[The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Lucas waited after Franz mentioned something that Shi'Halal could search for within herself and responded after Shi'Halal made her declaration of discovery.

"Thank you for that lead. If we do manage to reach Void-Ark, we will contact you."

Hidden files in Shi'Halal's Dimensional Anchor. Lucas' eyes narrowed subtly as he thought back to the voices he had heard while fading in and out of consciousness. Wasn't it Tamara's voice he had heard mention that same thing? TH. What did that stand for? The Ten Hollows? Something else he had heard. The mention of a key to access them was different. Someone didn't want Shi'Halal accessing that information on her own, or accidentally.

Turning his head he looked to Tamara. Given the revelation that SHi'Halal had worked with the TAW for thousands of years, she had become a new source of information to tap. Or a potential source.

"Commander Atla, do you know if there were any locations of significance relating to past warseekers? Sanctuaries, abodes, or ... Hollows."

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Hoid
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

Tamara gives a pause, but only for a brief moment. “Yes, I know of such a place. It’s on Luna, Gaea’s sole moon. At Luna’s North Pole is a faculty meant just for the warseeker. Nullity personally oversaw its construction, though a xeno species called the igdi actually constructed it. It was called ‘World Leaf’. Unless it’s been raided—-which I highly doubt—-yOu should find all sorts of interesting things, in there. I was planning on mentioning it to you, before you left, actually.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

A place constructed for the warseeker, on a world designated for weapons research ... which was also a penal colony ... then later xeno-slums. Corrosion sounded like an odd and complicated place. World Leaf, is what Tamara said it was called. Lucas quietly studies her a moment, thinking back to the conversation, or dream, he had while recovering from his battle with Metatron.

"Corrosion. Rustdeity's moon is called Corrosion now."

... he explained briefly.

"I was already planning to visit Corrosion in the near future. Now there is even more reason to. Are you able to give me the coordinates of the World Leaf?"

Lucas paused, listening for a replay, before asking another question.

"Do you possess any spare environmental suits? There is someone I should bring to Corrosion with me, but they would not survive the trip through the void unprotected."

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
Hoid
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

“It’s built to resemble a lotus blossom,” Tamara responds. “AND, it’s HUGE, largest building on Luna—-I mean Corrosion. It dwarfs anything else.” She pauses. “Then again, it might have been badly damaged during our long exile out here. The igdi built to last, but nearly 4,000 years is a long time.

“As for the envirosuits, yeah, we got plenty. Male or female?”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

A giant lotus. The largest structure on Corrosion. Why was it made to such scale? For the sake of grandeur and ostentation or was there a practical reason? After musing on this for a moment he nodded in response to Atla's comment about the rigors of time wearing at things.

"Female. If you would be willing to spare one, it would save me time tracking one down."

It occurred to Lucas that he still did not know what relationship between the warseeker and the TAW was. Other than it had closer ties to the military than civilians, and that it was looked favorably on. Enough of a station to warrant Nullity's personal attention in developing their holdings on Corrosion.

"What was the relationship between the warseeker and the TAW? There was a rank to the role, and holdings. What were their responsibilities and duties?/b]"

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
Hoid
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

Tamara touches her wristband and orders something called a Class-G fem envirosuit” brought to medbay immediately, disc configuration, please.

As to Imperious’ question, Alta answers, saying, “You—-or rather, the wearer of Shai’Halal—-was the last superhero of the pre-colonization era. Long ago, before mankind bodily went to the stars, paranaturals wore gaudy outfits and fought the good fight. Using their powers, they lived amazing, colorful lives. Eventually, the superhero age ended, but the title of the last superhero——Warseeker——remained a term of respect.

“A warseeker had no authority to answer to, no subordinates to command, no lands or holdings—-just the mandate to do what was right, like the superheroes of olden days. To many servicemen and -women, a warseeker, however, was given the same respect and obedience due a General or an Admiral....just on an unofficial level.

“The last known wearer of Shai’Halal——a woman known only as Pulsar——died fighting Jax. She held him responsible for the rebellion. I——he killed her, but Shai’Halal, badly damaged, slithered away. It appears she eventually repaired herself....and bonded with you.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Lucas shook his head when Tamara told him about the pre-colonization age of superheroes. Beaumont was right. He knew something of the history of paranaturals, before their artificial proliferation. But he hadn't realized the stories of gaudily attired vigilantes was entirely factual. More personally, what the commander told him meant that Shi'Halal and her past wearers may well have been part of that bygone age. The armor's history extending back into Rustdeity's truly ancient history.

When he heard about Pulsar's fight with Jax, and her justification for engaging him, Lucas' eyes narrowed. So Shi'Halal had a score to settle with the Imperiex. But he was right. A direct confrontation was to be avoided so long as Jax had his personal effects. Lucas had a plan to overcome that. First he needed to ensure the Changecube would not expire after it's next change.

Quietly the scarred youth ruminated on what Tamara had told them, though eventually he rouses from his thoughts to address her.

"Thank you for sharing this. Shi'Halal does not have access to much of her memory. Learning about her past is of no small significance."

Gradually Lucas straightened up. His legs swung over the edge of the medical bed. Feet planted against the floor. He stood and paced towards the table where his inanimate companions rested. As he walked black scales erupted from his pores. Semi-liquid in texture they flowed over his body. Linked together, they formed Shi'Halal's armoring. Though his head remained uncovered.

"I have not encountered the Igdi. What can you tell me about them, as you remember them?"

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Hoid
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

“Arrogant. And smart. They joined the TAW as equals, a rare thing indeed. Their tech was way ahead of ours, but they desperately needed military aid against another species——so, a trade was arranged: full member-status in the TAW, in return for igdi tech. A profitable time was had by all.

“As to them, personally? Bugs. Giant, human-sized bugs. A very strange lot. They could shapechange, but it took months to accomplish. They could and indeed did become very human-looking after joining the association. Had an immortal empress they worshipped as a goddess.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

While Tamara talked Lucas picked up the items on the table, one at a time, and placed them near his waistline. There Shi'Halal sealed them up in individual armored compartments. The last that he took up was the Encephalon. This he dawned atop his head rather than store away like the other items. Bug-like. That fit with the Xeno-drones he had encountered from Corrosion. Though he wondered at the dialog he had with the drone's spirit. Or something speaking through the drone. He still wasn't certain. The mention of an immortal empress brought Lucas turning to face Commander Atla once more.

"An immortal empress? Was this the Nyx? I heard the Patriarch had a female Xeno companion by that name. I was going to inquire about her as well."

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
Hoid
Posts: 3556
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

Tamara blinked. “The Nyx? How did you hear about her? That b***h must have died when Gaea fell. No, she wasn’t an igdi. No, the Nyx...was something else. We can all hope to God that she’s been dead a looooong, LONG, long while.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

The Galaxysol's echo had warned him about the Nyx. Nepenthe had given him a little more information, informing him that she had manipulated the Patriarch. But he wasn't expecting such an extreme reaction from the woman in front of him when he mentioned the Xeno. A curious expression crossed Lucas' face.

"I take it you do not like the Nyx. I'm aware that she has psychic abilities and that she was able to reincarnate into her offspring. What else can you tell me about her? It would be good to know why you hope for her death."

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
Hoid
Posts: 3556
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

“She was taken as a slave....which most people thought was b******t. She’s a psychic of gargantuan power. A slave, indeed. She was gorgeous by human standards, despite being xeno, so she was purchased by the Patriarch.

“It became pretty clear who was the master and who was the slave pretty quickly, though. She just had to suggest the vaguest hint of an idea, and the Patriarch would drop everything to make it happen.

“The Nyx and Jax had a meeting, or so the stories go, and suddenly the Patriarch was much more amenable to Jax’s edicts. The story goes he must have intimidated her, but how you frighten a psychic of her level is....unclear.

“No one knows her species. Her children weren’t even with the Patriarch. Apparently , she’d just occasionally spawn new ones. The Imperator ordered each of the Nyx’s spawn implanted with cerebral bombs.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Purchased. As a slave. Lucas wondered if that were some kind of setup. A plot, perhaps instigated by the Nyx herself. He decided not to inquire too deeply. Much of what he wanted to know could have changed with time. The same with his questions pertaining to the Patriarch. Thousands of years could change a person. One or both of them could be very different now. Though if the Patriarch was still liked to the Nyx, they would need to be separated. Of that he was certain.

Mentally Lucas went through a list of things he wanted to make sure were done here at Heavenpoint before returning to Rustdeity. Most of them revolved around ensuring the sustainability of the soldiers here, getting them access to Dancer-upon-Oblivion, and ensuring the logistics for the ship were covered so that they could operate independently until he could bring a proper expeditionary force to root out the Apkallu occupation. At length he opted to open the floor the the commander.

"Is there anything you would like to discuss, or that you could use help with? Bear in mind, at this time I am unable to personally assist long term in the Jupiter campaign."
OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
Hoid
Posts: 3556
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

Alta shrugs. “Not particularly, warseeker. We’re working on getting every as repaired and as maintenanced as is possible. That’s a lot of work. But, with the loop broken, we can now actually accomplish it.

“Eventually, we’ll get our shuttles up and running again, and salvage what’s left of the Gas Juggernaut. Then, we turn our attention to liberating human captives held by the Apkallu. And then....only time will tell.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

A single nod of acknowledgement followed Tamara's voicing her outlined intentions.

"Shi'Halal, please grant Commander Atla access to the Broadcast Array's communication functions. Also allow her to grant other people permission to use the communication functions, if that can be arranged."

There was a brief pause before Lucas offered an explanation to the commander.

"The solar system's Datasphere infrastructure is in poor condition. For now we will be using this as a medium of long range communication. Though bear in mind this Broadcast Array was only recently reclaimed. Tlolkku and rogue Iron Enginseers were previously using it. Some backdoors were noticed, and efforts have been made to patch them. It should not be considered completely secure."

Lucas gave Tamara an opertunity to inquire further if she wished, but didn't remain silent long before moving on.

"We should talk about your warship attachment: the Dancer-upon-Oblivion, and the logistics that may entail."

Then with a slight shift in his eyes to a space next to Atla, he addressed his armor-companion.

"Please contact Dancer-upon-Oblivion. It would be best if they were part of this conversation."

OOC wrote:
HP: 2
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy (?)
Encephalon: Deactivated
Communion Array: Immunity to Mental Effects.
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 8 ; Super-Strength 7
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
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