Isama checks to see if her and Ophelia's are bearing fruit on Constance.
Then either way she looks up and says We need ta have another chat with the director and check on these soul doll horror shows of his
Finally Castor has time to check the cage.
"Soulbound Mannequin" he whispers absently as he hears Isama.
Squeeky returns to his master. "Iwasextracareful, master. Itis subduedinthisroom." Castor chuckles and answers "Good boy"
Once a decision is made to either have Hossiter-Bot cloak in her Magic, or disguise one of the other Clockwork Sentries as a damaged Gardener, the decoy is sent out into the Garden. Mia watches from a Window on the first floor to get a good view of the onlookers, and tries to see if anybody shows too much interest in what the decoy is doing.
Afterwards, the remains of the original gardener need to be checked for tampering. Mia was very good at taking Constructs apart, but her theoretical understanding was limited. Still, her skills could be of use as assistant.
Before heading back to the guard station, while cleanup is underway, and the academie checked thoroughly, the head sorcerer questioned and the confiscated remains transported away, Daria mixes into the crowds...if anybody was suspicious earlier, when the False Gardener was released, she will try and gain information about that person/group first. Otherwise she will ask when the garden started being so dry, if the Sorcerers have any obvious enemies/rivals/if someone was kicked out, and if someone ever saw someone tampering with a construct, or treespassing in the garden.
If any clues come up, she will pursue those. A formal investigation may not be in order here, but the more they had to hand in during debrief, the better...
"So. That's the report."
"Turns out 'Hossiter' couldn't take on any shape but that of her mortal form. She did agree to some quick disguise - not sure how convincing it was, but it seemed reasonable. We all kept an eye out, but no-one seemed surprised."
We took the bodies - sorry, the scrap - back here for examination. It was pretty clear the two killed - uh, destroyed - in the basement had been decapitated, then dragged into a pile, partially disassembled, covered in oil and burned. Looks to have been done by a large, sharp scythe. Given what the gardener did to the manservant it attacked when it was leaving, it's the primary suspect."
Looks like it used the rare metals from their construction to lure the ooze-things out of their nice warm cage. We stopped it opening the Hound's cage - I've put a note in Diene's record about that. Found out later there's some sort of last ditch trap. If the circle is broken the fire that started was supposed to ash the whole zoo instantly. Someone needs to talk to them about their security."
"I'm resigning."
"It happened again. At least no-one died - but Constance only just made it. Magic kept her alive, but it couldn't grow her skin back properly. Thirus nearly died. Diene nearly died."
He sighs "I thought I was making a difference in this damn city. The Law might have trouble, but..." he sighs again "I've been cut off. Archon was pretty clear what he expected, and I said no. Not even sure if I was right. I'm going back to the Worldwound. Thirus has volunteered to come with me - I think he's decided a paladin code doesn't really work in Qantium."
"The others are going to come in in a moment, give their thoughts. I'd prefer not to be here when they do. They're good. You've got my recommendations."
"Can't say it's been a pleasure - but you've been a good boss. When I worried about the shades of grey that make up this damn city, you were always one of the whites. Good Luck. I might be heading into an abyssal invasion, but I think you need it more."
"I've quit. Lieutenant's waiting for you when you're ready." he says brusquely. "Go on in. Any heat, blame it on me."
"Thanks, Sergeant...for what you did for Thirus, and Constance...all of us, really. I apologize for doubting your dedication!"
Mia salutes in front of the resigned Sergeant, even if that was a breach of protocol.
After he leaves, she stand at the door to spooky's office, ready to go in but clearly hoping she won't have to be the first to enter.
"You, sir, need to take things a mite easier on yourself. World's not all on your shoulders. Those have enough weight." Diene bonked his massive pauldrons. Her tone was mostly playful banter, but there was a hint of harshly finding of it as a grating flaw.
"It has been an honour to serve!" Ophelia chimes sadly at the former sergeant.
Having observed enough interactions between humans of various sorts and qualities, she felt as if she what was expected. But the big hug she then gave the poor sergeant wasn't as warm as it should be - due to them both effectively being clad in metal. It was, at the very least, noisy. Hmm. I think I need more practice here... Hopefully, the gesture came across at the very least.
"Good luck." With the quick parting words she hurried onwards into Spookys office.
"So you really made up your mind. I am sorry we are loosing you but I wish you best of luck. I am glad I had the chance to serve under your command, Sarge. Thank you for teaching me the basics. Take care." Castor says goodbye to Abel.
Isama gives the former Seargeant a salute. Sorry for, uh, getting you in the Inheritor's bad books sir. I'm sure you'll get back in the good ones right away.
"Oh, I guess I should have been more careful. Someone knows what we are doing and he does not like it..." Castor says as he prepares to go.
The sergeant pauses.
"You're good people. All of you. It's going to take a day to organise transport. How about we meet up for one last round of drinks." he smiles wanly "I've got to do a pile of paperwork before I can leave. Not sure what they're going to do if I don't though - fire me?"
"Anyway, go on in."
"Hah, now I am down for that! You've got the right idea." Diene nods, before heading on in.
Castor: Junior Guard Sorceror
Ophelia: *cough* *cough* Guard
Mia: Junior Guard Sorceror
Isama: Junior Guard Sorceror
Diene: Junior Guard
Spooky looks up as Diene enters. Once again he is against his window, but this time he gestures to a seat.
"Junior Guard Diene. Take a seat. Abel spoke highly of you."
Diene nods as she slides into her seat. "Fair enough. I expected as much." She gave a wink with a slight exaggerated hair swoosh to follow. "I mean, I was on fire."
As everyone else enters Spooky greets each in turn.
"Junior Guard Sorcerors Castor, Isama and Mia. Ophelia"
"I had the report from Abel. I take it he told you he's retiring?" "Anything else you want to add? This is off the record, and I'm interested in your impressions as well."
"Abel was... Indecisive. We effectively didn't have a leader. We were disorganized, slow to come to decisions, and three of us nearly died. He's steady, I'd have him as part of my crew any day, but I wouldn't want him leading."
"On other notes, I've got a lead to look into. The modus operandi fits the bill of some others I've encountered before. It was unfortunately at that sweet spot of juuust obvious enough that I'm not sure if it was a frame up or a false trail, or if it's the real deal."
Mia will hide behind Ophelia and remain silent. (assuming gather information turned up nothing worth mentioning)
"Sir, our inquiries in the matter did not manage to dig up much, but it would seem the Sorcerers were in a sort of feud with someone having access to a Blight Hex. As far as I know about those, their effective Radius is quite limited, so if nobody was trespassing on the grounds, we would be looking at a rather powerful individual to affect the whole garden from a few access points on the outside."
Having said her thing, Mia ducks back behind Ophelia.
Isama nods. We saw two groups of arcane types almost get into a tussle when we got to the fire. Had to calm 'em down to get any info on what could be going on in there. Think maybe it was a prank that got out of hand with someone messing with the gardener machine and letting it loose
"The Archon was clearly not pleased at his predicament. However, it should have shown proper manners and not distracted Abel in his duty." Ophelia shifted her stance a bit, crossing her arms. "I am contemplating filing a complaint at the Inheritor's temple, but I am unsure if it would be ... effective."
"Well, if it is really off the report..." Castor clears his throat "I shall recount the whole action..." and he goes off to tell Spooky EVERYTHING that happened from the moment the group arrived at the scene to the moment they left the house...
*Daria completely vanishes behind Ophelia when Castor reaches the point where she tried to mutineer against the Sergeant*
"Sir, if you wanted to make it easier, just promote someone else to Sergeant, and tell us Castor's in charge anyway. Our orders come from you, not from badges." Diene had been leaning back a bit in her chair as the story went on. As it went on and on and on, Diene's balance became more and more precarious, as she leaned further and further back. By now, all it would take is an unexpected gust to send her slamming into the floor.
Sir... shouldn't we be concerned that this 'construct' squad is as much a risk as the Gardener was? When did the Academy come into possession of that machine anyhow?
Somewhat relaxed that no punishment seemed to come her way...at least not right away, Mia peeks out from behind Ophelia again, asking the Captain:"If the Gardener was just leased...do we know who was responsibly for it's maintainance? The owner, or the Academie?"
"Thank you... I guess" Castor reacts. Leading these people could be called mission:impossible. I do envy the Sarge. He only has to fight demons now. He raises an eyebrow when he hears Diene. Should I? No, too childish.
"Is there anything we should know before meeting the owner?" he turns his attention back to Spooky and the recent case.
"I realise the squad's more... collegiate than most. Castor's got the most experience" he doesn't look at Ophelia "so for now he's in charge. Hopefully we'll have time to sort things out before something else blows up."
"Is the construct squad a risk? Maybe. They're also highly advanced, don't get paid, and work around the clock. I admit I'm not keen on just having them wander round by themselves, though. It's up to headquarters - he didn't donate them to us."
"As for who it is, it's this new goblin wizard undercutting the existing artificers. Apparently there's been threats before this. Words out to treat him gently, but if he asks to speak to my investigators its not our fault if we happen to learn something."
"Ooooohkaay. Yup. He's the one responsible." Diene's eyes open up wide in surprise at the mention of it being a goblin.
Alright sir, we'll pump him for information. friendly like
In a very timid voice, Daria repeats her question:"Sir, do we know who did maintainance on the leased construct?"
If the Gardener was outside the academie regulary, then it was easy to tinker with it...and that makes THIS tinkerer a prime suspect...funny...because he definitely tinkered with it...being a tinkerer...jeez, girl, your sense of humour really is pityful.
"I certainly don't know. There's no record for that sort of thing. You'll probably have to ask around."
"Let us face the enemy" Castor smirks.
"Good afternoon. I'm here to collect the construct parts. Might we talk somewhere more..." he pauses "Private."
If your eyes were closed it would be impossible to think this a goblin. The speech is clear, polite, and with a faint Taldan accent.
The man himself is dressed as any professional craftsman, but the clothes have hints that reveal how expensive they are.
Diene gives him a solid look over, being more attentive to people and clothes than she usually is. Then, she glances up to Castor expectantly.
Castor raises an eyebrow at the sight of the unusual Terra Cotta soldiers.
He smiles at the goblin and answers: "Good afternoon, sir. I am Junior Guard Sergeant Drey. I am sure a room can be arranged. Unfortunatelly it will be one of the larger interrogation rooms, if you do not mind. It is the only place large enough and private enough to accommodate such a crowd." he turns to Diene "Please find out, which of the rooms is available"
"Yessir." Dienne gives a quick two finger salute before heading off to inquire.
With clasped hands Ophelia follows Castor a few steps behind with a neutral expression. It wasn't often she got to meet constructors of constructs - even less often one that might be suspected for foul play. Better not give anything away ...
"Pleased to meet you, Sergeant. By all means let us adjourn to the interrogation room for now. Would it be possible to have the parts brought in as well? I'm quite keen to investigate."