The stars are incredibly bright at midnight out here, with the fast, low-orbiting moons throwing ever-changing double shadows. Finding specific coordinates in the dark would be a major challenge for Tasha, especially if she had to land in the dark, but luckily her destination is illuminated by the flicking light of a campfire.
As she gets closer, Tasha can make out a small land vehicle, all bare tubular skeleton with an exposed engine and oversized, puffy-looking wheels - built for speed over rough terrain but completely unarmored as a result. Next to this are two canvas folding chairs, one of them occupied by a human wearing a heavy trenchcoat and a helmet with an attached gas-mask, making the person look a bit bug-eyed as a result. A long-barreled rifle is resting across the figure's knees, but his hands aren't doing more than resting on it.
The half-Vartan lands with a thump of hooves before the fire, drawing up to full as she straightens from the landing.
Tasha is in her own armor, its outline only partially concealed by expansive heavy cloak she brough to help make her departure from the city seem unremarkable. This close, in the flickering fire, the metallic gleam of her expession Karnor-faced helmet is clearly visible. With the bulk of her armor and the long shadow cast by the fire, she seems larger than she really is.
"I'm here," she says in a low voice, done more to start the conversation than any need to announce her presence.
"I can see that," the man replies without moving. He has an odd accent, like a Chronotopian. That and the mask make his voice sound harsh. "Please sit. I have no refreshments to offer."
"Don't worry about it," the armored woman says as she walks over. The chair is pulled out a ways to make room for her wings before she takes her seat. "This seems like an unusual meeting?"
"There is nothing seeming about it," the man notes. "It is very unusual. As are you, fittingly. You want to know about The Book. Not many outside of the Kampfzengruppe know of its existence."
"I've been told I'm well informed," the young woman remarks as she settles back, head laying against the side of the truck as she looks up in to the sky. "Is asking about the Book going to be a problem?"
"Asking is not a problem," Captain Herschel notes. "Getting answers is. This is our bible, after all. What are you prepared to offer in return?"
"What do you want?" Is the inevitable reply.
"A better assignment, which you cannot grant me," the human says, and actually chuckles. Tasha didn't know the Kampf could chuckle. "Realistically, if I could have anything - I would want a way to make me and my men disappear, such that nobody would try to look for us."
"I can't guarantee no one will ever look for you, but I can certainly help you disappear. The worlds of the Sinai System are open to me, and if that is not enough, I can potentially see you leave this System. You would be one your own once outside it, however," the young woman offers, her head tilting. The man can just make out the details of her face, illuminated as tehy are by the HUD of her powered armor.
"I would need medical treatment for the men as well," Herschel notes. "I have heard there are places on Sinai in need of mercenaries, where even I may pass as native."
"Permanent or temporary medical treatment?" Tasha asks. Her arching brow is just visible.
"They need to be purged of addiction to Achtung," the officer explains. "Whichever treatment is necessary to accomplish that is what I require."
"Give me a moment." The armored woman reaches in to her cloak, past her swords and the guns tucked near them to a large pouch. She removes a datapad, manipulating it for several seconds. A connection is opened with Harmonia, bouncing to the Bellerophon.
PC Remiel please, Mariel.
"By the way, I admire your concern for your troops," the woman remarks as she awaits the rely.
"Admiration isn't of much use to me," Herschel claims. The tablet takes some time for the relay to connect, and then Remiel Caravelli's face appears in the communication window (although it's static) and text scrolls by reading: Is there an emergency, Tasha?
No, I'm just investigating the possibility of using our resources the treat drug addiction. Would that be possible? We would need to treat roughly thirty men of varied Sinai and Abaddonian species.
"It's a shame you want to disappear. We can always use more hand experienced in dealing with a variety of threats on this world and others, and the Kampfengruppe cannot touch us without risking war with the other nations,/ the woman says as she types.
"Joining your group is not the same as disappearing," Herschel claims. "Quite the opposite. And our presence would not be conducive to improving your image."
"I'd need a sample of the drug to work with, and time to study the men," PC Remiel replies. "Baseline data would help immensely, if there are non-addicted people of the same species available to examine."
"Our image is inclusive, we're not like the nations. We do not turn people away because of species or past. If we did, we never would have gotten off the ground," Tasha explains as she watches her datapad. Then, she shrugs. "I'm not trying to pressure you. I will accept your desires as they are, I guess it's just how I am."
"Forgive me for not wishing to stay on Abaddon," the human notes. "What questions do you have about The Book?"
"Is it possible to view it in its entirety? Context and story is important when trying to descipher individual meaning within the whole of a work," the woman says. She pauses then, typing, then adds, "If not, I am interested in the figures of Adam, Eve, Atum, Ahriman, the Origin Marker of Humans -- which is circular, aye? -- the Hall of Souls and it's supposed location."
I'll pass that on. We'd be taking on board some rough types, so we'll need to arrange some security in advance, as well as transport.
"As far as dealing with the drug addiction, I will show you what is required in a moment if you would rather answer after viewing that," the woman continues.
"What's this about? How soon do you need me to be ready?" the tablet scrolls.
I am engaging in a backroom deal with a Kampfengruppe officer in order to gather more information on the Origin Markers, the Hall of Souls, and the godlike figures associated with them. The officer has requested two things: that he and his men are able to disappear and that they receieve treatment for their addictions, types the hybrid.
"Not a rush then, good," the PersoCom replies. "Get me a dose of the drug, and I get you an estimate on a treatment."
That shouldn't be a problem. Can you formulate a quick list of what you need from him and send it to me? It will help him decide, Tasha requests.
"Just a dose of the drug for now, and a breakdown of species affected by it," the virtual doctor requests.
Looking up, Tasha asks, "With a list of affected species and a dose of the drug we can likely formulate a cure, according to our doctor. I will handle the evacuation of your men when the time comes and we can go over the details later. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes," Herschel agrees, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I can give you a sample before we leave here."
"I'll get that back to medical ASAP then. Do you need me to repeat my questions?" The woman inquires. "Are you comfortable with being recorded? The recording will be for my personal notes, as investigation in to the Book and other related areas is my personnal research project."
"Does that record my voice, or just my words?" Herschel asks.
"It can do either. I'll have it record your words." After enabled the voice-to-text recording (in Vartan), Tasha sends her gratitude to the PersoCom doctor and notes, I'll get the sample to you ASAP. A moment later, and ...
"Done. Ready when you are," she prompts.
"Ask your questions," Herschel says.
"First of all, I would like some context around the Book itself. I have had it refered to by many names, such as the the Book of the Dead, Book of Emerging in to Light, or the Book of Speaking to the Dead. I have heard the book was recovered with the remains of Eve upon Fafnir. What I do not know is the significance of the name, what it elaborates on, or if the Book is a translation and interpretation or verbattim and, eitehr way, how was the informatione xtracted from what is conveyed to be an alien artifact?" Tasha asks, the young woman sitting up and leaning closer.
"And please correct me if any details I have asserted about it are wrong," she adds a second later.
"The Book was indeed found in the tomb of Eve, the mother of Humanity," Herschel relates. "It is written in the ancient Enochian language, and has been translated as best as possible within the understandable context."
"The various names are simply the result of multiple valid translations," the man adds. "Nothing is 'verbatim' as you say."
"Interesting. What is the general style of the book; is it a story, a manual, some sort of record?" Tasha asks. The older human can see her eyes widen in anticipation of the answers, and though he can't quite make it out, the crinkle of her face suggests she's smiling.
"It is all of those," Herschel notes. "Just like any proper religious text. It speaks of the origins of Eve, Adam and the others, their challenges and relationships and how to find them."
"I'm afraid I've never read a religious text. My relationship with the gods has been on a more personal basis," the young woman admits. "So tell me of the characters, who was Eve, aside from the creator of Humankind? Adam? The others?"
"They have many names," Herschel says. "Devas, Angels, Archons, Progenitors and First Ones, to name only a few. They did not give themselves a proper name in The Book, and each one seems unique. Adam was their king, or leader. After an event they call The Fall, Adam sent the others out from Heaven to raise up new intelligent beings, after themselves. The known Universe was empty, with all intelligence wiped out in the cataclysmic Fall."
Herschel can see the woman's brows arch. "I see. What caused The Fall? Why was intelligent life wiped out, and was Heaven affected? How is Heaven differentiated from the rest of the universe?"
The man shrugs, and says, "Those were not covered in the Book. Those who study it in depth - and there are portions that are kept secret - marked this system as being Heaven."
"I've heard that, too. I've also heard that each world is supposedly it's own heaven, numbered by distance from Primus. So, we have godlike or angelic figures that potentially departed from these worlds to sew life in response to a crisis which emptied the universe of sentient life. Eve creates Humans, Ahriman the Naga, Neith the Silent-Ones, Horus Vartans, and so on ... But what of those without Markers, does it speak of them as also beign created?" The woman asks.
"Those who were not created are simply thinking animals," Herschel claims. "Lesser creatures, like the Vykarin. They do not possess civilization, only base culture."
"I see. So they lack something essential to being a 'higher' being, perhaps provided by the Progenitors?" The young woman inquires.
"They were not nurtured," Herschel clarifies. "It is not exactly clear from the texts if the chosen species were created or uplifted from existing beings - like Karnors."
Tasha nods; she's familiar with the debate over the nature and soul of Karnors from the time when they were created. "How did the group relate to each other? It appears Eve and Adam were closer than the others, with Ahriman in some sort of antagonistic role and Neith at odds with Ahriman as well. Horus was said to be a figure of respect, while Mafdet is not described to me and the Progenitor of Titanians not described at all -- I don't even have a name for him or her. Likewise, the identity of the Progenitor associates with the two-sided Marker is not known to me, nor do I know if there are more beyond seven," the hybrid notes.
"Oh," Tasha adds, raising a hand to pause answering a moment, "And is a figure described as 'Lord Yama' or, I suppose, an intermediary, or agent, in charge of death and the recycling of souls mentioned?"
"Vulcan was the one in charge of the Titanians," Herschel informs Tasha. "The group worked to the same purpose, but each for different reasons. Eve wrote of secret agreements between the others, which she was not privy to. Ahriman advocated abandoning their charges once they attained a certain level of development, in order to avoid influencing them too much, and thus having them repeat the sins of their parents. Eve wished to nurture and guide, Mafdet sought wealth and Neith conquest. There were rivalries, and none were allowed to be neutral. It is our belief that Eve was killed because of this."
"They seem very much like us, though I suppose that makes sense given we are their creations -- though I am only parts of two. Were any of the others destroyed? And what sin did the previous sentients carry? Were they also created by the Progenitors?" Tasha asks.
"There is only reference to the Fall; that there is some path that will cause it to happen again, whatever it was," Herschel says. "There is mention of Acmbicu, one of their number killed by her own creations. If others fell to murder, Eve did not know of them. She may have been only one of many victims."
"How sad. Though I suppose I should be relieved there is still something to struggle for, even so high up in the heirarchy of sentient beings. Tell me, when they were done, where did they go? I have heard they returned to Heaven or, more precisely, the Hall of Souls, but I'm not certain of the details not of the nature of the Hall -- if it is an actual place, a metaphor, or what," the red woman asks.
"The Book does not talk of the fate of the others," Herschel explains. "But the Hall of Souls is, we believe, a physical base. We even have an idea of where it is."
"Where do you believe it to be?" Tasha asks, brows arching again.
"The Seventh Heaven; Arcadia," Herschel notes. "Specifically.. well, the natives are difficult to understand, but they describe a city. A city that walks."
"I can honestly say I have never seen such a thing. Cities that fly, yes, but not walk!" Leaning back, the young woman reaches to tap her wrist for some reason, then moves her hands up, pulling her helmet off. A smiling Karnor face greets the human, with blonde hair and red fur. "I imagine this is a mobile base then. Is there a particular region it frequents, or some sort of pattern to its movements?"
"We haven't seen it yet," Herschel claims. "It could be anywhere, and the nature of the landscape is such that any tracks would quickly disappear. The restrictive nature of the Gateway limits the size and amount of materiel we can transport, and we have no airships that can be broken down and reassembled on Arcadia."
"A difficult find, then. Lets say it was found, what could someone expect to find? Are there defenses? Descriptions of what to do when you get there, hwo to reach the Progenitors, any details..?" The blonde asks as she brushes her hair from her faces as the cold wind of Abaddon's air blows.
"The Books says that to reach the Hall, one must possess three of the Markers. They are keys, and even the Progenitors needed them to enter - which suggests that those associated with the uncovered Markers never returned to the Hall."
"Which means they may be out there somewhere, or perished. Or maybe they're watching still," the young woman notes, again turning to lean back and watch the sky. "I wonder what they're like. Maybe we've met them; would we even know? My Khattans contacts tell me they were like us, but greater -- perhaps literally and they were giants. I've seen renditions of them, but they are stylized and probably inaccurate depictions based on contemporary styling." She smiles a litte; a mysterious, ambivalent smile. "So that means Eve would have left her key behind. I know there are others, and it would seem that enough would have returned to at least equal three, or else they would have needed to seek other keys. But several Markers remain, so we can assume that they were not necessary. Does it say how the Markers are used, or what they are?"
"Only that they are keys," Herschel replies. "I assume that when one finds the door, their use will become apparent. Nothing was said that would indicate they were left for us to find. It may simply be that they were left behind when their Progenitors perished or moved on or abandoned contact with Adam."
"But you said the Book describes how to find the gods? Do you mean they it implies how they may be found, or simply describes how they may be found as a component of the story not the intention of the material itself?" Tasha asks.
"It is more a story of where they came from," Herschel says. "It describes the Hall of Souls as their.. home. The Markers are the keys they used to enter. Thought it is not made explicit, it is hinted that there are gods there who never left."
"I have spoken to an entity that claims to represent them, or at least some faction thereof, and acts as a guardian. It has claimed responsibility for the Mutiny aboard the Fleet, and I have had others suggest the Mutiny was caused to prevent access to the Hall by those deeemd unworthy -- that access would result in the destruction of the species of the contact if the contact was deemed insufficent. From what you have said and I have gathered from elsewhere, it seems the The Fall and contact may be one in the same, but of course we can't be sure. I was also told be be wary of what remains inside -- of the Hall, that is. Given all we have discusssed, approaching the Hall seems very risky for all involved, including your people. And that's to say nothing of its defenses ... " Turning back from the stars, the young woman smiles to her companion a moment. "I'm sorry, I'm thinking aloud now. I've asked all I came to ask."
"There is no mention of a threat in the Book," Herschel claims. "Although if the Progenitors were not united, as the Book suggests, then some may wish to prevent others from reaching the Hall, especially if they had broken away from Adam."
"I haven't run in to any hostile Progenitors, thankfully. I have been concerned that they exist, but so far the only remotely concrete contact I have had with them is through an agent that I cannot be certain of. It's mysteries upon mysteries, but at least now I think I have enough information to proceed forward. There are a number of elements that overlap across the sources, and that will have to be enough." Then, the young woman reaches her hand over. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. If there's nothing else, we should probably head back."
It takes a moment for the man to react, but he does eventually take the offered hand, although he only pumps it once. "I'll give you the sample now," Herschel says, and pulls a metal ampoule from an inside pocket of his coat.
Tasha accept the ampoule, sliding it in to one of the many pouches and cases she keeps on her bandolier of a belt. "I'll be in touch with your man, we can arrange transport of several trail subjects to our facilities. Since it will be quite obvious if we travel together, I will likely need to return to gather your men. Have you thought on how to explain their absence, or do you just plan to hide it, and vanish altogether shortly after?"
"My plan is to take them out on an official scouting mission to the nearby Canal," Herschel says. "We are never expected to return from such tasks, and it is far enough that an airship would not be noticed."
"I do not plan to use an airship, unless you intend to bring one. I will be utilizing my Titan to move your men to my ship where we will stay for the flight to our facilities. It won't be the most comfortable of transports, but it will conceal the transfer," the red woman explains. "And my ship is not detectable."
"Contact me as soon as you have results from the drug analysis," Captain Herschel notes, as he folds up the chairs and secures them into his buggy, along with the rifle.
"It will be a few days at least. I will transfer the sample to my CO for transport back to the facility, which should take place shortly after I retrun to the Pit. It may be a day or two before we known the results, but when we do, we can begin to move immediately unless something unexpected happens. I'll also provide you with a datapad during the pickup that will allow you to keep in touch with us and facilitate the wholesale extraction of you and your men. While you and your men are recieving treatment, we can discuss your relocation options," the woman continues as the man prepares.
"That is agreeable," Herschel says, and starts the motor of the buggy. The exposed combustion engine is quite loud. "Be sure to put out the fire before you leave," he offers, and then throws the buggy into gear and dashes off into the night, the headlights bobbing and jouncing as the buggy flies over dunes.
"Probably the friendliest Kampfengruppe member I'll ever meet ... " Tasha remarks to the night air as she turns towards the fire. Rather than put it out, she has a seat beside it, then leans back to watch the sky. Are you watching us ..? Are you stil out there, somewhere, doing what gods do when they retire? Or are you like Nora, tired but holding on?