The Alien Wars 6: Da Capo

Session 693

Session Start: Mon Jan 29 12:39:33 2024
Session Ident: #TAW-Session693
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 2
<DeathStar> 4
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-659.12.21 - late at night/early in the morning
<DeathStar> Location: Repliforce
<DeathStar> *Blue rounds everyone up for an unplanned meeting; Alouette rubs her eyes, despite the fact Reploids don't get sleepy*
<XanTop> <Cole> WHat's going on?
<DeathStar> *Blue stands at her seat, eyeing at everyone as they come in*
* Dias` has joined #TAW-Session693
<Seraphna> **Anyata yawns and sits by Allouette**
<Seraphna> **Peter takes a seat, rubbing his face**
* Sara has joined #TAW-Session693
<DeathStar> *Darien and Ariel step into the meeting, having become part of the Repliforce group under the radar sometime after Warren's death, being joined by Curali, Eluere, Vesta, and Necia. The four take their seats*
<DeathStar> <Blue> Ah, sorry to run the outfit on you, but this just came down from Stacey.
<Seraphna> Peter> No prob. Darien needs his beauty sleep though.
<DeathStar> <Blue> Apparently a lot of Betas and those other things that Angela can have been spotted recently near Earth. EarthGov sent some probes to try to find out what they were doing, but the damn things went invisible and fucked off.
<DeathStar> <Blue> I think the Peacekeepers are looking into Angela right now, or some twin, but they're not in range at the moment
<Seraphna> Peter> Mmm, well Angel is wherever Alex is at. Angela's constantly around the mansion though and Reese hasn't mentioned anything odd about her. How many Omegas are there now?
<DeathStar> <Blue> Like I should know. *shrugs* Again, when the probes went to investigate, they went off the radar on our tech. And with Angela off on a mission, we're being asked to grab the old man. Old man being Cran. *she turns to Cole* So, you up to date?
<XanTop> <Cole> Yeah, do we know Cran's last known location?
<DeathStar> <Alouette> I think he went off somewhere to die! *she waves her hand like a student* Of old age!
<Seraphna> Anyata> W-Wasn't this one a bit younger?
<DeathStar> *Darien leans forward in his seat* Younger is relative
<XanTop> <Cole> As a clone he may be subject to a quicker deterioration.
<XanTop> <Cole> But Angel would've told us.
<Seraphna> Peter> We could contact Angel. That one's stuck to his side, aye.
<DeathStar> <Darien> Right. *he grabs his datapad and sees where Angel is located*
<DeathStar> <Curali> So uh
<DeathStar> <Curali> How dangerous are Betas again? I thought they were line trashcans that were easily blown up
<XanTop> <Cole> I believe they've been constantly updated.
<DeathStar> <Eluere> Annoying
<Seraphna> Peter> Depends on the model. The original line was more or less fodder, but Angela has had decades to upgrade them.
<Seraphna> Peter> I believe on our last check she has something like 5 or 6 variations. Plus one special hybrid.
<Seraphna> **Peter peers at Anyata slowly**
<DeathStar> *Darien hands the datapad to Cole - it seems Angel is in Mega City, surprisingly not far from them since Repliforce is set up outside of it as the city has been slowly rebuilt over the years*
<Seraphna> Anyata> I-I am partially Beta. But I have independance from the network.
<DeathStar> <Darien> It looks like Cran likes to stay close
<XanTop> <Cole> Yeah that tracks. Least we don't have to go far.
<DeathStar> <Blue> I'll get transportation ready then
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: New Suisen Flag Ship
<DeathStar> *Their ship remains near the old Tsivrixsh mining complex at the moment*
<DeathStar> *Andrea works on possible names off to the side* I'll remain here unless you need back up, Noire
<Seraphna> Angela> She’s been tracking what looks like a possible cell inside the Peacekeepers. But I’m not sure if the Peacekeepers themselves are aware of the cell.
<Seraphna> Angela> She must be close though, there's only a few of the ones I gave her left by these logs.
<DeathStar> *Erevis arrives in the hanger, stepping up to shuttle designed much like the ship itself*
<DeathStar> *Ren is already locked and loaded in the shuttle*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... hopefully it does not prove an annoying affair."
<XanTop> 6* Xan moves for the shuttle's pilot seat. Kellin meanwhile steps in and sits down near the back.
<DeathStar> *Taiga takes over the ship's controls*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *buckles up*
<Seraphna> **ANgela gets in and stretches a bit** Well if it was her against me on controlling them, that wouldn't be a problem, but I don't think that's the situation.
<Dias`> *Id and Cel steps on to the shuttle*\
<XanTop> <Kellin> Could she have been making her own?
<DeathStar> *The Peacekeeper ship prepares it's own shuttle to send down with the Suisen's, as their ship sets up to make sure no one escapes*
<Seraphna> Angela> Using Betas is a bit like using a muscle, you need to constantly work it to control more and more of them. I've been swimming in their company for decades. As for making her own... maybe? But I don't know where she'd get the resources.
<Seraphna> Angela> She came to me just to get these ones, which would be weird if she had her own.
<Dias`> <Id> Anything can eventually be replicated especially considering how many of your Beta's have wound up destroyed and remains left behind him
<Dias`> *-him*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... any possibility we're talkign another type of reality incursion?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Mmm, I think it more likely she caught onto some more penetration from above. She was always the lone wolf type.
<Seraphna> Angela> Phaeton did a number on her growing up.
<DeathStar> <Andrea on comm> The last you all saw her was her being an ass to Marcus, didn't you?
<DeathStar> <Andrea on comm> Clearly she has issues
<XanTop> 6* Xan glances at the comm and arches a brow, then looks to Erevis. Shrugging slightly he starts to power up the shuttle, waiting for everyone to board before taking off.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Interesting that she took note of that slight
<Seraphna> Angela> Mmm... **she sighs a bit** On that one, I'm keeping a 10 foot pole between me and the subject.
<XanTop> <Xan> Yeah, good call. 6* He checks the sensor systems and then starts to direct them toward the Tsiv complex
<DeathStar> *the shuttle speeds ahead of the Peacekeeper's, heading down to the mining facility with no resistance. There appears to be a small entrance, but it indicates there's no oxygen in the landing bay area, due to the fact the doors are faulty and are not closing all the way*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... mother has a soft spot for Marcus."
<XanTop> <Kellin> I believe I've only met Zeraphna once, but even then I could tell she was struggling. You've kept in touch with Angela? How did she seem when you last spoke to her?
<XanTop> (with her*)
<Seraphna> Angela> Mmm, her usual Tsundere self. Though she tends to be closer to me than others since she realized I'm never going to fight her over our identities. She merely said she needed some Betas to work with and I have plenty to spare so...
<Dias`> <Id> Hmmm. It will be difficult for those that cannot breathe to get inside currently.
<Seraphna> Angela> Yeah, someone put a fishbowl on Xan's head.
<DeathStar> *Ren checks the scan* It still shows two life signs and one something else
<Seraphna> **Angela muses, feeling out for Zera**
<Dias`> *Id hooks up with the shuttle to see what the something else is to try and figure out what it is.*
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna, or someone like her, appears to be inside*
<Seraphna> Angela> Well, there's another Omega in there. And it feels like her.
<XanTop> <Xan> Oh this baby is equiped with suits for low to no oxygen. 6* Xan pats the console slightly.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...do you have enough for everyone?"
<Dias`> <Id> Hmmm. The scanner's would agree with that. There is something possible off about it.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> I believe Taiga will have enough for an entire squadron
<DeathStar> <Erevis> There are several of these after all
<Seraphna> Thena> The SS Thena should have enough. **she nods**
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'll put one on to be safe
<DeathStar> *Ren heads for the back*
<DeathStar> *the Peacekeeper ship lands in the docking bay*
<XanTop> <Kellin> Luckily I won't need one so that's one less we'll need.
<XanTop> 6* Xan checks a few settings and then finishes the landing sequence standing and moving to put on a suit.
<DeathStar> *Aya steps out of her ship, looking around, while Erevis waits by the door until everyone who needs to be suited is before opening it*
<DeathStar> *Aya sends Peacekeeper troops out to secure the hanger*
<Dias`> *Cel taps the back of her neck and a mask forms around her face. She steps out with the group as Id floats out*
<Seraphna> **ANgela steps out in her armor while Thena cartwheels out**
<Jackieness> <Noire> suits up and then moves out into the hangar*
<DeathStar> <Aya> Alright, the plan is to try to locate Victoire before whoever took her gets her power
<Dias`> <Cel> Understood.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'm trying to bring up a map of this place by getting in touch with the Tsivrixsh Empress, but they don't even seem to have much information.
<XanTop> 6* Kellin moves down, pistols formed while Xan steps down in his suit.
<Dias`> <Id> I will scan and try and form a map as we go. I'll keep everyones datapad updated
<Seraphna> Angela> That's... weird right?
<XanTop> <Xan> Maybe there will be some consoles inside that we can get information from.
<Dias`> <Cel> Not really.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Let us hope
<DeathStar> <Ren> What, the punch first race doesn't keep logs well is weird?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Perhaps we should further dilute the power so they cna' just grab one person and become a cosmic threat."
<DeathStar> *Aya taps her ear* It looks like my people are finding passages that are wielded shut, making this place a maze
<DeathStar> <Aya> As well as trip wires set up to trap people
<Dias`> <Cel> Than this was most likely planned from the start.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...how annoying."
<XanTop> <Kellin> Hm, I am not fond of maxes.
<XanTop> (mazes)
<Dias`> <Id> I would be more concerned that it's more designed to keep people from leaving quickly than it is for slowing people from getting in
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'll use the information relayed
<DeathStar> <Aya> Come on
<DeathStar> *She begins to walk forward, turning to the right*
<XanTop> 6* Xan and Kellin move in behind her.
<DeathStar> *Erevis removes a hand from her kimono*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *walks after Aya*
<Dias`> *Id floats with as Cel rests her hand on her blade*
<DeathStar> *the mining base seems to be bland hallways with little imagination - mostly dark, like the home world, with some green here and there, making it disorienting.*
<Seraphna> **ANgela muses, doing her best to analyze the traps found, seeing if it looks like something she or Zera would make**
<DeathStar> *As if one is going in circles. Arrows drawn on the walls in chalk are the only thing that stands out*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "This layout would not be efficient for any enterprise... mining or otherwise."
<DeathStar> *if Angela goes off the path of the arrows, she would find what looks to be a stun trap to knock out an intruder and leave them there for someone to pick up, as well as a device to alert someone*
<Dias`> <Id> It's been repurposed to do so, Noire.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Alot of effort went into it then."
<Dias`> <Id> Indeed
<DeathStar> *Aya steps through what looks to be an old mining processing room, the machines look so old that they could barely function anymore, and are dangerous looking; one fall into them, though why you would try to do, and you'd likely still take damage even with them off. There's terminals in here that look to be just as ancient*
<DeathStar> *on the far side of this long room is another set of doors*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> My fear is when we want to escape
<Seraphna> Angela> These traps are linked to an alert system of some sort.
<Dias`> <Cel> That we will have trouble in doing so.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... cliche base collapse when we defeat the final boss."
<Seraphna> Angela> Each one we spring might be informing someone of our location.
<DeathStar> <Ren> Well lets not try to spring them. <Aya> Sadly a few of my people have
<Dias`> <Id> Whoever is operating this place already knows we're here. If they were worried they'd have done something by now I imagine.
<DeathStar> *Aya touches her ear* My people have found something...weird
<DeathStar> *she picks up the pace*
<Dias`> <Id> Details please.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Define weird."
<DeathStar> <Aya> Better to see it yourself
<XanTop> 6* Kellin puts a hand to his comm and quickens his pace.
<DeathStar> *Ren shrugs* Better not be creepy porn
<XanTop> <Xan> I was expecting some grotesque body horror type stuff.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm... Ren, who would you even bring 'porn' up?"
<DeathStar> *after a few more turns and twists, they reach the dorms of the mining base, which has been repainted and made up to look like something a girl might like - specifically an idol girl. Softer shades of colors, no more harsh stuff. It's no longe confusing to navigate. Unfortunately, it seems to be locked down further in by a barrier that has dropped and locked down the high ranking rooms, leaving just these common rooms accessible*
<DeathStar> <Peacekeeper> We're attempting to blow it up, but we have fear of damaging the base's stability
<Seraphna> Angela> This is... some attempt to house someone comforterably.
<Dias`> <Id> ...Hmmm. Based on this styling. Let me posit a theory. What kind of havoc do you think an upper being could cause with Song Magic.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... this barrier... does it go all the way through the walls?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Better posit, how would an upper being think they can make a prisoner who happens to be an idol comforterable for a long stay.
<DeathStar> *Ren paces, looking more and more antsy*
<DeathStar> *at that moment, sounds of what appears to be crawling above them can be heard*
<Seraphna> **Angela frowns, then shines holy light up a bit**
<Dias`> *Id floats up to the barrier and begins scanning it*
<DeathStar> <Aya> We're not sure. *to Noire* We're seeing if we can get around it
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...who know what might happen if I tried opening a shdow portal to the other side."
<Dias`> <Cel> I imagine either prepare for the worse or it'll be blocked. If it was that easy, she could've just reality powered herself home.
<DeathStar> *the barrier appears to be quite solid and thick as well, hence the explosion comments, as well as having gone into the ceiling and ground to try to stop people from bypassing it*
<DeathStar> *there appears to be a vent system*
<XanTop> <Kellin> Maybe I cna cut through the barrier with hyperspace.
<XanTop> 6* Kellin moves to check it out.
<Dias`> <Id> Hmmm. This is quite the barrier.
<XanTop> 6* Xan peers up at the vent and squints.
<DeathStar> *it appears to be a normal barrier, just super thick*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> If need be, I can aid Kellin
<DeathStar> <Ren> ... *looks for the vent entrance, poofing into a fox wolf and scrambles around*
<Seraphna> Angela> Well, I can't teleport or shadow hop, and I do like big booms.
<XanTop> <Kellin> Save your energy, this will just take some time. 6* Kellin lets the skin melt away with a wince and starts to work on opening up the barrier.
<Dias`> *Id eyes Ren and floats after her*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *holds up a hand and forms a dakr Matter ball* "...Ren...take this. If you cna make it to the other side, I cna use it as an anchor to portal past the barrier."
<Seraphna> MIchelle> **closes her eyes and lends Kellin her recovery, making the pain and deterioration less**
<DeathStar> *Ren takes it and scrambles around looking*
<DeathStar> *it appears whoever is in the vents is still looking*
<DeathStar> *the barrier has begin to smoke*
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Mega City
<DeathStar> *Blue checks the address* Hey, isn't this the area Kaori and Hess live at?
<DeathStar> *she checks around, double checking the place, then looks down the street at where Angel's pinging is coming from*
<XanTop> <Cole> Does that mean they were nearby when Kaori got attacked?
<DeathStar> <Alouette> Yes! Should I go creepily stare inside their window?
<DeathStar> *Darien muses* I think she's staying with her mothers
<DeathStar> *Vesta walks down to the house that belongs to Angel and knocks on the door*
<Seraphna> Peter> Yeah I wouldn't even try the Nue house rtight now without body armor.
<Seraphna> **Angel opens the door wearing very little but a robe, hair down as she peers at them** No one calls ahead these days?
<XanTop> <Cole> This is more personable.
<Seraphna> Angel> I see. I assume you all are here for Alex?
<XanTop> <Cole> Yeah we've got to speak to him about something.
<DeathStar> *Darien eyes Angel, raising eyebrow* You have come far from your terrifying days of who you used to be
<Seraphna> **Angel smiles a bit** Thanks. I try hard. **she pauses, clearly bond speaking with Alexander**
<DeathStar> *Cran would tell Angel to bring them to him in his lab*
<Seraphna> **Angel nods after a moment and escorts them in**
<XanTop> <Cole> How've things been? 6* He asks Angel as they move
<DeathStar> <Blue> ... *looks around the house at the various fishing equipment*
<DeathStar> <Darien> ... *Ariel shrugs*
<Seraphna> Angel> Oh, quiet, we're enjoying retirement.
<DeathStar> <Eluere> If you're here, I somehow doubt that
<DeathStar> <Curali> Strange place to pick for retirement
<DeathStar> *Cran seems to be playing in his lab; it seems he's keeping tabs on a few things and people. Kaori is one, as well as a few others, but he reaches over to power them off as the gorup enters the lab*
<Seraphna> Angel> Mmm? Not everyone has to move to retire. Ask the X family.
<Seraphna> Angel> Woman wouldn't even leave when the city was about to be crushed.
<DeathStar> <Cran> How has leadership been suiting you, Cole?
<DeathStar> *Blue glances around the lab, eyeing all the stuff Cran is building and equipment he has set up with monitors*
<XanTop> <Cole> Not well, but we're doing our best.
<Seraphna> **Angel has a few projects too, she was an evil mad scientist after all**
<DeathStar> <Cran> Sorry to hear that. So what can I help you with?
<DeathStar> <Blue> We were hoping to bring you back to Repliforce for your expertise on the Betas
<XanTop> <Cole> There seems to be a situation with the betas and Angela is away.
<DeathStar> *Blue goes into the recent Betas and their going off the radar and practically turning invisible* <Cran> That is a unique ability - one Angela's does not have to my knowledge. I'll be honest, I've been doing my own little projects - mainly into Warren's death. *Darien looks over at him after poking at a clown puppet on his computer*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Maybe the two will tie into each other. What connections I have with EarthGov have given me a little of the picture, but maybe you all can give me some more.
<XanTop> <Cole> Sounds good, let's get a move on.
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Tsivrixsh Mining Base
<DeathStar> *A burnt section has formed, but not all the way through yet*
<DeathStar> *meanwhile, Ren has begun to move through the vents, tracking the noise*
<Dias`> *Id floats behind Ren, keeping a scan out in front of her for traps or dangers
<DeathStar> *Id would pick up body heat of someone having crawled in before them*
<Dias`> <Id> I am picking up residual heat, Ren.
<DeathStar> *Ren's ears wiggle in acknowlegement*
<DeathStar> *Ren soon can be heard bouncing overhead of the group, much like whoever it was before them; but she spots that the barrier indeed blocks the vent here*
<XanTop> 6* Xan walks under the vents, scanning with his eye to look for a heat source.
<Seraphna> Angela> I think the last time I was crawling through vents was on the PAX2 when we were taking on Phaeton and his hacker buddy.
<Dias`> <Id> ...How did they get through.
<DeathStar> *Ren motions; the vents break off to the right, and she heads off to see if they can go around*
<Dias`> *Id floats after*
<DeathStar> *the barrier hole begins to look a little see-through*
<DeathStar> *a gun-like object possible being shown now through the tiny hole*
<DeathStar> *Ren soon begins to lead Id to what appears to be a vent cover that has been knocked open and falls down, poofing into her normal form*
<DeathStar> *right as a fist comes for her face*
<Seraphna> **Angela grunds and forms a holy barrier for those at the door**
<Seraphna> **grunts
<Dias`> *Id drops down after and quickly scans around*
<DeathStar> *paint begins to fly through the hole, hitting the barrier and trying to cause havoic at whoever is burning through*
<Dias`> *Cel glances around, shifting a bit infront of Aya, her grip on her blade's hilt tightening*
<DeathStar> *the Angela like figure grabs at Id*
<Seraphna> Angela> Paint!?
<DeathStar> *Aya steps back* Becareful, there might be more to it!
<Dias`> *Id is grabbed as a barrier forms around it to keep it from behind crushed*
<XanTop> 6* Kellin pauses and jerks back.
<DeathStar> <Angela like figure> ... *lets it go and moves off*
<Seraphna> **Angela shifts her hands and reforms the barrier to work like a funnel, pushing the paint to one side**
<DeathStar> *Erevis moves Kellin to one side to help him*
<DeathStar> *while a silver glow washes over him, healing wounds*
<Jackieness> <Noire> ""Mmmmm... so what do you make of this then?"
<Dias`> <Id> ....That was odd. *Id scans the Angela like person*(
<XanTop> <Kellin> Is this a paint prank?
<DeathStar> *it seems to be Zeraphna, as they hurry onward.*
<Dias`> *Id tries to relay what it and Ren found to Aya*
<Seraphna> Michelle> That glow is new.
<DeathStar> *Ren taps the dark matter, groaning, for Noire, right as Erevis steps forward and swings a sword at the hole Kellin made, making it a bit bigger*
<Seraphna> Angela> Maybe they wanted to give you lead poisoning.
<DeathStar> *then hides it back in her kimono before anyone can get a look*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Come, lets smash the hole in
<Seraphna> Angela> Sure. **She shifts back then uses a sword technique on the door, putting her crazy strength into it**
<XanTop> 6* Kellin blinks at them both and steps back.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm?" *rises a hand and tries opening a shador portal now*
<DeathStar> *the section of the door smashes in, leaving it so they'll have to crawl in the middle*
<DeathStar> *meanwhile, Noire opens her shdow portal*
<DeathStar> *Aya lowers her hand* It looks like Ren ran into Zeraphna or someone that looks like Angela
<Seraphna> Angela> Makes sense. I suspect she and Victiore are the two life signs.
<XanTop> <Xan> Was that the vent sound? Hm.
<Jackieness> <Noire> *tries to move through her shadow portal*
<Seraphna> Angela> She went a more nimble route whereas I'm a bruiser.
<DeathStar> *Erevis' has a crimson color surround her and jump dives through the hole and kicks the gun to the side*
<Seraphna> **Angela raises a brow at Erevis' new glow. Then shifts and leaps through after her, tucking and rolling as she comes out the other side**
<DeathStar> *Noire would arrive to the side where Ren is shaking off her attack*
<Dias`> <Id> Noire.
<XanTop> 6* Kellin slides in carefully and looks around, pistol formed again.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...where did she go?"
<Seraphna> **Michelle follows Kellin, practically slipping through with ease as she manipulates friction**
<Seraphna> **Thena pops over to the other side and bows**
<Dias`> *Id creates an arrow of hard light annd points*
<DeathStar> *Ren rises* She is fast
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Are you alright, Ren?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Head pounds but I'm okay. Thankfully she just wanted me down
<Dias`> <Id> Yes. I was caught off guard before my sensors could register her.
<XanTop> 6* Xan tries to follow Noire through her portal if it's possible, otherwise he'd follow the erevis group
<XanTop> 6* Kellin looks around for other traps or cameras
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Come on then."
<Seraphna> Angela> **scans Ren as a precaution as they go**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *starts moving*
<DeathStar> *as the group's head forward, they would find several rooms that they'd have to check out one by one*
<Seraphna> **Angela tries to get a ping on Zera**
<Dias`> <Id> Zeraphna seemed to be in a sort of...auto pilot mode.
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna seems to be searching right to left*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmmm..." *checks a room*
<Seraphna> Angela> She's going right to left... **she motions with her fingers**
<DeathStar> *as for traps and cameras, the area seems clean, outside a camera in the main area, which is aimed at them*
<DeathStar> *Noire would find full of human stuff, and Suisen stuff*
<DeathStar> *it looks to be set up as a common room*
<Seraphna> Angela> I'm pretty convinced it's her. She's not attempting to stop my tracking but she's also not helping exactly.
<DeathStar> *Ren studies the room*
<Seraphna> Thena> Stuff here not usually found in Tsiv colony...
<Dias`> <Id> Then she's most likely being used by something.
<XanTop> <Kellin> This place is becoming more unsettling.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...how...cozy."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I don't like it. Why all this work?
<DeathStar> <Erevis> It feels like a play to a script I do not understand
<DeathStar> *Erevis grips something in her kimono*
<Dias`> <Id> Hard to say. But, Erevis has a point.
<Seraphna> Angela> Prisoners are less likely to try and escape if they are comfy in their cage.
<Dias`> <Id> If they could easily take her reality powers they would've done it by now and discarded what remained of her.
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna steps out of one of the rooms, eyeing the group*
<Seraphna> Angela> Yeah, they had to try and trick Kaori. I don't think they can just take it.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm... this is not set up for one person."
<Dias`> <Id> Which means they maybe bound by rules we don't know.
<Seraphna> Angela> Hey sis.
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> ... Hm. *she slides into a combat stance* I only know one of you. How can the rest of you be trusted?
<DeathStar> *she seems to have her hand ready to tap a device on her wrist*
<Seraphna> Angela> You probably can't. We're kind of oin the honor system. Anyone having any non-Chaotic thoughts?
<Seraphna> Thena> Thena is all chaos.
<DeathStar> <Ren> Oh, I'm totally ready to rip everyone who's in my way of getting my daughter
<DeathStar> *she seems to be growling*
<Seraphna> Michelle> If I was a law and order gal I'd work for EarthGov.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...how long is this going to take to resolve?"
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> I'm referring to the change.
<XanTop> <Xan> The change?
<Seraphna> Angela> Erevis is trying to hide one of the legendary blades poorly so I'm pretty sure she's her.
<Dias`> <Id> Perhaps you could explain the situation here.
<Seraphna> Thena> People had their wills taken I think?
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> When you lose your will, you can become a puppet without realizing. You don't think your friend got shot by just anyone. It's likely one of you without even knowing it
<Seraphna> Angela> Wait who got shot?
<Dias`> <Id> I do not believe I can have my "will" taken.
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna slowly peers at Angela, taking a step back from her*
<Seraphna> Angela> You mean the paint gun? I shielded that.
<Seraphna> Angela> ...Oh...
<XanTop> <Kellin> She's talking about Warren.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm... perhaps she was speaking of a hypothetical situation."
<Seraphna> **Angela stares a moment** Yeah... I've been doing my best NOT to think about that.
<Seraphna> **Thena frowns darkly at the reminder too**
<XanTop> <Xan> You seem to be searching this place Zeraphna. Can you tell us what this is?
<Dias`> <Id> Or did you grab Victoire to keep her safe.
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> It's an old mining operation from when Xevil ran the Tsivrixsh Empire. For all I know, he used it to make his super weapons
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> As for the girl, I haven't located her. I'm hoping she might lead me to the will takers.
<Seraphna> Angela> That would explain why the Empress didn't know much.
<DeathStar> *she slowly circles the group, keeping her distance*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Well... someone went through the trouble of re-decorating this place."
<DeathStar> <Erevis> ... *muses in thought*
<Seraphna> Angela> There's one of them here, Zera. We detected three people here, one of them wasn't a normal life form.
<DeathStar> *Aya motions if she should try to take Zera peacefully*
<XanTop> <Xan> Let's keep looking.
<XanTop> <Kellin> Was someone close to you removed of their will? 6* He studies Zera carefully.
<Dias`> <Cel> Well, we're waisting time. We should keep looking.
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves on to check the next room*
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna pauses, side eyeing Kellin* I'll resume my search
<DeathStar> *she hurries off*
<Seraphna> Angela> Hey Zera. If you find them, ping the Beta.
<Seraphna> Angela> I'll follow.
<XanTop> <Kellin> That wasn't a no. 6* He says quietly to himself and then moves forward, looking for Victoire or bad people.
<DeathStar> *Noire opens the door and runs into the missing Jikuu in decorated bedroom with posters and other stuff as Zera raises her hand in acknowlegement*
<XanTop> 6* Xan starts to move forward then pauses behind Noire, peering over her shoulder.
<XanTop> <Xan> Jikuu
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmm... got one."
<DeathStar> *Jikuu eyes them and rises up* Xanatos! *Erevis steps up as well, looking at Jikuu*
<Seraphna> **Angela frowns, tilting her head since Jikuu is basically screaming warning signs**
<Seraphna> Thena> ...Thought telling was supposed to be hard?
<DeathStar> *Ren moves to keep looking for Victoire*
<DeathStar> *Aya glances at Angela* Didn't Jikuu nab our target? How do we know this is the real deal?
<Dias`> *Id scans Jikuu*
<Seraphna> Angela> We don't.
<Seraphna> Thena> Jikuu normally would call Grandpa her Dad.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Though it could very well have been, given their mental influence..."
<Dias`> <Id> I am picking up anomalies that I cannot explain.
<DeathStar> *Erevis hmmms, while Jikuu looks between them*
<Seraphna> Thena> She probably doesn't even realize her willpower has been taken away. I mean, how could you?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Id, do try."
<XanTop> <Xan> Jikuu what is this place? Why are you here?
<XanTop> 6* Kellin moves forward to check other rooms
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> I was brought here with Victoire. I do not know why.
<Seraphna> Angela> And you never even tried to leave?
<Dias`> <Id> That is the problem. It's impossible to explain when it is something nunseen.
<Dias`> *unseen*
<DeathStar> *Ren and Kellin soon find a locked room*
<Seraphna> Angela> Dark portalling works here. You could have gotten away at any time.
<DeathStar> *Jikuu looks at Angela* Neither of us felt like it?
<DeathStar> *Erevis thinks carefully, circling Jikuu's room*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..my shadow portal only worked because Ren carried a focus to the other side."
<Seraphna> Thena> Will taken.
<XanTop> <Kellin> Can you pick locks? 6* He asks Ren
<Seraphna> **Michelle peers at the lock**
<Seraphna> **Michelle pulls out a canister of liquid nitrogen and starts working at braking off the lock**
<XanTop> <Xan> Well we're here to take you home. 6* He tells Jikuu.
<DeathStar> *Ren eyes Michelle bash at it until it opens and reveals Victoire asleep on a fluffy bed*
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> That sounds good. *she nods* But Victoire has to come along, too
<DeathStar> *Erevis walks out of the room, tapping her foot*
<Seraphna> Thena> What's up Gran?
<Seraphna> Michelle> Well, we found the sleeping princess. Locked in a room.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> I am unsure of something and want to lean into my darker nature. But I am unsure if Kyouki would forgive me.
<DeathStar> *Erevis looks at Xanatos, as if pondering if she should*
<Seraphna> Thena> Is it for Jikuu's well being?
<XanTop> 6* Kellin starts to peer around the room to check for traps or surveillance.
<DeathStar> *Kellin would see a camera pointed at Victoire*
<DeathStar> *But no traps*
<XanTop> <Xan> If it's not going to harm anyone and could helpt he situation, then it's worth doing.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... Id, cna you trace where the security signals are beign routed to?"
<XanTop> 6* Kellin nods to Noire, in agreement
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Hm. Perhaps the latter. But I cannot say the former. I suppose we can gather more information at this time
<DeathStar> *Ren meanwhile is trying to wake Victoire*
<Seraphna> Michelle> **muses and tosses a shirt over the camera**
<DeathStar> <Ren> I think someone put her to sleep with some drugs or something before we arrived. She's not waking easily.
<DeathStar> *Victoire makes sleepy fox sounds*
<Dias`> <Id> Maybe. I would need to be able to access the system its on. And that would need to be hard wired
<Jackieness> <Noire> "The cameras."
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna rejoins the others*
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> There was nothing left but an empty camera room
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> I am returning since there is nothing to be found here
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... so they already vacated."
<Seraphna> Angela> You wanna come back with us Zera? The Beta isn't the best transport.
<XanTop> 6* Kellin moves to pick up VIctoire and rejoin the others
<Dias`> <Id> Get me access too it and I will see what I can do.
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna eyes the group suspiciously* ... Very well
<XanTop> <Xan> At least we found them, but this feels...we may need to bring them to Kaori, see if she can do something about this lost will.
<Seraphna> Angela> Good, we have catching up to do.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "There must be some sort of clue here though..."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'm sure there's quite a few
<DeathStar> <Ren> But I have to see to Victoire right now
<DeathStar> *she follows Kellin*
<Seraphna> Thena> Prolly all sorts. We should have a joint team sweep it, that way there's no risk of an agent getting full run.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm... of course."
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'll stay behind and go through the cameras
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Not alone, Aya."
<DeathStar> *she heads to the camera room*
<Seraphna> Thena> Agent Thena will help. **she follows Aya**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Come on, Id." *follows Aya*
<DeathStar> *Erevis folds her hands and leads Jikuu back to the shuttle, looking like she is contemplating something*
<Dias`> *Id floats over to Aya to assist while Cel moves to join as back-up*
<XanTop> <Xan> You want to poke around in that noggin.
<XanTop> 6* Xan walks with Erevis.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> I do.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> And I believe it will be painful
<DeathStar> *Erevis looks at Xanatos* I have ... doubts. Jikuu took Victoire. Sank into the ground, even
<Seraphna> Angela> I mean... maybe she was tasked to, then tasked to forget?
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Unless all those who lose their will gain power like that, then there is a piece missing
<Seraphna> Angela> Isn't she half Dark Spirit?
<DeathStar> <Erevis> I am aware Jikuu can darkport, yes
<Seraphna> Angela> We got a bell on the other Jikuu?
<DeathStar> <Erevis> I will study the video to compare it to her dark porting powers
<Seraphna> **Angela puts a bell on this one, pulling it form somewhere**
<Seraphna> Angela> There, can't lose her now.
<DeathStar> *Jikuu eyes Angela for a moment, then down at the bell*
<XanTop> <Xan> As much as it would make it easier on us, minimizing harm is the way to go.
<Seraphna> Angela> What? It's one of Megumi's.
<DeathStar> *Aya sits with the others at the screens*
<DeathStar> <Aya> Lets see what the tapes show
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Repliforce
<DeathStar> *Cran beings to Cole and Blue a type of program he made* It looks to me someone has been updating the Beta code to do new things to try to spy on the system; whoever we're dealing with is extremely paranoid
<DeathStar> <Cran> They seem to be spying on Earth, Geyze and Kumen, as well as the tree and the Peacekeepers
<Seraphna> Angel> So Zera. Sounds like her profile.
<DeathStar> *Blue eyes the locations of all the Betas in the system*
<Seraphna> Angel> The moment we tell Angela she's gonna freak and go obsessive fixing it.
<DeathStar> <Cran> I think many of these are made from designs not from her own Betas. Zeraphna might be doing her own tinkering now.
<XanTop> <Cole> Why is she so paranoid?
<Seraphna> Angel> No doubt. Maybe she lost someone to this invasion already.
<Seraphna> Angel> Phaeton raised her to be paranoid and live in the shadows.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Well. I don't know how long before she detects we're in her system, but we could try to use this to spy back on her. I can bring all her recording and copy logs to us
<DeathStar> <Cran> And then make instant copies from then on out
<Seraphna> Angel> If she finds out she'll be pissed and paranoid, so virtually no risk of changing her stance on things.
<DeathStar> *Blue crosses arms* So pull the trigger and grab the files?
<Seraphna> Angel> Do we have a choice? WE need to eliminate her as a higher agent before we can trust her. She's been secluded and we have no one to vouch for her other than Angela.
<Seraphna> Angel> And I love my sister but she's a trusting golden retriever realized as a woman.
<DeathStar> *Cran pauses at that, unsure how to respond*
<Seraphna> Angel> It means she's pure and trusting.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Right
<DeathStar> *he begins to download the files* Here they come
<DeathStar> *Blue eyes their servers begin to get filled up*
<XanTop> <Cole> This is a lot of stuff.
<DeathStar> <Blue> How much info does she spy on?
<Seraphna> Angel> Everything.
<Seraphna> Angel> In fact... **she frowns** ...I didn't think of this before but the likelihood that Warren used her as an intelligence agent is very high.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Alright, I'll see if I can narrow down subjects that she seems to repeatedly went back to
<DeathStar> <Darien> Wait
<DeathStar> <Darien> You think that for real?
<Seraphna> Angel> Was anyone even THINKING about her existence till recently?
<DeathStar> <Eluere> I'm a better intelligence gatherer than her. Wait does no one use me and Necia!?
<DeathStar> *why
<Seraphna> Angel> The best agents are people that no one notices anymore.
<Seraphna> Angel> It's why Thena puts on her act. We're all so weirded out by her no one takes her seriously anymore.
<DeathStar> *Cran begins to bring up on screen* The first person she seemed to focus on repeatedly, believing they might have had their will taken and thus had become a puppet to be used by someone to sabotage or kill others
<DeathStar> *Adeline Zhenmei*
<XanTop> <Cole> One of the Zhenmei, that makes sense to target them.
<Seraphna> **Angel muses** One with built in conditioning too. Makes logical sense. Though I believe that one's been actively countering it for a while now.
<DeathStar> <Cran> She also states that this one might just be following in Spade's footsteps, who has gone missing the past few years and she believes he has one of two powerful psionic chips that can control psi-users. Which she seemed to try to locate him but could not
<Seraphna> Angel> I'm guessing the other one is accounted for.
<DeathStar> <Cran> The other she spied on for a few months but they vanished shortly into it was Zayne, the Makai. This one I find strange, since don't you need will power to be a Maka?
<XanTop> <Cole> I don't understand much about the magical girls.
<Seraphna> Peter> Yes, though in all argument, the Maka believe you lose your willpower when you become a Makai, giving into your darkness.
<DeathStar> <Cran> The third person was Chad Winters. Surprisingly she managed to follow him a bit more than I believed she could, but not a whole bunch
<DeathStar> <Cran> Leaving large holes in his activities
<Seraphna> Angel> Chadwick doesn't do himself favors playing everything close to the chest. Even his own Weapons seem to not fully trust him.
<Seraphna> Angel> As is, unlike the other two, we have no true way of confirming if he's clean. No one can actually vouch that intimate a knowledge.
<XanTop> <Cole> I always thought that everyone understood he wasn't clean but his bullshit wasn't causing issues for anyone and he was being helpful so it was looked over.
<DeathStar> <Cran> After that you have Lenneth Zhenmei, the ex-empress. And Darien Starr. After that, there's a few more names. But they're way lower and not as highly scrutinized. Marcus got a few glance overs for example
<DeathStar> *Darien leans back, musing* She's pretty paranoid if Marcus got named
<Seraphna> **Angel snorts**
<Seraphna> Angel> I doubt she looked at Marcus over that. **she snickers**
<DeathStar> <Cran> I even got a few
<Seraphna> Angel> Zera's the one of the three that lost THEIR Marcus while still in love with him.
<DeathStar> <Blue> So. How serious do we want to take these names?
<Seraphna> Angel> We follow every lead of course. Adeline will be harder to touch than most of the others, being the wife of the Suisen Empress now.
<DeathStar> <Darien> True. That might make her the best sleeper agent of all
<DeathStar> <Darien> I'd hate for her to be the shooter
<Seraphna> Angel> It might. Though she's also had her brain extensively monitored for decades.
<XanTop> <Cole> It may cause more chaos, but we should probably get these names to people close to these individuals so they can watch them and look for differences.
<Seraphna> **Angel pulls up intel** PAX Medical records. Jennifer's been watching her head for years. Since they first discovered she had programming.
<DeathStar> <Blue> I'll make sure the word gets out then
<DeathStar> *Cran looks at the Beta updating*
<Seraphna> Angel> It live updating yet?
<XanTop> <Cole> There's a reason she was watching them, changes in pattern, we can continue her work and look out for oddities.
<DeathStar> <Cran> It appears that Zera updating her suspicions on Jikuu as the group is headed to meet with Kaori - to take Jikuu to her personally
<DeathStar> <Cran> She believes Jikuu is a sleeper agent and might kill Kaori
<Seraphna> Angel> Wow, Young Ere's gotten bold.
<DeathStar> <Blue> Great, is the crazy going to shoot her? She's still an empress right?
<Seraphna> Angel> She was never crowned. Currently Jaime is the sole Empress I think.
<XanTop> <Cole> That seems ill advised. Why would they take her to the other reality user?
<XanTop> <Cole> Should we...intercept?
<DeathStar> *Darien rises and prepares to intercept* Yes
<Seraphna> Angel> Sometimes the only way to stop a trap is to spring it.
<DeathStar> *Blue prepares their vehicle once again to go to the Nue House*
<XanTop> <Cole> Let's go mke sure doesn't catch the uh...mouse...6* He turns and moves to leave.
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Nue Household
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna sits in the shuttle with her Beta, programming something while Erevis has kept an eye on Jikuu. Ren, meanwhile, has Victoire up on the Flagship to get medical help*
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> ... *She allows herself to be led by Erevis, who remains behind Jikuu, toward the household*
<XanTop> 6* Kellin crosses his arms, standing by the shuttle, Xan walks on the other side of Jikuu.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> I am sure you are very pleased at the idea of Kaori helping to have your will restored
<DeathStar> *she sounds almost sarcastic*
<DeathStar> *Zeraphna gets the Beta ready to attack the moment Jikuu attempts to do something to Kaori. Erevis knocks on the door and Shion opens it, eyeing them again with a look* How often are you going to bug my little sister?
<Seraphna> **Angela sits with Zera, musing**
<Seraphna> Thena> Shiiiion.
<DeathStar> *Shion stands imposing like Isis can*
<DeathStar> <Shion> Thena.
<Seraphna> **Thena tackles Shion** Give me treats.
<XanTop> <Xan> Jikuu and Victoire have had their will removed, we need help.
<DeathStar> <Shion> .... hm. *she calls out inside* Kaori. Do you have the power to restore will to Jikuu here?
<DeathStar> *Jikuu looks around, as if planning something*
<XanTop> 6* Xan looks at Jikuu.
<Seraphna> **Michelle observes, gently grinding her foot into the floor after a moment**
<XanTop> <Xan> What are you doing?
<DeathStar> *Jikuu pauses, having clearly been prepraing to shift inside the moment Shion was distracted; she turns to look at Xanatos and Erevis, who are both eyeing her*
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> ...
<XanTop> <Xan> Do you feel compelled to do something?
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> I'm not sure. *She rubs the side of her head*
<Seraphna> Thena> Thena have idea!
<XanTop> <Kellin> ... 6* He looks at Michelle and then glances back towards Xan and Erevis.
<DeathStar> <Shion> And what idea is that?
<Seraphna> **Thena touches Jikuu and forms a crystal cocoon around her, with her head free** There, no sudden moves.
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> ... *For a second, one would swear Jikuu seems amused*
<Seraphna> Thena> I would not use hyperspace while in my manifestation though.
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> Ah, thanks
<DeathStar> *Xan's comm beeps from the ship*
<Seraphna> Thena> Is the same structure weave I use for my mines. **She has a Warren look**
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> Sis is dangerous!
<Seraphna> Thena> Can remove it once your brain fixed.
<XanTop> 6* Xan pauses and answers his comm
<XanTop> <Xan> *C* Xan here.
<DeathStar> <Ren> *comm* Victoire has slowly woken enough to answer some questions.
<DeathStar> *Shion discusses things with Kaori before returning to Erevis*
<DeathStar> <Shion> You ready?
<Seraphna> **Michelle seems to have set up something of her own, nodding to Kellin**
<DeathStar> <Erevis> .... I suppose. *She has a strange, dark gleam in her eyes that is very un-Erevis like, looking more dangerous than usual as her hand has been aimed at the back of Jikuu's head for some time*
<XanTop> <Xan> *C* Try to find out what you can, we'll be back up in a bit.
<DeathStar> <Ren> *comm* Victoire recalls Jikuu uh, playing around with her a bit, but no funny business thankfully; she feels like it was a dream state or something and next thing she remembers was being in a room with her and having talks about power and needing it.
<DeathStar> <Ren> *comm* She's trying to recall more right now
<Seraphna> **MIchelle taps her comm** Did she try to get her to give it over, or just use it? Critical thought at the moment.
<XanTop> <Xan> *c* I'm sorry she's had to go through that Ren, maybe just help he rrest up from now.
<DeathStar> *Shion shields Kaori as she shows up and sees about will restoration*
<DeathStar> <Ren comm> Give it over from the sounds of it. Or share it.
<Sara> * Kaori looks a little frustrated at the need for all the protection and such -- but it IS necessary after all
<Seraphna> MIchelle> So it still has to be willingly given, probably. Might explain why they don't just take their wills either.
<XanTop> <Kellin> This sucks.
<Sara> <Kaori> ...
<Sara> <Kaori> Well, this doesn't seem right
<XanTop> <Xan> What's wrong?
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> I suppose once they brought me to you, there was no helping it
<Sara> <Kaori> You wanted me to restore a will? There's nothing for me to do here, nothing is missing. This person is an impostor.
<XanTop> 6* Xan pulls his pistol out immediately.
<Seraphna> MIchelle> Ah, yeah, that'd do. it.
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> ... *casually breaks free, standing there*
<DeathStar> *even with the damage done to them*
<Seraphna> Michelle> Don't suppose you wanna try talking before this?
<DeathStar> <Jikuu> Talk? I can talk. After all, I have your daughter.
<XanTop> 6* Kellin begins to step forward, tensing to hyperspeed.
<XanTop> <Xan> Who are you. Show your true self.
<DeathStar> *Jikuu turns into Xevil, growing before Xanatos and Erevis and stands over them; mixed in with Nyarl like tendacies now*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> .... *lifts her hands and seems ready to fire*
<XanTop> <Xan> That confirms everything. So what's the play, we give up Kaori for Jikuu? You know that won't happen.
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna> You should let me fire. Blowing his head would save us a lot of time and effort down the road
<Seraphna> **Angela muses** I'm not sure that'll get him right now.
<Seraphna> THena> Blue Man! Why you gotten so mean? We shared a turkey!
<DeathStar> <Xevil> I wanted to do it painlessly - take one of their powers and use it to deal with the true threat. But both of them were stubborn. I imagine I could have broken if I wanted to be cruel and sadistic, but I went with a lighter touch for once
<DeathStar> *he turns to Thena* Hence the theaterics
<Seraphna> Thena> True threat?
<Seraphna> Thena> Mean the higher ups.
<Seraphna> Thena> Why not work with us like Nyarl was gonna? Enemy of Enemy is friend, no matter how mean they got.
<Seraphna> **Michelle gets an odd look, looking over Xevil and thinks**
<DeathStar> *Xevil seems amused* Your instincts are to slay me on sight. It has ever been and ever will. While I do not wish to have this plane of existence lose it's will, for that would effect me as well, I do not see us being allies. After all, you would simply turn on me next, or one of us would use each othre up to a point
<Seraphna> Thena> I is not attacking. Why think that's my instinct? How about... Frenemies?
<Sara> <Kaori> Wow, he's plagiarising Fantasy Finale XVII's villain's dialogue.
<XanTop> <Xan> You're insinuating you're not causing the loss of will?
<Seraphna> Thena> There always has to be a Lord of Hell. You get the power, the godhood, and a realm to rule over. I not sure why you don't feel we can find a middle ground.
<Seraphna> Michelle> He's not.
<Seraphna> Michelle> In fact... he's... different than before.
<DeathStar> <Xevil> We are like the frog and the scorpion. *he studies Thena, then peers to the side, eyeing Xanatos* I lack such a power. if I took will, I would lose power.
<Seraphna> Thena> Chaos needs free wills. WIthout free will there can't be chaos.
<Seraphna> Thena> That would destroy him as utterly as anything.
<Seraphna> Thena> Because he made a devil's bargain himself. He's taken Nyarl's throne and thus her nature and responsibilities.
<Seraphna> Thena> No matter what he might have wanted as a mortal, he now has a higher... or lower... calling. Just as dreams need imagination to continue, chaos needs freedom and a free people to weild it.
<DeathStar> <Xevil> Hah!
<Seraphna> Thena> Did I hit the mark?
<DeathStar> <Xevil> You think because I overthrew the area, I'll play by such rules. I've already left the area. Why do you think I've been up here for the past few months trying to get the power to climb up higher
<XanTop> <Xan> ... 6* He glances around and everyone
<Seraphna> Thena> But you find you're still hitting a barrier.
<DeathStar> <Xevil> ....
<Seraphna> Thena> You need us, whether you want to admit it or not.
<DeathStar> *Erevis turns to Xanatos and links with everyone* <Do we attack?>
<Dias`> <Dias> It's because no matter how much power he gathers, he'll most likely never be able to breach what's above. *Dias voices is heard*
<XanTop> <Xan> <Uh oh.>
<DeathStar> *Xevil finally acknowledges Dias*
<DeathStar> <Xevil> And you again
<DeathStar> <Xevil> Are we to resume?
<XanTop> <Xan> Let's tep outside, leave the Nue alone.
<DeathStar> *Erevis steps away from the household, then lets out a breath* Jikuu. What did you do to her?
<DeathStar> *Xevil follows the others, then pauses* You are worried I did something like I did to you long ago?
<Dias`> <Dias> Only if that's the path you want to go with. To be honest, I still haven't fully recovered from our last dust-up.
<Seraphna> Thena> Shouldn't she be? She only has experience to go by.
<Dias`> *Dias leaps off the roof and lands on the ground by the group*
<DeathStar> <Xevil> The child is fine. I had no desire but to use her as bait. She is hidden in the wall behind the camera room
<Seraphna> Thena> You really have changed.
<XanTop> 6* Kellin pauses and shifts to send the info to Aya.
<DeathStar> -SHIFT real quick-
<DeathStar> Location: Mining Station
<DeathStar> *Aya rises* We're not picking up on an extra life sign. Noire?
<Seraphna> Thena> Stasis maybe? That can block a life sign.
<DeathStar> *she looks around the room they're in; so far the cameras have been showing Jikuu as the master mind*
<DeathStar> *Aya looks around and presses on the walls*
<Dias`> *Id floats above Aya and begins scanning*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm?"
<DeathStar> <Aya> The real Jikuu is hidden in this room somewhere
<Seraphna> **Thena muses and reaches out, feeling for a mind** It can't fully shut off the mind though... you dream in stasis...
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I suppose... I could try something..." *sits down* "...a moment please..."
<DeathStar> *Id would pick up something underneath them*
<DeathStar> *But there's no sign of a trap door*
<Dias`> <Id> Below us. I'm getting an odd reading.
<DeathStar> *Aya stamps on the floor*
<DeathStar> <Aya> come on!
<DeathStar> *Aya tries the computer to make it open*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *starts sending Dark Matter threads snaking out into the floor, trying to pass through the smallest of cracks*
<Dias`> *Cel glances at the floor*
<DeathStar> *The floor opens p and inside is Jikuu in a status capsule*
<DeathStar> <Aya> Here she is ... looks to be completely fine.
<DeathStar> *aya checks and it looks like she was nabbed at night*
<Seraphna> Thena> Agent Thena gets to take a candy from the good deductions jar!
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...then the others likely took an imposter with them."
<Seraphna> Thena> Yeah they know that.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'll let them know. It looks like we're done here then
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Nue Household
<DeathStar> *after getting the confirmation back about Jikuu*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> ... Thena
<DeathStar> <Erevis> You are certain you wish to let this monster go?
<Dias`> <Dias> To be fair Erevis, if we try and kill him, at this point he'll only come back.
<Seraphna> Thena> I don't see the constructive outcome of fighting him right now. This Xevil might even end up an ally as much as he doubts it.
<Seraphna> **Michelle seems to be studying Xevil still, piecing some stuff together**
* Jackieness has quit IRC
<DeathStar> <Xevil> Hm. I do not see the point in fighting either; it only draws attention to us. And I hate wasting energy that can be saved for more important stuff. Then I will go and see what I can do to reach them.
<DeathStar> *he sinks into the ground*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> ... *She falls to her knees*
<DeathStar> <Erevis> ...fuck
<XanTop> <Xan> ..... 6* He exhales, putting a hand on Erevis' shoulder.
<Seraphna> Thena> Ship of Theseus... how much of him is truly the Xevil of the past.
<Seraphna> Michelle> Yeah... did no one else get the Nyarl vibe from him?
<Seraphna> Michelle> He absorbed part of her right?
<Dias`> <Dias> From what I can tell, yes.
<DeathStar> *at that moment the others appear*
<DeathStar> <Blue> Did I see that X man run?
<DeathStar> <Cran> Should I do a teleport search?
<Seraphna> Michelle> Not unless you can track a teleport to Hell.
<DeathStar> *Erevis grabs Xan's hand and nods to him, standing him*
<Dias`> <Dias> No need. He most likely went back to the lower realms.
<Seraphna> Thena> You know... he never actually said I was wrong.
<DeathStar> <Shion> He said you were a frog. Or a scorpion
<DeathStar> *Shion rubs Kaori's head*
<Seraphna> Thena> It is an old tale. It means we cannot help but hurt one another due to our natures.
<Seraphna> Thena> Thing is... he doesn't actually know all of us... or himself.
<XanTop> <Cole> Late, at least it didn't go south this time.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> If Freyja is correct
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Then Xevil might be what people believe him to be, or picture him to be. Which means he could be much worse if he has become a legend of himself. Do not completely trust this being
<Dias`> <Dias> Well, whatever. If he goes bad I'll punch him back in check. I didn't spend time in the lowers to take X out on a date.
<Seraphna> Thena> Indeed... but that works both ways.
<Seraphna> Thena> He's what people picture him to be, Grandmother. Meaning that his power and actions against us are based strongly on our personal views of him.
<Seraphna> Thena> We sought to perhaps erase that... but why don't we change it?
<Dias`> <Dias> She's gonna ask us to see him as a kitty cat isn't she? *He looks over at the others*
<Seraphna> Thena> I was more thinking like a Dread Pirate. Reviled perhaps, but struck with a nobility and code that he cannot cross.
<XanTop> <Xan> Hmm.
<Seraphna> Thena> When Gods attack, sometimes people cry out for a Demon King to save them.
<Seraphna> Thena> We are not a reality that hasn't turned to darkness for help before. Are we, Andrea?
<Dias`> <Dias> Gods, demon kings. All just things that are nothing more than stepping stones.
<Seraphna> **Thena nods** I think it's well past time we start embracing our own future, heaven and hell be damned.
<DeathStar> <Zeraphna hands Angela something and leaves with her Beta*
<DeathStar> -END-

<DeathStar> -Minis Open-
<DeathStar> *Freyja and Chii follow Angela around after the event*
<Dias`> *Chad rubs his forehead a bit as he sits at in the base at Cheryl's mansion. He looks at their wall of projects and then glances over at the other wall of all their problems*
<Seraphna> **Angela wiggles her fluff tail at them as she examines something**
<DeathStar> *Cheryl seems to be looking over the information sent to her by Chii and Freyja* So everything okay after Zera?
<DeathStar> *she talks to Angela, Chii, Freyja outloud so any can hear*
<Dias`> <Chad> It would appear to be that way. I'm still trying to look over the data Id's recorded to confirm some things
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I see. And Xevil?
<Dias`> <Chad> Based on the reports he disappeared back to the lower realms. But who knows how long that will last.
<Dias`> *Chad rubs his face a bit* Seem's a few that made contact with him want to make a treaty like we had with Nyarl.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> That'll pass off Nyarl
<DeathStar> *piss
<Dias`> <Chad> Which is one of the scenarios we had come up with, but...yes. That's a likely outcome.
<DeathStar> *Chii leans on the table* Well, from where I was in the shadows of Angela, he didn't seem interested in the lower realms, just gaining power
<DeathStar> <Chii> If we DO want to do something with him - god knows why - we can work something out with him giving Nyarl back the lands
<Dias`> <Chad> I imagine it's because his vision has widened and he wants to make sure no one is above him now.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> If that's the cause, why didn't he kill all of you?
<DeathStar> *case
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Dias was wounded; he would have put up a fight and caused some pain but he could have won I imagine
Session Start: Tue Jan 30 00:00:00 2024
Session Ident: #TAW-Session693
<Dias`> <Chad> Maybe because he see's us as pawns to get him there. *He leans back* Thinking on it. Several of us are probably the reason why he was able to gain some of his power. If he removed us, he'd remove the seeds that blossomed into full grown plants.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Yuck at that thought
<Dias`> <Chad> Words have power. You remove those that know that word, then it loses its power, correct?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Lets not tell Dias to fight him in a way to make him stronger like those old anime
<DeathStar> <Freyja> Hm
<DeathStar> <Freyja> Speaking of words
<DeathStar> <Freyja> It is like that old Geyze, you know
<DeathStar> *on
<Dias`> <Chad> With the Spirits and how they gather power?
<Seraphna> Angela> They had a few bumps in that area.
<Dias`> <Chad> In regards to alternatives to the Xevil problem. Kane, Andrea and I have been working on an alternative.
<DeathStar> <Freyja> From what I read, and I am not sure if the system works anymore since coming to Prime, but the people of Geyze - and Geyze alone - have True Names that the spirits I believe bless them with upon birth. I do not know a famous Geyze person, but the name they go by is not a True Name - it is said if a person reveals their true name to another, it connects the two and could even give the other person power over them
<DeathStar> <Freyja> That is how powerful names and words can be on Geyze
<DeathStar> <Chii> So you guys are trying to what, make a God to battle Xevil? Don't tell me you are picking Dias
<Dias`> *Chad looks at Freyja, studying her a moment* I know that Id's have been gathering info on Geyze for...honestly millenias now. *He pauses to look at Chii* Dias isn't a good pick for that. We're talking about something that would take over the lower realms. Nothing good comes with that
<DeathStar> <Chii> Ah, I get the type of person you'd want then
<DeathStar> *Chii tosses Angela something to catch in her mouth*
<Dias`> <Chad> I'm not volunteering if that's what you're hoping. I wouldn't be a good match.
<DeathStar> <Chii> Of course not. I enjoy your company. It keeps me entertained
<Dias`> *Chad hah's at that*
<Seraphna> **Angela catches it**
<DeathStar> *it seems to be a bunny treat*
<Dias`> <Chad> Hmmm. Geyze. *He seems to be plotting something*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I wouldn't be shocked
<DeathStar> *She murmurs*
<Dias`> <Chad> That place has caused a lot of chaos since it's arrival. But it's been a boon.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> True. I will be curious how the name thing works out for your plans
<Dias`> *Chad pulls out his datapad sending a message to Andrea*
<DeathStar> *Andrea, standing all Dark Oneish, at her house, glances at it*
<Dias`> *Chad tosses his datapad on to his desk*
<Dias`> <Chad> I'm just exploring options.
<DeathStar> *Andrea appears in a dark port*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Interesting idea
<Dias`> *Chad slowly looks back at Andrea* It's another option.
<Dias`> <Chad> Just need to find candidates
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Alright. I'll look into it
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Funny enough - it is said in other places that names have power
<DeathStar> <Andrea> And that you shouldn't give yours freely to others. It is usually meant as a warning
<Dias`> <Chad> Unfortunately our world hands it out proudly.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> For example, if Nyarl or Xevil had become beings that knew your name and you blabbed it, they could use it against you
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> That is true. *to both of them*
<Dias`> <Chad> I guess that depends on our birth name....*He pauses as he looks at Andrea than at Cheryl*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> True. *she waggles her hand* After all, neither Billy nor Andrea is technically my 'real' name
<DeathStar> <Andrea> But - both names have been given power by those close to me
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Wait, what is your name then? <Andrea> If I had to put it into words, it was like a Dark One slang for experiment
<Dias`> <Chad> What if that's how those above are taking the will of us?
<DeathStar> *Andrea thinks* It's something for me to look into. I will get back to you on that
<Dias`> <Chad> It would explain how those around us keep getting used without their knowledge
<DeathStar> <Andrea> If it is 'that easy', then I would be afraid for everyone. It'll be only a matter of time for a mass movement. I have no idea why this six month pause unless it's because of Xevil and Nyarl's little conflict has them observing
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Or their puppets, as Zera says, are doing something to set it up
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We need to see who they are. Blue sent over some suspects of Zera's.
<Dias`> <Chad> Well, considering we don't know the extent to it, it's just a running theory.
<Dias`> *Chad looks over at Cheryl* Oh?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Yeah, one of them will make you laugh
<DeathStar> *Cheryl slides over the list that includes Chad; she seems to not be paying attention, but there's a slight side eye that shows she's observing his face*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Apparently she has a mass of Betas all over the Sol system. Cran had to tag them for Stacey
<Dias`> *Chad looks over the list as he reads it* Hmmm. Seem's Zera's learned a thing or two over the decades. *He pauses ever so briefly at where his name would be*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> So one of the twins is too trusting and the other is not very trusting. Seems legit
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I can't tell where Zayne is at to track her; Darien has intregrated with Repliforce after Warren's death. Adeline will be hard to touch but at least there's constant eyes on her being the wife of the Empress
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Lenneth though, she's a bit of a mystery box after no longer being Empress. She's kept a low profile
<Dias`> <Chad> Well, much like the last issue we had, when we learned about the will issue, I implemented a new plan among the Weapons to keep a tab on us. Not that anything's fool proof. *He looks at Cheryl* I'll admit since our last meeting with Zayne, I've lost touch on her. She has an Idlet with her but it's set to private because I respected her trust.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright, lets assume Zayne is safe. Do you think because of your trust in each other that she'd come in for a check up?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> She assisted us a few years ago with that one thing
<Dias`> <Chad> I can send a message through her Idlet and see how she responds.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright we can observe her then. I imagine if she lost her will - then that thing with her would be in charge
<Dias`> <Chad> I'm slightly surprised Cran wasn't higher on this list considering all his pull.
<Dias`> <Chad> Or maybe he's just fallen that far. *He has a slight smirk on his lip*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Right. Well, I've had my own people watching him. And despite being near Kaori - which concerns me - he stays mostly in his house.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> But I do observe him keeping an eye on the world
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> He's not fully out of the game
<Dias`> <Chad> I have an Id watching over him too. And I agree, I'm seeing his hands still in things. Just a lot more....lightly touched.
<Dias`> <Chad> Maybe after this is over I should have a talk with him. *He glances back at the report on him, studying it*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> But with ... Angel... there he should be fine. Unless he sneaks out after they're asleep.
<DeathStar> *he glances at Chad* Wait, what?
<Dias`> <Chad> If they're bonded, then the bond can be used in a way to prevent Angel from knowing.
<Dias`> *seems he's choosing not to respond to her*
<Seraphna> Angela> Oh they’re bonded. That’s how he survived the Dark War. **leans on Cheryl**
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Hrrm.
<Dias`> <Chad> Plus Angel trusts that Cran will do nothing bad. So, far easier to manipulate and misguide.
<DeathStar> *eyes both of them while while Chii looks amused at the fun going on*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We'll keep an eye on him
<DeathStar> *she pats Angela and Freyja offers her food*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Angela here can talk to Angel too for us
<Dias`> <Chad> I need to think on some things, and check with some contacts. I'll be back in a little bit. *He stands up as he grabs his datapad*
<DeathStar> *Freyja goes to prepare Chad a meal*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Be sure to rest
<Dias`> <Chad> Well, I assume after that report, I'll be watched more. *he nods to Cheryl though*
<Dias`> *and he walks out of the room*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl eyes the others*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright work times over
<DeathStar> *Andrea poofs*