Undermoon Security Detail Interlude

Princess Guard - The New Era 2016/07/21 	 Charm Harlequin Caleb Cecila Princess Liandere

16

Interlude
Caleb, who has been alternating spying remotely on Micky with online research for a while, reports what he's found to whoever is interested. "From the looks of it, Myers' antisocial grad student Micky's a mentalist, or like enough. He's got some grad students whose minds he's kind of timesharing... like, they go brainless and he goes super-genius. And he knows we're coming -- or that someone is, anyway -- and has mind-control mojo going on with some Cambridge-based heroes -- Gold Orchid, Atomic Kid, Lady Thunder, and Bravo -- to stop us. They're all flying blaster types except Bravo, who's a brick.

He's also hired some VEMON agents to serve as his bodyguards. And he's offered to sell his services to DEMON, but he double-crossed them to VEMON.

"So... I say Micky's our real target," Cale continues, looking to Titan for confirmation. "If we can bypass the pawns and the hired guns and take him out first, this probably gets easier. I can try the same snatch-and-grab trick... works well when it works... but be ready to back me up if it doesn't. I'm guessing he'll try his mojo on us if it does... any of you have anti-mind-control handy?"

He thinks a bit and adds "I guess we could also let DEMON know they're being double-crossed, let them get in on the action, but they'll probably shoot at us anyway."

Harlequin says in a definite tone, "No, we do not involve DEMON. They are as crazy as a bag of rabid ferrets." He then adds, "And sadly my powers cannot defend others against mental attacks but I am defended to some degree. The rest of you?"

Cecila shrugs a bit "Why can't it ever be simple like drop a building on them and collect their knocked out bodies"

Caleb says, "Well, we could drop a building on them, I suppose. But we'd be collecting their mangled corpses, more like."

Charm says, "I have no particular resistance. Though my familiarity with charms may help somewhat."

A couple of messages come over the PG communicators. One is, "Titan, report to the Palace in Undermoon. Ghost will be waiting for you there." The second is, "All active Princess Guard members excluding Titan are asked to return to the Embassy at your earliest convenience." The mental voice relaying the messages is that of Princess Liandere.

Cecila shrugs a bit "Usually collapsing buildings trap people but... wait aren't most of us here already?" she speaks out loud in response to the communicator message

Caleb raises an eyebrow, shrugs. "Well, I don't suppose these guys are going to do much of anything new for a while... we may as well see what's up back at the farm." He suits action to word, deciding to avoid tripping the wards this time, and puts his feet up on the conference-room table as he awaits the full team's arrival.

Charm, too, waits at the conference table, but she is putting pen to paper while she waits.

Harlequin paces slowly in the conference room as he waits for whichever of the royals might show up. He murmurs as he walks, "I fear matters have somehow now become political. Well, hopefully political from the human side of the equation rather than the Court of Undermoon side. I cannot think of why else we would all be called back at this juncture."

Caleb shrugs. "We're being too effective and making the locals look bad?"

As the team assembles in the PG quarters... It's Princess Liandere herself who arrives shortly after. "Good day, and thank you for coming," is how she starts. "I've asked you here today to provide a security detail for me when I attend a gathering in the German Embassy in Washington. The gathering is more than purely social, although that will mostly be what happens there. But we, that is the royal house of Undermoon, are in the delicate process of purchasing twenty Heckler and Koch MP12 weapons for the Westmarch guard. I'll be meeting with the German Ambassador and a representive of the Heckler and Koch company during the gathering."

Harlequin blinks behind his mask as the Princess talks about introducing firearms into the Faerie realms.

Caleb is kind of enjoying the image of Undermoon warriors with machine guns... he's pretty sure he's seem trideos on that theme.

Charm is rather alarmed at that news. Have things become so bad so quickly?

Harlequin murmurs, "Are human weapons truly needed to keep the peace in Westmarch, your highness?"

Charm listens intently. She fears that things may have gone past *keeping* the peace.

Princess LInandere sighs and nods sadly to Harlequin. "The situation in Undermoon is dangerously tense. The realm is on the verge of civil war. You have my pledge that the Princess Guard will not be asked to become involved directly if war breaks out. The decision to purchase human weapons was not taken lightly. Our hope is that they will alter the balance of power sufficiently that the potential rebels will be deterred."

Harlequin nods as the princess explains. "Hopefully it will serve as a deterrent, your highness. And not as an encouragement by the rebels to procure such weapons for themselves. But I am certain I am simply repeating arguments already made and discussed before the decision was made." He adds after a beat, "And Heckler and Koch are a good choice. Quality weapons. Perhaps not as sturdy as Kalashnikovs but an excellent choice. And easier to deal with than the Russians."

Princess Liandere nods as she listens to Harlequin. "The weapons are going to Westmarch instead of the Royal Palace Guard because Westmarch is the frontline of any conflict with the Goblins. Strengthing the Westmarch Guard is something even the traditionalists will agree with. As to the rebels purchasing weapons, that will do them little good. Those weapons will rapidly fail. Human devices require a special enchantment to work on Undermoon and Ghost is the only person who knows that enchantment."

Cecila shrugs some at the thought "When someone builds a nuke, everyone else builds a nuke to keep up with the Joneses" she points out "Then again I guess all it takes is one crazy genius to come up with something like a machine gun crosbow or something to trump any firearms advantages"

Charm says, "The dwarves have those. Luckily they don't supply them to anyone else."

Caleb shrugs. "So, not to drop the elephant in the room on anyone's head, but now that Cecila brings it up... you guys _do_ understand that we don't really fight wars with small arms anymore, right? If you're gonna use human weapons against the goblins, why _not_ go with nukes? Or at least blockbusters?"

Charm looks at Caleb. "Seriously? Do you know how dishonorable that would be?"

Princess Liandere nods in agreement with Charm's comment.

Charm says, "Anyone who used such weapons would have lost by that very action. No one would ever respect them again."

Harlequin murmurs softly, "I would imagine the bullets will be iron, Caleb. Which nearly all creatures of the Fae realms have a weakness to. Even their magicks are not general proof against its touch. A spray of iron bullets into a group of warriors will be like scythe through wheat. And the poisoning effects are likely to linger."

Princess Liandere looks horrified at Harlequin's words, "What..? Certainly not. That would be as bad or worse than using those other weapons you mentioned. All honor would be lost."

Charm says, "All honour - and all peace. Such weapons are banned by all civilized realms. Even the goblins have now signed the treaty!"

Charm thinks. o O (Whether they'll keep to it remains to be seen....)

Caleb shrugs. He's not ignorant of honor, but what these guys are describing seems more like a fetish to him. "So... you want to kill them, but be nice about it," he adds matter-of-factly, then waves it of with a dismissive gesture. "OK, whatever. It's your war, I'm just in this for the kids' safety. Anyway... what's the deal with this shindig you need bodyguarding at?"

Cecila hmms "Well I'm glad bullets dont work on me, iron or otherwise" she smiles some "But anways so heading of to a party, sounds like fun"

Harlequin smiles slightly behind his face covering mask. In a neutral tone he murmurs, "My apologies for my assumption, your highness. I hope then a demonstration of the weapon's destructive potential will serve as a deterrent then." He bows to Princess Liandere. "So, you need a bodyguard detail then? And when is this meeting?"

Charm thinks. o O (It will be strange to be *in* the bodyguard.)

Princess Liandere says, "It's a diplomatic reception. If you've been to one before you'll know party is not a very accurate description. They can be deadly dull. The gathering is at the German Embassy in Washington. My husband and I will be attending. While we are there one of you will have be in the reception room. The rest of you will be likely be free to be with the other security details having a much more enjoyable time. Ablewoman Charmer, you'll be with me. We'll travel to the Embassy by Firebird carriage."

One of the Embassy mages enters. He bows. "Princess, you sent for me?"

Princess Liandere nods to the mage. "Yes. We will all need a German language spell."

Harlequin murmurs, "I already speak German, your highness."

The mage goes around the room casting a language spell on anyone without a native command of the German language."

Caleb accepts the spell, figuring it's less obvious than his amulet. oO( How Berlitz stays in business since you guys showed up, I have no idea. )Oo (German)

Harlequin murmurs gently, "Well, Berlitz training does not usually fade with the dawn, Caleb." He adds after a beat. "Well, unless one has been drinking while learning I suppose."

Cecila hmms "Cool so we'll just start speaking german from a spell... I bet that must be nice if you had a German class you wanted to get an A in"

Charm says, "Translation spells have their limitations. No less than your computer translations."

Caleb nods. "Point."

The firebird carriage waits outside. Quentin Dellimore joins you all. For those who haven't traveled by the firebird carriage before, it'a an ornate four wheeled carriage with a large flame color feathered bird harnessed to it.

Charm is delighted to see the firebird again: even in Undermoon they are a rarity. She talks to the bird in a quiet voice.

Harlequin slowly glances over the carriage then kneels down and looks carefully at the underside of it.

Caleb exchanges his ordinary streetclothes for something that, based on his _extremely_ limited and quite likely out of date reading, he thinks is appropriate for a formal Undermoon gathering. Then he gets in the carriage.

Harlequin glances over at Caleb's couture. "Would you care for me to, hmm, update your style, Caleb? It is not a problem."

Charm, oddly enough, is dressed about right already: her costume is pretty much formal dress for an Ablewoman.

It turns out that Calebs's careful forethought is actually not required. Princess Liandere, Mistress of Glamor, takes care of attire. Except for Harlequin, who she is sure can manage on his own, and Charm, who is already suitably dressed.

Caleb tilts his head in Harlequin's direction. "You're telling me that they're immortal _and_ they change fashions all the time? Geez, no wonder they need magic... their wardrobes wouldn't fit anywhere, otherwise." He gives himself over to the Princess' sartorial ministrations.

He considers asking whether the resulting garb is real or illusory, but decides he's better off not knowing.

Charm smiles. "When you live for a long time, you have a greater need to keep some things fresh."

Cecila is never to keen to go flying anywhere, in fact she might not have been in that carriage other than the first time they got introduced to it.

Harlequin murmurs gently, "Your highness' skill with glamourie always astounds." As the mage transforms his clothing into a nice approximation of a Undermoon journeyman mage's guild formal wear. "One must find some way to pass the years, Caleb. Or so I imagine. Immortality is not in my future."

The flight to Washington is amazingly quick. Obviously the firebird carriage has taken a short cut or two. The drive outside the German Embassy building is littered with stretch limos, but the descent and landing of the firebird carriage draws everyone's attention. It's easy to distinguish diplomats from security. The diplomats are in formal dress, black bow ties, or the attire of their native countries. While the security details, who outnumber the diplomatic guests, are mostly wearing smart business type suits and normal neckties.

Charm may not know much about human customs, but she quickly recognizes the different groups of people.

Harlequin murmurs gently, "So, Ablewoman Charmer will accompany Dr Dallimore and yourself, your highness?"

Cecila is quite glad to have gotten out of the carriage, no doubt she probably got air sick at least once on the trip.

There's a formal reception line that Quentin and Princess Liandere join. Ablewoman Charmer is designated as the couples' close bodyguard, which means she gets to stand around the rim of the main room watching. Someone approaches the other PG members, "Good evening." he says in German. "I am Eckerd Muller, head of embassy security. Do you speak German?"

"Depends on the day," Cale replies in the same language.

Harlequin is sorely tempted to say 'No, not a word I'm afraid. Foreign languages are quite beyond me.' in Vienesse German. Instead he simply murmurs, "Ja."

The Princess nods to Harlequin. "Yes. I don't expect any troble, so by all means find some way to entertain yourselves." Unspoken is that having a security detail is almost a social status issue. If you're not important enough to have your own security you're nobody.

Charm finds her position oddly comfortable. She's used to being in courts, observing more than interacting. Her 'bodyguard' role makes it even easier to do this without being the focus of some attention herself.

Eckerd nods to you all. "We have a separate room for the security people. If you'd like to follow Lother.." one of the embassy security people steps forward.. "he'll lead you there."

Cecila is very happy to be back on solid ground, that said she'll probably skip the carriage and walk home "Sounds good to me" she realizes it's probably just going to be a case of sit around and chat with other security people.

Harlequin looks to Caleb and Cecila after Herr Eckerd speaks and nods to them. He then silently follows Lother while he wonders if it is his first or last name. The mage is also keeping his senses on high alert. After all, the hosts are German.

Caleb nods and follows Lother, not significantly concerned by the Germans.

Charm knows little about Germans, but watching people is what she does. She tries to get the sense of what's going on with anyone she can see.

Charm is rather shocked to notice Silidhor here, but does her best not to show *personal* recognition, for fear of blowing her disguise. She just hopes her grandmother's spell is as impervious even to second sight as it seems to be.

Lother asks curiously as he is leading you to the security room, "What is it like working for the Fae? You're human, right? Why do the Fae have humans as security?"

Caleb shrugs. "If you were visiting the Fae lands, would you rather have security that knew the territory and spoke the language, or security that came from somewhere else altogether?"

Princess Liandere halts for a moment when she sees Duke Silidhor. On the comms she thinks, -- Charm, look to the right, near the window. Do you see him? --

Lother nods, "I see your point. The first, obviously."

Charm replies, oO( I assume you weren't expecting Silidhor to be here? )Oo

Princess Liandere thinks oO( Not at all. WHAT is he doing here? Keep an inobvious eye on him, Charm. )Oo

Caleb nods. And then, because he's Cale and simply cannot quit when he's ahead, he adds "Also, me and the Princess are old friends."

Charm was ahead of her grandmother there.

Harlequin murmurs in Austrian German to Lother, "And the Princess Guard also serves as an interface between humans and the Undermoon Fae..." His voice trails off as he spots various figures on the screens as they pass the security rooms.

Lother looks at Caleb in surprise "You are?" He gives Caleb a searching look, trying to tell if Caleb is being truthful, and seems to be convinced.

Over the comms, Harlequin states. o O( Among the guests tonight are the US Secretary of State, Baron Zesroiten of Wolfguard, the Undermoon Fae rebel leader Duke Silidhor, and Minister Dmitri Tsarovitch of the Kroskevan Foreign Ministry. I will show you all images of them as soon as I can. )Oo

The security room is large. It's stocked with food and drink. There are multiple monitors on one wall allowing overview of the embassy's public areas. And a crowd of security types from all parts of the world mingling, chatting, and in the case of rivals, staring daggers at each other.

Charm is half-expecting a dwarf ambassador or something to turn up now. This is clearly more than they had been led to believe.

Lipreading the Duke Charm discovers he is threatening the person he is talking to with a curse of un-manning (impotence) if he sells arms to any Fae. The Duke clearly has information that should be secret.'

Quentin and the Princess have reached the German Ambassador and are being formally introduced to him. This draws a lot of attention. And a spiteful stare from the Duke.

Charm says on comms, oO( Duke Silidhor knows about the planned arms purchase, and is using threats of curses to try to dissuade sellers. )Oo

Caleb memorizes a teleport lock on the Duke and the Baron, cuz why not?

Caleb replies on comms oO( Maybe y'all should use threats of bullets to dissuade the Duke. )Oo

Harlequin murmurs over the comm as he goes over to look at the food and drink in the security room. o 0(A possible scenario is that Minister Tsarovitch may be here to negotiate with Duke Silidhor on arms sales. Kroskevan policy is to keep aliens off Earth. Keeping the Fae occupied by a civil war is not an unlikely strategic choice to remove them from Earth interests. But, that is simply speculation on my part.)

Charm remarks, oO( The threat is likely an empty one. I see no other fae present. Silidhor has no talent for the required magic, and it is unlikely that anyone would be inclined to use such dishonorable methods for him. Of course, attempts at deception are not of themselves regarded as dishonorable. )Oo

The Princess thanks Charm, and after the ambassadorial introduction she heads straight over to where the Duke is making his threats. She smiles at the man the Duke is talking to and interrupts, "Johan Furman I assume. Your photograph does not do you justice." Turning to the Duke, "Duke Silidhor, what a surprise to see you here. You were just leaving, I think."

The Duke looks on the verge of physically attacking Princess Liandere. But common sense prevails. He remembers when the entire Kingdom of Undermoon trembled beneath her shadow. And while she is no longer the Witch of the Marsh her power is undiminished.

Charm is struck by her grandmother's directness: not even the traditional courtly insincere politeness. Is war so close?

The center of attention in the security room is not the monitors. No. It's the table football game in there. With eager players trying their best to knock that little white ball into the opposite goal.

Not replying to the Princess, Duke Silidhor tells Johan, the Heckler and Koch repersentative, "Remember what I said." before walking away in obvious rage.

Harlequin smiles slightly behind his mask at the silent (to him) exchange between the Princess and the Duke. To Cecila and Caleb, he says out loud in German, "The bratwurst looks quite good. I'd stick to the non-alcholic beverages though. A pity. The beer selection looks quite good."

Charm keeps an eye on Silidhor, while her grandmother presumably will be reassuring Johan.

The Princess thinks over the comms oO( I hope I may have made the Duke angry enough to make a foolish mistake. Keep him under observation. Let's not miss the chance if he slips up )Oo

Princess Liandere does indeed work on reassuring Johan. Meanwhile the Duke, enraged to foolishness, and not daring to act against the Princess by virture of her rank and fear of her power, is perfectly prepared to take out his anger on a mere commoner. Ablewoman Charm to be precise. Moving towards the doors, and spotting Charm, he diverts from his course and lashes out with a backhand blow at Charm's face. A blow that Charm evades skillfully.

Caleb closes the distance to Charm and the Duke as soon as he can after the uncalled for attack.

The Duke appears almost stunned that you avoided the blow. Not only that you managed to avoid it, but that a commoner would dare dodge a blow from him.

Harlequin watches the Duke attempt to slap Charm on the monitors then says in a cool tone, "What a charming display of good manners by the Duke. And how embarrassing for him to miss."

Charm promptly curtseys, "Your Grace." Utterly polite. Trying to sting the Duke - a commoner showing perfect manners in face of his less-than-entirely-proper behavior.

Harlequin watches Caleb disappear from the security room, presumably to go to Charm's defense. He looks over at Cecila as he says, "Perhaps we should stay here."

The Duke recovers from his initial surprise and reaches hipwards with his right hand, grabbing at where his sword would normally reside. Probably it's fortunate for him that he was required to leave his sword with his cloak.

Caleb contemplates knocking the jerk's block off, but takes Charm's lead. "Duke. Please keep in mind how embarassing it would be to lose a martial contest to a mere human and KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF." He pauses, adds "Thank you." and disappears again, reappearing in the security room.

Close security people are moving in on the Duke, while he's the center of attention for looks of disgust from everyone witnessing the scene.

Harlequin watches the screen to spot the Duke's people.

The German Ambassador moves through the watching crowd and tells the Duke in a cold hostile voice, "You are no longer welcome here. I must ask you to leave at once."

Charm holds her curtsey. It pretty much means she'll get hit if the duke strikes at her again, but it's worth it: if the duke can't even manage manners even to human standards, his honor will take a big hit.

Two more security personnel move in, in response to a nod and gesture from the Baron. But the Duke has started to realise his mistake. What he should do is apologize. But that's not in his nature. So he turns on his heels and walks away.

Princess Liandere maintains a neutral face but thinks oO( Well done indeed, Charm. )Oo

Harlequin murmurs softly over the comms. o O( And the etiquette combat win goes to Ablewoman Charmer. )Oo He then adds oO( And an interesting almost intervention by Baron Zerstoiten. )Oo

Caleb nods. .o0( Speaking of which, do we know what he's doing here? Whatever it is, it cannot be good. )Oo.

Cecila nods to Harlequin "Yeah no need for me to go all bull in a china shop with a bunch of diplomats present. I'm sure things are going just fine despite whatever snags have shown themselves"

Charm replies, oO( Trying to stop the purchase. Which raises the question of how he knew about it. How widely known was it? He might have a spy closer than we might think. )Oo

Harlequin murmurs out loud, "Combat at these affairs is more verbal cuts and blows to the etiquette." Over the comms, he states .oO( The Baron's security is his senior pair Henrick. A set of Wolfguard Alpha twins. Just so you are aware. )Oo.

The Baron goes over to Charm, and bows slightly to her. The polite heel clicking german bow. "I hope the incident was not too distressing? You are with the Undermoon Ambassador, correct?"

Cecila nods a bit and smiles some oO( You can't dismiss the idea he might have a man in the weapon's manufacturer's company either )Oo

Princess Liandere thinks to Charm, .oO( That is an excellent question. We clearly have a spy in our midst. I'll put Ghost onto it. )Oo.

Charm replies, "Thank you, I am fine, sir," even recalling not to choose the precise form of address for a baron, so as not to give herself away. She curtseys again with the reply to keep up general impressions.

The Baron smiles, "Your principal's daughter is a friend of a friend. If you have any further trouble feel free to call on Henrick," he gestures at the nearby twins, "for assistance." Having said that he bows again and returns to the conversation he left.

Harlequin chuckles softly as he watches the silent display on the screens. .oO( It would be, hmm, wrong to eavesdrop via scrying, would it not?)Oo. he says over the comm.

Charm asks, oO( Eavesdrop on whom? )Oo

Given a choice, dull conversation in the reception room, or music and energetic table football in the security room, which would most pick? The Princess is deep in conversation with Johan. The Fae security team get challenged to a game of table football. And the Duke has left.

Cecila totally takes them up on table football since there isn't a whole lot she can do.

Harlequin looks over to Caleb and Cecila. "Shall we defend the honor of Undermoon on the tiny football field of glory?"

Harlequin adds over the comm .oO( Well, pick someone. But I fear we are called here in the security room to defend Undrmoon honor on the field of table football. )Oo.

Cecila smiles a bit oO( Actually it's more just killing time, I imagine security details get bored when nothing is happening. )Oo