Log:The Cheese Shop Incident, Scene 4

The Cheese Shop Incident 2020/12/18 	 Artemis Ascendant Linda Magda Wade Augustus Priest Constantine Rightpaw Cornelius Eyescratcher Maximilian Cheesesnatcher Rosabel Tinhat Theophilia Whitehood Waldemar Braveheart

4

The heroes, following up on the robbery of Salford's Specialist Cheeses in Lowtown, have learned that the death of Barnabas Bighead clearly has not put an end to the trouble with the sentient rat population. They have used an old device of Dr Fogg's to shrink themselves to about 6 inches tall and have pursued the rats into their tunnels under the city (including many newly made), and have found the cheese 'mountain' in a vast chamber (likely a long-defunct villain base) in which the sentient rats of the city are having a big congress.

As it transpired, the theft was instigated by Cornelius Eyscratcher, the leader of the New Order, one of the factions of rats to have filled the power vacuum after Bighead's death. It was part of a demonstration of power in an attempt to have himself named king (he already styles himself Rex). The heroes' diplomatic efforts thwarted this attempt at a bid for kingship, but Cornelius attempted to retain power over in his own faction, and said he would keep the cheese. His guard fingered their weapons lest their be trouble.

At this point Magda attacked Cornelius, blasting him from the cheese mountain and nearly killing him, and act which has resluted in a lot of his guard firring on Magda. Wade has gone to save Cornelius's life, with Linda acting as bodyguard. Artemis tried but failed to restrain Magda. Ascendant, meanwhile, heroically rescued his own cheese.

FACTION (CORE TERRITORY) LEADER, INSIGNIA

Barnabasites (Industrial Park) Prophetess Theophilia Whitehood, scarified tails

Church of Eleven (Harrisburg) Augustus Priest, gun necklaces

Harrisburgers (Harrisburg) Maximilian Cheesesnatcher, wire necklaces (rare)

New Order (Upper East Side, Old Town) Cornelius (Eyescratcher) Rex, armbands (left foreleg)

Free Rat Alliance (Docks and waterfront) Waldemar Braveheart, armbands (right foreleg)

Technarchy (Alien District) Constantine Rightpaw, fibreoptic necklaces

The Resistance (Student Quarter) Rosabel Tinhat, tinfoil hats 

Ascendant soon discovers that taking a disputed cheese from the stockpile while in a roomful of rats has made him a target! For the moment, it is all he can do to keep his property safe!

Victory looks around at the group. "He's going to live! Please...everyone, stand down!" He notes that Magda was already hammered for her troubles, so maybe this can still be salvaged. Maybe.

Linda continues to stand guard over Victory.

The elite rats, armed with the energy rifles, train them on the unconscious Magda. But, given the non-agression of the other humans they do not escalate the fight. There is a certain amount of hesitation, though, given the lack of a leader to give them orders.

It's the high priest, Augustus, who is quickest of the mark of the authority figures. "Peace! There is no need of fighting! Remember the way of Eleven - shoot not without need, but save the shot for when it is needed!"

In the absence of their own leader, the rats seem mostly to follow the lead of their (at least notional) spiritual leader.

Victory looks over toward Artemis, just making sure that there's not going to be further fighting.

The rats watch the humans closely, in case there is any more treachery!

Artemis still looks battle ready, but her eyes are surveying the opponents for more treachery, as well as Magda. Shockingly, she hasn't plowed into the rats or wrecked the place. Yet.

The high priest, attended by his follower, processes down to meet Victory, who seems to speak for the humans.

Meanwhile other rats gather round Cornelius, to attend further to his wounds.

Victory breathes a little easier, and stands back up. Though that queasiness returns a little bit as he straightens up. He places a hand on Linda's shoulder for balance. "Sorry. Just need a second, Linda."

Magda lies unconscious in Cornelius's place on top of the mountain of cheese.

The elite rats form a guard around Magda, lest she twitch - but also keeping the other humans from her.

Linda turns to the advancing rat spiritual advisor, "Please, give Victory a moment. He is so relived that Rex will survive he is quite overcome by emotion at this instant."

Linda stands as an immovable support for Victory.

The elderly rat pauses as Linda makes the request. He's not in any hurry himself, at his age!

Victory chuckles as Linda's comment. "No...it's my stomach. But...thanks for trying to make me look good." He smiles and takes a few breaths to clear his head.

"I am Augustus, high Priest of Eleven," says the elderly rat. "I was there when Eleven looked down upon us and we were blessed with sentience. Do you speak for the humans?"

Artemis raises a brow at Linda's words and glances toward Victory before turning her attention to Magda. "Let us deal with this hooman's treachery," she points to Magda with her blade tip as she speaks to the rats circling her and Magda.

Artemis is even more confused by Victory's correction. The hoomans are being quite duplicitous today, she believes. Is cheese so valuable to them?

Victory nods to Augustus and he straightens up further, clearly feeling a bit better. "I guess I do speak for us for the time being."

Linda is surprised at Victory's comment to her. She truly throught his reaction was extreme relief at saving Rex.

"Then can you say," says the old rat, conversationally rather than accusatorially, "why that human attacked Cornelius Eyescratcher?"

The other leaders seem content to let the priest do the talking: a tacit return to the old ways, before Bighead's shakeup. Well, excpet for the Barnabasite prophetess, who is just looking on with an I-knew-this-would-happen smugness.

Victory grimaces. "I wish I could. I suspect...based on what she said right before she struck him...that she was trying to teach a lesson about what war would be like." He shakes his head, "And it was clearly a poor decision for her to do so, as it endangered a potential peaceful resolution. A fight might have started, but my intention was to see if Cornelius was going to start one."

The old rat nods in agreement. "It was not in accordance with the Way. It was then the poor decision of an individual, not condoned by the rest of you?"

Victory nods and looks around at the group, "I think that is safe to say, yes."

Linda nods in agreement with Victory, "It was a terrible decision."

The priest turns to address the rat assembly, saying in a surprisingly loud voice, "Hear! The humans are not all treacherous! But there are some among them that do not follow the Way - as there are some among us. There is no need for war here!" Then he turns back to the humans. "But there is a crime to answer for."

Victory nods slowly, "Two crimes, I should think. This attack...and the original theft that brought us here."

The old rat nods. "That is a crime by human law, I know. Many here would argue that we have an ancient right of forage, from the times before reason, and so it is not a crime by our laws. But even still, it was done not by the old ways, but as a military operation with advanced equipment. To my mind it is not in the spirit of forage."

On the ground, Korkoro's black suit ripples, glints of silver flickering in a wave as the suit subtly reconfigures. "Not," she says, as she opens her eyes and -- if allowed -- climbs slowly to her feet, "the planned assassination of the other leaders, the other factions, ahould Rex not be declared your sovereign? I suggested a way to leadership without war; he rejected it."

Artemis sheathes her sword slowly, making sure not to make sudden movements as she continues to stand over Magda. Her shield remains ready.

"Stay still, assassin!" growls - well, more squeaks - one of the elite guard surrounding Korkoro. A dozen of them have their rifles trained on Korkoro.

Victory nods slowly. "What she says is true, however. We came across his guards in the passage back that way." He indicates the direction, "They were intending to attack you all if you did not accept him as a king."

THAT causes a massive murmur to sweep across the room. "Is this true?" demands Maximilian Cheesesnatcher, looking at the elite soldiers about Koroko.

One of them speaks. "I had no such orders. I can say no more."

Constantine Rightpaw asks the heroes, "Where are these assassins, then?"

Victory points back to the tunnel where they were seen. "He had guards stationed over in that tunnel. That's who we learned it from."

Linda says, "Thwy are still there," Linda says after her eyes glow softly for a moment. "I heard them speak of it. But they also let us pass to speak at this convention. Perhaps they were not eager to take such an action against the other factions.""

"Let the Technocracy handle this!" says Constantine, and despatches a body of rats down the tunnel indicated. That these rats have force field belts to activate may explain why the other groups are content to let the one faction handle this duty.

Magda remains prone and under guard, then; she has adjusted her suit to reduce the damage even the rifles can do to her. She does not need to look over to know that Cornelius yet lives; his nervous system is still sending electrical signals. "Cornelius still leads the greatest faction of your kind; with the other leaders as a privy council, and decisions made together, you may be united and still have peace with humanity. Perhaps even be paid for your efforts in cleaning the streets of the city."

"Silence, assassin!" squeak-growls the guard again. "You have no right to tell
 * us* how to behave!"

"But it is true: we need no king," says Maximilian Cheesesnatcher. "The tribes lived in peace before, with the church to serve as moderators if needed. Why do we not return to the old ways?"

Korkoro's smile is wintery. "I am not an assassin; I spoke, and offered him peace. He chose war; I delivered war. And you," she adds, "have only the authority of your weapon; I address those who lead."

Victory looks to Magda, "You effectively tried to assassinate him. Arguing semantics isn't going to help your case, really."

The rats sneers. "I am the ranking solder of the New Order present. And you will find I lead the New Order, here, at this time."

"Peace!" calls the high priest once more.

Some blaster fire can be heard off in the tunnel!

Linda activates her xray vision to see what is happening.

Linda says, "The people you sent out are returning with the New Order guards. Nobody appears to have been seriously hurt."

The High Priest nods. "Good. Then we will soon learn the truth of this matter. If what you say is true, the congress will ensure justice is done." He pauses. "But in the matter of the cheese, and of this human's assaults upon Cornelius, things are more complicated. This is between humans and rats, and it is unclear whether the Congress nor a human court has jurisdiction - if either does."

"The first to commit a crime was this Cornelius. The attack on him was a result of his orders to invade and steal with a military. I would think it belongs in the hooman courts," Artemis opines as she folds her arms over hr chest.

"But the crime was against rats, and in our tunnels," says the high priest. "And do human courts have a law to cover it?"

Victory points to Artemis and says to Augustus, "I shoudl explain. Even those Artemis looks like she might be human, she's not. She has an outsider's perspective."

Victory shakes his head, "I don't think there's something that covers this...specifically."

Victory thinks about it. "Perhaps we can some up with some kind of...reparations? Community service?"

"I suggest,"Magda says mildly, looking peaceably up at the ceiling, "for waiting on the truth of the matter. It was in part with that in mind -- the safety of you others -- that drove my actions."

"There be Old Codes across the verse that may apply, since thou hast mentioned ancient rights. A duel to satisfy honor, between hooman and rat!" Artemis says as she motions broadly. Suddenly, she points to Victory. "Our most honorable and mighty Hooman champion against a champion of the New Order. Perhaps he who leads," she points now to the rat claiming to be in charge.

The old rat shakes his head. "Between human and rat, there are no such codes. Our disputes have been settled more often by battle of wits, historically."

"I would suggest," says Maximilian Cheesesnatcher, "That we open negotiations with the humans to establish some framework of handling any disputes. Though that does not help in the immediate case."

Victory shakes his head, "Let's not go with a trial by ordeal. Human culture used to do that, but a LONG time ago." He looks to see if the guards have returned yet, and turns his attention back to the rats. "That's true. It diesn't help with the current situation. I was thinking that reparations would likely be an immediate and simple solution, at least for the time being."

Artemis is more than a little disappointed that the rats won't settle this like hoomans. Negotiations? Bah!

The old rat nods. "Reparations are also a venerable way of settling grievances. Very well. Ah, but here come the, hm, accused soldiers. Let us see what they have to say...."

Sure enough, the rats on guard you met earlier are being marched into the chamber.

Meanwhile, Linda's timer pings.

Linda pull out her PDA, flips it open and shows Victory the timer. "Fifteen minutes before we unshrink, sir. Although in here there's room. But we should tell the rat daction leaders."

Victory nods. "15 minutes before we might grow. It could be several mroe hours, too." He then says to the rats, "We were shrunken with a shrink ray that has a limited time. We may grow to full size again in 15 minutes. WE need to wrap this up as quickly as possible, I believe. It's safe for us to grow in here, but not in the tunnels we used to get here."

Augustus Priest nods. "But the congress must hear the testimoy of these guards - it is, as you say, relevant to the matter at hand. I will see what can be done so that if you grow no harm is done."

Linda checks for human sized exits with her xray vision.

"I will stay as long as is necessary," says Magda placidly from her prone position. "This is not my first time submitting my actions for judgement."

Victory nods and looks around as well. "I think we'll likely be able to get out after grown. I wonder whose base this was previously."

And so he organises for the heroes to have one part of the room for themselves, so that if they grow they will not crush anyone, and the questioning of the guards before the congress begins. It's not long before one of them, apparently already feeling anxious about the orders, confesses. And then other begin to acknowledge that they had such orders (even though they of course would not have carried them out, naturally!).

Linda stands, her eyes glowing a soft golden hue and head moving slightly. "There is a way out for us, Victory. There's one brick wall we'll have to knock a hole in and we'll have to pass through a building. But it's possible."

Victory nods to Linda, "Thanks. We might have to do just that. We might be able to do it while small, too. And not do as much damage.

Artemis's brow furrows in confusion. "One of these days, I must have Wayne explain to me when it is and is not okay to destroy buildings on this planet. Even when I am not near a buildings, the mortals do wail, 'Destroy not this city, Artemis!'," she opines.

Over an hour or so, enough rats have confirmed this that members of the New Order start distancing themselves from the faction, or at least the current leadership. It is agreed to put Cornelius on trial once he's in a condition to stand trial. By this point, the heroes have started to regain their full size.

Victory frowns a bit, "I guess the estimate was accurate, even if we're on the first part of the bell curve."

Linda crouches down so she doesn't loom over the rats by quite so much.

The rats are a bit alarmed at the first growth, but so long as the humans aren't threatening it isn't a real problem.

Artemis stares down at the rats as they regain their true size again. She looks at the others. "Hmm. Given the varied biologies, I am surprised we all returned to size at the same time," she smiles, amused. "Since negotations are to be handled and permission was granted," she says as she begins to float off of the ground, "I shall take my leave." She can't phase through things like her Brother can. But she was given permission to smash her way out.

"Well, you're so generous with the punching and the knockback and suchlike," Magda teases Artemis. Only when she starts to change size (one of the, if not the very, last to do so) does she move, floating herself off the oule of cheese, but coming to stand by it, her hands clasping each other behind her back.

"And now, to the matter of the cheese - and of the assault upon Cornelius," says Augustus Priest at last. He turns to the humans. "You proposed reparations. What do you have in mind?"

Victory nods. "Well, we do need to return with as much of hte cheese as possible. The Dwarven stuff in the tunnel...I think we're leaving here." Bleargh. "But that doesn't cover reparations. Does anyone have a suggestion on the reparations?" He looks to Dr. Gutzu and the rats. "How would these deeds be made up for?"

Waldemar Braveheart says, "Let us first question the human." He addresses Korkoro. "You have said that you struck the blow in a good cause, and there is evidence indeed this was your intent. But the fact remains that you struck first, without direct provocation, not in self defence, and with potentially lethal force. Do you dispute any of this?"

"Any force, no matter how delicate, can be lethal," responds Korkoro. "However, while I contest that characterization, I will concede the factuality of all the points stated."

Waldemar nods. "Good: then the basic facts are not in dispute. The matter is only of appropriate compensation."

Augustus Priest says, "Though it must be put to the vote before congress, I think we can agree that, under the circumstances, the cheese is to be returned to the humans. Perhaps they will consider that sufficient compensation. But in the matter of the near-lethal assault on Cornelius - one that could have had still more serious repercussions - it is more difficult to assess what compensation can be made. Perhaps the assailant herself can make a suggestion that we can judge on its merit?"

"In regards to which I do, in fact, have a proposal." Seated, Magda is well under 3 feet tall, much closer to the head level of the rats. "The cheese must be returned to its owner; I will arrange for any additional compensation required for his loss and future security. In recompense for my action, I will give its value in food to your nation. I furthermore offer myself as a mouthpiece to the humans, so that they may take you seriously; I have some skill in that regard."

Augustus nods. "Before I put that proposal before congress, I will ask you, humans - does that seem a just compensation to you?"

Victory blinks at the idea of Magda acting as a diplomat for the rats. Given the 'diplomacy' shown today, he's a bit dubious, but then again, maybe she'd just be the messenger. He thinks about it. "I think...that could work"

Linda puts up her hand.

Linda says, "I have reason to be grateful to Magda but given what I saw today I wonder if her impulse control is adequate for the role as spokesperson for you."

The old rat smiles. "I believe you show wisdom. But is there one of you willing to perform that duty in her stead?"

Korkoro briefly laughs. "Morality and ethics, my dear, not impulse. My action was thought out -- as have been the removals of human warlords before Cornelius. This was not impulse, but intentional."

Linda says, "I would but I am young. My voice would not carry weight or authority and any points I made will be disregarded."

Victory thinks about it. "Then it's all the more important that you NOT be their spokeperson, because it was ill-considered." He nods slowly, "I'm willing to act as a liaison."

Linda looks at Korkoro, "That makes it worse, not better."

Artemis looks about for the exit, or the weakest point to smash her way out.

Augustus nods to Victory in thanks. "You seem well suited to the role. So be it. Has anyone more to say before putting this to the congress?"

Victory notices Artemis trying to leave, and he says to Linda, "Can you point Artemis to the best way out?"

Artemis glances over as Victory is declared diplomatic representative to the rats. She looks rather disinterested, then looks back to what seems like a good place to start smashing through and draws back her fist.

Linda nods, "Of course, sir. Artemis, the exit tunnel starts behind a wall build to block it off. Here." She flies over and taps a wall to the north of the chamber. "There's a hidden door at the end leading into a cellar."

"Perhaps," Magda concedes. "It then becomes a question of morality and ethics. I am satisfied with my answer, this time as with others."

Artemis flies over to the wall. "My thanks, pup," she says, drawing back her first again to wind up. A haymaker may be overdoing it, but why use half measures? She swings away with a solid punch.

"No? Then lets us put it to the vote. He accordingly addresses the congress, and where it passes by a fair margin. Notably, few of the New Order voted for, tthough, and the Barnabasites abstained as a block.

"It is agreed then," says Augustus to the heroes. "You may go. I will ask you to ensure that this one keeps her bargain. And - I would like to thank you, for bring the matter of the treachery to our attention. Rest assured, Cornelius too will stand trial."

Victory nods to the rat. "Good luck."