Nobilis: A Game of Powers

[Krrth]

He's over there *points at the barracks*We'll need to be careful if there is an "Airman Higgs" present.

[puppyavenger]

wel, give him an airship and all the internet geeks will bow to him, I'm sure Delphi'll love 'm. Lets go c'mon Wolf

[Krrth]

That's all we need. The Power of Internet getting involved. *walks towards the barracks*

[puppyavenger]

walking along side him. I thought you'd be all over the internet, seeing how much knowledge it makes available.

[Krrth]

Knowledge? Na, between 4chan, lolcatz, and Icanhascheeseburger I'm not sure how much real knowledge there is anymore. *shakes head* Don't get me wrong, I love the internet, it just doesn't have a whole lot to do with me anymore.

[puppyavenger]

eh well, still good for chaos I need to start a terrorist organization called anonymous sometime..

[Krrth]

Oh come on, can't you behave yourself for once? Don't make me start killing butterflies

[puppyavenger]

ha, well, here we are stopping, may I suggest you go in first?

[Krrth]

Oh no, after you. I was raised to respect my elders. Age before beauty, and all that.

[puppyavenger]

eh fine, hold my gun then, would you? he says passing his machine gun to David. Pulling out a pistol, he walked into the barracks and shot in the air. Right, Attention! We're looking for a Corporal Klaus Wulfenbach! Command wants him immediately!

[Maerok]

"Well we are new to the area. I am not sure if I am the one to speak for my team or not, but any information, any knowledge, you have on the area can be extracted from you by my brother. Likely you are not the only one here. I would like to know what kind of presence we are dealin with here. If we could persuade your particular operation to step away from this nation, it would minimize conflict later. A buy-out of your current holdings."

[JMobius]

Vinncent smiles. "I am certain that that could be arranged... but as I'm sure you understand, that is no small request. What do you have to offer us?"

[Maerok]

"We have all sorts of things, of which I'd have to consult the others. Would we be able to have you move out your operation by yourself, or it will take payment of them all?"

[Jibar]

Spoiler

Show

And because nobody has done anything in a while, you get treated to Mike's inner monologue.

Mike wanders absent mindedly through the base. He looks at the soldiers with an uncaring eye. While he naturally disapproves of them, armed forces all being alike, it strikes him that each man here would have signed up with their own reasons, each different from their fellow men. All these men were here of their own choice, and if they weren't there was a damn good reason why they were here. Now, why was he here? Mike neither cared about his 'brother', nor the status of his domain. He was opposed to this whole affair, and ye there he was, going along with it all.
...he was here because his Imperator had ordered it. The 'man' he so loathed and hated had told him to do it and so he was doing it. He had lost his freedom. He stopped. He had lost his freedom. In the past he had acted upon the Imperator's will because he had his debt to repay, but now, now he had no reason. Tyranny was not worth it. He would rather die than bring back Tyranny. But he was doing it all the same.
"****"
It finally dawned on Mike that he was as much a slave as the men and women bound to his brothers and sister, as the Anchors even he once possessed. Like when he served under Attila or the Pharaohs or Stalin. His Imperator had caged the uncagable, but not in a physical sense. No. His mind. The Imperator had his mind. He had no free will, not as long as the Imperator controlled him. He had lost his greatest virtue.
Sorairie had become a tyrant. And Mike was his slave.
He flopped into the snow, this epiphany taking presidence in mind as he desperately tried to reason it away, as he tried to dismiss it all. But it was all true.
"...double ****"

[JMobius]

Vinncent laughs. "Do you know how large this nation is? How much power we gain through our influence here? You're asking us to just give that up. Now, I know better than to take that as an insult, as your kind will have your way one way or another. It is my task to see to it that is handled in a fashion as mutually beneficial as possible."

"There are many thousands of us spread throughout this country. If you wish to claim it for yourselves, you're going to have to offer us all something very tantalizing indeed."

[Maerok]

"Vinncent? Well we have yet to get our feet wet around here. If you could show us around a bit before all this talk of business. Do you have no sense of hammering down a deal? Cigars, golfing... A trip around the nation might be a starter."

[TakeV]

"Dear sister, I do not believe that we require any aid from the Cammorea, and I do not say this from personal bias. Transportation back to the chancel, yes, but nothing more."

[Maerok]

"Transport? But we're already here!"

[JMobius]

"Absolutely possible. I got here by private jet, and I'd love to give you the tour of your purchase. First thing is first, however: I don't believe all of you have so much as told me your name, let alone who you are representing."

Meanwhile, at the barracks...

There are looks of confusion as David, Will, and Wolf enter the barracks. When the gun is fired, there is a mad scramble for cover, shouts of surprise, and an atmosphere of shock. These people have not witnessed the glory of Tyranny.

[Krrth]

*steps out of the line of fire* Ok gentleman, now that my enthusiastic companion has gotten your attention, we've been sent to find Klaus.

[JMobius]

"Who the hell are you?!" a voice shouts from behind a bunk.

[puppyavenger]

glancing at David, right, lets get
Tyranny to do a televised broadcast at some point, sound like a good idea? turning to the Crowd.Well...We're part of the command staff the Commander brought when he came here, as I said, he wants to See Colonel Klaus Wulfenbach, if he's here, come with us.

[JMobius]

"Bull****!" another voice shouts, as a man pops over another bunk, a heavy pistol in his hand, leveled directly at the intruders.

[puppyavenger]

[what level of damage does a pistol do to a Durant power again?]


Look, there's no need to get violent, we're just following orders, actually, it's for a promotion, although I think that might be safely ignored at this point.

Still, c'mon, You really don't want us to get violent. especially considering the reinforcements we're getting in 10 minutes.

[Krrth]

Spoiler

Show

No offense intended to any actual Texans

*shakes head*Are you really sure you want to get into a gun match? My friend here is from Texas, and you know how them Texans love guns. He's probably got more guns that you do...

[JMobius]

Before he can finish speaking, the soldier fires his gun. Several shots go off, landing straight into Will's chest... some of them even scratch slightly. His clip emptied, the attacker's jaw drops, baffled.

[Krrth]

...and he wears a ballistic vest.

[puppyavenger]

...sure, lets run with that...
So you're chose, come with us, or be court marshaled for treason, assaulting a superior officer with a dangerous weapon and intent to kill, plus disobeying him. Is their still Capital punishment in this country David?

[JMobius]

[There is.]

The soldier makes a break for it, down the row of bunks towards a door at the opposite end.

[Krrth]

For mutiny in time of war? The only real question is firing squad or hanging. Of course, we COULD just let this drop....