~~~IC~~~

::It is a few hours after the death of An's Urge-twin. Elena is resting with Maria watching her while the three of you talk about the night's events in Lan's office at the clinic::

So, ::fingeres steepled:: he..s, er, it was incinterated pretty much, then?

::dangles his stone, inert once again, from it's new chain:: Damn well better be.

There weren't any ... you didn't recover any spec... bits of grue, or anything of that nature, did you? It would be instructive to study the numinal properties of... ::questioningly::

::takes a sideways glance at An:: though it seemed to want something from you as it went. Any clue what that mighta been?

::looks back to Lan:: Nah. All there mighta been was ash, and even that pretty much melted into the cement foundation/

Oh. Of course. ::concealed disappointment:: Well, Elena seems no worse for wear. Just a sedative. ::tidying something up::

Mmm, good. I'm probably going to want to check that girl out. Make sure her heads on straight. If evil An thought there might be another one of her waiting in there to get out, I think we should find out how close to the surface it is.

::shakes his head:: With the stone... ::he says sort of distantly::

::thoughtfully:: There *must* be ways to anneal that sort of... imperfection before it comes to a head. So to speak.

mmm?

Oops. Did I say 'anneal' out loud? Calm down, padre. ::wink::

It doesn't just get to a boiling point and leap out of your body. The means for creating a twin as my "brother" was a very special circumstance. My dark half wished to try to replicate the process.

heh. There are actually several ways to remove such a problem from a persons psyche, but all the ones my little sect practices are less...kind, than we might like.

::clears throat:: I'm not at all interested in reproducing it just to study it.

So, when it comes down to it, there's no need to worry that dark Elena is just going to pop out of her at any random moment. ::leans back in his chair::

Which is a relief. ::folds hands blandly::

No, but we probably DO want to talk to her a bit about it. Just because you'd need the stone to reproduce another evil twin, doesnt mean she's not having problems with her powers.

::nods:: I will talk to her about it. But if anyone anywhere has a better support group for this situation I don't know about it. She lives day to day with a group that teaches her control. Far more than I ever had.

Good. Then just make sure that the group is still working for her.

::nods again running a hand through his hair::

Ok, next order of business. The thing causing the addictions has been put down. Was that the root of the problem, or will we need to keep an eye out for jakovian agents or something?

::looks to the suitcase on the table that was retrieved from the warehouse:: Whats in that?

::rubs his chin:: Good question. ::lifts it onto the table, and pops the clasps:: It was your evil demon-twin. You do the honors. ::slides the case over to An::

Well, the immediate supply/supplier has been cut down, I guess you mean. I.... ::watches the breifcase spectacle::

::upclacks the latches and opens it::

::another stack of evidence fills the case: names, chains of commands, logs of drug drops, signatures and authorizations from high-ranking Jakovian operatives, and even a few documents with Vlad's seal::

::peers:: Zwounds. We have more than enough to really stick it to 'em now.

::whistles:: and ourselves.

I guess its about time to figure out what were going to do with this information.

You mean which authority to take it to?

We throw this at the wall, some of it'll stick, but some is gonna bounce right back at us too. This is the first real thing linking the Jakovians that we have isnt it?

Mmm.... the disc I have of Grigori's work and notes and so on would also be relevant...

Something that would make the other houses think, but isit enough to have them act.

::you also have the information the Keddah gave you, plus everything you got from the warehouses during the raids::

The Avesti would pounce on the excuse, but that would likely alienate any other support we might garner.

Is it enough for the Jackovians to deny? I mean there is a pretty large amount of dirt. But how best to handle it?

That has something to do with the question: who has the means to really hang on to all the info without any, er, loss of integrity? ::wrings hands::

I guess what it comes down to is. Do we have enough? And if we feel we do, what do we do with it?

I think we have enough. This is pretty damning, and it goes high up enough that if these operations continue after the Jakovians throw some token players under the bus... they'll probably be called on it.

Enough also has something to do with how likely anybody is to say "Why should I do anything about that?" I mean... this SORT of thing is threatening to almost House, I think you could say...

Yanno, isn't this same kind of crap what almost got the Decados brought down way back in the day? Screwing with the other houses?

I think we do have a pretty good case here. Other houses might find similar plot occuring on their own worlds. We would give them an affirmation and a face to fight. The question I guess is how do we make it public.

Would we piss off, say, the imperial eye, if we didnt bring it to them first? Or at least let them know that we were taking it public?

This conversastion makes me extremely nervous. Anyone like some tea?

Sure, I'd take a cup.

::puts a kettle on::

It might do to just drop the information off to a number of intelligence agencies, and to the news services at the same time. The chaos may well force said agencies to come to us for an account, and the news coverage keeps us from just being dissappeared.

::thinks about it for a minute:: I think that may be our next course of action.

Maybe to several important prospects simultaneously, people who have the most interest in worrying about it? And let them know who else knows? ... I mean, rather than news agencies? Or, I dunno. ::prepping a couple tea infuser things whose names I can never remember::

Oh we definately want everyone to know who else knows. Except for the Jakovians. That'd just be hilarious. ::grins evilly::

::a thunk at the office door heralds the arrival of the morning paper::

::creaks out of his chair:: I got it. ::opens the door, retrieves carbon based analog news server::

::Pours and starts the tea steeping::

::the cover headline for the local newspaper reads "Who is Dr. M?" A picture below shows a silhouette of someone that may or may not be Lan holding a package of methadone into the light::

((I did NOT pose for playgirl!!))

((*snrk* you didnt show up, so I made the call...))

::chuckles::

Hey Doc, looks like you're psudonymically famous.

Hum? ::sets down tea, takes a look. Hurt expression crosses his face:: Who is mysterious doctor M. ::repeats flatly:: Jakovan target practice?

You were target practice well before now. At least they didn't give out your full name and picture...did they? ::starts leafing through the story::

::"It is a loosely-kept secret that Selchaka addiction was becoming a major problem in many Hazat cities, hitting military personnel hardest. Since the arrival of Dr. M's anti-drug at several military bases coordinated with the breaking-up of the drug dealer rings, this paper has learned that the military is now back to 80% effectiveness."... "Hazat officials are interested in the identity of the doctor that has been supplying the backbone of the war on drugs led by the Heroes of Vera Cruz and the Inquisition"... "Sources close to the local imperial offices indicate that the Emperor himself may be taking a keen interest in the results of the recent war on drugs."::

Ohcomeon. Some of them have met me. How could they forget a face like ths? ::doesn't smile::

::pauses:: Meybe I shoulda informed my bosses before we started in on this. Bet I'll be hearing about that later.

I think it might be best if the well doing and mysterious Doctor M should be the one to come forward with this wealth of information.

::sniffs:: You think that's really true? ::picks his tea back up, handing the other to the priest:: The Emperor wants to meet *me*?

The press has pegged him as a hero. That's not a bad idea. Thanks Lan.

Okay, well.... ::looks around:: Um. I can try and get there in one piece. We'd better make copies though, yeah?

And just because he wants to hear the results, doesn't neccisarily mean he wants to meet. Lets not get our hopes up.

::nods:: But its a goal worth shooting for.

::of course, theoretically nobody but you and possibly the Keddah is aware of just how much extra information you have...::

No, Lan, you cannot make copies of yourself "just in case. Bad Lan, no cloning!

::Leans in the door, smiling:: She's awake.

You know I bet they have fac.... er.

Morning Maria.

Is it? Damn.

Er, well. ::flustered, excuses himself to the boy's room::

::stands and walks out the door towards Elena's room, leaning over to kiss Maria on the cheek before making his way out::

::drops the paper and goes to pour Tea for Elena and Maria, if they want it::

::Is sitting up in bed, somewhat gingerly with her bruises and scrapes, but looks calm and collected, if a bit groggy::

::nocks lightly on the door::

::it's most of the way open, Elena beckons you in, smiling::

We're going to need a code word, and the next time you spawn an Urge-monsters, we'll have to change the code word

::Walks in quietly behind, two-fisting the tea cups:: He better not spawn another one. ::grumbles::

::comes in and leans over the bed giving Elena a gentle hug:: It should be Monkey ::he says before pulling a chair right against the bedside:: How are you?

Better now that the real you is here ::returns the hug:: Father... Fiery Crusader? ::asks in a cute way that indicates that she has no idea what your real name is::

::sets the tea cup down on the bedside table, and moves back over by the door:: Deacon Azo, ma'am. At your service.

But Father Fiery Crusader works as well.

Father Azo, would you mind terribly if I did something not entirely non-heretical to fix myself?

::looks hurt:: I prefer Fiery Religious Combatant. Less ugly connotation. Sure, just don't pull anything.

::takes An's hand and squeezes it, a warm light passing between them as she amplifies her powers. Her right eye glows a warm red, and then within moments her bruises fade, scratches heal, and color returns to her skin::

::returns the squeeze of his hand gently::

Maria tells me you destroyed the beast?

That would be the work of our Deacon here.

::comes back from the bathroom, keeps on with tidying::

Well, there's gotta be SOMETHING I'm willing to roast a demon for.

Then I shall put my trials from my mind, as with its passing I have no more to fear. Thank you all.

::as Lan and Martel are both of a religious bent, the vibe they get off of Elena is very similar to enlightened members of some of the better cults; someone who has worked very hard to redeem her past::

::puts a hand up and rubs a thumb across her cheek:: Minus the clobering bits of the last few days. How have you been?

::came in on that last note about trials::

::Martel is also aware that these are exactly the same sort of folks that will blithely walk 20 yards when burning in Ka oil to take out an inquisitor that disagrees with their cult::

I'm very well. I've missed you, and Maria, and everyone else here, but we're doing a lot of good work on Vera Cruz. We rescued a dozen abandoned children this year.

::Martel figures that the a-hole Inquisitor who lights up a person like this probably deserves a little taking out::

Thats wonderful. You'll want to send word back to them as soon as you get a chance. I think they may be worried about you.

I have a little while yet before they send out the search parties. Who would think that their seer would walk blindly into a trap?

Dr....? I'm afraid I've been referring to you as the battered philosopher.

Can't see every thing. ::smiles::

::coughs uncomfortably:: Seers generally ain't that hard to trap, Ma'am. Visions can be ducedly misleading, and if you know the target has them, you can plan for it. I'd suggest a bodyguard, in the future.

I feel fairly well for a battered philsopher, milady. How are you feeling?

Very well, thank you. You're an Apothecary?

That's the guild whose dues I pay, yes. Did An's double ... ah, harm you in any other ways I might have missed?

Your care is better than any of the other Apothecaries on Leagueheim, sir. And, no, my ills are quite healed now. The Father will be pleased to know that I remained strong throughout the beast's initial attempts. I don't believe that it was able to stoke any dark fires within me.

The Father knows your family tends towards strength of character, despite occasional slips. Besides, whatever happened, the demon was the one in control. Resistance on your part was remarkable.

Our order teaches techniques specifically to resist such things, far better than those of the Penitents. Were your sect to allow us freedom and aid to work openly against the Invisible Path, and find us psychic foundlings across the worlds, you would see many fewer instances of those consumed by their Urge

Preaching to the choir, lady. Excepting a few very rare cases, I find that turning psychics over to the Penitents to be a phyrric solution. At best.

Then perhaps between us, once these trials are over we can work on some reforms together ::smiles::

It'd be a pleasure.

Though... sadly... sometimes your order is the only choice to those that are so indoctrinated that they are likely to become a danger to themselves and others... like poor Tien

I watched his threads calcify, rust, and then burn

::Raises eyebrows:: His what did WHAT?

::leans back and listens::

::sadness dances behind his eyes:: What little we could do to help him, I made sure was done, but...

I believe he was given the choice of cleansing, much as An was, and chose instead the way of dogma, hubris, and brittle restraint... had he continued, his path may have been a dark twin... or a dead world

Pyre is close enough to dead as it is. At least there, I hoped our techniques, such as we have, would help.

They didn't, or at least they didn't help enough.

Once he made his choice, his path was set. Free will is burden as well as blessing. He chose not to change, and to harden his heart to love. So doing is the first step to evil.

Its a lesson we could all learn from.

Aye. ::sighs heavily::

Well, it is late, and I know you're all exhausted as I am. I could share with you more foresight, but I suspect you're all weary of glimpses of the future. Just know that I feel that you are now "over the hump" as they say, and you will begin to build momentum to push past further obstacles, as long as you stay the course... A fist of iron may seem unbeatable, but iron breaks before it bends

I'd like to take a look around the town tomorrow with An and Maria, then I need to head back to Vera Cruz... and An needs to check his light pulse messages

And I should probably... be headed somewhere, as soon as possible. ::mutters::

Rest well, Seeress. ::quietly slips out of the room::

::blinks for a moment:: Indeed... I probably do. ::stands up slowly:: Are you sure you have to leave so soon?

I have too heavy a hand on the weave, and you need to make choices because they are right, not because they are destined. We will have time together soon, if this is all resolved correctly. Once this is done, the gargoyles may let you free of their conspiracy, finally ::smiles::

::smiles:: That would be nice. ::he leans down and kisses her on the cheek then puts a hand on her head and messes up her hair a little:: Get some sleep, sister.

::puts and hand down, pulls it over her nose and deftly pulls her nose off holding his thumb between his first and second fingers to prove it::

::pouts:: Do you know how hard those are to regrow?

::thinks for a second:: No, I don't. ::slips it into his pocket:: Sleep well. ::he says and makes his way out of the room::

::and the night, or early morning, passes uneventfully... Martel and Lan sleep in a bit and then get to work closing out Muster accounts and making some final batches of methadone, respectively...

::goes to check the pulsing light message stuff McThingies::

An and Maria wake up in time for lunch, have a nice meal with Elena, duck press as only a seer can as they tour the town... Elena looks a bit sad as she looks through her house, assembling things she wants to keep...

::and a little perplexed by silverware assembled in alchemical designs::

then signs over to An power of attorney to finally sell the house or make it his officially, as she doesn't plan to move back... then she boards a starship headed to Vera Cruz, likely with some well-paid Muster protection for the ride back, and An is able to check the light pulse station at the starport... he has one message: "Mother wants to talk business with you. Byz II. -Morning"::

::when An and Maria get home later that afternoon, a nondescript car is parked outside the house::

::looks to see if anyone is inside::

::it's hard to see through the dark windows, but it appears to be two men, who exit when you disembark and pay the taxi... they are both nondescript, wearing nondescript suits::

Mr. An-hetep-f Griffen and Dona Maria Fe Eduardo de Hazat?

Depends who's asking.

Imperial Eye, sir.

What can we do for you?

The office of the Emperor, and, in fact, the Emperor himself, has taken a keen interest in your recent dealings. We would like to extend to you the opportunity to be debriefed of your recent actions... Preferably on Byzantium II, but here if you schedule doesn't permit you to travel offworld in the near future. We would council that you allow us to escort you offworld; there are individuals locally that are even now working against your interests. Personal safety, primary amongst them.

This my be silly, or a tad cliche', but how do we know you are who you say you are.

What would convince you?

::You're about 50% certain that the second agent is actually a woman. But she's too nondescript to be 100% sure.::

::The primary agent is 95% likely to be a guy... maybe 90%::

((drop your drawers!))

::thinks for a moment:: We have work that needs to be done here. But I might have business on Byzantium II soon. Lets say this. We meet, here with the rest of our group. Discuss what you need from us and what we need from you. At which point we'll plan an action best fitting us. As of right now we can't afford to all leave. But I believe I will be in need of a trip.

Fair enough. I council speed, however. Your black-clad friends have been moving into this city since yesterday.

Two hours time. At the clinic. Do you know where that is?

Indeed. I do not suggest any of you stay behind. We do not have the resources to protect you against a concentrated assault at this stage.

We'll discuss it. Amongst ourselves and meet in two hours time. Fair?

::at the very least, his accent doesn't have the Severan qualities that are a dead giveaway for Jakovians. He speaks in a cultured, bland Byz II accent.::

Two hours. Good luck. ::they get in the car and slowly drive out::

At least we finally got a decent night's sleep.

::nods:: Should be terribly fun. Lets assemble the team.

We might as well grab anything we need from the house and head to the clinic. I'd bet Lan's still there at least.

::sleeping in a closet, doubtless::

::awake, and away from the windows::

::At the clinic, that is::

::packs stuff goes there::

::and in less than half an hour into your deadline, you make it into the clinic... have the cab leave the meter running?::

::does that::

::organizing people coming in for treatment, at directed by the nurses::

::nobody really comes in. This is more of a secret lab than a functioning clinic.::

::climbs out of the closet, goes and finds Martel:: So. You think we should try and go see the Emperor, or is there somebody that can turn this more directly into capital for Hazat? I mean...

::Then by "organizing" I mean "scaring off"::

Just because, you know, I feel bad for them.

::explains to them the conversation he had with the Operatives::

Oh! So they're for real? ::sounds enthused::

Well Hell. We should probably just get a meeting time and place on BZII, and head there ourselves. Our own pilot being reliable, and whatnot.

I'm just concerned about what would occur if we're to leave. What if we put everything in place that needs to be put in place? Perhaps going public before we head out is the best thing to do.

Agreed. Or rather, we dump the info on the news services, and immediately hit the starport. Or even dump them the news just before we jump to BZII

Isn't it old news by the time the emperor gets it then?

Could at least tie up our enemies trying to quiet the news so they have less to throw at us

I want you to understand that I don't know how well I can trust these Operatives. But I agree that taking our own ship is the best bet.

There is that. Would it be more effective delivered to the Emperor on Byzantium than filtered through every spy network for two weeks before we get there?

Can we time the release to go out just AFTER our meeting?

Get the press to sit on a story for two weeks?

Our meeting in two hours?

Have our operations personnell shut up shop for two weeks, drop a note with a few local lawyers to be delivered to press in two weeks and a day, just after out meeting on BZII. Thoughts?

Number one. I'm not really sure what these operatives want. They may want us to stand down and for them to take over. They may want to eject us out of an Airlock.

::is mainly wowed by the idea of meeting the emperor::

Truth be told I don't know how much more we can do from here. Maybe find an assitant to run the clinic while were gone. Make it public. That way it can still do its job while were away.

You know anyone appropriate Lan?

::lan... does?::

Well, I... I've not been circulating much in the last couple years. At least not among... oh, you mean to keep up the medical side of things. ... yes I suppose there were some folks involved I would trust not to completely fumble things. ... The key people have supplies of the methodone to last a little while now, of course. It's not that difficult to administer. ((To the best of my understanding? ))

Right. Good then.

((indeed. it's actually fairly easy to create, too... it's just faster when you do it since you play fast and loose with the laws of chemical bonding times and such. you have to mix the stuff in a big metal basin... since it tends to alternately exotherm or endotherm in ways that would shatter glass))

Get someone here to find them and brief them. We need to get going if we are gonna go ahead and skip town.

We probably need to wait for our meeting in about an hour. Then skip town.

::nods. sends for a couple key people-- the most responsible and most techincally competent, respectively to oversee things::

::you make your arrangements, and keep the meter running long enough to bring a smile to the cabbie's face, before the two agents arrive at the clinic precisely five minutes early::

Glad to see you could make it.

And we are glad that you did us the honor of not skipping town already.

I was a close vote, I gotta tell ya.

::looks to Martel:: Give them the skinny.

((AFK for a minute, BRB. :-) ))

We'll be making our way to BZII privately. You can announce that you'll be escorting us separately if you like.

We assumed as much, but wanted to leave your option open.

::nods:: Thanks.

We have taken the liberty of changing your ship's clearance codes in the central database; since it was illicitly obtained, we believe there was a 45% chance that your enemies have located its registry.

In addition, we'll be leaving certain facts in the hands of some of the locals, so that, if the worst should happen, at least the culprits will be outed.

::hands over a card with new clearance codes:: These should pass even a concentrated blockade at either end or at the gate

::pockets them:: Thanks again.

It is important that you do not reveal to us the identity of these sources, though we would ask that you give the Emperor first report of the details before the local media.

::thinks about it:: We'll try to set that up, but we WILL be arranging for the information to get out here, in case you are not, in fact, who you claim to be. Acceptable?

And we have no problem with that happening. However, the Emperor should retain the prerogative as to what actions must be taken on a galactic scale before the spy networks begin feasting on the details. Assuming that you have given us at least a couple of weeks time, and plan to report to the Emperor immediately upon your arrival, that is acceptable.

Of course.

Where do we go, upon our arrival to the capitol?

You may check with any of the contacts on that card at your leisure.

::the card, in fact, has names, phone numbers, and code words on the back::

((do I recognize any of the names?))

((probably not))

Very well. If that is all, we should be off world sometime late tomorrow.

The sooner the better, but you know your own schedules best. We will hopefully not need to meet again.

Indeed. Good luck.

::they nod and leave::

::listens and nods:: Thank you again for your help. I hope our relationship will prove to me mutuallly beneficial.

Hey. We're the ones that need the luck.

A little luck never hurt an agent for the eye.

::mutters:: Anyway, there's no such thing. ::shivers a little::

::waits until the door shuts firmly behind the agents:: I'd like to be gone before the sun is fully down. Shall we?

Agreed.

I seem to recall the last time I got rushed off to Byzantium II, I had to wear stiffsynth and a helmet for two weeks and answer to "Gustav"... I'll pass on that this time, if it's all the same to you dear

Heh. Gustav?

Its a long story. ::chuckles:: Maybe you can be Gustav's sister... Helga.

::doesn't let himself actually look amused:: Well, speaking of synthsilk. I'll slip into something a touch safer myself and I'm ready.

Heh, I think false names would only hinder our efforts anyway, once we arrive.

((Doctor Moriarity!))

((Ew. Or Mengele.))

You better believe if we have any chance of getting to see the Emperor that I'm leading a shopping expedition of epic proportions... no matter how often I buy you all clothes, you never seem to keep the outfits up

::looks falsely disappointed:: I always considered myself a snazzy dresser.

...says the guy still wearing the clothes he incinerated his evil twin in

Technically, he incinerated my evil twin. ::points to Martel:: And I like to call it Charred Chic.

There are many shades of black that could safely be regarded as chic... few of them are actually burned

And anyway... I have it on good authority that Cranberry is the new black.

We'll get you a nice sable outfit... maybe do the rest of us in reds so you stand out... ::begins muttering as she considers a color scheme for the party:: I don't suppose we can stop by Duke Enrico's estate on the way out... Obelia's still a fashionista... oh well, it can't be helped

I'm sure we can find someone at the capitol to outfit us properly.

We'll have plenty of time to do some planning on the long flight. Shall we?

A couple of us should probably try and get as familiar as possible with our stack of papers and so on, on the way.

::and you eventually get into the idling cab and make your way to the starport, where once more you blast off into the starry black yonder::

~~~OOC~~~