Volcklon spends the remainder of his evening strolling about the Green Fields, though that uneasy feeling of being watched isn't there this time. Unable to find the gardener Vorilynn he heads back to his room for an early night.
I am on vacation, I should be relaxing.
|
That's who it really wasn't it? He says, not to anyone in particular.
He doesn't expect to still have his Comm or keys, but he checks anyways just in case.
Thought I was a dead man for a bit there... bloody hallucinations... well, they where audio to... and even when I genetically tampered to sense vibrations, I could still feel it... so whatever hit me was a deep probe intrusion... fact that I couldn't even feel it...
He stops himself and mutters.
I'm picking up the inspector's bad habits. Ugh.
”I must admit, Mr. Andrews, you must have really—and I’m using the technical term here—pissed off Miss Cthesa.”
Dr. Lominn takes off a pair of latex surgery gloves as she turns to the man.
”That mirror shard was embedded in your right clavicle. Cuts on Miss Cthesa’s hand indicated that she was wielding it as a makeshift dagger.” The doctor gestures to the shard of glass beside Jacob’s bed.
A knock on the door sounds as Xagyg’s voice echoes.
"Excuse me? I was hoping to see how Cthesa and Jacob were going... Are they in a fit state to have visitors?"
“Yes, Mr. Xagyg, please come in.”
Xagyg comes in from outside of Titan’s Rest, his face colored with worry.
”Now, as I was saying, wounds indicate that Miss Cthesa was wielding the shard, but security footage shows that she was acting in self-defense; you attacked her first,” She fold her arms. ”Care to explain, Mr. Andrews?”
“Yes, Mr. Xagyg, please come in.”
Xagyg enters Titan’s Rest and sees Jacob lying down but awake on an operating table—various stitches along a gash on his right shoulder. Cthesa, however, is still unconscious—she’s hooked up to a heart monitor and has various bandages and gauze wrapped around her left eye.
”Now, as I was saying, wounds indicate that Miss Cthesa was wielding the shard, but security footage shows that she was acting in self-defense; you attacked her first,” She fold her arms. ”Care to explain, Mr. Andrews?”
|
Well, at least she is still alive...
He then (telepathically) sings her a Shirren lullaby, hoping that it provides her with some comfort, even in her unconscious state.
Xagyg then turns his attention to Jacob, waiting to hear what the man has to say (however, he still sends a telepathic message)...
Jacob, Xagyg here - if you need someone to speak on your behalf as your counsel, let me know.
Jacob, Xagyg here - if you need someone to speak on your behalf as your counsel, let me know.
|
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I think I may have to ask you to rep me Inspector...
Out loud, he speaks to the doctor.
As I advised you, I seem to be suffering from some sort of severe hallucitory effects. While I suspect outside influence, due to my brainscan coming back without any indication, I have no evidence at this time. Anything else, I'll have to defer to my counsel... Inspector?
He nods towards his partner. He tries to speak mentally, hoping the inspector picks it up.
You know me inspector. All my weapons are keyed to do non-lethal damage, and I go for knockouts, not kills. She should be fine, assuming I didn't make to many mistakes under the influence of Whatever the hell got me... still doesn't address the problem that I may be a danger to others... even you.
Out loud, he speaks to the doctor.
As I advised you, I seem to be suffering from some sort of severe hallucitory effects. While I suspect outside influence, due to my brainscan coming back without any indication, I have no evidence at this time. Anything else, I'll have to defer to my counsel... Inspector?
He nods towards his partner.
You know me inspector. All my weapons are keyed to do non-lethal damage, and I go for knockouts, not kills. She should be fine, assuming I didn't make to many mistakes under the influence of Whatever the hell got me... still doesn't address the problem that I may be a danger to others... even you.
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|
Alright, then.
He then turns to Dr Lommin.
"I was due to meet Jacob for breakfast, but when I arrived at Contemplation, he and Cthesa were already fighting. Jacob was ranting about the fact that he was in combat with a giant, mutated akata, and as far as I could tell, his conviction was absolute.
I tried interposing myself between the two of them, but Cthesa seemed to be in the midst of her own delusion - she did not verbalise any responses, and she seemed... off... compared to what I know her to be like, normally; I would be interested to hear what she has to say she thought was going on, when she wakes up."
He then sighs.
"Now, obviously, I am not a doctor, but I have traveled with Jacob for some time, and he has never acted like this before, which leads me to believe that the root cause for this erratic behavior is external, rather than internal... unless your scans have turned up something unusual in one or both of them?"
Xagyg then moves over, and gently strokes Cthesa's hand.
"I refuse to believe that this is all simply a tragic accident; there must be something else afoot... and I hate it when innocents are harmed."
He then turns to address Dr Lommin again.
"Would it be alright to stay with her, until she wakes up?"
Alright, then.
He then turns to Dr Lommin.
"I was due to meet Jacob for breakfast, but when I arrived at Contemplation, he and Cthesa were already fighting. Jacob was ranting about the fact that he was in combat with a giant, mutated akata, and as far as I could tell, his conviction was absolute.
I tried interposing myself between the two of them, but Cthesa seemed to be in the midst of her own delusion - she did not verbalise any responses, and she seemed... off... compared to what I know her to be like, normally; I would be interested to hear what she has to say she thought was going on, when she wakes up."
He then sighs.
"Now, obviously, I am not a doctor, but I have traveled with Jacob for some time, and he has never acted like this before, which leads me to believe that the root cause for this erratic behavior is external, rather than internal...unless your scans have turned up something unusual in one or both of them?"
Xagyg then moves over, and gently strokes Cthesa's hand.
"I refuse to believe that this is all simply a tragic accident; there must be something else afoot... and I hate it when innocents are harmed."
He then turns to address Dr Lommin again.
"Would it be alright to stay with her, until she wakes up?"
Dr. Lominn sighs.
”I’m sorry, Mr. Xagyg, but I’m afraid that I cannot authorize that. Your presence at this moment is itself walking along a thin line of legal liability. Mr. Andrews, your surgery is complete, so you are now able to go back to your room—“
“For shame, doctor.”
Entering Titan’s Rest—flanked by a pair of New Elysium security guards—is a familiar face:
”Kane?! What are—“
“Captain Zaphol. And I am here to escort one Jacob Andrews off the premises. He has attacked an innocent civilian; this jeopardizes the safety of all of New Elysium—guest and staff alike.”
Dr. Lominn is taken aback!
”Kane, are you serious—?!”
“Captain. Zaphol. And I am, doctor.” Zaphol gestures to the unconscious Cthesa. ”This man has shot down and seriously injured a guest in cold blood. Surely you must agree that for the guests’ safety such an individual must be detained?!”
Dr. Lominn stares in shock at Zaphol, clearly conflicted.
”I’m sorry, Mr. Xagyg, but I’m afraid that I cannot authorize that. Your presence at this moment is itself walking along a thin line of legal liability. Mr. Andrews, your surgery is complete, so you are now able to go back to your room—“
“For shame, doctor.”
Entering Titan’s Rest—flanked by a pair of New Elysium security guards—is a familiar face:
”Kane?! What are—“
“Captain Zaphol. And I am here to escort one Jacob Andrews off the premises. He has attacked an innocent civilian; this jeopardizes the safety of all of New Elysium—guest and staff alike.”
Dr. Lominn is taken aback!
”Kane, are you serious—?!”
“Captain. Zaphol. And I am, doctor.” Zaphol gestures to the unconscious Cthesa. ”This man has shot down and seriously injured a guest in cold blood. Surely you must agree that for the guests’ safety such an individual must be detained?!”
Dr. Lominn stares in shock at Zaphol, clearly conflicted.
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|
"Understood. It is difficult, because I am a colleague of one, and friend of the other..."
His voice trails off, and he (inwardly) sighs when Zaphol enters the room.
Here we go again...
"Jacob certainly shot and seriously wounded poor Cthesa, which is a tragedy. However, 'cold blood' is certainly debatable, given that he was ranting about the fact that she was a giant, mutated akata, a fact that any number of guests, and I am sure that the security cameras, can attest to. Clearly, she is not such a creature. Now, I assume that Dr Lommin found no organic cause for such a mistake in Jacob's scans," Xagyg looks to Dr Lommin for confirmation before continuing, "which leads me to argue that it must be a functional problem. As an ex-soldier, Jacob certainly has had more than enough experiences to give him PTSD. Clearly, he *is* dangerous, but simply locking him up won't improve the situation. Jacob is sick, and needs treatment. To that end, I would argue that keeping him under medical observation, either here, or locked in his accommodation unit, would be the most humane thing to do."
"Jacob certainly shot and seriously wounded poor Cthesa, which is a tragedy. However, 'cold blood' is certainly debatable, given that he was ranting about the fact that she was a giant, mutated akata, a fact that any number of guests, and I am sure that the security cameras, can attest to. Clearly, she is not such a creature. Now, I assume that Dr Lommin found no organic cause for such a mistake in Jacob's scans," Xagyg looks to Dr Lommin for confirmation before continuing, "which leads me to argue that it must be a functional problem. As an ex-soldier, Jacob certainly has had more than enough experiences to give him PTSD. Clearly, he *is* dangerous, but simply locking him up won't improve the situation. Jacob is sick, and needs treatment. To that end, I would argue that keeping him under medical observation, either here, or locked in his accommodation unit, would be the most humane thing to do."
Dr. Lominn thinks for a moment before responding.
”He does make a valid point, Captain. I believe you were in the military yourself.”
A slight look of surprise falls across Zaphol’s face before he composes himself.
”Indeed, and while I admit that my time against the Swarm did have an effect on my processing, that does not justify having a delusional, trigger-happy man prone to flashbacks around the guests and potentially injuring them!”
“As much as I wish to not admit it, I wholeheartedly agree. But he is a mentally troubled man, not a serial killer.” The doctor pulls out her comm unit. ”Keys, please relocate Jacob Andrews to an individual room—specifically room 148.”
“Right away, doctor!”
Dr. Lominn puts away her comm unit and turns to address the Captain.
”Mr. Andrews is to be placed under house arrest under your supervision. That way the guests’ safety can be ensured without resorting to brash measures.”
“Hrmp. Fine. Boys, get him to 148.”
The two guards grab on both ends of Jacob’s medical bed and roll him to his new room.
”He does make a valid point, Captain. I believe you were in the military yourself.”
A slight look of surprise falls across Zaphol’s face before he composes himself.
”Indeed, and while I admit that my time against the Swarm did have an effect on my processing, that does not justify having a delusional, trigger-happy man prone to flashbacks around the guests and potentially injuring them!”
“As much as I wish to not admit it, I wholeheartedly agree. But he is a mentally troubled man, not a serial killer.” The doctor pulls out her comm unit. ”Keys, please relocate Jacob Andrews to an individual room—specifically room 148.”
“Right away, doctor!”
Dr. Lominn puts away her comm unit and turns to address the Captain.
”Mr. Andrews is to be placed under house arrest under your supervision. That way the guests’ safety can be ensured without resorting to brash measures.”
“Hrmp. Fine. Boys, get him to 148.”
The two guards grab on both ends of Jacob’s medical bed and roll him to his new room.
”Mr. Xagyg, would you please make sure that Mr. Andrews makes it to his room?”
Jacob makes his way to his new room and due to the time of day, Xagyg decides to turn in for the night.
On his way back, he gets a message from Boron:
+++Ulrikka abandoned the asteroid D-334H in 275 AG, then another company bought out the asteroid 293 AG—the company is known as Eclipse Innovations. Eclipse sold it again in 297 AG to a company called Vercara Holdings. Vercara held the asteroid for another four years before Paradise Resorts bought it and began building New Elysium; the construction finished five years later. Don't know if that helps. I'll be looking for more tomorrow. Err... today. Err... when I can.+++
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"Of course."
After one last, longing look at Cthesa, Xagyg then makes sure that Jacob makes it to his new room without experiencing any... 'accidents'... along the way.
When he receives Boron's message, Xagyg frowns.
Interesting... so the company that is responsible for the 'Keys to Elysium' app, at one time owned this site...? I don't believe in coincidences...
He sends a reply to Boron:
+++Interesting, and troubling. Please, continue the deep dive - 'Vercara Holdings' smells like a shell company to me... Also, try to stay off the Keys app, if you can - it may be nothing, but I don't like the fact that the company responsible for it, once owned this place...+++
Xagyg then calls it a night... although his sleep is troubled, most likely by the horrible events of the day...
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Immediately after completing his morning ablutions, Xagyg goes to Titan's Rest, to check on Cthesa.
"Dr Lominn, I am aware that I should not be here all of the time... but I assume that you will at least forgive a brief daily visit to check on her. Could I impose upon you to at least let me know when she wakes up?"
He then spends the middle portion of the day jogging around the Green Fields, trying to work off some nervous energy.
Xagyg spends the evening canvassing the other guests, trying to find out about any other 'unusual' occurrences.
Sleep (although Xagyg is now making a point of leaving his current phone in the fridge overnight, as an impromptu 'Faraday Cage', in case it is messing with his subconscious, whilst he sleeps)!
Volcklon wakes up. Yesterday wasn't so bad, it could have been worse. Though I should probably speak with Filip as well.
Pulling out his comm device "Siri, can you put me through to set up a meeting with Filip?"
Heading to the bistro for breakfast in the morning while he takes a walk around the loop in the afternoon, followed up by a revisit to the Taste of Elysium in the evening.
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I would like my possessions to stay with the Inspector. No offense meant to you Captain, but I'd just rather my counsel kept my things, some of them have great personal value.
He mentally says to the inspector...
My weapon can be called if I'm in trouble. Otherwise, I'll stay put.
The next day, Jacob engages in some personal exercise routines before pulling up the infosphere to study everything he can about this planet, it's flaura and fauna if any.
Having gone to bed very late , Boron sleeps a bit and wakes, and checks his communicator.
+++Interesting, and troubling. Please, continue the deep dive - 'Vercara Holdings' smells like a shell company to me... Also, try to stay off the Keys app, if you can - it may be nothing, but I don't like the fact that the company responsible for it, once owned this place...+++
Before being carted off, Jacob says I would like my possessions to stay with the Inspector. No offense meant to you Captain, but I'd just rather my counsel kept my things, some of them have great personal value.
He mentally says to the inspector...
My weapon can be called if I'm in trouble. Otherwise, I'll stay put.
*
Xagyg passes by Contemplation and sees notices of the area being “under renovations.”
As Xagyg enters the Titan’s Rest he finds only Rhissona—Dr. Lominn and Cthesa are nowhere to be found. Rhissona seems fully absorbed in the augmentation surgery of Yazeloya and doesn’t notice Xagyg until he speaks.
”The d-doctor is out. N-not s-sure where. C-C-Cthesa woke u-up an hour a-ago. Said s-she needed qu-qu-qu-quiet. S-saw her heading u-ups-s-stairs. P-please l-leave.”
*
As Volcklon sits down for breakfast he finds that something seems off about some of the other guests.
”...buy Dr. Hokorium’s rejuvenating ointment! Guaranteed to heal all wounds or your money back!...”
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Xagyg inclines his head subtly.
Understood, Jacob.
With Rhissona, he bows politely.
"Fair enough. I will leave you to it."
He then sends a message to Cthesa.
+++Hello. You have been through a lot, and I wold like to support you if I can. If you would like someone to talk to, or just want some company, let me know+++
He then continues with the rest of his planned day.
*
Xagyg makes his way to the Green Fields.
Jacob hears a faint pop followed by a hiss.
As Xagyg asks around he notices that many guests seem to be almost openly carrying weapons—mostly small arms—and seem to be quite pale and exhausted.
From a particularly lethargic skittermander he hears that there’s apparently been something going around.
From a thin kasatha he hears that someone seems to have poisoned the food.
From a pale vesk he hears that guards have apparently been going missing.
"Siri, I can meet him where ever he wants to meet."
Sitting down at his table for breakfast he feels something seems off and looks around and begins eating his food. This is almost like the feeling I had in the dream
After having disconnected and deleted the Keys app [ooc]rolls needed? he walks around himself, to find someone to physically order pots and pots and pots of coffee.
He slips a hand-written note under the door of Xagyg's room.
Boron drinks pot after pot after pot...
...and hopefully stays awake all day.
And types types types away at the computer all day, for what was not done the previous day, and digging deeper and checking out Vercara Holdings.
Deleted Keys. Staying off grid for messages when I can. In case they are monitoring. Whoever they might be. I am sure you know about "they". Will be digging deeper. And checking 'Vercara Holdings'. Boron
The witchwyrd coughs and in one-fourth of his hands he finds something disturbing: a shard of glass!
Boron finds that, through various other companies and exchanged hands, Vercara Holdings is indeed indirectly owned by Eclipse Innovations.
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Good. At least someone is on-task!
That causes something that has been hovering on the edge of consciousness, to finally percolate through...
He then writes a note on the back of Boron's message, and pops it under the Dwarf's door.
Eclipse Innovations is a large yet relatively unremarkable research company—based in the Vercite city of Cuvacara—that specializes in diverse technological and magitech inquiry and application.
Whatever this 'mania' is, it is spreading - lots of guests, and even the staff, appear to be suffering...
From what I have been able to piece together, I think that the 'Keys to Elysium' App is a beta-test for a larger deployment of similar tech on Verces - if the app *is* responsible for the bizarre behavior around here, that does not bode well for the future. We need to get to the bottom of this!
After putting his phone in the 'fridge, he then heads to bed.
On a separate note; the back of the note Boron slipped under Xagyg’s door: Eclipse Innovations is a large yet relatively unremarkable research company—based in the Vercite city of Cuvacara—that specializes in diverse technological and magitech inquiry and application.
Whatever this 'mania' is, it is spreading - lots of guests, and even the staff, appear to be suffering...
From what I have been able to piece together, I think that the 'Keys to Elysium' App is a beta-test for a larger deployment of similar tech on Verces - if the app *is* responsible for the bizarre behavior around here, that does not bode well for the future. We need to get to the bottom of this!
Boron slips a new note under Xagyg's door: Confirmed: Vercara Holdings is indeed indirectly owned by Eclipse Innovations.
So: really bad side effect "mania" from over-eager coders --- or deliberate attack? How do we find out?
Then Boron crashes... knowing he'll be exhausted the next day........
Volcklon's eyes go wide as he looks down at the shard of glass. "What is happening?" he stands up tossing the glass down and grabs at his throat. Spitting blood through his mask he can only manage out a single gurgled word. "Doctor..." He hopes someone sends for aid.
EAC: 20 KAC: 21 CM: 29
Stamina: 24/42 | HP: 39/39 | Resolve: 11/11
Spells Used:
(1)
(2)
Arc Pistol Battery 16/20
Trampling Boots 1/1
”Oh gods! Keys, get a doctor!”
Medical assistance arrives to take Volcklon to Titan’s Rest.
Volcklon vision blurs as he falls unconscious.
*
Volcklon wakes up hours later in Titan’s Rest.
Confirmed: Vercara Holdings is indeed indirectly owned by Eclipse Innovations. So: really bad side effect "mania" from over-eager coders --- or deliberate attack? How do we find out?
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Jacob checks to see if there is anything he can do to quick patch the thing. He calls over his comm unit.
Xagyg. Just giving you an update. Don't think I'm hallucinating, but there seems to be a small crack in my window here. I'm gonna make a maintenance call... so just keep an antenna out?
With that, he activates keys.
Keys, I have damage in the window in my room. Please summon security and maintenance crew... I will willingly submit to security precautions to ensure safety of maintenance crew. Please advise the security team that I am asking for them in acknowledgement that I may be a danger to someone who enters, and I want to take necessary precautions.
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I knew it! Finding proof within the coding is probably the only way... unfortunately, it is a little beyond me. I'll continue to talk with the people here, and document what is going on...
Xagyg then spends the entire day 'gathering information', and recording stories, for posterity's sake.
(Then sleep in Phase IV.)
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Inspector, Just reporting on status. I thought I found a crack in the window. I think it's just a trick of the light now, but considering my ongoing mental issues, somebody should probably double check me.
He stops and blinks a few times.
Come to think of it, I could be hallucinating the whole window. Huh. Inspector? I'm gonna lie down before that train of thought gives me to much of a headache thinkin about it. Gonna get some extra rounds of siege in.
He then moves back to the bed with his data pad.
Knew working with the inspector would drive me crazy...
Inspector, Just reporting on status. I thought I found a crack in the window. I think it's just a trick of the light now, but considering my ongoing mental issues, somebody should probably double check me.
A pause.
Come to think of it, I could be hallucinating the whole window. Huh. Inspector? I'm gonna lie down before that train of thought gives me to much of a headache thinkin about it. Gonna get some extra rounds of siege in.
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Xagyg sends Jacob a return missive.
+++cOmmiseratioNS. please, If you need the Rest, you should tAke it. cthesa is out of the medbaY. If you hAve any Further episOdes, Or if anyThing unusual happens, you need to KEep safe, bY any meanS necessary. i Suggest you PlAy it caRefully for The next few days - a number OF other guests have also been negatIvely impacTed By whatEver is going on. with thAt, I will sign off foR thE night.+++
+++cOmmiseratioNS. please, If you need the Rest, you should tAke it. cthesa is out of the medbaY. If you hAve any Further episOdes, Or if anyThing unusual happens, you need to KEep safe, bY any meanS necessary. i Suggest you PlAy it caRefully for The next few days - a number OF other guests have also been negatIvely impacTed By whatEver is going on. with thAt, I will sign off foR thE night.+++
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I keep telling him we should just establish our own...
He sighs and looks at the window, inspecting it for that crack again.
Looks like I'm sleeping in my suit tonight. He grumbles as he takes rolls some pillows under his bed for a simple facimile and then takes one of them as he lies down behind it so he is hidden from the door.
And here I thought i'd get an actual vacation...
Volcklon wakes up in the infirmary back at Titan's rest. Blinking he looks around and tries to sit up. First making sure he is strapped down to the bed. His weak voice calls out. "Help. Is anyone there?"
EAC: 20 KAC: 21 CM: 29
Stamina: 0/42 | HP: 0/39 | Resolve: 7/11
Spells Used:
(1)
(2)
Arc Pistol Battery 16/20
Trampling Boots 1/1