She turns and rolls her eyes at Sammad's comments. "After everything we ran into on that ship, you're worried about a few jackbooted rent-a-cops taking potshots? We were mostly worried about the civilians, but the truth is you saved the lives of those goons. They'll realize that by the time they get back to Kaer Bastard or whatever they call their hideout." With that, she returns her attention to figuring out what she thinks is the real crisis: why is the infosphere down?
Sammad turns to Marisol in response, his eyes narrowing at her remark. "Walking into an unknown situation for the promise of gains tangible and intangible is a very different thing than walking into a near-shootout for nothing-especially considering the potential consequences would have affected innocents, as I said." He sighs, closing his eyes for a moment. "At least it ended well, thanks to my diplomatic expertise."
Once the matter's been settled for the moment, she listens to the conversation with the others. When Sammad chastises Flint for getting involved, she scoffs.
"Hero complex? Sammad, please, if you should be concerned about anyone in this group having a hero complex it's me!"
Sammad glances towards Bel, muttering under his breath. "I can be concerned about both of you, if it comes to that..."
"Sammad said they're Brass Dragon mercenaries. Figures that a group of fascist edgelord LARPers wouldn't have the numbers or guns to take over the bubble themselves. In come the fighters who value money over discipline, and you've turned your movement into an occupation. Probably the first to go if the Collective solidifies power here. We can't let that happen."
Then she stops, and though her shades hide it, the others can tell her eyes just widened with realization.
"That means they'd have needed creds to hire them...or they're on loan from someone ELSE who payed for them. Someone else who wants to make sure the Collective succeeds!"
Sammad blinks as Bel finishes speaking, realization dawning on his face. "A sobering thought...a mercenary force capable of competing with the Dawn Patrol doesn't come cheap-and anyone willing to employ them clearly values success above all else. Whoever's pulling the strings here is someone to be feared...or at least respected as a serious threat."
Flint’s expression darkens as he absorbs the implications of the conversation. Instead of voicing his own concerns, he just redoubles his pace and keeps a wary eye out for other developing...issues.
Dr. Taeress shakes her head, muttering "Damn hired guns." Louder, she adds "With the way he was looking at you Sammad, I was sure this was going to turn into a shootout. I think it would've if they thought they could get away with it."
When Bel shares her thoughts, Dr. Taeress agrees "Right. Mercenaries like that don't come cheap. Though it's not possible to rule out the Collective itself having hired them. Unlikely, but not impossible."
With the crowd continuing their protest in the streets, Dr. Taeress takes the lead once more to guide you to the DCI HQ. You see a few more Collective officers in the streets, always in small groups and accompanied by at least one Brass Dragon. To Taeress' obvious relief, the few non-lashunta you see out and about are unmolested, and you don't come across any other altercations.
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You approach a large unassuming freestanding office building fronted with steel and peach colored stucco. Graffitied over the front of the building in black and red spray paint are the words
in massive letters. A small placard next to the building's front door identifies it as the "Deep Cultures Institute Primary Research Division Headquarters". The doors have been messily welded shut, but the glass panes of each side have been shattered and you can see a dark interior. Inside, you see a mess of broken glass and broken office furniture as well as further vandalism.
A small group of humanoids of a mix of races mill around the entrance to the building. They give occasional glances out into the street as if watching out for something. As soon as you get close enough, Dr. Taeress raises a hand and gives a shout.
"Aran! What in the hells happened!?" She jogs forwards to meet the group as they break into relieved smiles.
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After a few initial questions, Taeress offers introductions between your team and the assembled group. She indicates each of you in turn, offering names, before describing your role in helping Far Station recover the Breath of Embers. She slaps a lab coated shirren on the back, saying "And this here is Dr. Aran Nokorokt, my old mentor!" as she grins at your group. The shirren bows extremely low, chittering as he speaks telepathically "Ah, I have ever so much to thank you for. Young Suloro is safe and sound thanks to your protection. And you've done a great service for the advancement of our scientific explorations as well."
He directs his antennae towards Dr. Taeress "It is dreadfully unfortunate that we can't celebrate your return, Suloro. The Deep Cultures Institute's days are numbered. What you see here is all that remains of our staff... the rest, rounded up like common criminals and taken to Clearlight with the others who resisted the new order. The Sunrise Collective have turned that demi-bubble into a militarized stronghold, with Horizon House as the seat of their power." Aran continues with a sad murmur in his telepathy "Many friends and colleagues are now being kept there against their will while Zeylan Trinipol decides just how willing he is to purge those who do not agree with his madness."
"Those of us who are left were considering the possibilities..." The shirren scientist jerks upright "Ah! Suloro, please do not panic when I tell you this, but Nib... She may be in serious danger."
Taeress squares her jaw. It's clear she's already mentally prepared herself for this news.
"Nib didn't want to even consider leaving Asanatown without the rest of our colleagues. While we were deliberating, she armed herself and headed to Clearlight station. The last we had heard, she'd been captured by the Collective and was being held at Checkpoint Laubu, the old police station."
Taeress balls her fists. "Then I'm going to get her out of there."
As the group approaches the Institute, Ordyt scowls at the graffiti and destruction inflicted on lobby. "Why is there so much anger from the lashunta, Dr. Taeress? Surely this can't all be a response to the Surge..."[b]
When he is introduced to Dr. Nokorokt the oread politely inclines his head, and listens carefully to the ensuing conversation. [b]"I apologize for the interruption, Dr. Taeress, but I don't think I quite understand. Who is Nib, and what possessed them to go confront this Clearlight Station alone?"
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You approach a large unassuming freestanding office building fronted with steel and peach colored stucco. Graffitied over the front of the building in black and red spray paint are the words
in massive letters. A small placard next to the building's front door identifies it as the "Deep Cultures Institute Primary Research Division Headquarters". The doors have been messily welded shut, but the glass panes of each side have been shattered and you can see a dark interior. Inside, you see a mess of broken glass and broken office furniture as well as further vandalism.
A small group of humanoids of a mix of races mill around the entrance to the building. They give occasional glances out into the street as if watching out for something. As soon as you get close enough, Dr. Taeress raises a hand and gives a shout.
"Aran! What in the hells happened!?" She jogs forwards to meet the group as they break into relieved smiles.
Belmarniss makes a disgusted noise when they arrive to find the graffiti. She marches up to it and waves her hand, erasing the crude message with a token spell.
"It won't fix all the damage, but it's a start," she says. When Taeress indicates the DCI people nearby, she turns and waves as they approach.
After a few initial questions, Taeress offers introductions between your team and the assembled group. She indicates each of you in turn, offering names, before describing your role in helping Far Station recover the Breath of Embers. She slaps a lab coated shirren on the back, saying "And this here is Dr. Aran Nokorokt, my old mentor!" as she grins at your group. The shirren bows extremely low, chittering as he speaks telepathically "Ah, I have ever so much to thank you for. Young Suloro is safe and sound thanks to your protection. And you've done a great service for the advancement of our scientific explorations as well."
Belmarniss bows back to Dr. Nokorot, though some hesitance is clear in her stance.
"It's...it's an honor and a pleasure. I've...heard a number of things about your institution...Suloro...um, may I call you Suloro, Dr. Taeress? She's been steadily proving them wrong."
He directs his antennae towards Dr. Taeress "It is dreadfully unfortunate that we can't celebrate your return, Suloro. The Deep Cultures Institute's days are numbered. What you see here is all that remains of our staff... the rest, rounded up like common criminals and taken to Clearlight with the others who resisted the new order. The Sunrise Collective have turned that demi-bubble into a militarized stronghold, with Horizon House as the seat of their power." Aran continues with a sad murmur in his telepathy "Many friends and colleagues are now being kept there against their will while Zeylan Trinipol decides just how willing he is to purge those who do not agree with his madness."
Hearing Aran's description of the situation makes Belmarniss clench her fists angrily.
"And that madness is? Please excuse me, I'm obviously new here, but what I'm seeing here pales in comparison to even the awfulness I grew up with on Apostae."
"Those of us who are left were considering the possibilities..." The shirren scientist jerks upright "Ah! Suloro, please do not panic when I tell you this, but Nib... She may be in serious danger."
Taeress squares her jaw. It's clear she's already mentally prepared herself for this news.
"Nib didn't want to even consider leaving Asanatown without the rest of our colleagues. While we were deliberating, she armed herself and headed to Clearlight station. The last we had heard, she'd been captured by the Collective and was being held at Checkpoint Laubu, the old police station."
Taeress balls her fists. "Then I'm going to get her out of there."
"WE'RE going to get her out of there, Suloro. I don't know who Nib is, but that you're willing to challenge the Collective to save her, without question or hesitation, that's valor Iomedae would be proud of. You've got my sword and spells! After all, who better to save a damsel in distress than a Knight of Golarion?"
Looking around with concern, Flint speaks a word of caution, "Of course we will help, Doctor Taeress, but can we first get the staff somewhere safe? I fear the streets are a poor location to be planning a rescue mission."
Turning to Doctor Nokorot, he asks, "Is there a safe place for your people to go while we head to the checkpoint? Do you have any schematics or other intel on the Laubu facility that might aid us?"
Ordyt's question falls on deaf ears as Dr. Taeress begins pacing, already deep in thought on how to free Nib from her imprisonment. Instead, Dr. Nokorokt telepathically fills in the details "Asanatown was settled only a few generations ago, primarily by lashunta veterans from the lashunta-formian wars on Castrovel. After the peace treaty was signed, there were thousands of lashunta that went out into the Pact Worlds, trying to apply their military technical skills to civilian life. Many of those initial veterans were followers of Sarenrae, so they came to the then newly settled Burning Archipelago."
"Ah, but I'm going into too much detail, aren't I? Suffice it to say that when the psychic tides began, all those ex-soldiers were already primed to respond with hostility. And they passed that guarded mindset and military-mindedness to their offspring. Zeylan Trinipol and his followers are a product of that environment... a people that feel they have been under a mental siege for generations. And when this recent Psychic Surge struck, the proverbial dam burst."
"It isn't that they're angry per-se. I would characterize them as paranoid and afraid, and channeling that fear into hostility towards outsiders." The shirren bows his head "Though the Brass Dragons are another story. Those mercenaries seem more than willing to injure or kill while they have a mandate to do so." Aran looks to his fellow scientists, who offer up agreements on his analysis of the situation.
To the second question, Aran is again the one who answers "Nib is one of our senior researchers, and Suloro's ex-partner. A year of separation has caused the heart to grow fonder, I would hazard." He points his antennae towards Taeress, and you realize that he was beaming that response towards your group and not towards the others. "Nib is not one to calmly accept fate. Much like Suloro in that respect. She went to argue for the release of our colleagues - violently so."
----
To Belmarniss, Aran responds "I'm well aware of the skepticism most have for the DCI. Between the research we've been doing recently and the findings on the Breath of Embers, I hope we will be able to reverse that impression."
"As for the madness, that would be the Collective's new policy of complete exclusivity. To make Asanatown into a lashunta enclave only. And then, to direct that unity entirely to a crusade against the source of the psychic surge." Aran wilts visibly "It's as though they think their elders haven't been trying to track down the origin of that phenomenon for decades."
And to her assurance of aid, Aran responds "That's... very selfless of you. I am certain Suloro will appreciate your help once she can hear us." The shirren's faceted eyes glitter with mirth. "I wouldn't call Nib a damsel in her earshot however. She's likely to turn guns on you."
----
To Flint's questions, Aran answers "We were just planning where to go and how to stay in contact. No need to mind us, we've got places to stay low for a while until Suloro and Nib can rejoin us." But to the final question, Aran apologetically responds "As an ex-police station, the layout isn't public information."
While Aran is answering your questions, Dr. Taeress finishes pacing and checks something on her datapad. But after a minute of tapping away, she packs the device away in disappointment. She sighs and turns back to Aran and your team "Nothing. None of my attempts to contact Nib or Laubu Checkpoint have had any luck. Did I overhear that you're willing to go there with me?" She addresses Flint and Bel.
"If you want to join me, we'd be going up against the Collective. I can't imagine they'd give up Nib easily. Knowing her, she's done something like shoot one of their members. That means she's only safe until Asanatown's situation gets worse and the Collective gets desperate enough to start killing prisoners." She grits her teeth. "Hopefully, we have enough time..."
"I'm no fighter, and not much of a talker. I'd really appreciate the help."
"If we go in with guns blazing to rescue Nib, wouldn't that trigger the very crisis you're worried about? I'm all for rescuing folk from these Collective thugs, but if that's the route we're going I really do think we should try to contact the Dawn Patrol. Even a bare minimum of coordination could save a lot of lives."
Ordyt raises a hand to forestall any anger from Dr. Taeress. "I'm not saying I won't help, but I also don't be the spark that sets off a conflagration in Asanatown's streets."
"We are most certainly willing to help, Doctor Taeress, but Ordyt is right--we risk igniting this struggle into an all-out war in the streets. Do we have any long range communication equipment that might be able to get a message out to the Dawn Patrol, or perhaps the Radiant Cathedral itself?" Flint says as he assesses the situation, hopefully as they are walking to a safer area for extended conversation.
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"Details are good, you don't win a conflict by working with generalities. What psychic tides are you talking about? Flint mentioned something like that back on Far Station, but as I said, I'm a new arrival and lack the telepathic awareness that lashunta and shirren share...I really need to invest in an aid for that. There's magitech for that, right?" Belmarniss replies. "I don't think, from what I've seen of this Trinipol in that broadcast he sent a little while ago, is scared of this surge...He talks like a megalomaniac dictator...maybe the others in the Collective are paranoid and afraid, but Trinipol seems to be exploiting those feelings for power."
When the conversation turns to Nib, Belmarniss scratches her head.
"EX-partner? What happened?"
At Aran's joke, Belmarniss smirks.
"Damsels who turn guns on you are the best kind of damsels!"
When the group begins to talk amongst themselves, she folds her arms.
"The conflagration's ALREADY ignited, boys. You saw what those thugs were doing, what they did to this place. You're right that we need to be tactical about this, but we NEED to act. And I think getting any word out to the other bubbles would be a non-starter, if what we saw of the infosphere here was any indication. The Collective is probably watching those kind of communiques for 'seditious talk' and to keep the outside blind to what's going on here until they're ready to try their luck at seizing the other bubbles. Marisol and I could TRY to rig something up, but it would probably only be able to send out a short message before we're caught, and it would cost us time that Nib and those other prisoners may not have."
Aran answers Belmarniss' questions with "The Burning Archipelago has been experiencing waves of psychic noise that emit from what we believe to be the sun itself for more than 40 years. As they come and go, myself and my colleagues had taken to calling them tides. They had tended to afflict the psychically sensitive with a generalized anxiety. But the more recent Surge was on a far greater scale. And you've now seen the result."
Now paying attention to questions, Taeress manages something between a scowl and a wince at Bel's mention of Nib being her ex-partner. She opens her mouth, closes it, then says "We used to be together, but Nib's enough of a rock-headed idiot that we're not anymore. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to go save her if I can."
And at Bel's assessment of the situation, Taeress nods "I tried putting in an alert to the Dawn Patrol, but it looks like we're cut off in here. Maybe it'd be possible to get something out on foot, but I'm not so sure the Dawn Patrol would be able to do anything considering their situation when we left Dawnshore." She shakes her head. "Considering history, I'm not so sure they'd do anything even if they weren't busy with their own problems. Asanatown has spurned their involvement many times in the past."
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Turning to Doctor Nokorokt, Flint asks, ”We may be on our own, then. What happened to the Asanatown Militia? Aren’t they the ones supposed to be keeping order here?”
Mari stares in befuddlement at the graffiti before Bel magics it away and she follows the others inside. That doesn't even make sense, we're on the Sun! Everyone here is an alien.
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"I doubt they'll be much help, Cap. Any militia who didn't join up or roll over has probably been spaced by now. For what it's worth, I'm with Bel. Twice already we've been within moments of witnessing a lynching or a massacre, and it's only because of us that things didn't get worse. But what about all the folks we didn't happen to be passing by for?" Mari shakes her head and checks her rifle. "Things are going to get worse around here, regardless. But Nib can still be saved, and it's us or it's nobody."
Looking over towards their resident ifrit, Flint says,”Sammad, you have been quiet. Given the racial tensions involved, we are going to need you and Doctor Taeress to take the lead in most of our interactions with the Collective. What are your thoughts on our situation?”
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"Gods damn it Bel, stop orating for a second and think this through," Ordyt snaps, gemstone eyes swiveling to glare at the drow. "We don't have any idea how many guns the Collective can bring to bear, not to mention these Brass Dragon mercs. Even if win against whoever's at Clearlight Station what's to stop the Collective from launching reprisals against the NCI here, or any other dissidents they can find? Maybe they hold prisoners at other places besides Clearlight, and they execute those people instead, huh?"
The oread pauses for a breath, forcing himself to calm. "I'm not saying the Collective shouldn't be opposed, they obviously have to be stopped. But we've been off the ship here for less than a day! Kicking off a street war wasn't what I had in mind when I came here." Ordyt sighs and slowly shakes his head. "Flint's suggestion about contacting the Militia was a good one, let's at least give them a heads-up so they're not caught by surprise when the lasfire starts."
"Or, we do nothing, and they execute both sets of prisoners since that's what they're building up to anyway," Mari retorts. "They already launched what they see as a reprisal when they came in here, busted the place up, and hauled off their political prisoners. I don't have a problem with trying to contact what's left of the militia, or even waiting on them if you really believe that's necessary. But we all know what road this Collective and their Dragons are on."
Her piece said, the sylph sits in a nearby chair, rifle across her lap. As she gauges the reactions of the others, she thinks to herself, Maybe there's some less-lethal weapons around we can use. At least then we won't be the first ones to resort to lethal force.
The group of scientists starts splitting up, each small group heading to individual apartments. Your group, including Taeress and Dr. Nokorokt, head down into a deserted alleyway to head towards Aran's own apartment. As you voice your thoughts Dr. Taeress turns to Aran "The Captain's suggestion makes sense. What happened to the police? Laubu was a police station, after all."
Dr. Nokorokt rubs the base of his antennae before responding. "It is not entirely clear. Upon the Collective seizing power, the Asanatown police vanished almost overnight. The police were ostensibly reporting to the Town Council in Clearlight, but they've long been rather independent. The retired General Malonio Kam, who once held a seat on the town Council and was instrumental in guiding the town in its early years, was the defacto guiding voice for the police. Of course, there's been no word from him since the Collective took over."
It isn't difficult to imagine that many of the members of the police or other local militias chose to join the Collective rather be branded enemies."
"As for Laubu Station, the police captain there was a lashunta by the name of Maneon. I'm not certain where she falls with regard to the Collective, however."
Sammad looks to Flint, shaking his head slightly. "I'm a diplomat, not a general, but even I know that the 5 of us are no match for an army..." He turns away from the others for a moment, then turns back. "We need more information. And we need reinforcements. But I've no idea how to get either of those in our current position..."
"I share your concern, Sammad. But if we do nothing, the violence will spill over and sweep us along with it anyway. Perhaps if we go to this police station and see if this 'Maneon' can be reasoned with, we will gain some more information...Maybe work the militia angle and see what has happened to their leader, General Malonio Kam," muses Flint aloud.
"If we can get their general on our side, perhaps the militia could become our 'army' against the collective," he adds, turning to Doctor Nokorokt. "Doctor Nokorokt, General Kam may be the key to restoring order here. Could your team make some discreet inquiries as to his whereabouts while we try and rescue Nib?"
"We can ask around about General Kam, but the majority of our members will be planning how to get their families out of Asanatown safely. I'm not sure how much time we can spare. What I can give you however is his address. Maybe those living nearby would know where he is." Dr. Nokorokt beams over the address from his comms device to yours.
"Suloro, whatever you end up doing, please be more careful than Nib was. There's no sense in aggravating the Collective, especially not when the Surge is so fresh in their minds. You might get a lighter treatment due to your race, but you also might not, considering the Brass Dragons' involvement." Dr. Nokorokt gives Taeress an awkward hug and then steps back, looking down the alleyway towards what you presume is his apartment.
”What do you think, Doctor Taeress? A short detour to General Kam’s house on the way to the Loubu checkpoint?” asks Flint. ”Perhaps as a prominent citizen of Asanatown you can get an audience with him,” he adds.
Sammad nods towards Dr. Nokorokt, checking his datapad to confirm that the address has been uploaded. He pauses for a moment, then turns to Bel and Marisol. "You know, I wonder if there's a way to find out where they're monitoring & locking off the infosphere from. You two are the technicians: could either of you manage that?"
"Good thinking Sammad, there may be a hub--physical or otherwise--that we could wrest out of their hands." Ordyt seems pleased that something like a plan is starting to come together. "I support trying to locate and ally with this General Kam, as well."
Mari nods to Sammad. "Might need a better access point than a hand terminal, but I bet I can do that, no problem. If they're sloppy, I could probably turn it back around on them, shut down their network access instead."
After a moment, her face lights up with an idea and she leans forward in her chair. "Or maybe, we can give them false orders! Tell them to gather in the wrong place, or even to stand down!"
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"Gods damn it Bel, stop orating for a second and think this through," Ordyt snaps, gemstone eyes swiveling to glare at the drow. "We don't have any idea how many guns the Collective can bring to bear, not to mention these Brass Dragon mercs. Even if win against whoever's at Clearlight Station what's to stop the Collective from launching reprisals against the NCI here, or any other dissidents they can find? Maybe they hold prisoners at other places besides Clearlight, and they execute those people instead, huh?"
The oread pauses for a breath, forcing himself to calm. "I'm not saying the Collective shouldn't be opposed, they obviously have to be stopped. But we've been off the ship here for less than a day! Kicking off a street war wasn't what I had in mind when I came here." Ordyt sighs and slowly shakes his head. "Flint's suggestion about contacting the Militia was a good one, let's at least give them a heads-up so they're not caught by surprise when the lasfire starts."
Belmarniss is visibly taken aback by Ordyt's chastisement and points a finger at him about to reply indignantly, but she pauses, looking like she's thinking about something to say, thinking better of it, then trying again until finally she lowers her hand and all she manages is an "I'm sorry, Ordyt."
The group of scientists starts splitting up, each small group heading to individual apartments. Your group, including Taeress and Dr. Nokorokt, head down into a deserted alleyway to head towards Aran's own apartment. As you voice your thoughts Dr. Taeress turns to Aran "The Captain's suggestion makes sense. What happened to the police? Laubu was a police station, after all."
Dr. Nokorokt rubs the base of his antennae before responding. "It is not entirely clear. Upon the Collective seizing power, the Asanatown police vanished almost overnight. The police were ostensibly reporting to the Town Council in Clearlight, but they've long been rather independent. The retired General Malonio Kam, who once held a seat on the town Council and was instrumental in guiding the town in its early years, was the defacto guiding voice for the police. Of course, there's been no word from him since the Collective took over."
It isn't difficult to imagine that many of the members of the police or other local militias chose to join the Collective rather be branded enemies."
"As for Laubu Station, the police captain there was a lashunta by the name of Maneon. I'm not certain where she falls with regard to the Collective, however."
"We should find both these people...It may be too much to hope, but any Colective members we can yank away from the precipice they're about to jump off are lives we save with those of the prisoners, and both of their voices would resonate more with those people than our own."
"We can ask around about General Kam, but the majority of our members will be planning how to get their families out of Asanatown safely. I'm not sure how much time we can spare. What I can give you however is his address. Maybe those living nearby would know where he is." Dr. Nokorokt beams over the address from his comms device to yours.
"Suloro, whatever you end up doing, please be more careful than Nib was. There's no sense in aggravating the Collective, especially not when the Surge is so fresh in their minds. You might get a lighter treatment due to your race, but you also might not, considering the Brass Dragons' involvement." Dr. Nokorokt gives Taeress an awkward hug and then steps back, looking down the alleyway towards what you presume is his apartment.
Belmarniss doesn't say anything, but it's clear she's skeptical as to how little aggravation they can manage when the Collective and the Brass Dragons are eager for violence, merely waiting for permission.
Sammad nods towards Dr. Nokorokt, checking his datapad to confirm that the address has been uploaded. He pauses for a moment, then turns to Bel and Marisol. "You know, I wonder if there's a way to find out where they're monitoring & locking off the infosphere from. You two are the technicians: could either of you manage that?"
"Putting our heads together? Absolutely. That may take us closer to the Collective's seat of power than some of us may be comfortable. I imagine if they haven't set up their HQ wherever they're controlling communications from, it'd still be under heavy guard, considering how vital that is to what they're attempting."
Mari nods to Sammad. "Might need a better access point than a hand terminal, but I bet I can do that, no problem. If they're sloppy, I could probably turn it back around on them, shut down their network access instead."
After a moment, her face lights up with an idea and she leans forward in her chair. "Or maybe, we can give them false orders! Tell them to gather in the wrong place, or even to stand down!"
"I like the way you think, Marisol, though again, we do that we'll definitely be agitating the metaphorical comet wasps' nest. We'd best be ready to fight when that happens."
She punches the palm of her hand again.
"I'd say we have a plan: find General Kam and see how he can help us, rescue Nib and the other DCI prisoners, and disrupt the Collective's stranglehold on communications. Let's go!"
Flint smiles at Belmarniss, appreciating her enthusiasm and willingness to help those in peril, saying simply, ”Let’s go.”
What you discover is that there are multiple potential points at which the connection could have been severed. The main comms array between Asanatown and elsewhere is at the second highest point in the bubble - atop the roof of the Church of the Burning Mother. The church doesn't maintain or control the array, but potentially saboteurs could have meddled with it physically.
You also learn of many rumors from throughout Asanatown's history that the Town Council has a priority link to the array, as well as an override to shut it off. Such controls would exist within the Horizon House.
Dr. Taeress looks eager to head right for the Checkpoint, but your more calm suggestions manage to convince her to hold off. When you start suggesting to visit General Kam, she says "It's worth a try. If we can resolve this without getting you all into a firefight, we should." As you start heading down the road, she also offers "I don't remember ever seeing Kam in person in the years I lived in Asanatown. He has to be over a hundred years old now."
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As you make your way through Asanatown, you cross over a wide canal filled with cool, clear water that runs out towards the edge of the bubble. Once over the bridge, you find yourselves in an open public park made of a half-dozen large "islands" separated by canals and covered in grass and trees native to Castrovel. The park's benches and walking trails are currently quite busy, as many of the civilian locals have gathered here in furtive looking groups to discuss recent events. You notice a distinct lack of non-lashunta, but also no obvious Collective members.
Off to one side, a robed korasha lashunta woman holds up a holographic sign in one hand and a megaphone in the other. Her sign flashes alarmingly and declares The End is Nigh! in time with her own vocal doomsaying. A crowd of lashunta have gathered around her, clearly swept up in her oration.
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Mari spends the walk to the park hooked into the Asanatown infosphere, sifting through everything she can find and poking at the weak points in its security. As they arrive, she disconnects and returns her attention to the physical world.
"So, I've turned up two leads. One seems credible, the other is...less. The first one is the main comms array, which is up there," she says, pointing toward the Church of the Burning Mother. "Church doesn't run it or anything, just lets it sit up there. Nothing to stop some folks who don't like freedom of speech from heading up and breaking it or sabotaging it in some other way. My guess is that the Collective and their goons are sitting right on top of it and won't like it if we go and poke our noses in."
"Second one is just rumors. Urban legends say the Town Council has their own hookup to the array, and has an override to shut the whole thing down. If that's really the case, best bet is that would be someplace in the Horizon House. Could be that it's less defended than the main array itself, so as to not draw attention."
Marisol rubs her eyes and looks around at the park and the various groups sneaking about the park, before finishing up. "Can't say I'm thrilled about either of them, but that's all I could turn up. Small miracle I could get anything beyond all the message board conspiracy theories and racist holovid comments."
Her gaze catches on the doomsayer and her holographic sign. "Seems a bit much, don't it?" she mutters to no one in particular.
”Agreed,” replies Flint to Mari, saying, ”At least they don’t seem to be actively on the edge of violence. Let’s see if we can slip by without additional delay.”
Sammad is pleased at Marisol and Bel's input, glad to know that his suggestion has yielded tangible results.
As they enter the park and see the doomsayer, naked contempt shows on his face. "Oh splendid, just what the situation needs. At least they're not calling to round up innocents..."
Leaving the doomsayer and her crowd of fascinated listeners alone for now, you continue on through the park and towards the address of General Kam's house. Your trek takes you past a crematorium that appears to double as a center of worship for Pharasma, where a few black-robed worshippers recite the Lady of Graves' creed to any who are in the streets. You continue on through an underpass underneath the Church of the Burning Mother, emerging on the other side into a surprisingly quiet residential district.
You reach the address that Dr. Nokorokt provided and see that it corresponds to a skinny row-home, and clearly one that hasn't seen a fresh coat of paint or a recent resurfacing of its copper trim in a long while. Nevertheless, the place is obviously of high quality construction with a real wooden door and a brass knocker. There's no nameplate to identify who the home belongs to, but there is a untouched tray of food sitting on a little table on the front porch, as well as a few small packages stacked up.
When you look up and down the street, you don't see any other people out and about. The building doesn't seem to have any other entrances except the front door (other that a pair of tinted windows on the second floor, should you be interested in breaking them).
Flint looks down at the shipping address on the packages to see if there is a name listed there that can confirm they are at the right place. If so, he says, ”Looks like the place. We might as well knock, even though it seems like nobody has been to the front door in a while.”
"It's awfully quiet here," Ordyt whispers, warily scanning the windows and streets. "How come there's no Collective patrols around?"
The oread's stares a moment at the plateful of food and stacked packages for a moment, then turns to scan the block while Flint knocks on the door. "Guess the general doesn't get out much. Hope he's okay."
The tray of food looks fresh, with the bowl of soup with a plastic lid still warm to the touch. The packages appear to have been delivered today based on the delivery stickers, and are addressed to Malonio Kam, with return addresses from Asanatown, Castrovel and elsewhere.
Ordyt keeps an eye out, not spotting any activity from the street or nearby dwellings.
"Hello? Anybody home?" Mari calls out, impatient.
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Belmarniss puts her head together with Marisol's to get the necessary information about Asanatown's communications.
"Ordyt, Flint, you're Sarenites right? You think you could get through to the folks at the Church of the Burning Mother, see if they'll let us do a little pest control on their roof? If the Sarenites are anything like the two of you, then they may ally with us against the Collective."
When they see the doomsayer and the crowd gathered around her, she gives a heavy sigh.
"I won't get involved, don't worry, Sammad. But I feel like letting a situation like this fester is only going to come back to bite us. At the very least, if she gets people mad enough, she could just point at us and the mob'd come after us."
As they arrive in the quiet neighborhood, she starts to look more tense.
A minute passes after Marisol calls out her greeting but there's no response from the house. Either no one is home, they didn't hear you from outside, or they're not able to respond.
Sammad glances at each of his comrades in turn, then clears his throat. "Maybe one of his neighbors knows where he is. Who wants to accompany me while I knock on doors?"
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Replying to Belmarniss, Flint says, ”I deal primarily with the Radiant Cathedral, but I would certainly be willing to talk with the people at the Church of the Burning Mother if you think that would be helpful.”
Knocking louder on the door, Flint speaks loudly, so that perhaps someone on the other side can hear him, ”Please, General Kam, we need your help! These Sunrise Collective types are tearing Asanatown apart and inciting racism. They have taken prisoners and lives are at stake!”
Flint pleas loudly enough for someone on the other side of the door to hear...or perhaps there are other, hidden ears nearby who needed to know whose side we are on before revealing themselves...
Despite knocking loudly, there's no response from the door of the townhome or any potential occupants inside. However, Flint's loud entreaty doesn't entirely fall on deaf ears. Front doors of a couple of the neighboring houses open, frightened lashunta peering through to see what the hubbub is about.
Sammad takes initiative right away, drawing one of those curious neighbors to open their door further and start talking. The middle aged damaya lashunta man you managed to grab eyes you uneasily. After pointed looks at your weapons, he asks "Who are you people? Why are you trying to reach Master Kam?" And as you begin answering, he adds quickly "Master Kam is not to be bothered. When all this trouble started brewing, he let us all locals know that he didn't want anyone coming to try to draw him into things again. He's long retired, quite a stately age really, and a conflict like this wouldn't be good for his health." The man speaks with open passion. He's no orator, but he clearly cares about 'Master Kam' enough to risk talking to you ( a group of armed strangers).
"Find your 'real leaders' somewhere else. None of us, Master Kam included, want anything more than for this all to be over."
Flint turns to the one speaking, saying quietly, "The Archipelago is my home too, good citizen of Asanatown. I have seen what happens when good men hunker down and wait for evil to pass them by. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't, but the world is always a poorer place for their inaction."
Turning to indicate Doctor Taeress, he continues, "The good doctor here is one of your own, and her friends at the DCI face execution by the radical Sunrise Collective thugs. The Asanatown Militia, who should be saving them, is nowhere to be found. We here in front of you would take bold action to rescue them, but first we came here to see if there are any brave souls left in the Militia who would join us and reclaim their hometown."
Turning back to the citizen, he asks sadly, "And what will you do? Cower in your house and hope the Collective does not see fit to kidnap and kill you, or will you contribute to our cause and come to the defense of your home?"
Ordyt's eyebrows go up and he glances over at Flint, impressed. "We don't want the General to fight, we just need his advice and insight," he offers to the young man.
Flint's passionate argument almost lights a fire in the lashunta man's heart, at least until he mentions 'radical Sunrise Collective thugs'. The fellow's expression immediately turns sour. "Oh, you're one of those sorts. I shouldn't be surprised, no Outsiders would ever understand our plight. For the sake of this all finishing peacefully, I recommend you stay out of the Collective's way." He scowls and slams the door closed.
You're left in the empty street, one that suddenly feels oppressive and enclosed. Likely this isn't the only Collective supporter in the area.
Flint turns away, saddened but not surprised. To Doctor Taeress, he says wearily, "Well, at least we tried. Someday the willful ignorance of complacent men will cease to shock me, as they turn a blind eye to kidnapping, murder, and all manner of other evils, thinking that it does not affect them as long as they aren't the targets...yet."
Addressing the group as a whole, he states, "Let's hope for all of our sake we can stop the Collective before it 'finishes' its plans and ignites a war that could engulf the whole Archipelago. Let's go, we will find no brave souls here."