[Nexus] Remnant III

[happyturtle]

Holding Cell >> Vas's Place

Jake makes another attempt to visit Billie. When she refuses to see him, he sends her a note.

A few hours later, Jake and Vas get a message. "She says she'll see him."

[LadyOfWar]

[Front Gate > ?]

Well, Eileen isn't going to interrupt...at least until he starts picking up his weapons.
"You won't be needing those while you're here," she says in a friendly (too friendly?) tone.

She is keeping a close eye on Reclaimer-dude. Despite her own posture being rather more slumped (and indicative of a headache).

((Getting this moving again))

The winged man pauses and narrows his oil-slick-like eyes at Eileen.

"You are a warrior, so you understand why I will not be leaving my weapons out in the elements to rust. Someone must bring them indoors."

He then stands there, waiting for someone to comply with that demand before heading inside.

[UncleWolf]

Surgical Bay 1

"Now, it'll take some adjustments for you to speak. We've ran a tube into your throat to provide you with some airflow, but you don't need to breathe. But, we need you to answer a couple questions as best as you can. I don't know how long the cold will hold off the egg. Is there a way for us to remove it from you with minimal damage to either of you before it gets to your brain?" Bugs asks, gazing down at her with a hurried look in his eyes.

Meeting Room

"Well, what is your idea then? What are the terms you're proposing?" Vasquez asks.

Interview Room

"What makes you think that you're qualified to be part of Remnant?" Aliz asks. "Have you had any experience working within an urban environment?"

[Zefir]

Interview Room

"I got experience. Not in an urban region like this, since this is much different from the urban I know. As you can also see I'm a defender in nature as you see. It's my destiny to defend the law."

[Reinholdt]

Meeting Room

"That was pretty much it. You stay away from us, we'll stay away from you. Everyone wins." Yay, winning!

"Of course, this doesn't bind anyone from reacting should either of us find the other's associates raising havoc against our wishes. Should someone do that and attempt to use AMEN to cover their rears afterwords, inform me or Magtok and I shall personally show them why disobedience of such a nature won't be tolerated." Ilpholin will spare the gruesome details!

Ilpholin taps the table in thought.
"Of course, there is a third option..."
The first being let things devolve back to the way they were.

[Chaotic Bob]

Surgical Bay 1

"Now, it'll take some adjustments for you to speak. We've ran a tube into your throat to provide you with some airflow, but you don't need to breathe. But, we need you to answer a couple questions as best as you can. I don't know how long the cold will hold off the egg. Is there a way for us to remove it from you with minimal damage to either of you before it gets to your brain?" Bugs asks, gazing down at her with a hurried look in his eyes.

This is a rather good question.
Is it even possible?
The egg certainly wasn't...designed with removal like that in mind, so Feia doesn't really have an easy solution in mind.

Magic is an option, but there's no guarantee the egg wouldn't feed on it and acquire some interesting traits. That and these seem like moderately mundane (if ingenious) medical personnel, so that might not be in their repertoire.

Feia has to think on this for a moment, something made more difficult by these irritating clouds drifting around in her head. Thoughts are getting tangled in each other.
She finds herself imagining chains flying through the air and getting caught up, more than thinking about a solution to the egg problem.

Although...
That does present a little idea. The eggs works with enzymes that break down the surrounding tissues, so an enzyme-inhibitor could probably keep them busy long enough for the false-arteries and veins to break down post-removal...

But that took too long to simply think of, let alone figure out how to say through her tubes.
How can she present that idea?
She isn't the smart one (she's not sure how she thought of this idea in the first place), so...

The next several moments are spent with her trying to spit out the words "inhibitor" and "cut out". The last two are the easier ones.


Something to keep the enzymes from bonding and removing the tissues.
And then slice out the egg.
The egg will be fine, one way or another, it just might not turn out exactly as predicted. If they don't happen to have something like a super-penicillin (a simple inhibitor!), Feia will be out of luck.

But the egg will be fine. And she's okay with that.

[The Bushranger]

((Getting this moving again))

The winged man pauses and narrows his oil-slick-like eyes at Eileen.

"You are a warrior, so you understand why I will not be leaving my weapons out in the elements to rust. Someone must bring them indoors."

He then stands there, waiting for someone to comply with that demand before heading inside.

"That will be acceptable," Eileen says with a nod, motioinig for somebody (perhaps a low-level NPC flunky ) to get a chamois to wrap the weapons in for temporary storage. "One's weapons are one's life, after all."

[LadyOfWar]

[Heading inside the base]

The winged man merely nods in reply to Eileen's comment. He clearly agrees that one's weapons are one's life.

He will follow her inside quietly. Everyone he sees will be met with a sharp, critical gaze that is made slightly creepy by the oil-like swirls in his black eyes.

"You will want to see these." he still has the leather-wrapped documents folder with him and he holds it out to Eileen.

[Lord Magtok]

Meeting Room

Magtok doesn't speak. Ilpholin's got this under control, he'll wait until Vasquez tries bringing up that whole 'we threatened Gordon's life to get cooperation' thing again before he'll interject.

[UncleWolf]

Meeting Room

"If one of your members did do something Inside, Remnant will have to at least react in a reasonable fashion. I can agree to no more strikes against the AMEN base itself at least, and we can at least attempt to return your members in an acceptable condition back to you, but that's only if it's possible. I simply can't make promises if they use escalates too much." Vasquez tells Ilpholin in all honesty. Sure, Remnant could try to capture the AMENites, but that's only if they cooperated.

"And the third option is?"

Interview Room

Aliz sets the clipboard aside and looks at the scorpion seriously. "We don't defend nature here. Half the time, we end up destroying it. Otherwise this place would be gone. This is likely work you're going to be quite uncomfortable with."

Surgical Bay 1

Bugs and the aides barely hear what the Bearer says, but they understand the meaning of it perfectly. The Head Doctor gives a nod and injects her with a mild sedative before doing the same with the inhibitor. They'll monitor her body to make sure it works before attempting the removal surgery.

If they're able to begin, one of the other aides begins to unpack cybernetic replacements for the destroyed organs while calling one of the clerics in. If the replacements don't work, they'll attempt to magically repair the damage, but in their minds, it has a lesser degree of success due to the nature of what caused the damage in the first place.

Vas' Place

Vasquez's plotclone looks up at Jake when they get the message, and she offers an encouraging smile before replying. "Tell her we'll be there shortly."

Edijar's Apartment

Later that night, Edijar comes in and takes a look around for Charity, looking a bit deep in thought and with a file of papers under his arm. Setting the folder on the table, he begins to strip out of his uniform.

[Reinholdt]

Meeting Room

"Oh no no no... you misunderstand me. If any of my members try anything, feel free to shoot them to death. They're obviously going against orders in the first place by doing so and I won't feel any particular loss for such members. I merely mean if they do something and actually evade your grasp and try to hide in AMEN to avoid retribution that you should inform me and I'll deal with it. But otherwise feel free to kill them until they die if they're breaking the law and such." It just wouldn't seem very fair otherwise.

"As for the third option... well... you could always give Inside to me." Ilpholin waits for the outrage, laughter, threats, eyebrow quirks, etc. etc. etc. to get out of the way before continuing along that train of thought.

[Lord Magtok]

Meeting Room

"What."

Magtok blinks, before immediately pulling up his sleeve to check his right arm for needles, odd discoloration, or anything else that might signify he just got injected with a ridiculous amount of hallucinogens. That has to be what happened. I mean, it's not like Ilpholin would actually ever say that, right? And in front of Vasquez's face like it's not even a big deal? Of course not. I mean...there's just no way, r-right?

[UncleWolf]

Meeting Room

To her credit, Vasquez doesn't laugh, snort, look startled, or blubber like Magtok did. She takes it in stride and after a moment's thought, shrugs. "We don't give the city to anyone. You'd have to convince the Council to let you take their spot. I'd be neutral in the matter depending on the details of course." Vasquez admits after a while. "The city and it's people are our priority. I couldn't give a **** about who actually tried running it. If you want my advice though, don't bother with the headache."

[Zefir]

Interview Room

Damn translation issue.

"You misunderstood me. I'm a .... natural born defender. My whole body is harder and stronger then most beings. Just check your and my skin. I don't think anyone defending the nature would like a city as big as this one."

[Reinholdt]

Meeting Room

Ilpholin smiles and leans forward on the table a little, folding her hands in front of her.

"Honestly, if I thought the Council capably wielded any sort of power I wouldn't be talking to you at all right now. But that's the problem isn't it? No one's tried to run the city for a long time. The Council doesn't meet, it doesn't vote, it doesn't make decisions, and when they do actually get around to getting together for some crisis they bicker among themselves, largely on pre-set lines drawn in the sand based on their organization. The problem is that most of them have no actual embedded interests in Inside one way or the other."

"Now, you can continue giving them that power if you wish. And if you choose to do so then, yes, I will go to them. But you have to answer me one question honestly in exchange."

"Do you think the Council will vote for what's best for Inside or for what's best for the Council?"

[happyturtle]

Vas' Place >> Holding Cell

Vasquez's plotclone looks up at Jake when they get the message, and she offers an encouraging smile before replying. "Tell her we'll be there shortly."

Billie is waiting in the visiting cell, looking frightened and miserable. "Do you promise me I'll see him again?"

Edijar's Apartment

Later that night, Edijar comes in and takes a look around for Charity, looking a bit deep in thought and with a file of papers under his arm. Setting the folder on the table, he begins to strip out of his uniform.

Charity arrives home from work in time to see Edijar's striptease, and gives a tired wolf-whistle.

[UncleWolf]

Billie's Cell

"I promise I won't keep you apart." Vasquez tells her sincerely.

Edijar's Place

Edijar looks even more tired than usual, but even so, gives her a warm and sincere smile, something that was likely lacking of late. Once his uniform is cast aside, he walks to her to pull her close and kiss her for as long as possible, running a hand slowly through his girlfriend's tie-dye hair.

Training Ground => Rec Center

Dizzy shakes her heads at the goblins. "Come on, I'll get you all drinks. You too, Iamar." She adds, nodding to the assassin.

Jyarl's Place

After several hours, Jyarl looks up at Jefferies, his arm around her. "Want something to eat? We can head to the Rec Center for some steaks. Then we can head out shopping for new clothing for you."
Interview Room

"Are you able to use firearms and learn quickly at least? While we have a few melee combat specialists, we prefer them to at least to be able to have some sort of ranged attack." Aliz tells the scorpion. "We'll have to train you extensively in urban combat."

[happyturtle]

Holding Cell

"That's not enough! Will you make sure she doesn't take me so far away that I can't find my way back? Will you make sure he'll actually see me?" Billie asks, a little wild-eyed.

"Yes, we'll make sure of that." Jake says. "Gus wants to see you again."

Edijar's Place

Charity responds by leaning into him and kissing him back, unsure what has brought on this change in his mood, but finding it a very welcome homecoming.

Jyarl's Place

"Yay! But we already eated today," Jefferies says. Eating more than once in a day? Profligacy! She's more than happy to follow Jyarl to the ends of the earth, however, food or no food.

[Devixer]

[Training Ground => Rec Center]

Iamar's not entirely fond of the idea of drinks, but she follows Dizzy to the rec center.

[Zefir]

Interview Room

"Are you able to use firearms and learn quickly at least? While we have a few melee combat specialists, we prefer them to at least to be able to have some sort of ranged attack." Aliz tells the scorpion. "We'll have to train you extensively in urban combat."

Interview Room

"I will learn as fast as possible. I had training in fighting, so I assume I will understand the difference fast."

Then he looks over his body as far as possible.

"For the firearms You have to answer the question. I don't know them since I'm from a much earlier time. if you put a balista on my back I could use it."

[Morty]

[Training Ground] => [Rec Center]

The goblins look at one another and shrug. We won't say no to that, now that we know our weapon works, Grimzig says as they follow.

[Lord Magtok]

Meeting Room

Magtok...bites his lip, and keeps silent. No, as much as he wants to interject, it's not the time. It's too soon to confront her about it, but Ilpholin is clearly way out of her league here. She, like the mythical Icarus, is just flying much too high and the sun is bound to catch up with her if she doesn't stop this madness. Gordon clearly never tried hard enough, but Ilpholin might just be doing the very opposite here.

[UncleWolf]

Meeting Room

Vasquez frowns a bit and just shakes her head. "I already gave my answer as to how you would have to go and do it. I'm never going to simply hand the city over to anyone. And to be honest, I'm more inclined to trust Magtok than you. I just don't know you. And I'm sure most of the City is the same." She says, her voice getting a bit stronger. "At least Magtok has an image already. A celebrity. But you, someone who simply drifted in with the shadows wants me to publicly make you the "Leader" of Inside?" Vasquez asks rhetorically with another shake of her head. "Go through the Council, and I will have no issue with the results. I will not tell anyone of your intentions, but do not assume that I'm looking the other way. On the other hand, as I said before, I am willing to work with you for the better of Inside."

Vasquez stands and offers her left hand to shake towards Ilpholin. "I believe we're done here."

Holding Cell

"She'll stay on the base for a while." Vasquez promises to Billie. As a sign of good faith, she unlocks the cell and goes in to take her cuffs off as well before offering her right hand to shake. "I swear you'll see your sons again."

Edijar's Home

Edijar sets the papers on the table before picking Charity up in his arms and taking her to the couch. Sure, he had something to tell her, but that could wait.

He had something else in mind first.

Jyarl's Place

"You can eat as much as you want here." Jyarl tells her with a sad smile, suddenly realizing just how downtrodden she had been. Coming from a Noble upbringing, it was unheard of for him to miss a meal before he had joined the Guard. When he gets up, he doesn't bother putting on shoes or anything other than the pants and tank-top he slept in. He'll keep the orc girl in his arms and carry her to the Rec Center.

Rec Center

When the goblins, dragonslayer, and assassin walk in, Dizzy automatically heads behind the bar and begins serving out various hard liquors for them to drink. "Any preferences?" She asks as she waves to Anna, one of the combat mages, who's currently seated on the pool table as she waits for Riley to finish her move.

Interview Room

Aliz ponders for a bit, a new idea coming to him. He looks over the scorpion in new light. "Do you know what a tank is?"

[LadyOfWar]

[A telephone wherever Remnant takes calls from cranky citizens who think they've witnessed a crime.]

The phone is ringing. If they've got caller Id, it will show a local number that has called here a few times before. Should someone pick it up, they'll hear a voice that is probably becoming familiar in an annoying way.

It is the husky-voiced nosy neighbor woman who has called a few times before. Usually she's just spouting off about some neighbor kids disturbing the peace with a late-night party. Sadly, the last time she called there had actually been a murder. Probably best not to ignore whatever she's got to say.

"You might wanna get someone down to Limit Street again." She'll say if anyone picks up.

((Anyone feel free to throw your Remnant character at this. It will hopefully lead to a merry chase through Inside. It is related to Jessica's murder, and the 'Reclaimer' dude who just showed up. Disclaimer: My posts will be patchy since I'm still sick and working and going to school and... *sigh*))

[happyturtle]

Rec Center

Jefferies is carried into the Rec Center by Jyarl and looks around with wide eyes.

Everything is so clean here. That's the first thing that attracts her attention, even before the people. She doesn't know how the Remnants Tribe keeps things so clean.

Edijar's Place

"We should shower first," Charity protests. But she doesn't protest very hard.

Holding Cell

Billie takes her hand, but doesn't speak. Instead she looks down and gives in to the other spirit inside her, that is always struggling to get free.

Please let them be telling the truth. Please let me see my Gus again.

.....

Elaine wakes up and the first thing she sees is that her trousers are bright orange. Ugh. It takes another second for her to register that it is actually a jumpsuit. A prison jumpsuit. Dear heavens, what has she done this time.

The next thing she notices is that there is someone in the room with her. She can hear breathing, movement. More than one person.

She looks up, and sees the head of Remnant. "I don't know what she did but it wasn't..." her voice trails off.

Jacob. Her son.

She never wanted him to find out. Never wanted her to meet him.

"Mother, things will turn out well. I know you're confused, and there's a much to explain, but I give you my word, this will all turn out well."

"You ... saw her?" Elaine asks, in a faltering voice.

"Yes, we've met. Her name is Billie."

"Oh merciful heaven. Jacob, she's deranged!"

"We are aware. We're trying to help her. We're trying to help both of you."

"I've tried. I don't know any way to suppress her. Jacob, I never wanted you to find out. And... Miss Vasquez? I do not understand. Why are you involved? What did she do?"

Spoiler

Show

Her hair is hanging loose, not perfectly styled. Otherwise...

[Devixer]

[Rec Center]

"Spiced tea, if that is possible," Iamar says. She has never tried alcohol, and doesn't really intend to here. She isn't entirely sure where to sit, so just ends up awkwardly standing nowhere in particular.

[Zefir]

Interview Room

Aliz ponders for a bit, a new idea coming to him. He looks over the scorpion in new light. "Do you know what a tank is?"

Interview Room

The scorpion shakes his head.

"No. The time I lived, I never heard of such a thing. I assume this is some kind of weapon? Something a human can't carry around easily?"

[Morty]

[Rec Center]

Fungus beer for me, says Grimzig and his grumpy associate whose name is Niltak nods and says: Same for me. They both look surprised when the third one says: And a bourbon for me.

[happyturtle]

Rec Center

Jefferies spies the goblins and points to them. "Oooh! Are dey for tossing?"

[Reinholdt]

Meeting Room

"And when you first took over, no one knew you either. Or Vyrn. Don't be giving me platitudes about public knowledge and celebrities as your excuse. If you personally wished to know who I was, you merely needed to look into it." Ilpholin stands now as well.

"And don't throw nonsense at me that I'm just anyone from off the streets or that I even asked for your public declaration on the matter. You know you were perfectly capable of finding out and giving an answer of your own accord on your own time and to pretend otherwise is insulting to everyone here."

She doesn't shake Vasquez's hand. Never shook hands before, isn't going to start now.
"Though I note that you have not answered my question, be it for fear of me, or fear of the answer, I will go to the Council and submit my proposal to them, so AMEN and Inside's future relationship can be decided through... more proper channels. Might even be able to give my full proposal on the matter with all the particulars and benefits without unnecessary assumptions and conclusion leaping. But I won't hold my breath."

Ilpholin gives a polite bow in lieu of the handshake. "I look forward to seeing you at the Council Meeting tomorrow. Wear something nice."
And Ilph does wink at Vas before stepping away from the table, ready to leave.

"A pleasure meeting you Alice." She adds, just right there at the end, glancing back at the quiet Major Delisle.