Alexander Lightfoot has a very good collection of maps showing trade routes not just for the Himaat but the Savan as well. Using those and the sketch of the engraving from the fallen Sword, Tasha and Gabriel are able to narrow down the landing (or crashing) sites of two of the escort ships for Gerondisanakh. They lie somewhere in the mountain region east of Bromthen City, in a line between it and Nagai City on the opposite coast.
The next morning, a package was delivered from the Library, containing various papers and diagrams, even a starchart. While information on planetfall sites for various Fleet ships was absent, there were still plenty of legends and stories about haunted ruins that might have been related to landing sites. Several stories told of explorers to the fabled City of Hands encountering living buildings which devoured them or turned them into monsters - all dating to before the resettling of the city, of course. Tacked onto these were 'unofficial rumors' that the current Queen of Xenea, Jade-Eyes, had been in contact with an 'Angel' in the Procession and even traveled to another world beyond the Gateway network.
There were locations in the Savan wilderness (which seem to correlate with the two just-discovered landing sites) where haunted ruins are claimed to be, and many tales of the horrors and mutations of the Desolate Band. More concrete, however, were the astronomical observations - one of which describes a new star rising to join the Procession from the north on 4 Harvest, 6106 - the very date that Themis-Skoll launched from the remains of the Fenris!
The information on artifacts was largely focused on items that did things, including legendary wands, enchanted swords and bizarre Sifran crystals as opposed to Expedition Era ones - such things being less 'discovered' than under lock-and-key by the Temple or other governments. There was, surprisingly, mention of the Harbinger Clan: the Vartan clan had 'split' after Landing, with one group remaining on Rephidim and the other settling in Himar to form the Storm Rider Clan - which no longer exists as such, having evolved and split into several other groups over the millennia.
There was nothing in the package about the Progenitor Cult or Kampfengruppe, however. A recruitment brochure for the Offworld Legion was included though, promising adventure, wealth and redemption (as well as privacy) for those willing to volunteer.
Tasha sweeps her gaze over the collected findings spread before, shaking her head then leaning back to brush her hair out of her face. "Well, this is considerably more than I was expecting," she admits, sounding quite impressed -- and maybe a little daunted. Picking up two papers, one of the City of Hands legends and another from the mountainous region near Nagai, she admits, "These look like as clear as a target as we have right now. I have to admit, though, I'm concerned about the widespread mention of traps, and ... mutations? People turning in to monsters?" She shakes her head in bemusement. "And this," she puts the papers back, picking up the record of a 'star ascending to the heavens,' "shows the Themis-Skoll may be recoverable from the Procession. We may want to make that a priority on return, as it won't survive the battering well and it's already severely damaged. I can probably take ... you-know-what to retrieve it to bring to you-know-where, for repairs and refitting. It could be a surprise.
Taking a second to catch her breath, Tasha puts down the Themis-Skoll report to pick up the comments of the Harbinger Clan. "This may be enough to find the third," she says, taping a nail against it, "but we're left with two sites again, and even less definition. We may still nee to go to Rephidim for answers with this one." The paper goes down, Tasha folding her fingers together and lenaing her head atop them. "No matter what, we're in for an adventure here. And, since they know our routes, probably spies and anyone else who wants to keep tabs on us. Be careful who you give details to. Also, you probably realize this now but ... this will be dangerous, perhaps very dangerous. If that's a concern, Hakeber, Aaron, I wouldn't fault you for leaving. Besides," she reaches for one last paper, "you can always join the Offworld Legion! Adventure, wealth, and, erm ... redemption? Do we offer redemption? I'm sure we don't offer privacy?" She looks to her mate.
"I've seen those guys," Hakeber notes. "They're all strung out on something, I can tell."
"The City of Hands should be safe," Aaron points out. "Safe as Dianus, anyway. I'm sure that the Khattas have information they aren't sharing, of course, since there's nothing on the Cult or Markers in this."
"That's an interetsing way to keep your people in line," Tasha remarks darkly. "I remember the prostitutes and other 'service providers' being controller that way, back home. Not a good indicator of their leadership mindset."
"Rephidim claims authority over all First Ones sites, doesn't it?" Gabriel asks. "I'm pretty sure that includes Expedition sites."
"I noticed that, too. It's quite possible that they are keeping secrets, and I'm nervous now that we've tipped our hand, but we can only move forward now. No use in regret," Tasha agrees. She then nods to her mate. "Yes, including Sifran artifacts. Technically, we should have turned over certain things, however, our authority predates the Temples and includes the backing of several national powers, so it's debatble just who has ultimate authority here. Still, nodding to Temple authority is the best political approach here; we don't want to create enemies or start a war."
"That also depends on what order you look for things in, then," Aaron notes, raising a finger. "The Bromthen sites, for instance. They're far enough from Nagai City that the Emperor may not care if we go in alone, but if you see the Astromancer first then he'd be obliged to form a Temple expedition. Now, that has it's advantages: those tend not to vanish or get swallowed up completely like small, civilian ones can. If we go there first, on our own, and find something.. will you feel obligated to tell the Temple? Keeping secrets while seeking their help in other matters could be dangerous."
"Plus.. there's the issue of the new Knightly Orders.. that never got off the ground," the Lapi continues. "They were all sent off to gain glory on expeditions, and one or more may have gone after these sites as well already. Would be good to know, one way or another."
Tasha pulls in a breath, leaning back again and twisting her muzzlz. "It's all a bit of a political mess, isn't it? Get help from one, offend the other. Get help of both, play tug of war with the results. Get help from neither and get the ire of both." She thinks a moment, then nods. "They would have the best possible information barring a chance meeting with people who have actually been there. I think what we should do," and here she glances between her comrades, "is consider what is best for the artifacts, the JEF, and our patrons -- and not necessarily in that order. Serving our patrons means not offending anyone or causing wars, but also not allowing ourselves to be submissive to an authority to the detriment and dishonor of our patrons. JEF wise, we should utilize safety, peaceful means, care for personnel, and care for artifacts. Artifact wise, we must use all duecaution is recovering them and, if they prove of significant danger or impactful in any significant way, safeguard them from everyone
or evaluation."
"Naturally, this is complicated," she continues, spreading her hands. "My suggestion is to head for the City of Hands while we work out the rest. The City of Hands will be under Savanite jursidiction, sufficently secluded, and close enough where a visit doesn't seem like an intentional dodge of political channels. It may still rub Rephidim wrong, but we can claim to be guaging the credibility of information to measure if we should continue the mission, wich is true."
"The Naga Magi will likely be inoperative," Gabriel notes, tapping the mountain area on the map. "These aren't as high as the ones where Fenris crashed, and the Magi are at a far higher level of technology. The one that probably is working and dangerous is the so-called Seraph Titan in the City of Hands."
"I'd considered that. Control over the Seraph, as form of transportation, could radically expidite our travels as well as our means to recovery. However, we don't know its status, or much more about it save that it appears to be drawing power off the SPF like MOTHER I was, and we know how that turned out," Tasha agrees.
"I'm pretty sure a working, flying Titan would be a pretty big target," Aaron notes. "Is it the goal, or the Silent-Ones Origin Marker?"
"As for Caspar, we'll see. I've found technology to be inconsistent in ts treatment by the SPF. It may be partially or even fully recoverable, if for no other reason than that the SPF 'decided' it would be so," Tasha adds. She glances to aaron and nods. "Both, if possible. There's a connection between them that I need to figure out. There's no certainty that the Titan will even accept me, however. It may no longer need a pilot, for that matter. Given its been labeled as dangerous, accessing it an leaving seems irresponsible. As the Magi expert here, I think it should be recovered and removed for the safety of the people and to understand the technologies inherent to it as well as those integrated later."
"The Queen may not agree to that," Gabriel notes. "And supposedly she's the only one that can open the vault."
"Of course," Tasha agrees, inclining her head. "I'm just relating from my perspective to show where I stand, all else aside. I am willing to work with the Queen if that proves to be a better for everyone involved."
"So.. we're going on a boat right?" Hakeber asks, tail swishing. "I've never been on a boat. Will we have secret identities? Disguises? Code phrases?"
"This will be my third boat ride; it should be fun," Tasha agrees as she leans forward and begins piling the paperwork. "As for identities, there's no real need. We're safer just being who we are, and unless I wear my helmet everywhere, no one's going to believe I'm anyone other than who I am. Code phrases aren't a bad idea, though."
"This'll be a boat on the ocean, even if it's a shore-hugger," Aaron notes, looking far less excited than Hakeber about it. "And crewed by ex-slaves led by an ex-demigod."
"You meet all kinds of people while traveling, aye?" Tasha grins as she smacks the sides of her paper stack, getting it in line before picking it up and placing it in a hard-walled leather carrier. "Ready to pack up?"
"I never really unpacked," the Lapi notes. Hakeber jingles from all the bangles she's got on, and says, "Just a few minutes and I'll be ready! I can wear this, right? It won't cause problems to be a belly-dancer on the boat?"
"Oh ... all right," Tasha conceeds as she watches the jingling Hakeber. "But you'll have to dance for us, and I'm not going to help you if anyone questions your credibility!" The stack gets hefted up and dropped in the red woman's lap and patted. She watches hakeber a moment more, and admits, "I think I wore something like that during my first boat ride, too, back before I decided to change my world. I wonder what you'll find on this journey?"
"Sobriety, the most elusive treasure of all," Aaron intones with a raised hand, then dashes off before Hakeber can reach him.
"This is our last chance to send any magic messages, other than the one to Cliff-Shadow," Gabriel notes. "Then again, I don't know who else to send any to."
"Hmm, a chance to use magic," Tasha says with unnecessary emphasis and more than a touch wry. "I guess my dream of joining the College Esoterica can wait, and sending one to my mother would probably be a bad idea. We were going to have me checked out, but I'm sure that can wait. No ... No I don't think the Vartan will be asking for any magic services."
"I'll just ask Layla to send one to Cliff-Shadow then," Gabriel notes, getting up and leaving.. specifically, leaving Tasha to pack up everything by herself!
Tasha watches her mate leave a moment, brow arched, then simply laughs. "Aww," she coos, "he remembered how much I like packing and moving things! And how much he doesn't, I think." Looking down at her lap, she pats her right hand on the case, then stands up, tucking the case under her left hand. "Hokay folks, pack up and make ready to leave. Make sure all records and supplies are accounted for, fill your canteens, tidy your rooms for our hosts, and do anything else you need to do. We'll then meet up in the sitting room without our gear and say our good-byes to most generous hosts." With the oder given, Tasha turns towards the room she occupied with Gabriel and gets to work.
The Drowned Ptera was a cramped ship with little in the way of amenities. The hold was redone as a giant bunk room, since the primary 'cargo' of the ship was slaves, bought in Abu Dhabi and transported to Xenea to be set free. Hakeber had a terrible time getting her sea-legs, and while it shouldn't have been an issue for Tasha she always felt slightly off balance - but that was less to do with the swaying than with the magic. Cliff-Shadow had the entire vessel wrapped in an obscuring cloak of shadow. A good defense, having a nearly invisible ship, but worrisome for Vartans.
When not dancing rituals, the Savanite mage would host Tasha and Gabriel in his cabin, and asks them about the Silent-Ones - both the ancients that Gabriel knew and the modern-day version on Abaddon. Signing doesn't betray much emotion, and the cheetah didn't need a mask to hide his feelings, as his expression hardly ever changed.
Having since changed in to breezier clothes to help with the humidity or tropic waters, Tasha looks relatively comfortable beside her mate, if a bit ... twitchy now and then. An observer might think her suspicious, but her fellows know the ambient air of magic has made her a little anxious, which often shows itself as sharp bird-like glances here and there -- often at nothing in particular, as far as anyone ca see.
"We have told you what we know of the ancient Silent-Ones and their modern Abaddonian counterparts, so now I would like to ask about the Savanite -- or is it Silent-One? -- Empire of your own time. What was it like? How large? Did your people still know of their origins in the stars, back then? Did they utilize high technology as well as magic? And what roles did the Priest-King and Twelve-Times-Twelve fill, aside from what can be inferred from their status as mages and their titles?" Tasha signs, repeating the words so that Gabriel can take part in the conversation.
"We knew of our past, from before the time of visitors from the stars," Cliff-Shadow signs. "Our Empire of the People started small, with settlements. Many of us had left the humans on Rephidim, for they chose a path of creating new creatures to populate the world. Our art and science was not affected as fully by the strange nature of this world, and we flourished. But the old ways began to fade. The religion of the Star was weakened by the birth of those Marked who could perform miraculous feats. Magic brought with it a new age."
"The People felt the Star had forsaken them, and that these new, powerful children were gifts from the older gods. There was religious strife, but the priests had grown weak and could not do miracles as the new generations could. In time, the People came to value those with this power. A priest who also Marked and powerful set himself up as the ruler of the people - not only in government but in faith as well. The first Priest-King."
"He surrounded himself with twelve Marked priests, who came to be known as the Twelve. And so the dynasty began. As his power increased, so too did his knowledge, for he studied the ways of those who came to this world before the People, prying their secrets from stone and crystal. He took the great Artifact, the Titan, and gave it new life with the power of these old crystals and our own, forging a warrior of machine and magic. But it was feared to be too powerful, such that the Priest-King could trust no warrior to wield it. So it was locked away, to be called upon only in the case of an attack from the heavens."
"As the Empire grew, and other peoples became its slaves, the need arose for greater power, and so the Telve-Times-Twelve was created of those Marked, each dozen serving under one of the Twelve. It was then that.." Here the ancient cheetah pauses, and actually frowns for the first time. "There was a time of madness. The Priest-King wished to become a god, and all the efforts of the Twelve and Twelve-Times-Twelve were bent to the task. But upon achieving his immortal form, the Priest-King attempted to devour all. The Twelve sacrificed themselves to stop him, and the Twelve-Times-Twelve transformed ourselves into a barrier to prevent the Priest-King from expanding further."
"I can see how such a power could cause an imbalance of power, both social and spiritual," Tasha notes, having seen the tip of that iceberg in her own research. "To demonstrate obvious and easily rendered miracles against priests who claim great influence but can provide only words would be a difficult power imbalance to rectify. If it was right or not is not for me to judge." The young woman's hands pause a moment, beginning to move, then pausing again in hesitation before seh adds, "It seems that time and time again those who have discovered power have used it to claim authrority, even divine mandate." Her hands fall silence again as she listens to the creation of the Priest-King, of the Twelve, and the great Titan. Her eyes widen as the ancient member of the Twelve relate how it was reworked from pre-Expedition technology, and at the fear it was too powerful to be relased upon the world, save as protection from what seem to be an attack from starfaring peoples.
"How ironic an Empire, who claim to enslave others, was in turn itself enslaved. Tell me, Cliff-Shadow, how did the Empire justify this dominion? The belief of the Star appears to have faded, so was it mandate by the old gods? Might makes right? Knowledge than many of these peoples were created late, and thus, perhaps, lesser? And this would be god-king, how did he attempt to use technology and magic to be a god? And you say, he devoured? You sealed him by transformation? I do not understand the ways of magic; is this why the ruins of the City of Hands are claimed to be haunted; these are magical defenses and corruptions? And ... does this Priest-King still exist?"
"We ruled by right of superiority," Cliff-Shadow signs. "Even today, with your great nations and wars, I have seen no power that rivals what we wielded. Not even the terrifying Boomers. We had the power of the gods, and that is next to being a god. I participated in the great ritual which smote Noh, who refused to honor the Priest-King. And still today the people are cursed, such was our strength. But the old Priest-King is gone, set to rest by a descendant of the royal line. Now there is only Priest-King Jade-Eyes, who is more king than priest, and seeks only peace with other nations. We have, indeed, fallen. Even the Silent-Ones you sign off from the red world seem like domesticated kittens."
"/I see./" Tasha draws in a breath, calming her emotions but not quite able to dimiss the level of contempt she feels. She had felt a great disservice had fallen upon the Silent-Ones that came to Sinai, but she sees now ti was of their own making. A grand hubris that destroyed peoples and tainted the land before devouring its own from within. While she can't quite believe the Savanites of this day deserve their fate, surely their ancient Empire deserved to fall. "/I cannot claim to approve of what your people had created, I cannot condemn them now, for the mistakes of the forebearers. As someone who has had such power placed in her hands, I know fully the temptation to use it. Even as I weighed on that power, I was shwon what would come from its abuse; the will I would have forced upon Abaddon, and this world, and all worlds of this system, and it is little different than your own fate. While not generally given to belief in fate, I know that there are quiet powers that guide us. I have listened to the
ir council and listened to my heart; I have opened my hand rather than closed my first. Perhaps time will show I, too, amd wrong; perhaps I will change. But for now, I cannot approve. Now then, the Titan; what makes it such a great danger? How can one Titan be feared by a people that can scar the land for centuries?/"
"Our power was magic," Cliff-Shadow says. "But our strength was in our numbers. One-hundred-forty-four mages working in concert. But the Seraph is immune to magic. As the Priest-King was elevated beyond mortal flesh, so was the Titan elevated beyond mere machine. It is as a god on earth, commanded by a mortal." He doesn't seem to have any reaction at all to Tasha's opinions of his former employers.
Tasha decides not to press her opinion; it's enough it has been made plain, in case the man should consider using her. "Magic -- no, let us call it what it truly is: Sifran technology, specifically the Sifran Probability Matrix these worlds generate -- is indeed formiddable, I will not question that. While I have largely avoided it, I have seen what it can create -- more importantly, I know much of the sciences that once were, and I know that what it accomplishes is a feat unriveled even by the ancient Khattans." Inwardly, that sinking feeling returns for the young half-Vartan; that feeling that sooner or later her life, and tha power that is magic, will have to come crashing together. To explore the Sinai System is to explore magic; the time is not far away when she will need to embrace it or reject her path. "I am curious, though: how can a machine reforged by magic be immune to it? Is that its only power, or does it mount other weaponry? Utilize magic itself as a weapon?"
"The crystals protect it, that is all I know," the cheetah claims. "I was not one of the Twelve, and did no work directly in the creation of the Seraph. I only can relay that the Priest-King who would claim godhood feared it."
"I can see why a god made of magic would fear a machine immune to it. That it is immune to magic suggests it is also immune to the S P F, which makes it of technological as well as archaeological interest. It could be the building point for a new future in which technology and magic can coexist, as well as answer my questions. Still," Tasha cocks her head, muzzle twisting. "It does sound quite dangerous, and far from what it once was. I am uncertain it will recongnize me, or even hold any of its original functionality. It may even be hostile."
"If it lives at all," Cliff-Shadow notes. "Magic has changed during my long vigil. It is weaker now. Who can say that it will not fade away entirely?"
"I, too, wish that I knew the answer to that." She tilts her head, then asks, "Do you have any more questions for us?"
"No, only a warning," the mage signs. "Do not expose to the light that which you would not want seen."
"Wise advice; I hope I am wise enough to use it," Tasha signs, her expression subdued and a frown on her face. In the dim light, and in the way she studies the ground with concealed anxiety, she looks, for a moment, far older than her years.
"Ah, I remember this smell," Aaron says, taking in a deep breath of the city. "The hotels were nice before the war, but the city is better since it's been rebuilt," the Lapi claims. "Did you want to get some rooms somewhere first, before heading for the City of Hands?"
"Wowwww," Hakeber says wistfully. "I wonder if the Silent-Ones cities are anything like this. Well, not really, I'm pretty sure they're all strictly uniform and not this hodgepodge. I bet Strengh-of-Stones would love this place."
"It might be better to proceed towards the palace," Tasha replies as she cranes her neck to take in the unfamiliar city. While her youth provided her with travel across the world, some cities were simply too controvesial -- or wartorn -- to risk the flight, and so The Rake never came to Safar. "Depending on how initial talks go, we'll know if we need to stay here, be invited in, or if we should just press on to the City of Hands and prepare to stay there."
"I bet he would," Tasha adds in afterthough, imaginging Strength-of-Stones hurrying about, peeking in every doorway and buying up an armful of souvineers, all while Scholar-to-Aliens has a nervous breakdown. "I think I like it, too." She sounds uncertain, as if she doubted her own opinion and were too tired to cover it. Ever since her talk with Cliff-Shadow, Tasha has seemed gloomy.
A few inquiries get them heading toward the government district, although it really doesn't look all that much different. The buildings have a 'good enough' feel to them, not stately or imposing. They're made of brick with plaster on the outside, and none of them look very much like a palace. But then comes the meeting with a bureaucrat, and it all feels definitely governmental.
"How can I help you?" the clerk asks. She is some sort of Jingai, similar to a Kiriga and sporting more fur than scales, except for her bright blue snout. She seems to have a mammalian perkiness to her.
Tasha step sforward to answer, having taken to taking the lead for the practice it provides. "Hello. I'm Tasha, and this is Gabriel Akkers; we're members of the Joint Expeditionary Force, under charter with the Pit of Himaar Treaty Council of Abaddon. To my left is Scholar Hakeber, of the Knights Templar, of Abaddon. To Gabriel's right is Aaron Lightfoot, our guide. We are here to seek permission and assistance to investigate the City of Hands, seeking archaeological, technological, and other items of interest. We have been informed we will need special dispensation in our search for particular items, and so we also seek an audience with the Queen or her current representative." For Tasha, it's all beginning to feel automatic; rote, even. It makes her proud, even if she is feeling disturbed by her earlier conversation with the mage. At least she can be sure she's doing one thing right.
The clerk's expression remains frozen through the introduction, and afterwards she asks, "You mean our Queen? Queen Jade-Eyes? Of Xenea?"
"That is correct," Tasha replies, having gotten used to the reaction their introductions inevitable provide. "That, or her duly chosen representative, if she is otherwise disposed."
"Hold on, please," the clerk says, and pulls out a big binder stuffed seemingly at random with papers. She rummages through it, and then finds a pencil and asks, "And this is.. a Diplomatic mission, Personal, Business or Other?"
"Diplomatic and Other," the half-Vartan provides.
There's a bit of writing, as the clerk seems to actually remember all of their names. "Do you have any diplomatic credentials to present?" she then asks.
"We do." Tasha fetches the materials from her own binder and gathers the rest from her fellows before handing over the lot. "Here is for our leader, Captain Gabriel Akkers, leader of the Joint Expeditionary Force ... this is mine, Pilot-Cadet Tasha, of the same. Here's Hakeber's ... and Aaron's working for us."
"Wow, you actually have papers!" the clerk says, shocked. She carefully looks them over before handing them back, then makes a note on her form. "I'll get this through as soon as I can. The Queen is in a council meeting right now, but it should end soon unless counselor Hasheb brought pie. You can wait here if you like," she offers, gesturing to a rather worn looking couch.
"We will, thank you -- and please pass our thanks on to the Queen and her officers," Tasha says with a nod and a smile. Soon after she's waving her party to take a seat, explaining, "if you didn't hear it, we're waiting to see if the Queen will accept our request; she should be out of her meeting soon," as she walks over to the couch. Rather than have a seat, she instead walks over towards an open window, folding her arms and looking out across the city, and to the sky.
The sky is bright and clear, the weather warm (edging on hot), and the courtyard busy. Robed priests seem to gather in clusters, hiding their signs from one another, while all manner of races move about - just not in a terribly hurried fashion. Jingai and Savanites make up most of the people, but there also Nagas, Khattas and Skreeks to be seen, with relatively few canines.
"The Queen used to be a slave in the Temple," Aaron notes quietly. "A pretty high-level slave too. Whatever their politics may be, you can bet there are still personal ties between Xenea and Rephidim."
"This is a beautiful city," Tasha whispers to herself, thinking how much it reminds her of her visions for the JEF, and other things. So entrenched in her thoughts is she, she doesn't seem to notice Aarons' approach until her speaks. "Is that so?" She glances to her fried, eyes perked. "That's good to know. Thank you, Aaron. Maybe she and I will have a little bit in common, both of us coming from poor backgrounds and rising to power, and both raised in Rephidim."
"Ah, she was the slave to Arch-Inquisitor Melchizidek," the Lapi notes. "The one who burned Darkside when the last Astromancer was assassinated. I remember seeing her on occasion - and I don't think 'poor' is appropriate. She had a full education, and handled the Inquisitor's affairs. She's not much older than you, but don't be fooled. She's shrewd."
"So much for my naive attempt at finding a friend," Tasha says with a rather mirthless laugh. "I'll be careful. Aaron ... ," she stares at the moment, her mouth opening, then closing in. After a shake of her head she says, "No, nevermind. Why don't you get some rest while we wait? We may be in for more stress, soon."
The Lapi's black ear droops down as he tries to puzzle out Tasha's expression, but he does sit down to leave Tasha alone with her thoughts for the moment.
Turning back to the window, Tasha closes her eyes as a warm breeze stirs her hair. The words of Cliff-Shadow still echo in her mind, but not just his warning. Everything he represents makes her question what she's doing, and now in Safar, she finds a young queen who has taken her power and carved out a nation. Time and time again, those who have found power have used it to rule over others; that unshakeable sense of her own naivette returning like an unwanted rain, casting a pall on all her work. And still there is more, a deeper sense of being a child playing at games too complex for her. Her on Sinai she's had to juggle a complex assortment of politics, peoples, interests and conflicts, alately she isn't sure if she hasn't dropped a few, leaving her waiting for the inevitable echo of breakage.
Drawing in a deep breath, Tasha tries to assure herself that these things are inevitable, that, surely, all of these people had the same concerns -- made the same mistakes. That she is not afraid of power, that she's trying to use it responsibly rather than self-servingly. The emotions relent, but not completely. She's sure she'll be dwelling on them again; it will be a restless night.
"If you will come with me," a new Skreek clerk says, this one wearing something like a uniform. "I can take you to the Queen's offices, where she will join you shortly."
Tasha pushes off from the window, straightening and nodding. "We deeply appreciate the Queen's willingness to see us on short notice. Will our weaponry be a concern?" She asks, glad for the interuption and eager for the coming meeting.
The clerk blinks at the mention of weapons. "Oh.. there's a cloakroom you can put them in," he says. "Thank you for reminding me."
"You're welcome. We're used to the position of diplomatic envoy, you see, so the questions and procedures have become rote. Please lead the way," Tasha says, smiling.
The clerk takes them into the building, past a large meeting room where various people are still talking.. and several are having pie as well. They all look.. fairly common, really. Past this is a cloak room, manned by a Savanite in a very fancy vest, who takes their things and gives them claim tickets - he may have once worked in one of the old fancy hotels. From there they are brought to a large office, with a skylight instead of windows. The furniture is certainly nicer and more comfortable looking, and even the desk has Nagai craftsmanship. There are also lots of overflowing file cabinets along the back wall, and an IN and OUT box on the desk, along with what looks like a mason jar full of quill pens.
"If you'll make yourselves comfortable, the Queen will be here soon," the clerk notes. "Would you like some tea, wine or milk? We also have some cookies that were baked just this morning."
"This reminds me a bit of the Terran Consulate at Elamoore," Tasha remarks as she's lead in to the office. As usual, her eyes are quick to take in the little details, darting here and there as she takes in the workspace of a national ruler. "Thank you, I would like some wine, if that's alright." She steps forward and takes a seat infront of the desk, towards the center and ready to take the lead in diplomacy.
There are surprisingly few personal touches, aside from a glass case atop the filing cabinets. It contains a series of very detailed sculptures of an entire family of Savanites.
Unable to resist the curiosity of small detailed objects, Tasha focuses her hawklike gaze towards them and leans forward out of intest.
The statues are very detailed, and made from amber for the golden parts, onyx or obsidian for the dark, and other glassy or crystal materials for the others. The two older cheetahs that start the line are likely the parents, with the other descending by age. All of them show marks of some sort, with the middle and youngest having green eyes, the eldest having a third eye in the middle of her forehead, and others more subtle, such as flame-red hair. One of them is wearing the armor of the Champion of Roses of the Knights Templar of Rephidim, without the helmet. Hakeber spots that one right away, and points. "I thought you said they were all slaves? That one's a Knight!" she tells Tasha.
"I ... I didn't realize that there were members of the Knights who were Savanites. They never showed their faces to us; they could have been almost anyone," the young woman admits, head shaking. So many mysteries, and many of those right beneath her wings. If she hadn't undertaken her journey, would she have ever realized the truth between the lies?
"The Knights on Rephidim were always secretive," Aaron notes. "Except for the Titanians, they were also quiet. Some of them only used Silent Sign.."
"I tried to stay as far away from them as I could, but that didn't mean i didn't watch them from afar. Their costumes, the way the walk, their whole demeanor was a mystery -- aa dangerous one, but a mystery none the less. Aside from that, they were all fairly shiny in their armor, so a lot of us tended to drop what we were doing and watch, as long as we were far enough away. The Champion of Sh-i- ... Shi-monds was sort of a local hero, if a hero that scared us all and never paid us any mind," Tasha relates as she examines the statues, enjoying the visual experience.
The Lapi also points out the one with three eyes. "That was Third-Vision, first Priest-King of the modern era," he explains. "A powerful mage. She was killed when the Nagai attacked the City of Hands during the last war, before the Boomer fell on Babel. She led the forces of the City of Hands against the Plaguebringers in defense of Rephidim, too. The middle one Jade-Eyes, the current Priest-King. She.. has had difficulties. Many said that early on she was a puppet of the Twelve, and then she vanished for a time. When she returned, she disbanded the old guard and replaced her advisors with people chosen by their communities. There's been no peep of a return of the Savanite Empire since then."
"I see. I can't help feel bad for them; it seems like they were never quite free enough, be it from the present, past, or even future," the half-Vartan admits, sounding sad. Even as she stares at her statue, she can't help but wonder about the Priest-Queen; what sort of person is she? How did what she lived through change her? Does she regret her choices? Tasha is sure she's watching right now, trying to get a feel for them as they do the same for her, but she doesn't mind being spied on,, or even speaking her personal opinions of the Queen outloud. For better or worse, she's let people judge her from what's in her heart, even if her heart has become a convoluted place, these days. "I heard it said she went to another world, far beyond the Sinai System. Zion ... Perhaps the Zion of Silent-One origin; their homeworld."
"Only the Titanians are able to do that, I thought," Hakeber says.
"So I've heard ... " Very few know that Tasha, too, has this ability, if in a limited sense. She has considered using it, but the time isn't yet right for that sort of jounrey; there's much left to do here, in these worlds. "I tried to get the explaination from one, but even he barely seemed to understand it."
Just then, a cheetah woman in a fancy robe (which is left open, revealing much more practical and comfortable attire) sweeps into the room with a paper file folder in one hand. "The Dainty Mauler is a fine ship, if you have earplugs," she signs with her free hand once she reaches the desk.
"It certainly is," Tasha signs back, smiling at the momentary connection. "But I never minded the noise. Greetings to you, Priest-Queen Jade-Eyes." The young woman then bows her head to the head of state, figuring everyone else will follow suit.
Everyone is indeed standing and bowing, which the queen acknowledges with a nod before sitting down. "For speed, it may be best if you speak," Jade-Eyes signs. "While I appreciate the gesture of respect, efficiency matters." She actually wiggles her ears in a Savanite laugh at her own 'gesture of respect' joke.
Tasha wiggles her ears back, now out of habit more than anything, and nods. "Very well. It's probably for the best anyway, as I'd need to request repeating everything out loud for half our group." Retaking her seat, Tasha scoots in and folds her hands on her lap, asking, "On that vein, would you prefer we get right to the heart of our visit and skip the usual pleasantries?"
"Just a moment," the Queen signs, without looking up from the files she's reading. "Stoney beamed me some background on you that I am still absorbing. There is a blank spot."
"I see. You are much better equipped than we suspected," Tasha admits as she glances to Gabriel.
"Optical technology," the Karnor notes. "Remember MOTHER."
"Oh I suspected, but still, it's impressive," Tasha tells her make with her ears askew. "Sifran crystal and Silent-One technology certainly seem to suggest a sort of convergent evolution of technologies, with one considerably more advanced, yet still somehow backwards compatible. It's fascinating."
"And an orbiting station in the Procession," Jade-Eyes adds. "That just uses radio to contact Abaddon though. Where did you go when you left the Museum in New Zion?" she asks, looking up again.
"A station? In the Procession? That's news ... And, I suppose since you've shared your secret 'base,' it's only fair to share ours: Sheol. Although I would strongly advise against visitors for the present time," Tasha answers.
"I know of your voyage to the moon," the Queen notes with a smirk. "But before that you drove off into the desert for several hours. Nobody knows what you did. Or else someone is deliberately keeping it secret."
Hakeber perks her ears as well, since she certainly hasn't heard this part either.
"Ah, that. I make it a point not to betray the secrets of those who have helped us, especially when they are given freely. I must therefore refuse to answer that," the Cadet answers, adding, "I'm sorry."
"I'm pretty sure I know who you went to see, and if she helped you that is a mark in your favor," the Queen signs. "There is a lot of stuff about the Pit, and your Titan, and that Stoney thinks you need to loosen up more. But I've seen enough, I think." Smiling now, she signs, "Now then, we can go back to getting straight to the point, yes?"
Tasha straightens in her seat, blinking and asking, "I need to wha-" before she manages to catch herself and, with effort and some clearing of the throat, manages to settle back. "Right, hokay, straight to the point: We're on this world to investigate planetfall sites -- and other 'sites of opportunity' -- for the recovery and retrieval of lost technologies, records, artifacts, and if there should be a need, rescue. While our search is quite broad in the general sense, my particular line of research -- my special project if you will -- cites two particular objects that we think may be present within the City." Reaching down, Tasha puls off two drawings from the top of her notes and slides them on to the table. "This stone slab and the Seraph Titan."
The Queen looks at the drawing, and signs, "I'm afraid neither of these have been found in the rebuilding and renovation of the City of Hands. What is their significance?"
"It's largely cultural, possibly with religious significance and a certain line of thinking within the Expedition Fleet. My records on the stone are largely incomplete, but it may hold some form of records, or other data, that would be worth investigating. As for the Titan, I believe it is the brother of my own Titan, at least, it once was; what it is now, I cannot say without inspecting it," explains the young explorer. She reaches over and touches the suggested image of teh Titan. "This is just a mockup; we have no actual record of its original appearance, but it's safe to say it would look like a statue, probably a Silent-One statue, with wings."
"And these two are linked in some way: the stone and the Titan?" Jade-Eyes asks.
"Possibly. However, the link between them is more of suposition than factual reality at this time, and that's why I'm here: to find out, both about them as individual units, and together," Tasha replies.
"I will see if any of the former Twelve-Times-Twelve recall such a stone," the Queen signs. "However, the Seraph Titan is a legendary power, that was sealed away for good reason; only to be used in the direst of emergencies. My own sister did not know of it - or else chose not to use it - when the City was under attack."
"I am not unaccustomed to working with powerful objects and technologies. I purposely stepped down from a leadership position and turned the technologies I had at my disposal to the formation of the second Joint Expeditionary Force, specifically so that the technologies of the past and mysteries that still remain in these worlds would be explored, examined, and then provided to the nations and peoples of these worlds, to the betterment of us all. If I had desired to abuse the power at my disposal, the consequences would have been far reaching," Tasha explains in a near calm, but there's an edge in her coice as she continues until she sounds somewhere between frusterated and tired. "Every discussion I have of these things comes to power, and you're hardly the first to ask. If you desire proof, then look at what we have done and judge us by our acts."
"Would you take claim of a Boomer and say it was for the betterment of all?" the young Queen signs. "The Seraph Titan is a weapon. There is no other use for it. Whatever it may have been originally, it is now only a means of destruction - for any who possess it. If it is uncovered, and awakened, then my struggling country will be stomped into dust by the great powers of this world, just as any nation known to possess a Boomer would be. My own life, and those of my family, would certainly be forfeit, for only we of the royal line can access it. It is not a question of your own ethics or responsibility."
"That remains true whether we seek it or not. Sooner or later someone will get it in their mind that they want the power it represents, and they will come for it. Perhaps it will be because they think they must, or to protect something; it may be greed or notions of Empire. So long as it remains here, here is where they will come to seek it. And eventually, someone will succeed in finding it. Times past. Empires crumble, then rebuild, and crumble again. It has lasted thousands of years. It will still be here when someone finally comes to take it," Tasha explains, trying her best to restrain her frusteration and focus on empathy. "It will not go away, because you close your eyes."
Pulling in a deep breath, Tasha stares down at the Titam, tapping her fingers as she thinkings a moment, then says, "What is safer? A spear hidden, or a spear with no head? A hidden bomb, or one that has been defused? Let us remove it from here, and we will study it for what it can still give the world -- not weapons, not power, but useful technologies. The chance to allow machinery to function alongside magic. We will then either dismantle it, or seal it where it cannot be recovered, at least not without significantly more risk these cities present."
"Do you have the means for disassembling it?" the Queen signs next, looking rather straight-faced. "Where would you take it, if you had the means?"
"I have the original design schematics for my own Titan, of which the Seraph, being its brother, was once based. Whatever was done to it, the Serpah still must retain some of its core functionality and designwork. It originally had other purposes and ... hidden programming, for these purposes. Purposes hidden even from the Fleet leaders, by its Khattan makers. I possess ... well, significant Khattan resources, which can be used to dissassemble it. Moreover, I can place it where only a starship can potentially reach it, and even then, were that ships's defenses breached, I can oder emergency procedures to destroy the Seraph. More than likely, no one will ever know its hidden perch in the stars," Tasha explains.
The cheetah's eyes go wide at this claim. "You must think that it can be flown into orbit then?" she signs. "I do not know the capabilities of your Titan, or how much of the original remains in the Seraph. The location of its vault was supposed to be passed down via a secret order of monks, but.. none have come forward. Work on the City of Hands continues, however, and you are welcome to visit and search. As for the stone, if you can tell me more of its significance I may be able to narrow down the locations it may be at. Is it an Expedition artifact?"
Inwardly, Tasha releases a mental breath she thought would never come out. Giving a Queen what Nora would call a "hard sell," wasn't at all what she had planned on, or even with dare to consider. But somewhere, deep in her frusteration over the endless politics, questions of trust, and endnless temptations, a part of her snapped. "It is possible that it can be flown in to orbit. It clearly draws off these worlds for power, so with enough speed it should be able to reach escape velocity. I will just have to ensure the trajectory is correct and prepare for long trip. After nearing Abaddon, I will make contact with out support and move the Seraph to its new housing. That is, if everything works according to plan." She snapped at a Queen. She isn't sure if she's become increadibly gutsy or just so fed up with the endless personal tests she plowed through the fence of caution, in to the wall of concern, over the mountain or regret to a paradise in the land of the unlikely. "The stone is, well, a sup
a supposed Progenitor artifact. Not confirmed, but suspected."
"Is Progenitor another term for First Ones?" Jade-Eyes signs, looking for elaboration.
"Yes and no. The Progenitors, like their name suggests, are the supposed procreators of one or more of the sentient species of the universe, You can see why I now hesitated to elaborate too far -- there's a definite religious undercurrent to research in this field, and I don't want to convey the wrong intent. Lacking any clear analysis, they could very well be from any of the so-called 'First One' cultures that existed before our own. It's something I'd really like to investigate, but as I said, it's not something you can just come out and say, especially in a culture that is often steeped in religious tradition, such as your own." the young explorer explain, and as she leans back to setle her hands in her lap, she adds, "They are sometimes called 'Origin Markers.'"
"There must be some purpose to them to justify such effort to find them," Jade-Eyes notes. "As well as a reason to suspect one would be found in the same location as the Seraph. Does Strength-of-Stones know of this purpose?"
"It wasn't something we discussed, but then I don't make a habit of debriefing our patrons on every little research interest. They're more concerned with tangible, useful results than ancient stones. And, as I said, the artifacts are simply part of our mission here, they're simply a more defined part because they appear to have been scattered across the Fleet along with the Magi. Because records were kept, and because they're so specific and interesting a find, they are natural 'lodestones' for our exploration efforts. The focus is actually personal, rather than JEF wide -- it's something I stumbled on early in my exploratory career and it's been ... well ... " Tasha smiles, giving a little shrug. "You could say it haunts my dreams.
"If this 'Marker' is to be found, you can take it," the Queen agrees, and sits back in her seat. "I will be returning to the City of Hands tomorrow. You are welcome to come along. I dream of a day when the City will be a city again, without dangerous artifacts and technologies. It does not help that I am officially the leader of the largest Silent-Ones colony outside of the homeworld."
"With luck, maybe we can take some of that burden off your shoulders. I think I implied it in my earlier review, but we don't propigate weapons technologies. We study them for any material benefits, archieve them, and then either destroy them or lock them away if we believe there may be a need for them in the future. Briefing leaders of dangerous technologies and dismantling them -- if possible -- is all part of our efforts. We have special knowledge of Expedition technology, as well as contacts with the Mages' Guild and other powers, to deal with most threats." That said, Tasha then inclines her head. "Thank you for letting us take the Marker. I'm sorry if I was a bit, well, harsh regarding the Titan, but I wouldn't press so hard if I didn't believe it was for the best. I know it has to be hard for you here, and I hope even after we leave that you can think of us as being here to assist you, if you should need us in the future."
"Thank you for the offer," Jade-Eyes notes. "If you need to communicate with Abaddon, I can arrange that for you."
"Tell the Archon he's right," Tasha suggests with a grin.
"Just that, or right about anything in particular?" the Queen of Xenea signs, with a slight smirk on the left side of her muzzle.
"I think he'll understand," Tasha replies, her grin widening. "We may need to contact Abaddon if we have the Seraph and we do decide to remove it to Abaddon."
"All such communications are done at the City of Hands, via the Tabernacle," the Queen notes. "It is not a fast process, but it is faster than the mail."
"Having made the walk, I can atest to that fact," the half-Vartan says, her grin finaly breaking in to a smile. "I figured we'd be using the array on the downed Silent-One ship. Which reminds me, some of the rumors ... Walls eating people? People turning in to monsters? I get the impression that no longer happens?
"Not since my sister Emerald-Eyes convinced the former Priest-King to.. move on, and die," Jade-Eyes replies. "However there are still unexplored ruins, which are likely trapped."
"Well, I suppose complete safety would be boring. During my last expedition I nearly got eaten by a giant vermite. And a Forbidden Zone ... And probably lava. It's these little things that turn research in to adventure." The cadet barks a laugh, and also wiggles her ears.
"Lava?" Hakeber asks. She's somehow appropriated Tasha's glass of wine. "There's going to be lava?"
"It's a recurring theme with Tasha, don't worry about it," Aaron notes. "She's naturally attracted to volcanoes."
Tasha looks at Hakeber, then to her glass -- or where it was -- then back to hakeber before blinking. "How did you ..? And, well, I guess volcanoes and I have a long history together. It was a volcano that introduced me to Gabriel."
"If we are finished here, I still need to prepare for dinner," Jade-Eyes says, standing up. "Please be in the courtyard at dawn if you wish to travel with me. There will be tea and pastries."
"I cannot turn down pastries," Gabriel claims, standing when the Queen does. Aaron and Hakeber follow after.
Looking back to the Jade-Eyes, Tasha nods and stands as well. "We'll be on time. Thank you again for having us, and for taking time out of your busy schedual for listening to our requests. Please enjoy your dinner." And then she bows.
"I hope to," the Queen signs as she leaves. "I have a new recipe to try out."
"Well, I think that went well," Tasha tells her follows as she looks between then, but Gabriel can smell her anxiety, and a tinge of apprehension.
"You did press her a bit hard," Gabriel says, coming over and rubbing Tasha's shoulders.
Tasha makes an incomprehensible gurgle as her shoulders are rubbed and she doesn't even try to hide the fact that she's enjoying it. She practically thumps in to Gabriel's chest. "I know," she whispers several seconds later. "I regretted afterwards, but by then it was too late. Between the politics, the threats from a thousand angles all just out of view, history, suspicions ... i think I just snapped. I still can't believe I gave a Queen the hard sell. It'd serve me right to get an assassin. She's just trying to protect her people."
"Uh, I didn't want to mention this earlier," Hakeber says quietly, "so as not to make you nervous. But when Jade-Eyes was gone to Zion, it was because she was in the final running to become the Archon. Of all the Silent-Ones worlds. She stepped down to support someone else though."
"Oh ... " Tasha takes Gabriel's hands from her shoulders and moves them over her eyes. "Just toss me off the nearest cliff on the way to the hotel, please."
"I mean, I wasn't just seducing those cats because they were cute," Hakeber admits to Aaron, who just rolls his eyes and sighs.
"Let's get a hotel room or three," the Lapi says, clapping his hands together. "And something to eat. I'm hungry!"
"You can have my stuff when I'm dead," Tasha insists from behind Gabriel's hands. "Except Melchior. And Gabriel. Please throw them off with me. Unless Nora gloats ... then throw her off as well."
Tasha says, "Sure. :)"