Log:Princesses' Guard Interludes (Lorelei and Scrapper)

2013/04/09 	 Lorelei Scrapper 1

Lorelei has invited Scrapper to come to the royal apartments, suggesting she wants to talk in private.

Scrapper arrives when summoned. She is a very different looking person than the one Lorelei saw a few days ago, but in many ways the image that greets Lorelei's eyes is closer to the image in Lorelei's Sight. "You sent for me highness?"

Lorelei says, "Yes, come in." She adds casually, "New look, I see."

Scrapper nods, "I'm finally clearing the last of the scars left by my time away."

Lorelei says, "That sounds like a story I should have asked about when you joined the team!"

Scrapper says, "I am only now starting to talk to my teamates about their varied histories." She adds diplomatically, "I gathered when the team was formed that time was of the essence.""

Lorelei says, "Well - given that the embassy lacked a gate at the time it seemed a good idea. But more to the point, I was trying to found a superhero team, much more than I was interviewing for jobs. And superheroes are notoriously individual creatures and have to work out their own dynamics - including who can work with whom. It's more important you know each other well than that I know you.""

Scrapper nods, letting Lorelei get to the point of the meeting at her own pace.

Lorelei says, "Please, sit.... Actually, the poiint has come when I do need to know the team, or at least talk to someone who does. Do you know about the - well, war, if not declared - between Undermoon and Wyrmwood?"

Scrapper nods and sits, "Rumors of it have been often discussed around the castle, but few facts."

Lorelei says, "That's mostly because all too few facts are known. And half the ones that are known are secrets. And that's... more or less where I'm going. Ghost has discovered an opportunity, to smother the war - decrease the figting, maybe even put an end to it. But it would take the team, and I promised them they wouldn't be directly involved in military action or such...."

Scrapper says, "It requires *a* team or *our* team? Undermoon certainly has commando teams that would be better suited to a raid on Wyrmwood, don't they?"

Lorelei says, "No, they don't. For three reasons. One, goblins have no idea what metas are capable of. Two, we have the firebird carriage, which is one of the fastest means of travel in the Twilit Worlds. Three, the team, or most of it, lacks the cold iron vulnerability. The goblins of Wyrmwood have cold iron - that's largely why they're such a threat.""

Scrapper nods in agreement with the princess' reasoning. "So what do you need from me individually."

Lorelei says, "Well - my understanding is that you're, well, the closest thing to a leader the team has at the moment. And I'm hoping you'll have some insight into whether the team - or some of it - would be ok with such a mission. And perhaps that you could talk them round if doubtful. I'm not going back on my word - this isn't taking sides in a war, this is trying to stop a war - but the team may not see it that way."

Lorelei says, "So - basically I'm hoping you'll talk to them and make sure they're ok with it, so there won't be any arguments when the time comes."

Scrapper considers Lorelei's words for a long moment. "The problem isn't going to be so much will they go, but what commands will they obey. Will they get in the carriage and go where you tell them to go? Probibly. Will they fight back if attacked? Definately. Will they attack if the quarry runs away? At best, lets call that maybe. Will they leave fallen comrades if the mission requires they go on? Probibly not. Will they oppose attempts to interrogate prisoners harshly? The list goes on. ... conditioning recruits to obey orders is the first thing taught at basic military training and to my knowledge only Ghost has been through that.

Lorelei nods. "But they aren't soldiers, they're superheroes. And in my experience superheroes make bad soldiers, in terms of following orders unquestioningly. And frankly, I don't like the idea of people following unquestioningly. A hero team needs a leader it respects, and obeys because the leader is usually right rather than because they have orders barked at them. That said, I know this team is green, and not used to working together yet. I wouldn't send them on a mission like this if someone else could do it. BUt then again, I have little doubt they can do it. Ghost's plan seems solid, and shouldn't pose much danger to metas!"

Scrapper says, "Before I comment, do you mind if I know *exactly* what the mission will be?"

Lorelei nods. "So long as it doesn't leave this room, so far. I don't want to risk word of the mission getting out before we're ready to act."

Scrapper nods, "Not a word."

Lorelei says, "Are you aware that Undermoon is actually located on more than one world?"

Scrapper says, "Yes, and that the goblins are using dwarven manufactured boots to walk between them.. something only fae were thought to do."

Lorelei says, "Ah. Then Ghost has spoken to you about this before?"

Scrapper says, "I'm sorry I interrupted. I can see at least three scenerios ... correction, four - branching out of that fact."

Lorelei says, "Go on."

Scrapper says, "One: Kill the dwarves that invented it and every dwarf that knows about the process. Two: kill any goblins that know about the boots. Three accept the technology as 'out of the bag' and acquire either a pair of boots, or preferebly a dwarf so that we can start making our own. Four, accept the scenerio as a ruse, designed to either pull Undermoon into a 'hot war' or to discredit you or your family personally."

Lorelei blinks. "Good Lord, you're really going for the bloodthirsty approach. And it's not that bad, or I hope it's not. All we need to do, immediately at least, is to capture the boots the goblns have. Ghost has a plan for that. And then find out who's supplying Wyrmwood and cut off the supply. Trying to suppress the techology is ludicrous, not to mention bloody. But there shouldn't be any trade between the dwaves and a rogue state like Wyrmwood. The trade can maybe be stopped if it can be traced."

Scrapper smirks thinly, "Have I mentioned that I tend to think in terms of worst case scenerio?"

Lorelei smiles. "You're not the only person I know like that. And yes, I admit, the bad blood between Undermoon and Wyrmwood means things can get pretty bad. But let's see if a more... measured approach can calm things down. Killing people tends to lead to a revenge cycle. And I notice your suggestion would upset the dwarves too...."

Scrapper says, "Do we know where the existing boots are and who invented them?"

Lorelei says, "Ghost has a plan to locate at least one pair of boots. It's possible that even one pair would allow the others to be traced - and even if not, capturing just the one would reduce the bloodshed in the war. From what i understand, the technology is far from new - it's the dwarves' standard way of worldwalking. What is odd is the goblins having them. It's possible they're stolen. If not, some dwarf has broken embargo to sell them."

Scrapper says, "If they exist, they would represent the smuggler's grail - a small, useful product of infinite value."

Scrapper says, "So if this is a standard item then we are taking the 'cat out of the bag' approach?"

Lorelei says, "The point is, the dwarves don't generally share them. Dwarves aren't exactly known for sharing. As I said - find the dwarf at fault, if any, and that should end the threat. THe dwarves will still be able to worldwalk, but that's nothing new."

Scrapper chuckles at a sudden thought. "Do the dwarves have a single king?"

Lorelei says, "No. There are many dwarf realms - why?"

Scrapper says, "It would be convenient if we could take a pair of boots to a dwarven cental authority and demand that *they* either fix the issue or supply the fae with an equal number of the hundreds ... thousands? ... of boots that we believe the goblins have in their possession ... for free, in the name of international goodwill, of course." Scrapper grins at the reaction that statement would generate to any merchant she ever knew."

Lorelei exclaims, "Oh, now I see where you're coming from! There aren't thousands of boots. We only know of 5 pairs. You don't need to equip the whole army, just its guide. We're not talking about things that can be mass-produced here. They'll be slow to make, and not too numerous to confiscate."

Lorelei says, "Really, there's no reason for them to be boots at all. But I'm told dwarves think that way. It's for walking between worlds? Make it boots."

Scrapper shakes her head, "Let the dwarves prove to us that there are only five instead of two hundred. The rumor I heard was four and it could be six or seven. Either way, if we are holding a pair of boots out to them, they cannot argue that the goblins have none and we could get a half dozen boots out of it for our use, once the haggling is over."

Lorelei says, "Right. So one way or another getting at least one pair of boots is crucial. From that, we may be able to track the others, or identify the craftsman - anywya, it opens up avenues of investigation."

Lorelei says, "Any why, are you after a new pair of boots yourself?"

Scrapper says, "No, but I would prefer you actually had commandos instead of double-duty bodyguard slash superheroes"

Lorelei says, "I really doubt commandos would do as well. Metas should have a real element of suprise. Much as the fae would in this world. But if you're worried about training - well, it doesn't help with this mission, but it will with future ones - I've got some good news. At least, I hope you'll like it."

Scrapper says, "I was thinking goblin commandos. Worldwalkers with stealth instead of assault able to walk through Wyrmwood freely.""

Lorelei says, "I see. Interesting thought...."

Lorelei thinks. o O (I wonder how loyal the goblin citizens of Undermoon generally are to the kingdom....)

Scrapper says, "At least something more subtle than a flaming chariot and flying humans that just screams 'Princess Loelei was here'"

Lorelei says, "Well, with any luck that shoudln't be a problem. It'll mean little to the goblin and be good publicity in Undermoon...."

Scrapper says, "I'm assuming Ghost is leading this mission?"

Lorelei says, "Would you prefer that? Or would you rather she brief you and you take the lead?"

Scrapper says, "I prefer playing to our strengths. On earth, I am the native with bodyguard training. I know my way aroundmuch better than her. In this case, we have a military mission away from earth and fae both. Plus it is her intelligence we are relying on."

Lorelei nods. "Fair enough. Then she's in charge for this mission - please explain this to the team."

Scrapper nods. "Is there anything else your highness?"

Lorelei says, "No, thank you, that will be all. Hopefully, I'll be able to see the team again before you set off, but I'm not sure. My life seems to be getting ever more complicated..."

Lorelei says, "Oh yes, one more thing: there will be workmen busy in your HQ for a while. Best to make sure you don't talk about anything sensitive around them."

 Scrapper says, "We don't have to talk at all."

Scrapper smiles silently.

 Lorelei says, "Indeed."