Chipped Chaos Session 7

Princess Guard - The New Era 2016/07/21 	 Titan Charm Caleb Aaliyah 17

Returning to Embassy
Princess Liandere and the Heckler and Kosh salesperson come to an agreement by the end of the gathering in the German Embassy. On the flight back to the Undermoon Embassy Princess Liandere looks over at Charm, "I wanted to congratulate you on the fashion in which you responded to Duke Silidor, grand-daughter. That was excellently done."

Charm says, "You honour me in saying so, grandmother. It was all I could think to do."

Princess Liandere smiles, "Then your instincts were totally correct." She pauses for a heartbeat before continuing, "You observed my interaction with the Duke I assume?"

Charm says, "You were very direct. Your intent was to enrage him?"

Liandere nods, "In large part, yes. Think about it, Charm, who was I really speaking to?"

Titan just sits quietly, listening to the conversation. He glances out the window of hte carriage every so often.

Charm hesitates. She knows she still has a lot to learn about diplomacy. "To the Germans - and the room?"

Princess Liandere nods again, "Correct. Mostly to Johan Furman, the firearms salesperson. By displaying dominance over the Duke I weakened the impact of the threat the Duke had made. Do you think the Duke will ever agree with the changes that your mother is introducing? Obviously not. His mind is rigid. So I spoke in a direct manner, in a way that would never pass in our Court, to belittle the Duke and thus nullify any influence he may have had. Because although my manner would be unforgivably rude in our Court the Duke is already against us so my words to him did no harm to our cause. Indeed his angry reaction shamed him in the eyes of the humans."

Charm says, "It was... rather shocking. But his reaction was much more so!"

Liandere nods. "Would I speak in that fashion to the Duke in our Court?"

Charm shakes her head. "I can't think of what might call for that! He is a duke of the realm, and it is his right and duty to stand up even to the king if the need arises. He should not be made unwelcome - in Undermoon."

Titan takes a deep breath. "It seems inappropriate for him to take a swing at a random person in a fit of rage, though. Especially in a diplomatic setting."

Charm says, "As I said, shocking. Good treatment of the lower orders is a point of honour in Undermoon. Which is why I find Harrisburg so... incomprehensible."

Charm says, "Or is that the point of democracy - if everyone is equal then no one is responsible for anyone else?"

Princess Liandere smiles warmly, "Well spoken, Charm. I was concerned when your mother and Ghost took you away to that world so you could grow quickly and in safety. I recognized the need but I was worried you would miss out on learning the ways of the Court. I'm glad to see that is not the case. You are correct. I would not speak to the Duke in such uncivil fashion in Court. It would alienate many who might otherwise side with us. The lesson to take from this is to adjust your behaviour to the situation. You must be flexible, grand-daughter. And ask whenever you are unsure why I act as I do. One day you may be in my position, or seated on the throne." Looking at Johnathan the Princess nods, "Duke Silidor is unused to being defied in even the slightest fashion. His actions against Charm is, I am told, not an uncommon response of his to anger should a commoner be in reach."

Charm's jaw drops. "He's *known* to act like that?!"

Titan quirks a smile, "He would be wise to not try it with me directly."

Liandere shakes her head, "Not known. Not outside his Duchy. But within the Duchy among the commoners that is his reputation, or so I have been informed."

The firebird carriage arrives at the Embassy. Caleb, Ceclia, and Harlequin have made their way back independantly.

Charm thinks of her limited experience of Greyfells. They always seems a little closed to outsiders there - perhaps a reflection of their traditionalists ways. She can imagine them closing ranks and not talking about it in order to avoid bringing wider shame on their duke.

Back at the Embassy
Caleb arrives at the Embassy! Yup, he sure does. He doesn't even set off any alarms in the process.

Charm thanks the firebird in a soft voice once again after she steps down from the carriage.

Princess Liandere and Quentin retire to the Princesses' quarters.

Caleb interrupts whatever was going on before with a hurried summary of what he's discovered since.

Caleb says, "Plus also, Ronin knows about Myers, so we shuold expect him to dive into the middle of whatever we do at the most awkward possible moment."

Caleb looks to Titan. "So what's our play? If we can bypass all the muscle and grab Micky when he goes to the bathroom or something, that seems best. I can try another teleport snatch-and-grab, but be ready to back me up if it goes sour..."

Titan raises a brow as the topic changes quickly. "Well, he might be able to affect one of us with his mental powers, right? So, I think we'd need to take him down fast. Alternatively, we can make sure by letting him attack one of us to get confirmation. THEN take him down."

Charm says, "If he has mental powers then perhaps isolating him and taking him down quickly is the best approach - we don't want to be slowed down by his... minions?"

Caleb nods. "Yeah. Especially since his minions are good guys. Well, some of them, anyway." He thinks a bit and adds "The snatch-and-grab really does seem like our best bet... I bring him out to y'all, you pound him into last Tuesday. Except the last time I tried to snatch-and-grab a mentalist it ended really badly... he forced me to sit in a chair and listen to him lecture. It was HORRIBLE." It's really not at all clear that he's joking. "I don't know if he needs sound... like earplugs or something might help?"

Titan says, "I want to make sure we have proof before we do anything like that. Do you have enough proof that would stand up in court that he's behind this?"

Charm says, "Well, do you know how his powers work? I've heard some mentalist have to see you to affect you." She falls quiet as Titan raises the point about proof.

Caleb shrugs. "Nah. Just my eyewitness testimony, via remote viewing, into a private dwelling. Probably get thrown out before a jury ever saw it."

Caleb adds "Hell, he could probably sue me for violating his privacy while he was at it."

Charm says, "What do we know about him? What sort of person is he?"

Titan says, "I'm not sure I know much about him."

Caleb says, "From what I've read, he's pretty much an anti-social asshole. Kind of like me without the boyish charm."

Charm says, "Then perhaps the way to provoke him is to give him more attention than he is comfortable with."

Titan says, "So...here's my thought. We get a recorder. We confront him. Or at least some of us confront him. Perhaps just me. When he attacks us, and he likely will, hopefully we get a recording of his plan. And the backup team takes him down."

Caleb says, "No offense, boss, but if he's going to mindcontrol one of us, I'd really rather it not be you."

Caleb looks over at Charm, opens his mouth, closes it, sits down quietly.

Titan shrugs, "I might be one of the easier people to control, but I'm likely also one of the easiest to break out.

Titan says, "I'm open to other suggestions, though."

"You can also snap most of us in two with your middle finger," Cale observes mildly.

Titan chuckles. "I'm not sure that's true. But...fair enough."

Titan says, "What if...there was something already competing for control? I'm not sure how that would work...but what if Charm affected me first with something?"

Titan says, "Then if he tries, he's competing with her powers."

"Sure, might help. Or we could send her in in the first place. As for other suggestions..." Caleb adds, "well, you've got my idea. Fuck the law, take him down hard and fast, don't give his goons a chance to get involved, figure the niceties out later."

Charm nods. "That could work. And again, I should have a good chance of freeing anyone who is affected."

Titan nods. "I'm not inclined to send Charm in first. Because she has the best chance of freeing those under his control."

Caleb nods.

Titan smiles slightly, "You know...the safest way to handle him is to take him down fast. But it won't put him behind bars for long."

Charm says, "He may prove difficult to hold, depending on his powers."

Titan says, "Not if the authorities know what his powers are. There are contingencies for such things."

Caleb shrugs. "I can always leave him on an empty desert dimension and let him take his chances." What was he saying about boyish charm, again? "Or one of the half-dozen people he's mind-controlled might testify against him."

"Anyway," Cale adds, "if we wait too long, I'm guessing Ronin will show up and decapitate his prof, who might well be completely innocent. So, you know... we should make a decision."

"Plus, he has qbit, so we can tie him to the ATM hack, if nothing else." Caleb adds.

Titan takes a deep breath. "Alright...I guess let's deal with it fast, then. Better to be safe. The Qbit thing is clearly a connection to the ATM heist."

Caleb nods in satisfaction and opens up a viewing portal to the Mickey World-Conquering-Villains Club. "OK. Let's see what we've got." He shares the view with the team.

Charm nods in agreement. She doesn't understand the legalities but it seems prudent otherwise.

What Caleb and the team see is Micky operating Qbit. He is hacking into highly classified data on the latest UE weapons tech. Looking over his shoulder is a woman wearing a VEMON commander's uniform. She is smiling as Micky downloads the technical specs for an advanced plasma rifle. There are four others in the room also wearing VEMON uniforms. Prof Myers is home as well but seems unaware somehow of the people who have invaded his house.

Titan nods to Caleb, and says over the commlink, .oO( Good enough for me. )Oo.

Charm tries to judge the attitudes of the people in the room to each other.

The VEMON team members seem at ease. This is just a job for them. The VEMON commander is delighted with how Micky is downloading the weapon specs. Prof Myers seems unaware of anything unusual going on."

From important Exalted one, to gofor... Aaliyah grumbled about her instructions, but she knows better than to refuse them. When Horus himself speaks to you and says.. and I quote, no, I am not making this up.. 'Bad omens prevail in Undermoon at the Embassy. You shall go there as our representative and investigate...' and.. since Horus can see all, but doesn't tell her any more detail than that.. she grumbled.

Anyhow, she emerges from the Eye of Horus sigil a few meters out front of the Embassy... and with a sigh, she knocks.

After a brief conversation one of the Embassy gate guards escorts Aaliyah to the PG team building and announces her. He leaves Aaliyah to explain why she is there.

And so she is escorted to the guard. A woman with dusky skin, dark hair, darker eyes... and a flowing gauzy shift over a shendyt (miniskirt!) and a shoulder-revealing ancient style tube top sort of shirt. Her sandled feat carry her gracefully with confidence and poise into the gathering area.

"Please forgive the intrusion." she states in an accented voice. Perhaps arabic accent? Perhaps something similar but not the same. "I was bade come here and investigate ill omens?" she inquires, as if someone should likely understand what she means and have some sort of answer for her?

Titan raises a brow, "Umm...interesting. We're investigating the recent ATM weirdness. We're about to take down the individual at hte heart of it. So, perhaps that's why you're here?

Charm says, "Ill omens? That's not encouraging."

Caleb shares his remote view with the new arrival. "The kid," he explains.

Turning her dark eyes towards the view, Aaliyah lifts a slender brow. "The child. What of him?" she asks. "Does he bring death among you all? Or perhaps he carries a relic thought lost?" Yeah. She's hoping that it is more important, at least more significant than stopping a young thief. She wouldn't know UE Weapon Tech from a cup of coffee herself.. but she inclines her head, "It seems that we have found a band of Set worshippers." she states. "Surely they are trying to warp the child's mind. We should bring them to Anubis." she adds with a nod.

"Mind controller," Cale explains further. "He's the one doing the mind-warping. He's got all kinds of minions we'd rather not fight, since they're good guys. If all goes well, I'm about to drop him in our laps without their getting in the way. If not, y'all are about to charge into his living room and rescue me."

Charm thinks it best to point out, "But those agents you see are not good guys."

"Of course not. They bear the sigils of Set. Of course they are evil." states Aaliyah. She nods to Caleb and suggests, "If you -can- summon him here, then I bow to your power. Please..." she gestures with a flourish, "Do so."

Charm wonders who this Set is. She's not well-versed in human superstitions.

Titan sees the puzzlement on Charm's face and says, "Umm...an Egyptian god. Snake-related."

Titan says, "We should take down the VENOM folks too. But him first."

Charm nods thanks to Titan.

Titan says, "Are we set to go?"

Caleb nods.

"The snake god is darkness personified. Evil plots and plans generally hail from him. Those who worship him seek to bring darkness to all corners of the world." offers Aaliyah absently, almost as if repeating a textbook or whatnot. "Osiris and Isis oppose him, as does their son Horus." that said, she shrugs and inclines her head. "So, you shall transport us into the room where we shall recover from the transport, and then oppose their evil machinations? I can summon a spirit wall to protect us while we recover if you wish."

Caleb shakes his head. "I shall transport us to a spot nearby and then bring Micky in kicking and screaming, if all goes right. Spirit wall can't hurt, I guess. Whenever we're ready."

Charm has her harp out. "I'm ready."

Titan ties his hair back again, out of the way, "I'm all set."

Simply nodding, Aaliyah expects to be whisked away magically. "Let us depart." she states softly.

"OK. Here goes nothing." Cale picks a spot that seems relatively safe and out-of-sight and within 50 meters of Micky, and gates the team there. He returns his attention to Micky's living room and memorizes an arrival location near Micky. He prepares his triggered teleport to bring him right back to this spot as soon as he's grabbed Micky. "Everybody ready?""

At Prof Myers' Home
Caleb and Titan see a tiny red dot moving on the facing wall of Prof Myers' house. It moves to the window of the room where Micky, the VEMON agents, and Prof Myers are. It looks awfully like the dot of a laser sight system.

Caleb says, "Aw hell. SNIPER!"

Titan nods. "I'll cover the professor. He's the likely target."

Charm looks about hurriedly for this declared sniper.

Upon arriving, a few words in ancient ancient Egyptian... (IE: Was ancient during Ancient Egypt...) flow from Aaliyah's lips. She lifts her hands up and places her palms together... as she does so, spirits seem to manifest all about you all, and as she spreads her hands out, they almost solidify into a visible wall almost twenty feet tall and wrap in a 6 meter radius... leaving plenty of room, but they flow and squirm in the wall... spirits. It may be a bit discomforting to some.

Charm is not quite discomforted, but considers spirit magic a rather lowly art. Dependent as is is on the cooperation of other entities, the fae tend to regard it as unreliable and inelegant.

"That," says Cale, "is the most disgusting thing I've seen this week."

Titan takes a deep breath. It certainly isn't the worst thing he's seen. "Ronin's likely the sniper. We'll need to keep him from killing anyone."

Charm says, "Be glad you see it only with human eyes."

"Worry not. These are spirits forged by Anubis and Osiris for the express purpose of being used in magicks. They are -not- spirits of those who once walked the Earth. That would be a sacreligious. Those who have found rest, have earned their rest." offers Aaliyah as she continues weaving her hands to maintain the shield. Glancing to Charm however, she has no problem interpreting the look. "Also, I was not given a choice of which magicks to utilize. These abilities were begifted to me."

Charm shrugs. "I have partaken of a drink called 'diet cola'. These magics are not so distasteful."