~~~IC~~~

::The cloak and dagger routine safely got you out of Hazat space. The jumpgate was actually surprisingly easy to navigate... it doesn't look like there are a lot of reinforcements heading out to Hira... After a little more than two weeks in space, you find yourselves setting down at port Veridian over the beautiful Caspian Ocean. Your afternoon landing gives you a good look at the massive architecture of this remnant of the 2nd Republic::

::It is now early October::

::observes the view, and wraps his read coat tighter::

::runs hand through hair, not sure whether to be more nervous or less now planetside. Spent the intervening time reviewing all incriminating materials::

::after the queue to taxi off of the runway, you're flagged into a docking bay and briefly haggle with the docking authority before stepping out, a whole planet before you::

::devours the planet to live, sending his Silver Surfer to prepare the next one::

::those of you that haven't been here before quickly find out that the port doesn't seem to be built near anything. The planet's major market hub, the Agora, is hundreds of miles to the southeast...

We probably better check in with whoever makes to meeting schedules here...

the imperial city even further to the northwest::

...or rather, there in the Imperial City.

((or rather, those of you that were here at the beginning of the chronicle, but never really had it explained how silly the layout is))

((HI Pleasure to meet you!))

::nods:: We'll need to find a place of lodging. Perhaps take a jaunt down to the Imperial City to do that. I think our friends will be able to find us.

Sounds like a start. ::Shoulders a hefty amount of baggage::

So, we should go someplace nice and conspicuous, like someplace with a fine tailor and fine food?

Somewhere far from shopping as possible. ::winks at Maria::

Heh.

While the shopping in the main Agora is renowned across the known worlds, I think you'll find that there are many agoras that put our Hazat shopping to shame all over the Imperial City ::sticks out tongue::

Well, I'm sure we can all find things we like in the big city. Like a nice Cigar store.

((the imperial city is apparently the size of Rhode Island))

Well if we're going to stay some where, lets stay somewhere in style. Lets get a flight to the imperial city, find a nice hotel. Somewhere in the middle.

::starts asking around the port for appropriate travel arrangements::

::you find there is a group shuttle plane heading to the city in an hour, or you can charter a private jet::

::signs up for the shuttle plane:: Hey guys, I got us a trip to the city! This way... ::waves everyone over to the shuttle area::

::hustles along, looking vaguely shifty-eyed::

I love public transportation. ::smiles::

::the hour passes fairly quickly as you get your ducks in a row, and you're soon in the air again for about half an hour... as usual for such flights, the boarding and disembarking takes longer than the flight::

::the imperial city, if possible, is even grander than the spaceport. Immense 2nd Republic buildings dwarf most anything on the other planets you've been to in both size and architecture... from up here, it's obvious that "city" is a misnomer; this is an extensively arrayed kingdom in miniature, with obvious architectural differences and clearly defined boundaries of city-sized embassies and services::

::sigh:: Can you imagine, having the means to build like this? I mean.. and actually using it?

::shrug:: It's impressive, sure. I'm mostly amazed that it's just managed to stay up so long.

::you land in a much smaller spaceport that seems to primarily service planetary traffic and priority starships, and, with the help of those that lived here for a while, select the correct tube of the local Jaunt to go down"town"::

::those with an acceleration tolerance of less than 3G or heart conditions are advised to not take the Jaunt::

::enjoys the ride:: I need to get one of these installed on Pyre. Save on the pilgrammage costs.

::porters secure your luggage and then strap you into very cushy, forward-facing couches anchored to the floor and ceiling by posts...

::looks around for a hotel with appropriately classy/expensive gold lettering::

((wait, that doesnt happen yet))

::I assume it's cool if I keep my shoulder bag on me.::

after several seconds of acceleration that nearly causes you to black out, you find that the posts allow the couch to spin around during deceleration... whatever the necessary time to cover about 20 miles at 100 ft/second/second, you finally stop::

::sighs wistfully:: alas, this would probably kill some of our elders.

::that time is a little over a minute.. and Lan is really regretting holding onto his bag::

((over 2000 mph before you started slowing down!))

::shakes his head trying to clear his eyes:: That was... fun... ::little burp::

::may have just been impaled by his own handbag, but it's better to look good than to feel good::

Take the Jaunt they said. Why not? Why can I never seem to remember not to take the Jaunt?

Hey, it wasn't THAT bad. Hell, if they'd be willing to double the trip times, the whole thing would be a LOT more comfy.

I don't think they know how. They're lucky the Engineers receive special Church dispensation just to maintain the thing.

Yes, that's the sort of thing I'd rather not think about malfunctioning.

Hmm, probably better not to mess with it then, but that sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

Lets find somewhere where the ground doesn't move so much to stay.

Good idea.

::as you stagger out of the Jaunt, accompanied by a few dozen other over-accellerated travelers, you find little difficulty finding a cab to take you at a much less ridiculous speed to a nice hotel nearby::

::exits the jaunt and looks around for a hotel with appropriately classy/expensive gold lettering::

::you're able to obtain a fairly nice suite that includes a common room and a private area for each of you, and you find yourselves safely settled not too long before dinner::

::begins to cook gramma Azo's special spicy gulash::

Yanno, padre, someday when this all blows over, I'm going to plant a pepper garden just for you. Maybe you can open a restaraunt.

::makes enough for everyone, including two Imperial Eye agents, if they come around::

::orders out for something that won't kill his stomach and to act as an alternative meal::

::makes some very polite noises about Martel's cooking before eating whatever An orders::

I already have a pepper garden. But the resturaunt would be nive, assuming the good lord ever decides to let things calm down a bit.

((nice, it would be nice))

I'll wager I could expand your repertoire by one or two species, at any rate. So, An. Anything special to think about when it comes to how all this parleys into favor and... ah, aid in rebuilding, for the right people?

::blinks:: What?

...I think he means to ask how we should present our case.

Well, I think we should see why they've asked us here. What they want from us. From there we can formulate a plan of action.

::nods:: makes sense. I still think we should at least check at the palace tomorrow, to make sure we're expected.

Yeah. Right. Just, if we're going to turn information over to the Emperor, you know. I want you to get the right kind of credit.

I don't know that we'll get to see the Emperor directly unless he's really expecting to see us. Chances are, we'll just give a report to the Eye, unless we set up some allies that think we should speak.

Allright, then do we WANT to speak directly to the crown?

((apparently cam's internet has died quietly))

Cause if he isn't expecting us, I'm not sure preempting his officials is the best way to win us to his side.

I just want us to get the right kind of noteworthiness out of it. If nothing else, so it'll make somebody scowl when we're disappeared to the gulag.

Silly Lan, we won't live long enough to see the inside of the Gulag!

::Frowns:: Padre, I'm actually *useful* alive, yanno.

We're not going to a gulag. This is politics. We have something that may or may not be politically useful to multiple people. If we don't take steps to use it, someone else will use us. It's just the game.

Yeah, but it never was a game I much liked.

Nobody explains the rules. ::petulantly::

You may want to play anyway. It will be good practice for the Avesti reforms you keep talking about.

Mostly, my complaint is about not being able to light the other participants on fire. Some of them could really use a good torching.

That's *advanced* politics. You have to master the basics before you can do that.

*sigh* You are right though. That's not to say the church doesn't have opportunities to practice of it's own. Gotta step lively these days around the elders if you want to advance. It's one of the prime reasons reform is so hard to enact these days.

((incidentally, politics is probably a combination of Bureaucracy, Etiquette, and Knavery... Maria's okay, Martel and Lan only really have a little Etiquette, and An's a theoretical master))

((it may be a little while until Cam's internet connection comes back; he says it's been dropping like this lately. Do you guys want to go ahead and do scenes I had planned for you while we wait?))

((Sure, unless they're An-intensive?))

((aye, dont want him missing An-centric stuff))

((I trust I have some sense of his political mastery-- since bureaucracy, ettiquette, and knavery are fairly easy tospot if you know somebody's motives.))

((nope, i was planning to split you up anyway))

((Ah, good call.))

::Anyway, after a night of setting up your plans and contacting... contacts?... you find that the Imperial Eye seems either unaware of your presence as of yet, or genuinely expecting you to call them rather than calling you... Martel is invited to speak with the leadership of the church across the planet in the Holy City, while Lan is invited to the Port Authority Agora to talk to the leadership of his guild::

::meanwhile, Maria seems to be trying to play on assorted noble contacts while An goes on an undisclosed mission::

((Well, you mean, just "Hey, while you're on the planet, drop by for tea and cakes?"))

::grimaces at the invitation:: These are usually pretty mandatory. I better head over there folks.

((Or, "if you did what you said, we're impressed, and would like to hear about it"))

((also, apparently humans can tolerate 12g horizontal acceleration for several minutes without too much difficulty))

((Oh, the word-is-outkkind of thing. Roger.))

::puts on a dignified expession:: Game On, I suppose. See you all tomorrow.

((I noticed there're people who've supposedly survived instantaneous 170+gs))

((like that lady what fall out of the passenger jet in russia and lived?))

::nods:: Quite. Good luck, padre.

((yeah... so, apparently, 68 miles in one minute is entirely doable... or 270 miles in 2 minutes... but at that point i wonder if you aren't going too fast for an atmosphere))

((Some guy in a car wreck.))

((i think when you're falling unassisted, you're just taking 1G))

::Hoofs it out to the Holy City for his congradulations/firing squad::

((You experience 1 G while falling, yeah. Decelleration is another story of course. ))

((I meant the stop at the END of the fall))

((somehow, I don't think the instantaneous deceleration is really your problem there, so much as the force of the deceleration being delivered to you by something that doesn't really absorb any of the energy))

((I like the term "generalized catastrophic decelleration"))

::tries to take an inconspicuous route to the Agora::

((q.v., being hit with a 10 pound hammer vs. being hit with a 10 pound beanbag :)))

((well, yeah, X many Gs up your left leg or on the small of your back is worse than X many Gs distributed perfectly evenly over your torso.))

((plus, terminal velocity stopped all at once is probably only equivalent to like 5-6Gs))

((technically, if you distribute it perfectly evenly, the body could probably take upwards of a thousand Gs before failing))

((noooo, it's a LOT more than that))

((it's really your superior elasticity vs. the things what you be hitting that does you in.. damn elasticity))

((i guess it depends on how big of a fraction of a second it takes to stop... terminal velocity is only something in the 100-200 ft/second))

((whoops, nope, 120 mph... so...))

((well, I know most fighter jocks take around 7-9 pulling combat manuvers))

((so, 10,280 ft/second))

((nope, wrong again.. maths hard after 6 pm!))

((176 ft/second... which would only be 5.5G if you stopped within a second... probably way more if you hit something inflexible enough that you stop instantly... so, again, damn elasticity!))

((does that sound right? if so, we can return to our regularly scheduled program))

((I believe that's precisely it. ))

((apparently the problem is G/sec. You can pull 100 Gs for a hundreth of a second without anything more than pain, but 16gs for a minute will kill ya))

((CONTINUE!))

((it depends on the direction, too... you can stand 16g or so for more than a minute accelerating in a way that doesn't make your eyes pop out.. or possibly in a way that does... the article wasn't really clear))

((but you can die really fast with under 10g up or down))

((probably depends on how it relates to the spinal colums, perpidically (sp) being preferable))

::anyway, Lan and Martel have ample time to consider the acceleration figures as they take first the Jaunt, then Hoppers across the planet... Lan sets down in the Agora airport, and Martel sets down outside the Holy City::

::The Port Authority Agora is a magnificent 2nd Republic relic of high tech buildings situated on ceramsteel trestles over the ocean, linked to the mainland by a golden bridge::

::straightens cuffs. Misses high-tech worlds. Tries not to look like a tourist::

::Meanwhile, the Holy City is a much less technological marvel; a half dozen terraced tiers of walls and hand-carved, whitewashed stone buildings formed within concentric rings::

::straightens collar. Misses high-tech worlds. tries not to look like he's going to light people on fire today::

::each of them is actually city sized, unlike the monstrosity that is the Imperial City, but what they lack in sheer sprawling acreage they more than make up for in prestige to your individual allegiances::

((who wants to go first?))

((Meme!))

((let the fancy city doc go first))

::Lan is able to get a cab, and slowly makes his way through the mid-morning bustle of what is functionally a giant shopping mall, amusement park, and planetary office park all rolled into one...

::wearing a perpetual wan smile. doesn't miss a beat stepping onto moving walkways, keying in cred info, or whatnot::

guilders in all manner of suits, coveralls, and uniforms move throughout crowds of peasants bringing their produce in from the nearby farms, tourists seeing the city for the first time, and shoppers looking for the perfect deal::

::Eventually, the cab is able to push its way through the traffic without killing anyone and drops you off in front of a nice, but somewhat disappointing (compared to everywhere else) hospital-shaped building blazoned with the apothecary crest::

::tips a precision amount, smooths jacket, and walks on in-- aware we may not be the most flamboyant guild, but we're probably second oldest.::

::and, in fact, the Courtesans' guild seems to have a branch office across the street, in a similarly archaic building::

::for a minute, on leaving the bright light of the morning for the sterile hospital interior, Lan almost worries that he went in the wrong one... the local apothecaries seem to be on a marketing push... young beauties, both male and female, move purposefully through the corridors in their scrubs and nurse outfits::

((Where's my cane?))

((you can have a cane, but you'll have to trade a chunk of your thigh))

::can't help but show a passing interest in things going on. Has spent many a night trying to make a sewer-- literally-- a tolerable work area. Feels very well. Finds his way to the front desk:: Excuse me, yes. The director's expecting me. Fellow Lan Maningzhoue.

::The distressingly handsome young man behind the desk flips a lock of burnished auburn hair out of his eye, and begins sorting through a notepad on the desk::

::grimaces with affected patience::

We're expecting a Lynn Mahningsow

Yes, and someone obviously took notation over a voice line without bothering to check the spelling. It's Em Ay En En Aye En Gee Zee Aych... are you getting this?

::he sort of eyes you boredly, before buzzing a line on his phone. When a garbled query comes over the line...:: Your 10:00 is here ::more noise:: You can go back. Fifth floor, room 508

Thanks so much. ::taps the desktop meaninglessly and heads for the elevators::

::almost past the desk you notice that your visitor's pass is sitting carelessly around the edge::

::it's with a half dozen other names, probably other expected vistors for the morning::

::takes the time to read through it, snatching his pass up afterward::

::it is spelled wrong::

:: thinks to himself 'blessing in disguise," perhaps. Perhaps literally.::

::Lan, perhaps being overly paranoid, does think he notices one young woman, possibly of Severan extraction, glance curiously at his badge before moving on, unconcerned::

::decides it can't hurt to keep the badge in his pocket and get on with business, not immediately recognizing her, but having the willies about it anyway::

::in any event, your trip to the elevator is unhindered, though after a few more interested looks from various attractive nurses, Lan is forced to consider that he's either in a lot of danger... or he's just an attractive, well dressed doctorly type in precisely the right environment for that to matter::

::or clearly, both::

::the trip to the fifth floor goes quickly, and room 508 appears to be a nicely appointed, large corner office::

::raps politely on the door-- unless there's a comm or something. Hopes there aren't more than a couple folks in here. That 'doctor.' 'Doctor.' 'Doctor....' thing gets tiresome.::

::a woman's voice calls out:: Enter!

::winsome smile and lean around the door into the room, long enough to be recognized, before stepping in::

::the woman inside is older - graying, possibly in her 50s, though Byzantium II is a haven for anti-aging drugs - and of reasonable attractiveness. Short and a bit stocky, from what you see of her behind her desk... what most strikes you is her outfit - a bizarre hybrid of administrator and on-call surgeon, with comfortable scrubs poorly concealed under a business jacket and stylish spectacles, with the whole thing thrown off by a stethoscope around the neck::

Ah! Doctor Maningzhoue? ::stands and offers a hand across a desk that is really too large for her to comfortably lean across with her height:: Consul Veronica Nash

::leans the rest of the way:: Consul Nash! A real pleasure. You look busy, needless to say.

We've had a recent bout of the spring flu, I must admit, but it's quieting down ::gestures to a worn but comfortable looking chair:: please, have a seat

Thank you. ::sits down:: I'll be frank, Consul, your request left me a little surprised. I'm not really accustomed to being noticed. How ... did I come to your attention?

((Zomg! Hooray))

((Yay!))

((WB))

((going to email you the log that you missed))

((They've been working on the lines for the last few days at night. I didn't see them tonight but they must have been out there somewhere))

((log sent, check your mail))

((awesome))

Well, we get alerts when local luminaries are coming into town. The local law enforcement is pretty good about keeping us up to date on persons of interest that could be help or danger to the health of the populace. I'm not sure they were too certain which one you were, at first, but I did some targeted searches... if I'm not wrong, you had something to do with helping the Hazat medical officers with some recent problems?

Yes, quite. If it's not obvious, those interested in creating those ... medical problems, CAN, from time to time, constitute something of a problem.

So, care to tell me what's up? From the last updates of your medical license we received, it seems like your main practices are on Leagueheim and Grail... what were you doing on Aragon?

Helping to eradicate the trafficking of the refined selchaka derivative being.... leveraged there. Politics are involved of course, ::vapid smile:: Not my forte, that. But once I became aware of the situation... I could hardly stand by.

Wait a second. I think I remember something about that coming across the stellar news recently. ::flips open part of the desk to reveal a think machine screen and keyboard and furiously types::

::mutters while she types:: you know, there's a whole spectrum of fat 2nd Republic broadband sunk all the way across this continent that would only take a few weeks for the Engineers to get back online... But the Church won't let us. So we have to do with hand-laid copper cables around the Agora and one fiber optic line to the spaceport... oh, there we are... so you're the mysterious Dr. M?

::raises eyebrow as she types:: Shame about status quo mongers.

At your service. I'd actually like to file the formula and my notes on the refinement process used that creates this latest threat, with your toxicology department. Just in case, you know.

It would be much appreciated. Are we talking about the green selchaka variant that seems to show up in low-income, high-addiction-vulnerability areas across the Known Worlds when political things are going on?

(("I really must prepare for my impending assassination"))\

(("I have sealed the formula in a brown envelope with 'open on the event of my death' written on it purely out of habit. please do with it as you will."))

The same. I know that we're well-placed to fight that problem, and I hate to see good research go to waste, especially ha ha ::genteelly:: my own humble contributions.

Do you have the notes with you?

I have the formulas themselves, yes, I'd want to append appropriate notes and so on. I'm sure you'd credit me on publication; I'd be happy to have it published out of your hall, if it suited you.

Of course. I'm just keen to see how it works. We have problems with the green every few years around here, often around the time some local noble house is about to make an important decision.

::clears his throat:: Yes, I should also mention that my techniques aren't entirely orthodox. Rigorous, I assure you. But if you have staff in your toxicology department passably versed in the alchymical arts, they assisted in the discovery and to a lesser extent, preparation.

Alchemy? It sounds like you've had some instruction in the Sanctuary Aeon healing methods. It's pretty unusual for them to give instructional time to one of our guild.

((also, FYI, i've been working with the assumption that you reached the right synthesis with Alchemy, and that's how you make the drug so fast, but it would be straightforward, if slow, to sythesize with mundane biochem))

I have. I know it's a sore point with some, I just don't find limiting open investigation of the universe and healing technique ... productive.

((That's the same assumption I made, whew. I was mentioning it on the off chance I could explain everything I'd worked out.))

That was not meant as a smear on your character, doctor. I'm just baffled that someone of your skill and cross-training is still only a Fellow. If my boys downstairs back up your work, I'd be pleased to give you a recommendation to promotion. We don't need our best research doctors having to work in clinics to make ends meet when there are full labs on Leagueheim going understaffed.

((let us not forget, that Lan has an effective Extrovert+Charm of 18 against the ladies when they know who he is :)))

::can't help but light up at mention of "full labs on leagueheim":: I'd be greatful, consul, for your recommendation. Just let me know when it would be convenient to go over it. There are some other authorities I'll need to meet with-- politicis, again. But other than that, my time's yours.

::smiles:: If you'd like to leave the notes with me, I'll see that they get a full seal of approval over the next few days. Would you like testimony to their validity sent to the office of the Emperor?

That would be ideal! Thanks so much, Consul.

You're very welcome. Perhaps something interesting like this will remind the imperial court that we're still around down here too.

::you engage in some more small talk before heading out, possibly with a tour of the state of the art hospital, but meanwhile Martel is taking a meeting with his own order::

::Gets out of his cab in front of the building he was directed to::

::after a trek through the holy city and a waiting period in a room with no chairs to prove something about stoicism, Martel is finally led back to a small meeting room/chapel with a stained glass window in all the colors of fire::

::the novitiate that led you here says that Father Kadar should be with you soon::

::Stands at attention, admiring the glasswork::

::as she leaves the room, she's passed by a beautiful woman... slightly too old to be called "young" by anyone not being polite, but obviously a heartbreaker a decade or so ago... her simple avesti robes have the hood lowered to show off hair the color of fire, but a glance at her emerald eyes tells you all you need to know - you've seen this fanaticism across a great many of your fellows. You think you might have met her when you were here last... Sister Scarleta, if you recall correctly, a former courtesan turned reborn crusader against sin::

((Now thats a tag line for a movie))

Brother! I hear rumors that you have dealt a mighty blow to the Mantis!

::nods crisply:: Sister. It's been a while. I hope the Lord finds you well this day.

((every single female NPC in the BZII book seems to be some shade of former courtesan))

((not true! many are CURRENT courtesans!))

((true, true... the current courtesans are things like moles for the Kurgans and plants for the Invisible Path))

What did you learn. Is it enough for us to storm the palace and roast that Decados witch and her demonspawned daughter before they can taint Alexius further?

((her effective ext+charm is 22 vs. male sinners))

((my impress+ext is 20 vs sinners. bring it.))

((so, think the kind of religious fanatic that you're willing to go to a crazy pentecostal church for just in the hopes that she's actuall a freak in the bedroom ;)))

((Do Avestans do anything in the dark? ))

((burn stuff?))

::frowns slightly:: Your passion does you credit, but you still don't take time to make sure of your targets, do you Scarleta?

((ladies like a warm fire))

((Was that a euphemism? ))

::gives a cute little moue of shock:: If we can't set ourselves a goal of the Decados poison in the heart of the empire, what should we be trying to target?

((Robert Palmer eat your heart out.))

::grins a little:: Well, it's good to aim high. But I've yet to personally take the measure of the "Decados Witch", as you call her. Her child, on the other hand, was an innocent, last I saw her. Or as much an innocent as could come out of that den of snakes. I'll not tear the weed up by the root till I'm sure the replacements won't be just as foul. There is a chance that Morning is just what we need to effect meaningful change there.

Well, then perhaps we can burn the mother and take the child into the church... I hear rumors, however, that she is psychic and would have to become a Penetent

Taking her into the church would not likely correct the problem of the Decados anyway. We need her fit to rule them on her own, but in such a way that no longer taints the house.,

::shakes her head:: They're obviously the rot in the heart of the empire. Once we burn their tree, we can begin pruning the branches of sin from the other houses that aren't beyond saving

::raises an eyebrow:: "Obviously"? Since when have snakes ever been "obvious" in their treachery? Other than when trying to throw the rightious off the scent, of course.

Everyone knows the Decados are behind everything wrong with the world that the Guilds aren't behind. If they weren't so good at covering up the proof, we'd have roasted them long ago. But you have the proof! Oh, also, the Eskatonics.

((What the Avesti needs is a team of mavericks...))

Indeed. I have proof that some of the Decados will look good at the head of a barbeque. However, we do not torch the innocent, Scarleta. The guilty parties will be determined, and their fate sealed. The justice of our lord is inevitable like that.

((Bwahah))

::as Scarleta appears to be preparing to launch into another tirade, there is a clearing of a throat from the door as Father Kadar enters. There's no telling how long he's been waiting just outside.::

Scarleta, thank you for keeping Deacon Azo company while he waited. Can you please give us some privacy?

::looks ready to argue, but nods and leaves the room::

::his appraising looks slides smoothly into a grin as he bows slightly to the newcomer:: Father, it's been a while.Thank you allowing our...energetic debate.

::Kadar is a tall, lean man, older and fully bald, with skin like burned leather surrounding piercing, dark eyes::

It is good to see you Deacon. If Scarleta did not thrust herself upon newcomers of her own volition, I fear that we would have to actually ask her to do so as a test to our guests. Or perhaps a trial.

The occasional surprise test does a man's convictions good, every once and a while.

I have read your reports, but I'd like to hear the summary voiced. ::takes a seat on the pew near Martel:: What can you prove, and who are you prepared to prove it to?

::takes a deep breath:: You should probably be aware that it was requested that I bring my reports to the Imperial Eye before any official announcements take place. That being said.

That is probably acceptable, as long as they are given on Pyre soon after. We do not shrink from the Emperor knowing we are in the right.

There is proof that a branch of the Decados has been tainting other houses with an incredibly addictive substance called Selchaka, in order to control their actions. Certain members of the conspiracy have already met the flames for their crimes, during the course of investigations. Others will probably have to be ferreted out, but the conspiracy goes pretty high up the Severus chain of command. The Black Lion is probably as far as we can go for sure.

((incidentally, you're running at 19 ext+impress for this guy, since he doesn't care that you're ugly))

And I'm willing to prove this to the emperor himself, if I am but given the chance.

((heh, I figured he wouldn't, but then, he's probably not much of a sinner...unless Avesti think EVERYONE is a sinner! Bwahaha!))

Beyond the drug distribution, have you gained any further proof on the genetic manipulation charges that we were unable to fully substantiate two years ago?

Actually, yes. An associate of mine was able to decrypt the cypher on the notes we discovered. Additionally, a third party has come forth and offered proofs which we can substantiate.

::nods:: Then the day may finally be here that a particularly virulent slime will no longer be able to hide behind circumstantial evidence. Sadly, I suspect politics will be involved all the way through.

::shrugs:: They usually are at this level.

We've received your report, as has Pyre by now, but I'd suggest you leave us copies of all of your proofs, such as you can. We don't want to risk politics taking you out or taking the evidence before we act. Is your business in Hazat space concluded such that you can spearhead the inquisition of the Jakovians with us, or are you still pursuing your other goals for the near future?

Yes sir. I've already taken the liberty of arranging a few "dead drops", if you will, on Aragon. I'll have additional copies sent this way immediately.

As for spearheading...I have to say, I'm unsure. I suspect my business in Hazat space and the scourging of the Jakovians will be one and the same. With that in mind, I accept, under the proviso that I be allowed to conclude business there, as pertains to the current crisis.

Unfortunately, our mission will likely take place at the root in Decados space... any evils they've been supporting in Hazat space might have time to mature before we can turn to finish them

::coughs uncomfortably:: ugh. Talking politics always makes my throat stick. In that case, I'll unfortunately have to withdraw from this hunt. Might I make a request then?

Of course

Morning. The child of the Decados. Try to keep our influince on her as...appropriate as possible. I'd suggest keeping Scarleta as far away as possible. I suspect her to be the only real hope we'll have of redeeming that house for a while to come.

::nods:: I have dealt with her mother on more than one occasion, and I am willing to wager that even now she is working on a way to keep any stigma to her house from staining her too deeply.

::Meanwhile::

((Duh nuh nuhhhh!))

::Today, Salandra Decados appears as what one might think of as a well-settled supermodel... still heartbreakingly beautiful and immaculately dressed, but in a maternal style that makes her almost wholesome... or as wholesome as someone who's wardrobe still involves at least 50% skintight black synthsilk can look. An's not certain whether this new adaptation is specific to the morning's meeting, intended for a short term game, or a deliberate and gradual attempt to "mellow" in the public eye for the foreseeable future. It doesn't hide the piercing intellect behind the mantis-green eyes, or the feeling that she's very subtly worming around in his psyche while sharing a delicious breakfast with An and a thrilled Morning::

...and that's why I am not going on an applied physics field trip again without an umbrella.

::chuckles:: Or a tri-field emitter shield. ::he says with a nod::

::Morning, for her part, looks even more angelic than usual on getting to see her favorite teacher for the first time in months. She's recently hit another growth spurt, and is three inches or so taller than the last time you saw her... perhaps more importantly, it seems her Favyana teachers are having a good impact, even beyond what you could do. She seems to no longer be unconscously emitting her psychic majesty field around others.::

::puts a hand on her head and musses her hair just a smidge:: So other than school, how's everything else? Been causing problems for your mother?

::smiles and reaches to tousle her daughter's hair, with every evidence of true maternal affection... and maybe it's a consummate skill as a player, or maybe she just doesn't care to maintain her guard around her daughter's do-gooder teacher, but An senses that something has happened since the "Decados Witch" years of half a decade ago to make Salandra less of a hellion, and more of a stable adult::

Problems? I eat mother's problems for breakfast. I get to do special blustering adult distraction duty, because people just cannot stay angry at a little girl. ::grins:: But I have to stop using the whammy on people. Mother and my teachers say it is a lazy use of my gifts and a dangerous revelation of my differences to those that care.

Clever. I might need you around some time then. Could use a good "negotiator" now and again. Indeed. Remember to keep everything held back. When you learn how to do everything without the whammy then you'll have much less need for it.

Morning, dear. Please go ask the servants to clear the table and give Mr. Griffen and myself some privacy for a while. I'll make sure he gets more time to see you before he leaves.

Yes, mother. ::smiles at An, winks, and then scurries off::

::laughs and pick up a piece of fruit, maybe a slice of O-raunge, popping it into his mouth::

::tiredly pushes dark hair from her face and watches An with a look of final summation as the servants clear the plates, then, once prying ears have left the elegant veranda of the Decados embassy:: We've gone too far, for too long.

::sits up and leans forward taking a napkin a wiping his mouth:: Go on.

Do you remember the Emperor Wars? Barely more than a decade ago we weren't considered much worse than the other houses, as things went, and our ruthlessness nearly brought us victory. Our Kossacks aren't much more of an aberration than the Grimsons that the Hazat and other houses employed. We had ethics, such as they were, on par with the other houses. The Li Halen were a dozen times more debauched than us until they got religion, or pretended to, a few centuries ago. But unlike everyone else, we couldn't stop once the board was cleared. We were like the annoying party guest that keeps telling you he'd have won at poker if he'd gotten a slightly better hand. Maybe if anyone but our old enemies the Hawkwoods had won, we could have accepted defeat. But we kept on going, running our old schemes and making sure houses, Church, and guilds alike hated us. We thought fear was enough. But they're not really afraid of us, the way you're not really afraid of a spider when you're across the room with a flyswatter just waiting for a clear shot. Vlad is the worst of our house's old guard. I'm not much better. I'm trying to be, but I can't count on anyone believing it. My spy networks have been comprehensive, on their own merits and mining the Jakovian communications. I'm aware that you have a barrage of evidence that is quite likely simply damning.

::continues to listen, a serious but sympathetic look on his face::

Almost anyone else, I would suspect has a plan. Blackmail. Extortion. Something. But I've seen the company you keep, seen what you've done for my daughter, and even heard about the mountains you've crossed for Dame Eduardo. I'm afraid you're an idealist and a romantic, Mr. Griffen, as strange as that sounds from what I know of your early history. And I don't know how to deal with that other than to simply ask... What do you want?

::sits back in his chair:: I say this, not to be difficult, or to be convoluted, but do you mean from this current situation, life in general, or out of this conversation?

Any or all three. Start with what you think is important.

::thinks for a moment:: I want Maria's house restored. I want it back in order with a strong leadership at its head. Whether its her or not, I could care less. I just want that restored... I want my sister to finally be alright. She's been through too much, but I think she's doing better. I want this conspiracy to be defeated completely. I want to understand whats up here, learn to control it. ::taps his head:: I want your House brought out of the shadows and back into light. Not in any heavy handed or over zealous way. Decados' skills are a valuable asset in this day and age. But your house has been so heavily regarded as nefarious that I don't know what it will take to see it set right. I expect your daughter could lead to that end, and whether its something we'll see in your life time or mine, I doubt. But isn't it our place to attempt to attain the groundwork for tomorrow? The wrongs we've done and seen in our days can't be undone.

Oh, idealists. Such good wants, that are always so hard to fulfill. It's easier with the people that just say "I want a half a million firebirds and a country estate"

((Mansion and a yacht.))

((And a dog))

((Named Buddy))

((And a pet penguin))

((Hypoallergenic.))

This first, I think you're on your way to achieving. There are forces beyond my faction working to control the Hazat. I almost suspect you know as much as I do about what's going on there.

((man portable space cruiser, lined with minibons))

Your sister, again, I have no power to help beyond making it a point that your own enemies have a harder time masquerading as Decados to go after her. But I hear she's in as good hands as my daughter. The conspiracy, you are currently in the process of defeating, and it just remains to be seen whether the defeat claims my whole house or just the worst of it. Again, your potential is in far better hands with those that are already helping you than with me. I don't think you'd like the methods I was taught to gain control... or, specifically, to use Urge for power. And, your final goals for my house, obviously we are in accordance with wanting my house to become more than the rabid dog that the others are waiting to put down. I could give you some little help on all of these goals, but I don't know if what I could give is commensurate with the value of what I want from you: namely, allowing me to champion your attack on the Jakovians, and thus show that our house is not unified by their evil. To save face for myself in front of the imperial court.

The politics of which will be nothing short of a full out battle, but I think it is achievable. And I think we owe it to everyone to try.

And, of course, to eliminate my political rivals while holding on to much of my own power. For, as much as Vlad has been a shadowy antagonist to you, know that my hatred for that jumped up genetic freak runs deeper than you could know.

I would not want to be him. I can say that much.

So, what can I do for you, directly, that balances what you would be doing for me? Small helps would leave me in your debt, and large helps might make the situation even more complex, politically. I suspect that my best aid would be giving you some small, specific advantage, rather than squads of spies or sending my legions into Hazat space.

::thinks for a moment:: Truth be told. What I fear most we'll need. Is political clout. As a Reeve I have no place in house politics so I am easily questioned as reliable. Sadly there is no politics guild I could belong to, so its out of my control.

And, as a Reeve, I believe you cannot marry your Dame within the strictures of her own house.

::runs a hand through his hair and laughs:: Very true.

This is, finally, something within my power. I can even present you two options.

And I love options.

((Really spooky music from "Gladiator"'s soundtrack just came on my mix.))

I could knight you myself. The title would be Baronet, for I could give you lands within my Cadavan holdings, as I anticipate soon having access to more on Severus. You would be Sir An-hetep-f Decados, my leigeman. Or, on the balance, I know that you did several deeds last year seeking Alexius' attention. I have a very direct line to the emperor. I can all but guarantee you an imperial knighthood in exchange for the testimony you were to give anyway. It has no lands, and slightly less political power as a simple knighthood, but you would be free and clear of direct affiliation with the Decados. You would be Sir An-hetep-f of the Imperial Sun

I can see assets with both of them. ::runs another hand through his hair:: I'm terrible at decisions like this. ::looks at Salandra:: Truthfully, as a friend, what is your opinion?

Obviously, I am biased in this. You have already proven yourself a stalwart protector of my daughter. And I need reliable individuals in my service, particularly ones with your variety of gifts. But knighthood for you is a means to an end, and the imperial knighthood would give you most of the same means with much less of the responsibility. For, indeed, I would call on your service perhaps more frequently than a young man exhausted of politics would like. As a questing knight, you'd have much more freedom to drive your own path. That is to say, I would very much love An-hetep-f the crusader as my vassal. An-hetep-f the retired hero, is much less useful to me ::smiles warmly::.

::thinks for a just a moment:: I think that may be best. As a Knight of the Imperial Sun. I think that has a nice ring to it.

It probably sounds even better in the Hazat space tongue... de Soles Imperi'al or something to that effect?

::reaches across the table and takes Salandra's hand, smiling warmly:: I want you to understand something. No matter what occurs, I will always consider you and Morning as my family. If you ever need anything, no matter how small you know you can call me.

::smiles, and you can see her years of Decados facade cracking briefly under the realness of it:: It's so rare, in a life of politics, to make a real friend, without fear of betrayal. The first time it happened, my mission to infiltrate the house of the emperor turned into a true love. I'm pleased that my daughter's protector is someone that I can truly count on.

::nods:: Always.

((Don An-hetep-f Griffen de Aragon del Sol Imperial, would be the full, Hazat-style title))

::and, with that, An has time to hang out with Morning as plans are set into motion::

~~~OOC~~~