WlfSamurai]

Loo stepped away from the wall she had been leaning on and folded her arms. There wasn't much for her to add, Marionette had covered it all. Loo preferred it that way as she wasn't much for talking. But she had been up close to the Orichalcum Exalt in question. And her intel was valuable.

Of course, when the time came to finally speak, Loo made every effort to mimic the machine she dreamed of being. "When the enemy had been neutralized," she said, "I was close enough to hear his final words. He said, 'Thank you. Forgive me.' just before termination. The obvious analysis is that he was being controlled or, more accurately, was not in control of his body own body, whether that means another entity was in control or not. The more important question is who was in control? And also, why? Estasia is pointed to by the Exalt's weaponry and registration, but my opinion is this is a distraction."

 

[Psychie]

The Minister says nothing for a long moment, considering the implications of what this means. "We have been in communication with Estasia, and they have claimed to have no idea about the attacks on our outposts that we say that they have committed. If what you say is true, then perhaps a third party is interested in stirring up hostilities between Kamak, Yugash and Estasia. Brilliance in Shadow, in the course of your investigations, have you come across any evidence to suggest one way or the other that this is going on?"

The other Exalt looks troubled. "There was a time that I came across reports that seemed to indicate that some supplies and materials were missing from a local storehouse. When I looked into it, there was some evidence there that indicated that the factory was not producing up to quota, and I attributed it to the workers coming up with any possible explanation to lay the blame on. It may be possible that I just saw what I expected to see, and that there may actually be some truth to the claims of theft. I will reopen my investigation and report back my findings soonest. If you will excuse me."

With Shadow now gone, the Minister says, "As you know, we are hosting a delegation from Estasia later in the week. Security for this meeting is paramount, especially with these troubling bits of evidence. It is going to be a contentious meeting, where we look over what they present to back up their claims of unprovoked Kamaki aggression. I can say with absolute confidence that we are the victims in this, and Kamak has not attacked Estasia since our last conflict over fifteen years ago. It is suspected by many in the Assembly that there are agents in Estasia trying to create evidence of attacks that we have not perpetrated. Why? I feel that they have been building up their military ever since the end of our last incident, but our agents in the Estasian military are only finding scattered signs of a build-up. It is troubling. We need to resolve our differences before another all out war breaks out." He leans forward and says in a somewhat quieter voice, "I have a feeling that this pending war is not universally unwanted. Some in the Assembly want to hit Estasia hard. Be ready for anything."

 

[UnassumingBoxCat]

"We will, Minister. If that is our duty, we shall carry it out to the best of our abilities." HAL pauses for a second, then turns to Loo and Marionette. "If I am not mistaken, it would be prudent to perhaps take stock of whatever location these talks will take place in, seeing as a number of us are, if I recall correctly, unfamiliar with the layout of Ein." Looking back to the minister, HAL continues with "Would such a survey be possible anytime soon?"

 

[Psychie]

"In actuality, good sir, you are the only Exalt in this group that is unfamiliar the city of Ein, since the others either have been constructed here, or were transferred here from other Kamaki cities. Thousand, would you be available to show HAL around the meeting hall and the guest quarters?"

She replies, "Of course, Minister. I will be glad to show our newest member around, not only the counsel chambers, but the other wonders of Ein. At your convenience, of course." That last bit was directed to HAL.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Silent Wheeling Cresent

A woman near the Minister moves forward towards the Exalts, and gestures "If you would please accompany me, we can start the tour right now. I am sure the Minister has a lot to consider, what with your report, and the recent events." As she says this, and turns, her flesh starts melting back, revealing a Moonsilver Alchemical, a sleek model, with legs slightly bent, which seems to give her greater speed. Without a pause, she continues "My name is Silent Wheeling Crescent, and I will be accompanying you on the next phase."

 

[Psychie]

At this point, HAL, Thousand, and Cresent are looking over the meeting rooms and the future guest quarters of the Estasian delegation. Security is tight, and HAL is given tight scrutiny since you are a foreign Exalt. With the use of various skill sets and Charms, you end the shift confident that the rooms to be used are all safe, and then the rooms are sealed to make sure that there is no one entering them for any reason. Despite that, security is posted outside all the important areas, just to make sure.

The time for the dignitaries to arrive is nearly here. You know that they are going to be flying in, and while it is still rather cold outside, there is already a crowd of curious onlookers gathering under the Red Jade pylons, trying to keep warm and still be able to see the gathered Exalts and members of the Tripartite Assembly. Security is there in force, some along line of civilians craning their necks to see the activity on the landing pad, and some are closer to the landing pad. All the guards near the crowd are armed with cudgels, and the other guards have fully charged Shock Lances - a weapon similar to a Crystal Burst Lance, but powered by a capacitor to be able to be wielded by mortals.

Many of Ein's Tripartite Assembly have come to welcome the Estasia Ambassador, including March, Autocrat Garret and Celebrant Mera. Where do the various Champions wish to be located at this time?

Blackadder WlfSamurai Raparth Red Shadow Claws UnassumingBoxCat

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Crescent will offer any of her fellow Exalts the option of looking like a normal human, if they so wish. She will be disguised as a human, and dressed like a servant, ready to guide the coming dignitaries to their quarters.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Infinite Corruption Termination Loop is not one for crowds. Coupled with the need for added security, she had opted to stand a ways off from the rest. Atop a nearby structure, she has a view of the entire event.

Loo has always been determined to eliminate as much of her human side as possible. She has driven toward the machine perfection of The Maker. Despite this, there is one thing that humans and similar life have that automata do not: intuition. It is a tactical advantage Loo will never fully get rid of. And here and now, her intuition was being flooded with a sinking feeling. Something is wrong, but she doesn't know what.

She continues her visual and thermal scan of the area.