~~~ IC ~~~

::Lan and Martel descend into the damp and misty labyrinth beneath the city, escorted by a couple of demonic guards that keep a wary eye on Martel... as soon as they get into the "village" proper, Lan is struck by a deep feeling of unease, as if something was deeply wrong, and in a moment sees Beth, the young angelic, racing up the tunnel towards him...::

::totes the flamethrower with all the applomb he can muster.::

::chomps on his unlit cigar and watches the guards with a sadly amused expression::

LAN!!! Lan!! ::stops, panting from the exertion and emotional stress in front of you:: Come quick! Aleph needs you.... it's bad!

::his ears pin backwards in the humid dark:: Beth?

::blinks, coughs:: Let's go, then.... ::jogs along at whatever pace she sets, asking:: What's the trouble?

::follows::

::you're hastened down the hall into the medical room, and come to a halt in front of a small cot dwarfed by the demonic laying uncomfortably in it. Aleph lies there, barely conscious, his breathing soft and rapid, his dusky skin covered in sweat::

We don't know what's wrong! He just collapsed!

::a number of other mutants are in the room, looking deeply concerned and afraid::

Please help him!

::checks to see if he's conscious, etc, leaning close, breathing, pulse, and so on:: Aleph? It's Lan. What's the trouble? Poison? ::checking him for signs of overt injury:: What hurts?

::er, checks to see how conscious.::

::very quietly, in much pain:: Everything... ::a faint, wet cough:: it's never been this bad before... I don't know how long .... I can make it...

::you notice blood beading his lips after the cough, not unlike An's occassional fits::

((Make me an initial Perception + Physick please Lan))

Damn, ::mutters something about shoddy workmanship::

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 11 19

((His score is 9. ))

((10 by my count, but still just missed it))

::initial diagnosis with only the tools on hand is not promising... it could be poison, disease, or just a very serious case of exhaustion from the symptoms you see::

((Wierd?))

((true.. you could spend a wyrd to drop it by 1)

((Wyrd??))

((spending Wyrd Bill?))

((If that's cool, retro, I will. ))

((Wyrd = Reroll?))

::after a moment's concentration, though, Lan calls on long unused training and manages to dig deeper into the problem::

((No, now it's a flat + or - 1 to the roll))

((Ah))

::Poison can be easily ruled out by lack of entry wound and none of the common side effects of ingested poisons...

((by the by, does that make it a crit?

disease is more possible, but nothing on record would incapacitate so quickly such a strong and healthy individual without taking out some of the weaker mutants first...

((only if both dice are successful is it a crit))

((ahh))

you wouldn't even begin to consider exhaustion from what you've seen Aleph do at his peak exertion versus his typical activities... but what you're sure of is that it looks very, very serious::

Beth... I'm sorry... I wasn't strong enough... ::he clutches weakly at Lan's tunic:: Protect... Meredith and Beth... you and An and Tien... please...

::Lan hustles to do what he can with what he has for Aleph:: We will, Aleph, but I'd rather have you around to help. Save your strength, man. ::puts his arm back down::

::Clutches at Aleph's arm, muttering:: no.. no.. nononono....

I should have... mentioned it sooner... I thought I could take it, deal with it like An... ::with great effort he moves his hand to cover Beth's, gives a soft groan, and is gone::

NOOOOO!! ::she collapses into wracking sobs as a gasp passes through the tunnels:

::checks the man's vital signs over, sighs. Standard defense mechanism of being irritated with Beth kicks in. An the doctor supresses it by biting his lip. Sighs through his nose, shoulders slouching::

::a half-glance at the Avestan, to see whether he says anything::

I would be willing to perform the rites of the Avestan priests for him, if he would wish it...

::comes forward and looks sadly at her protector and the sobbing form of her aide, placing a hand on Beth's shoulder:: I think that would be fine... Deacon Azo is it?

yes maam.

::swallows weakly, and steps back a step, without any excuse to voice an apology::

Please proceed, then ::she leans to whisper something to Lan::

::leans over the fallen Aleph and begins to mutter a prayer while clenching a stone beneath his vestments::

::the village has gathered into what is one of the largest rooms::

::listens to what she has to say::

::nods:: Of course. ::takes quick stock of company present, as though he contemplates secrecy::

::remains over the body of the fallen for some short while, touches the forehead of Alephs vessel in benidiction, and rises:: It has not been nearly long enough since i have had to do that.

::after the rites, Meredith leads those that are not sick from the medical room and sends in two demonics to help Lan in whatever way he requires with the problem::

::while she tends to Beth and to the others who took this as a great blow::

do you know what has done this Lan?

::nods, and draws the Avestan aside after they're done, and the others are gone:: I do. Aleph suffers from a sickness, a sickness that several others down here suffer from, because they've been mutilated genetically. ::looks the priest in the eye:: I'm a physic. And I'm not going to keep secrets from you. ::thinks, and hands the man back his flamethrower:: My friend also has similar trouble. It's in the lungs. ::looks him even deader in the eye:: I'm going to try and find a way to fix it.

and your friend An? ::takes the flame thrower:: is he suffering from the same?

Just so.

then we need better facilities that whatcan be provided here. meaning we need to find whoever is keeping yourfriends down here and negotiate a way out.

.... but. You understand what I mean to do? ::glances over his shoulder at the demonics, who're also essentially party to the conversation::

::the demonics both nod, cautiously, looking none too pleased at what could be done to their leader, but knowing that it might be necessary::

yes. I beleave so. I approve, and i think he would too. ::nodding to Aleph:: I know of a place that might have facilities to help you.

Good. ::looks back at the demonics:: There's nothing that would stop me from a chance to help these people at any rate. ::shrugs:: If you could help me move his... vessel over there.... ::Lan indicates a likely place to do his work:

the sanctuary Aeon temple above is supposed to have some decent medicle facilities.

::looks back over his shoulder, and frowns:: Really?

so i have heard. apparently they lack theurgists, so they must use science to heal. they do not approve of such, but any port in a storm...

::scratches his chin, visibly nervous:: You know. I have some misgivings about waltzing in there with Aleph. Do you think, we could... get in there unmolested? ::sounds skeptical::

::scratched balding head and considers::

I could take tissue samples and do much of the basic discovery here. Could you get me into lab facilities there?

I think it possibly that I could get us in legitimately. If not i think i could possibly get us in illegitimately. ::hefts his flamer::

::winces:: I'd kinda like to make it back out, too. Oh. ::reconsiders swearing aloud, and sighs again instead, then looks to the demonics:: Guys. Could you see if you could find me a few coverable shallow ceramic or glass containers?

but i would prefer to avoid such anapproach. i would also prefer to take the whole body if possible. you'dget better results that way.

::they nod and head off::

hmmm... if we could find a trolley of some sort, it is possible we could push him, covered, through the streets.. and the others could assist us getting him most of the way there underground...

::martel takes in the changed's "medical facility" ... a small, damp, barely clean room reaking of sickness and medical herbs... a bunch of bottles of herbs and some scavenged tools the major thrust of the equipment::

No, no. Tissue samples should be fine. I can study his gross physiology down here.

::one of the fuzion torches casting dim light in the room goes "bzzt" and flickers for a moment before returning to its wan glow::

::shrugs:: fair enough.

::the now greasy, thoroughly pathetic Lan looks surprisingly at home here.::

but we still need to get these people out of here.

Okay. ::erects a sort of barrier around the Table he plans to work on Aleph at. Looks up.:: I know, I know. What... ::clutches his forehead:: what can I possibly do about that? ::leans on the table, putting down the crude scalpel he'd been checking::

::the demonics come back with a half dozen chipped mason jars and waxed paper and rubber bands for the lids::

Thanks, guys. Set those down there.

well, thats what we need to figure out.::scratches chin:: they are in hiding from the officials of thisplanet. but how widespread is their power? surely they have otherenemies here or elsewhere, yes?

::and they do::

::sighs. Starts checking over Aleph then and there, with a double check on his vitals first, to be sure:: Yeah. Well. The natives. Personally, I'm thinking, maybe an alliance with them *would* be the way to go, at this point. I don't know.

((as a point of clarification, since you'd both know this.. you're on Severus.. the heart of Decados power... the only nearby planet that isn't controlled by them is the Brother Battle world... the Jackovians so far have seemed to..

ok, I'm vaguely new here...who are the natives?

be both entrenched in the government and have far-reaching conspiracies going on... the power of your enemies is pretty widespread.. the question is really how big of a threat are you, and how uniform is your opposition?))

::commences with his autopsy, without missing a beat.:: The Ascorbites. Hard to understand, I hear. And liable to make lunch of the likes of us. ::tries to grin, and fails::

::the cast-off scalpel goes through Aleph like a cold knife through frozen butter... the cuts are jagged and immediately begin to leak fluids::

::raises an eyebrow:: uh-huh. perhaps we should look to more reliable allies first. we'll come back to that option later.

::makes sure he gets both a good look at physiology of unusual parts, some blood samples, and tissue samples.:: If we're really trying to find allies for an overt confrontation, I don't know of any other. ::the doc is at least accustomed to this kind of thing::

::especially lung and interstitial tissue, though that all is going to take a while, and a lot of gore::

::the demonics turn a greener shade of black as they watch the grisly proceedure::

::looks up:: Guys. You don't need to stay and watch this, if you don't want to. Aleph is going to help us... learn to beat what killed him. If I didn't say that before. But if you're not trained in this, I know it's upsetting.

::doesn't seem to have a problem with it::then perhaps overt confrontation isnt what we a re looking for. howabout covert, how much do we know about the way these people operate?

::hangs his head:: I don't know anything about it. I'm a physic, not a politician.

((Alright... Lan, I'm going to need a series of rolls... Perception + Physick for the basic observations, Perception + Science Biology for the more extensive observations, and Wits + Biology for examinations outside the body...

::spits aside some stray juices, and wipes his face::

all of this is, of course, harder in the conditions))

then use what you got. how hard would it beto make people like these? how many people around could do it? whatkind of facility would you need, and where would it likely be located?

((Right. Lan's main goal at the moment is just to get viable tissue and fluid samples, and an idea about how Aleph's physiology differed. ))

((k))

((Without the lab facilities they were going to try for, he's not going to learn much else anyway.))

::to the preist:: you hand me a couple of those mason jars? Rinse them out first, with a jot of that antiseptic water over there, if you could?

#per+physic=10?#

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 6 2

::antiseptic... adjective... from the earlier parts of the septic system::

::no, wait, that would be anteseptic, but it's still not a bad description of the water::

((full success, 2 vps))

((::does something right for once:: ))

That... jug there. ::clarifies:: Rinse them with a little of that fluid.

((go ahead and make the other two rolls, please, and I'll give you all the infos at once))

::i rinse::

#Per+sci/Bio= 6#

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 9 12

((sad))

#wits+sci/bio=11#

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 9 20

((happy)

((heh, success with the bad luck taint))

((I'm coming back to reanimate Aleph as a true demon, you know. ))

((can I spend a wyrd to knock that 20 down to a 19?))

((The phrase "come hell or high water" seems terribly appropriate. ))

((only if you were making the roll))

((how sad))

::Lan's initial observations indicate that deterioration has been enormously rapid... a lot of his interior tissues are far bloodier than they should be, and that's only party due to the butchering autopsy...

::seals away his tissue samples as quickly and effectively as he can::

as his dark skin pales in death you can even see some serious broken blood vessels in various places around his skin... it's like his cell structure just began to fail all over, all at once... though it might have been a gradual process::

::observation of the anatomy lends no real conclusions... probably due to the dim lighting and the fact that his enormous frame had enormous organs that are just slightly more confusing than they should be::

::cause of death seems to be, as best as you can tell, a combination of internal bleeding and small punctures in the heart such that blood wound up everywhere but where it was supposed to be inside his body::

shall we head on to the temple? or do you have preparations you need to make?

::looks up covered in gore:: Well. Let me change clothes.

::examinations with the tissue outside the body indicates more of the same... atrophy amongst organs... unfortunately this atrophy makes them weak, and a couple of organs that Lan would have liked to use for analysis are torn beyond their best use::

probably a good idea. thats the advantage of wearing red you know. it hides some of the stains

::discounting this overwhelming decay, he's probably the healthiest, most fit corpse you've ever dissected::

::goes and changes, coming back in the somewhat worn version of the original suit he landed on the planet in. Has made sure to take the heart with him, as well as ligament, lung, and muscle tissue samlpes, liver, and so on, even if they're torn up. Scowls:: The poor guy just... massivley hemmorhaged. ::sighs::

::covers aleph with a sheet::

::ragged and stained though it is.::

i've seen stuff vaguely like that, but ususally only on the outside...

I need to see this stuff under a microscope. ::adamantly::

well, thats the plan. ::ponders about getting a guide from the others::

::packs up his jars as best he can::

::looks to see if the Demonics are still here::

::they are, though they have moved to the other end of the room and stopped watching::

i think the amalthian temple is supposed to be in the rent residential district, if someone could lead us there...?

::one of the demonics wonders whether you want to know how to get there above ground or through the sewers::

::goes over to them, and explains, looking like the small, pathetic fop that he is:: Please don't let anyone disturb Aleph's body right now. Okay? I want the chance to make him, look decent for ... uh, burial. And I. Don't have the time to do it yet.

through the sewers as far as possible please.

::they nod... one moves to stay with the body while the other goes to lead you through the city... he thinks he can get you within a couple of miles::

::follows along, lugging the jars stowed in his old medkit case::

then lead on good sir. ::totes flamer and follows::

::travel, travel, travel::

::it's hard to tell how long you walk through the murk and the mist, toting gooey bits of demon, but eventually your guide begins giving a wide berth to areas you've encountered the Jackovians before...

::before we arrive, I turn to face ourguide:: oh, by the way, I give my word to you and your people not toreveal your nature unless unavoidable.

((Hehe!))

he points out where you were saved from the Jackovians when Maria was kidnapped, the ladder to the hotel where the soul shard was hidden, and then points out where he thinks you should debark, as the tunnel begins to curve...

away from where you're going::

(can't tell people i promised not to do something unless i promised not to do something!))

Wow. I've not been up there in a while. ::looks instinctively anxious::

((You were up there four hours ago))

::looks to the Avestan:: I guess, I'll go first.

well, this is our stop. thank you neighbor. :: nods to the guide:: oh, c'mon, it won't bite...

((Er, right. ))

Can you, uh, hand this up to me? ::hands the Avestan the bag, and starts up::

::waiting for lan, and avoiding getting splashed again::

::the water must have let up a bit, because the splash isn't nearly so bad this time, a bit of late afternoon sunlight cuts through the clouds::

::Gets to the top and reaches hastily down for his bag, then stands up and looks dignified::

::hands up bag, shimmies up ladder, closes the grate, and looks like a shabby priest::

::the streets are much busier than they were earlier, as people scurry through the rain in the general direction of the starport::

:: I glare at any gawkers and stroke my flamer::

Well. Shall we? ::watches the folks come and go::

::they seem mostly unconcerned with the pair of you::

sure ::heads off towards the temple::

::or, the general direction of where he's heard that it is::

::in a block or two I put on my best scowl and walk up to a scurrier:: The Temple. where is it from here?

Ack! ::goes tearing off away at a dead run::

::i tone it down to third, or meybe fourth best scowl, and try again...::

Eeek! Umm... which one?

Amalthean.

::does his best to look like an indignant offworlder::

Err... two blocks that way, third block that way, turn right, go straight, can't miss it

Good. ::stalks off::

::goes with him, lugging::

::sighs:: much as i hate it, the rep is useful from time to time... ::follows directions::

::chuckles weakly::

::and, sure enough, the building that you come upon is small, barely seperate from the nice-ish apartments around it, but unmistakably religious... the Aeon grail cross hangs over the door in laminated wood::

::i knock on the door::

::a voice from inside calls "Enter, child"::

::must've misheard what his companion said before::

::follows him inside, and looks around::

:: I open the door and step in:: good day father.

((An Amalthean, an Avestan, and an Alchemist walk into a bar. ))

::the building has a low ceiling amidst the warm wood paneling... as far as you can tell it's mostly one long room... the scent of wood polish and ammonia replaces the antiseptic smells common to other hospitals...

((LOL))

::looks around:: I'm sorry to bother you, but I had heard you have certain facilities here that I am in need of...

::nods in agreement::

::it'd been dawning on him for the last 45 seconds or so how improbable this seemed::

((So, umm... one day, I'm going to finish describing a scene before people start assuming things and talking over it))

((Sorry!))

((not today, though, apparantly, my bad. i'll stop))

yet the fuzion lights are bright, illuminating decent but not pricey tapestries of omega gospel stories that hang over small but comfortable sick beds... it's basically 1000% better than what you have in the sewers... a desk and kiosk type arrangement is set up near the door where a woman that could best be described as a "iron haired harridan" looks to you while glancing back to make sure that her novitiates are doing their job. A name plaque.. reads "Canon Chiona Abelev"::

::decent facilities! The sight makes his bones suddenly ache with weariness::

::gives Martel her best withering stare, which is pretty darn good, then takes in Lan:: I've told the Temple before and I'll tell you again... you cannot bring us your interogatees when they're in danger of expiring before they confess

((::Recognizes her as the broad that rejected all his applications to the Amalthean order back in the day!:: ))

beleive it or not, this one is here for something else.

::smiles pleasantly, and nods::

::raises a frazzled eyebrow, obviously not believing that Lan could be anything but your torture victim::

Lan Maninzhoue, your [appropriate honorific here:].

((Sister is probably appropriate for anyone less than Bishop))

honestly lady, his present condition isn't my fault. I'm just here to help him with a problem.

Go on

::Politely keeps his mouth shut. Is charming that way::

A certain illness has struck someassociates of his. they are quarantined, but I have promised not tospeak of them, as they are not a trusting bunch. this man is a physick,and wished to use your facilities to help him come up with a cure.

::nods in agreement, bedraggled though he is::

So there's an illness in the city that hasn't been reported to us, they called in an apothecary... a very unkempt one at that... and now it's beyond this bedraggled individual's control and instead of admitting defeat he just wants to make use of facilities provided by the church for the use of the faithful... did I sum this up correctly?

::cants his head slightly:: Almost.

faily close, yes. they do seem faithful,but the disease has...altered their appearance most disturbingly. theyfear the public for this reason, among others.

Well then, Mr. Maningzhoue, please tell me why we should help your secular self continue to administer medicine to those that would go to you rather than the Sanctuary... None should fear the Sanctuary should their need by true... obviously their faith in this man has not helped them greatly if you're here

We may have forgotten to mention that not everyone in this city can walk abroad, under this regime. Also, I'm a deeply religious man. I applied twice to the Amalthean order myself, you know. ::converationally, smiles blandly:: I was forced to persue this craft because the Creator couldn't find any better use for me in the order.

::sarcastically:: Oh, then is must be alright then... you using Amalthean equipment with no real information given... because you're a reject from the order... twice, even

Actually, more times than that. ::seems able to weather scorn pretty amicably:: We also probably didn't mention how happy we would be to share information with you.

::the novitiate nurses have begun surreptitiously watching the exchange, interested to see someone but them getting chewed out by their canon::

::and, Lan is a cute guy.::

((Okay, Extrovert+Charm then, sexy, not forgetting your appearance merit))

((Damnit.))

((smaks lan upside the head))

#Extrovert + Charm=11#

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 5 9

((actually 12, total, with the +2 appearance))

((hitting on nuns, i swear!))

((Some of these girls are from my homeplanet. They grow up right where I'm from. ))

::The winning smile from Lan seems to slightly mellow Chiona, and Martel thinks he sees a couple of the nurses giggling and hiding a blush::

Okay... fine... convince me as to why you should be able to use our facilities

::sighs, and prays silently for patience:: well, as far as I can tell, good people will die without your assistance. one already has. but Lan knows better then I do. ::motions towards Lan::

I'm sorry that someone is dead, but I won't feel responsible for an illness we had no awareness of... .... and.. why are you here Brother?

::nods, and says quietly:: The people I'm trying to help are victims of genetic mutilation. Actually, I wanted to ask someone if that sounded familiar.

What do you mean by "genetic mutilation"?

Because I heard about a possible problemthat needed dealing with. I went to investigate, but found these poorsouls instead. It is our duty not only to hunt down those in need of purification, but to give succor to those in need of aid. their illness is not a natural one.

::looks at her frankly:: The tools of human artifice can be usde to heal or harm. A scalpel injures, for example. Someone is using the technologies of the Old Republic, on innocents.

Who, what, and why?

::looking her squarely in the eye:: I have no idea. But I don't doubt it's something you'll find as repellant as I do. at least.

((Extrovert+Knavery please))

((but. I really don't know! ))

#extrovert+knavery = 5#

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 17 5

((Jakovians, angelic and demonic appearance, and for spy work are the suspicions))

((hell, even I know that...))

::genuinely didn't pick up that "what" meant that, but... hastily adds:: I suspect ties with the Decados' secret police. But that's just.. guesswork.

That's a pretty hefty accusation... I suppose you haven't taken this to anyone in authority?

::looks a little angry, and maybe even tearful:: I've been saying this a lot lately, but I'm no politician. I'm just a physick.

I would have done something sooner, but I just found out about this mess today. ::shrugs::

But don't they teach you, as they teach us, not to treat the symptoms but the cause? "Just" a physick... perhaps once you stop selling yourself short you would be worthy of the Sanctuary

::has been steadily lowering his voice:: There are things, sister, that much as it wounds my pride, I must leave in the hands of the Pancreator. ::smiles weakly:: Well. Thanks for that.

::bows and shakes his head:: you know, kid, you aint half bad for a sawbones, so have some free advice... just cause you are a physick don't mean you can't be anything else, ok?

All that it takes for evil to triumph in this world is for good people to abandon hope, to trust that the Pancreator will take care of everything, to sit idle while things go untreated

::to Chiona:: THANK you!

::chuckles, not without an edge of hysteria:: Do I look like an idle man? ::sighs:: Please. Help me beat this sickness.

::considers for a few, long, drawn out moments::

::keeps his mouth shut::

I will help you... but... I expect you after to explain to me how you came to such a crisis of hope and faith... and then we will work together to figure out how you can stop being so unhappy

::looks at the matron thinking deep in his grimy old heart, this is my kinda woman::

Are we agreed?

((now we're all hitting on nuns! I feel a monty python scene coming on! ))

((uh uh, i like her, but not that way dude))

::nods solemnly:: That's a miserable tale, but. If you want to hear it, I'll tell it.

::nods:: Good... if you're investigating genetics you'll need microscopes, centrifuges, and such... I'll go warm up our disease lab

::Amaltheans have always twisted his guts up, matter of fact, since back in the day. But, he hardly shows it. Smiles emphatically at her proclamation, and nods:: Wonderful.

excuse me maam? since i have absolutely no clue about this sort of thing...

Yes?

and have been wandering the sewers for a few days with little to no sleep. mind if someone points the way to a bath and a bed?

Patient showers are that way, please, please scrub thoroughly.. you too Mr. Maningzhoue, before you use our lab... the beds to the back are free, but I suggest you help me keep a wary eye if our friend has...

been digging too deep into the leadership around here it might be dangerous beyond what I can do to defend

::sigh:: good point. bath and no rest it is!

Well. No time like the present. ::heads for the showers, assuming he'll be able to find or ask for a change of clothes somewhere.::

::looks over his shoulder:: ... Thank you, sister. Thank you.

::and such and further is accomplished before Lan heads off to begin his researches into the Changed Genome Project::

~~~ OOC ~~~

whohoo!

Okay, that's what I'm good for tonight... I'll type up what you learn and email to you... see everyone next week

Yaay! Dr. Frankenstein ain't got shit on me!

OKeydoke. Thanks.

Sorry about my noshowage earlier.

::smak:: no lan's monster for you!