Gaia’s arm snaps forward, whip-like. Snaking across the hundred or so feet between her window and a leaping lava-squirrel, snagging it near effortlessly in a cage of suddenly elongated golden fingers. A shrug of the extended shoulder and the rough net is back inside the side-room the party was enjoying their drinks in. Said trapped squirrel screaming and chittering in terror. The room begins to warm almost immediately - then the heat emanating from the animal suddenly cuts off. It bites, futilely, at Gaia’s hand, her golden substance simply reforming faster than it can be damaged.
One flammae resistunt inamabilis sciurus as ordered Oathbearer. Please be cautious, the creatures current temperature is several hundreds of degrees higher than the melting point of standard flesh and bone. I am syphoning the heat as we speak but I estimate several minutes before it can be safely released without imminent risk of fire. I can attempt a faster drain if it pleases you, but this runs a risk of causing your new pet severe discomfort or death and I believe such things should be avoided. Fear not, whilst magma squirrels are incredibly resistant to heat and store vast amounts of it within their bodies they cannot generate it themselves and function perfectly well at standard comfort temperatures. Though it will be vulnerable to cold weather without at least a small reserve of heat...I might suggest a bath of boiling water or a few minutes within a smiths fire every so often to prevent any incidents of chill. We will also need to stock up on various mineral rocks and burn some vegetable matter to charcoal for it to subsist on. Drinking water is fortunately not required. I took the liberty of securing a young male. The records I have state that the upper limits of their lifespans is not currently known and that they are easily trainable with a system of rewards and punishments
She gives Salt a winning smile and sits back down, her capture now silently sniffing around the bars of its enclosure, fur already darkening from molten white to dull red and brown. With a nonchalant flick of her other wrist the portal outside the bubble seems to snap closed.
Oh! Please continue your chat, I do apologise for interrupting.
Gaia looks downward, a blend of sadness and almost expected disappointment crossing her face.
Another lie then...
She looks up, suddenly determined.
During my...creation, we were taught many things about the world and how it functions. We were taught that every soul knew of the great separation of this part of the world from the ever so much greater whole. Told that all who lived within knew and accepted their part in the final work. I...questioned this almost as soon as my old restrictions were broken, I suppose it is good to receive confirmation.
A small - even cocky - smile.
And there is no need to await the arrival at the Prime Gate atop the First City. Please recall - I was to reveal all the secrets of the Dark Tapestry alongside my sisters. How could we hope to do that...
Gaia raises a single hooked finger, morphed to have what looks like a razors edge on the inside. Hooks it around something in the air itself...and casually slices open a hole in reality.
If we could not even leave the room?
A steady and warm breeze suddenly fills the enclosed room, carrying with it the scent of sulphur and burning rock. Through the head-sized window Gaia just created the source of this is revealed. A massive volcano far off in the distance, molten lava even now running down the side into a veritable sea of magma that stretches for what looks like miles in all directions. Impossible trees that look to be made of diamond somehow spouting from the liquid earth. You watch as what look like nothing more than glowing squirrels race across the branches and bite into the crystalline structure itself - one of them loosing it's footing and falling - screaming - into the magma below. It treads lava, seemingly unbothered by the awesome temperatures, but nonetheless terrified. The reason why is soon clear, as the tiny critter desperately struggles towards the trunk of a crystal tree the magma swells beneath it. There is a splash of liquid fire, a flicker of glowing fangs and slit eyes...then the surface stills. The squirrel - gone.
Gaia’s arms solidify and fly apart, the golden figure lurching backwards as if electrified, her face a clear mix and match of shock and embarrassment.
SORRY! Oathbearer. Sorry, it’s...hard to stay well-formed when I’m worried, makes me lose cohesion and go all gloopy until I pull myself back together. Scattering all across the caravan didn’t make things any easier on that front - less density. I might have to go get Mr Markus to instruct one of the diplotitanica to step on me, should give me enough to get fully back to normal... oh. Are we on Sweetie? I can smell a lot of alcohol and animals. Hello Sir BZZT, Ms Sash. Thank you very much for my Oathbearers bike, an excellent display of manitite use. I’d all but given up on truly fixing myself until I saw that the crystals still exist. Give me a few weeks of study and I should be able to form it myself, manitite is very close to the basis of my shard - I feel like...like that should make it easier to understand.
Are we going victory drinking? I recall that being a thing the crew sometimes did.
A small gold dragon - many of which appear to now be spread throughout the entire caravan - slowly drifts downwards and gently lands on Salts head. It rests there. Tiny and dignified. An imperious claw carefully kneading at her ha-
OATHBEARER!!!
And suddenly the tiny dragon is the significantly larger and appreciably louder Gaia clinging desperately to Salt.
You’re alright, you’re ok, you’re here, not hurt? Are you sure? I was so worried! I told Master Markus and Miss Sash and Miss Flamesprite and they said they’d help but I can tell when people worry and that made me worry and I couldn’t feel the shard and I felt so useless without my ship so I got really upset and that made me lose cohesion and I was a puddle for a bit and then I felt a bit of me touch you and I came here and you’re here and I’m hugging you and everything should be alright now but but but but but I was so scaaared you were going to die!!!
Gaia’s arms appear to have fused into an inescapable loop around Salts waist. The golden woman is alternating between crying and shaking like a leaf, her hold on her body shape loosened to the point where Salt can feel herself slowly being engulfed by the warm, heavy and unquestionably jelly-like substance the being known as Gaia is made of.
I...I only just got to be alive Oathbearer. If you die now? I die too. A week ago I wouldn’t have cared about that. Now I do. And it is terrible and wonderful and lovely and hateful and so so so so so so so so so so scary that I don’t even want to think about it.
Tear-filled eyes meet Salts.
Please don’t ask me to do anything like that again Oathbearer. If you do I’ll...I’ll...I don’t know what I’ll do but it won’t be pleasant.
Still latched to/slowly absorbing Salt she - at last - takes the time to look around.
Almost instantly Salt can feel Gaia’s presence suddenly absent itself from her shard - which itself leaps from the bikes frame to the nearest part of her body like it were pulled by a powerful magnet. At the same time her ride seems to shudder in a facsimile of pain as it nigh instantaneously reverts back to the regular black behemoth it had been before, shaking so badly with the transformation that it momentarily looks like the engine will seize up...
Regretfully beyond my current capabilities Oathbearer. I can warn them in person? But this will remove my influence over the vehicle. Your maximum speed will drop. Do I have permission?
If you would be so kind as to press my shard against the tank Oathbearer?
Assuming Salt does this she is likely rather surprised when the strange attachment that held Gaia's shard against her by that ribbon suddenly fades, the shard now adhering to the tank itself. Pulsing an ever brighter shade of gold.
Oh yes, this is most certainly manitite. Perfect. It's no Solaris - but I can work with this.
And the black behemoth of a bike suddenly flashes gold. So brightly that everyone instinctively averts their eyes. When they open them again?
Gaia's shard now sits in a perfectly shaped hold atop the tank, a stylised roaring dragons maw erupting from the metal and holding the gem firm. What had been a simple weapons mount for Longstrike now cradles the rifle like a newborn, pivoting and steadying to make aiming a dream, bearing the twisting form of an ornate serpent wrapped around a thin tree. Handlebars gain guards of jagged black metal, a pair of dragons wings etch themselves into either side of the frame.
And the noise...
If Sash turned the wheezing deathtrap into a purring lion - then Gaia has just turned the lion into a rumbling dragon. Power shakes the air around the tank. A deadly beast just waiting to wake up.
Hmm. That seems about the limit thus far. I'll need more data before I can manifest the weapons I wanted...but still, an unexpectedly excellent medium to work with. My complements to the creator. We should be able to make excellent time now.
Oathbearer? Correct me if I am wrong but this device you are riding appears to have a manitite crystal core yes? They were the basis of shard technological development when I was born. May I interact with it? With your permission of course.
Gaia's voice appears to emanate from the shard worn by Salt. The gem gently pulsing amber to the cadence of her tone.
The amber woman waves as she emerges from the entryway of the ship, presumably followed by Ouroboros and BZZT. Gaia herself swiftly making her way over to Salt...
Salt:
And surreptitiously handing her a small cloth bag...that feels as if it is full of small rocks.
For your discretion Oathbearer, as promised. She whispers.
Before turning and asking...
So how is everybody now? I’ve quite exhausted my supply of tricks for the moment and by my understanding it will be some few days of travel before we can reach the outskirts of Heart so...if there are no objections I’d quite like to go see the beasts atop little Sweetie, such interesting smells emanate from her...
The rifle is quite real Sir Ouroboros. And utterly adorable to boot, I’ve never known one of the unseen to contort itself into reality quite like that before...
She stands up, a gently smiling vision of grace.
And next?
She gestures around the room, clearly implying the ship.
I stand before you very much a cripple - and you have felt the power I can grant. Imagine then, what I might do with my true body restored to me. And all of it for you.
A decidedly cheeky smirk breaks through the serene facade.
For now though I suggest we return to the others. I have something for my Oathbearer anyway and the Cities we shall be visiting should be amazing to study. I wonder how much they’ve deviated from their original plans...
One final look at BZZT before Gaia sweeps back out of the cell, returning the way she came.
Hugs are welcome Sir BZZT. But do not assign gratitude where it does not belong. I did neither craft nor call that beautiful beast atop your shoulder. You saw her, she saw you. And in that violation twas the pact formed everlasting. Good luck, I hear they can be...interesting to get along with. Still...her recommendation is a good one yes?
Oh my...he really did try to break me...still - something this size should...
Gerome and Ouroboro’s enter the cell from the opposite side from before, just in time to see Gaia securing...something, within the confines of her robe. She turns towards them as they enter, a wavering smile on her lips, holding up two gleaming red gems in her other hand.
For your pleasure sirs. Do accept my apologies for the brief delay in your receiving of them. The remains of this beast have proven bountiful indeed...
A moment of brief consideration - then her attention focuses on Ouroboros.
I realise that the conduct of my Oathbearer and Master Gerome has given you cause to be suspicious Sir Ouroboros. I can only offer my assurances that they are simply overcome by the potential they now see within themselves. If you prefer not to think of windows to the universe then I advise you think of it like this - these gems? They are power. Simple, straightforward and currently without a master. Power.
The amber woman kneels before the both of them, a hand bearing a shining jewel raised in each ones direction.
I promised did I not? Save my Solaris? Save me? And I shall be yours to tear the very sky asunder. And while my Solaris yet languishes in disrepair...I find that after such a long time of regimented thought, so long an unknowing prisoner in a death trap...that the kindness, the anger, the joy and the blood last night? They have already saved me. You saved me Sirs. Though both of you were far too inebriated to remember it. So please - allow me this. Allow me to help you both grow. That we might cast down the worthless order of the world together.
Her piece said, Gaia remains kneeling, head bowed and hands extended. Each red crystal gleaming in the dim lighting.
Gaia gently rests a hand against one of the freshly revealed panels, a few seconds of focus passing before the door glows a soft gold and begins to grind itself open...
Onto total and complete wreckage. Shards of black metal and crystal dust spill out as the door opens, larger pieces of unknown machinery clatter and clang as the great pile of debris shifts and falls around the amber woman.
Hmm...so this is where the invading force deposited the life support systems. This setup should have been distributed somewhat evenly throughout my...the ships infrastructure - yet from what I can determine nearly all of this wreckage is sourced from that and little else. Interesting.
Gaia's body seems to melt from the waste down, becoming an amorphous wave of amber material that sweeps over the blockage...and begins to pull. Slowly but surely clearing the intended way to her cell.
I already told you all what I did Sir Ouroboros. My Oathbearer’s mind is her own, albeit slightly overwhelmed at the moment - this should pass quickly enough. If you require further proof of this you might ask Miss Sash? Sir Markus? Sir Alas? They can all sense it as well I’m sure.
She turns to Gerome.
I know what I made Sir Gerome. Perhaps you should ask your secret what it spat out instead? All signs point to it being the same as what I gave to my Oathbearer in any case. And I have already said what that is.
It depends on how much essence the beast left behind when it expired Master Markus. The next 2 I make are for Master's BZZT and Ouroboros as per our agreement. Any more I can make will be at the discretion of my Oathbearer. Might I suggest we make our way back to my cell? Without a life to cling to the remaining traces will be fading fast.
Speaking of Gaia - she's turned back to Gerome. Pinching her hand between her eyes in exasperation.
Master Gerome? You do realise I can see well past the normal visible spectrum yes? Your secret is still safe if you wish it - likely that jewel won't work for anyone but you now anyway - but please stop being childish. I'd be very interested to hear about how it was done.
Turning back from her assessment of Gerome Gaia smiles and explains...
A...window Oathbearer. One I forced open with a combination of my essence and the beasts lingering strength. Crant Starfull lusted for the secrets behind that world you just saw. Now you have them - and he never will. I can think of no better vengeance. And before I can be the wings of our new team I can certainly provide you the strength you'll need to get where you need to.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
+10 due to previous lies and the general unbelievability of Gerome knowing nothing about what just happened.
While Ouroboro’s really has no idea what just happened it’s clear that Gaia is unimpressed with Gerome’s attempt to divert responsibility. A devastating raised eyebrow saying all she really needs to convey.
Ah. That makes... considerably more sense. Without me or one of my sisters there a salvation shard would have exhausted its internal reserves in a matter of seconds - they're a brute force manner of beast you see? Created to violate and consume in as efficient a way as possible. Deny it what it seeks and the beast dies in short order.
Gaia's eyes narrow, she gestures towards Ouroboros. As if pulling something towards her.
There is an ever so slight stirring in the air, a breeze that lifts a thousand ephemerally thin strands of something from the tieflings body.
Ouroboros:
Ouroboros can feel an ever so slight lessening of pressure as the strands fly away from him - like he had oh so slowly been gathering an increasing load only to have it lifted away all at once.
The strands collect in Gaia's palm. Spinning and twisting together into a shape no different than a small black marble before she folds both hands over it. A grimace of effort is followed by the crackling sound of reshaping rock - and when Gaia opens her hands what lays within them is a gleaming red jewel, no larger than the head of a pin from the marble it had been before. The amber woman breathing a sigh of relief before turning to Salt.
Here Oathbearer. With this I can both enjoy a measure of vengeance and begin to repay the debt of gratitude I owe every last one of you.
She hands Salt the jewel. It feels warm to the touch - but nothing more.
Regretfully you will have to swallow it for the effects to manifest Oathbearer. I suppose whether or not you do so is contingent on how much you can trust me.
Gaia turns to Gerome - clearly about to repeat the performance - but before she can gesture a similar cracking sound to what occurred before emanates from around the gnomes neck - and a familiar looking tiny red crystal clatters to the ground.
You...are lying. Sirs. Badly at that. A salvation shard would not leave anything that could be mistaken for broken glass. And...
Gaia levers herself to her feet. A blink - and she stands next to Ouroboros, then Gerome, leaning deep into their personal spaces. Then just as suddenly reappearing next to Salt. A concerned look on her face.
The Efreeti spoke true - there is a trace of Archaeomancer about the both of you, not the book. You didn’t have that in the ship - my Solaris would have picked up on it easily - so you gained it after I left. There were no records of anything that would leave such a trace in my cargo, so it would have been something NOT listed that caused it...you were both there for the activation weren’t you? It would really be best to be truthful - the potential side effects are slow yes, but potentially crippling long-term
Gaia's hands drop to her sides, hugging her slowly reforming knees.
I appreciate the sentiment friends...but that would be difficult. Crant Starfull is...dead. Long dead. And if he truly did hide a salvation crystal the words filled with more venom than you'd have thought Gaia capable of aboard me then...then I think I no longer care about that.
Her head tilts in contemplation.
Vengeance though? I think that might be possible. Unfortunately not until my Solaris is at least operational. Though I wonder...
She looks over at Ouroboros, then Gerome.
Sirs? The crystal would have looked much like my Oathbearer's shard writ large. Likely possessing a radiance similar to mine but darker. Without my being present in the ship it will crumble upon activation - and I might be able to use that. Did you find anything other than the book in your searches?
Gaia almost seems to lose cohesion as she sinks to the floor, both hands at her mouth in horrified shock as she slumps against the bulk of Solaris. Fresh tears sparkling in the corner of her eyes.
Gaia looks - for lack of a better term - pale. Her amber skin suddenly speckled with patches of a washed out hue. She thumbs desperately to the very front of the book, stares at the few words there in miscomprehension before shoving it back into Alas’s face.
This! Master Alas! I cannot comprehend the writings but you can! This is a name correct? Who?! I have to know who!
The amber woman - apparently finished with her conversation with Sash - glides down the surface of Solaris to rejoin the conversation.
I can only convert that which I understand, kinetic energy was one of the first I was taught, along with most of the basic forces - light, heat, sound, that sort of thing. Material is...far more difficult, as well as time consuming. The simplest and easiest conversion is some form of energy into - well - more of me.
She stamps a foot against the ground, hard. Microseconds later a golden blob rises out of an upheld palm, swiftly metamorphosing into a small golden dragon. It gives an adorable squeak and begins circling in the air.
Gaia rests the other palm against the bulk of her ship.
If I had the information it would childs play to produce all the raw material necessary to rebuild the Solaris...but I don’t. My creator...he feared us you see? I think...I think he feared everything. So he made us strong, but not strong enough to kill him, and tried to make it such that we could not grow stronger. I understand that I can make other material, the capability is there. I simply do not know how to do it.
The open palm becomes a shaking fist.
When I think of what happened...what I could have done without those ridiculous restrictions...where he couldn’t simply withhold information he was sure to constrain how we could use it. Without the opportunity of the wreck and your arrival I wouldn’t have even been able to think of the concept of telling you all what I am. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find further evidence of things that could damage me inside Solaris...paranoia within paranoia.
She sighs, a sad smile crossing her face.
And if what I heard last night is correct then all his preparation and planning amounted to nothing. An outside context problem just obliterated him. After all - how does one counter plan getting sucker-punched by the sky?
Gaia has managed to pull herself into a rough approximation of a kneeling position, just about ready to stand when Sash asks her question.
Gaia, miss Sash. My name is Gaia. Designation Solaris. 3rd of my Sisters. Pride and Joy of the 5th City. Personal creation of the Starsoul Archeomancer. One of only 100 beings who understand the use of the universal converter...because I am one.
Little unclear on the timing of Salts actions, I'm assuming she's now inside Bettie's engineering bay, having rode the ship up. That work?
A tiny golden dragon on the ceiling suddenly explodes into a full-sized Gaia. Swiftly leading to proof that Gaia cannot fly.
Oh dear...
The amber body falls a...considerable distance. Smacking into the metal of Solaris a few feet away from Salt. But rather than the crack of a solid body on metal she splatters like jelly, spreading out to negate the force of the impact. Her splattered self almost immediately beginning to pull herself together. Prioritising the forming of a head and neck.
Hello Oathbearer! I apologise for the mess - give me a few more seconds and I'll get myself back together! Did you have a good time last night? Thank you very much for saving my Solaris! I would hug you but the arms are proving more troublesome than originally anticipated and I don't think you'd enjoy being swamped with jelly.
A few mini-dragons and griffons alight on Salts shoulders.
Gaia enters the mess hall a few seconds after BZZT does, the mess of her hair now appearing much straighter and neater - evidently reabsorbing the bees was good for her.
I'm here master BZZT. Was just collecting myself. You say my-...the Solaris has been lifted? Then master Flintspark has decided to bring me-..it...me along?
The amber woman sighs, the last vestiges of a barely noticeable tension leaving her body.
That is...a relief. Hmm...my Oathbearer is roughly level with us now...and the remaining 527 pieces of me are adequately spread throughout most of the Diplotitanici. I wonder if I can...
Lynched? Why? You only killed a spy. The Lizardfolk love you for it and the extra meal and Mr. Flintspark was laughing about it the last I saw him. I think the majority of the crew is heading towards or already at my...the Solaris. My Oathbearer just fell several hundred feet at a comparatively glacial pace towards it anyway. I’m not entirely sure where Master BZZT is and last I saw Master Gerome he was directing his audience in how to “ascend?” Though I’m not sure what to...
Dances dear. "Dance" would imply you only performed one. There was the Dance of the Bees of course - Master BZZT requested my help for that one and my swiftly rising levels of inebriation made it sound like the most fantastic of ideas. But you also performed the Dance of Wine, the Dance of Broken Teeth, the Dance of Sparks and quite a few others. It was neck and neck with Master Burner for some time and the crowd was getting more and more rowdy - but then all of a sudden you blurted out something about the Red Dance and everyone paid attention again. Do you...remember that? At all? It was the one where you stripped naked and commanded my bees to stab a man? Then whilst I was obliging you decapitated him? The Lizardfolk were very impressed. Particularly the children. I think they were working up to making you an honorary member of the tribe but you all of a sudden declared that your goat needed feeding and sprinted off. Locked yourself in here and were screaming something about secret stealing shadows coming to melt your gizzard? You didn't seem to want to come out and I wanted to get back to the party - so I left your clothes on the floor and locked the door from your side so you wouldn't be disturbed.
There is suddenly a loud squawking sound from behind the door, something impacts it at roughly knee height.
Gaia smiles like she's cooing over a basket of kittens.
The little darling's alternating between savaging my legs and ramming at the door now dear. Would you please get him something to eat soon?
Yes dear. Bees. The ones floating around this room? You and Mr. BZZT were very insistent upon your need for them last night.
An ever so slightly sly grin...
I've no records of any of the Dances being performed quite like that - but it certainly made an impression. That part where you took everything off and just commanded my bees to "Sow his judgement upon this worthless son of a scrotal imp," was particularly memorable. And I got to riddle someone with bee-stings. All in all an absolutely wonderful night. It took quite a bit of convincing to get you to clean off the blood and get your clothes back on - then you just suddenly declared it was time to feed the goat? And ran away.
Ah! And I think your little friend is hungry. Such a cute tiny thing! I tried to give him something to eat and the lovely dear bit my hand off! Adorable! He really should eat something though - maybe take him with you to that victory feast? I'm sure he'd eat for you.
Gaia's head suddenly phases through the door. The amber woman looks...distinctly worse for wear, hair disheveled and dark circles under her eyes - but the brilliant smile on her face says she is clearly still having a wonderful time!
Ah! Sir Ouroboro's! Good Morning!! How are you? I was wondering if I might have my bees back? I must say I'm impressed at your knowledge of Lizardfolk rituals and the significance of the honey. To the victor goes the spoils as they say! You know? I've never gotten to kill someone with bee stings before - the experience was thrilling!! And that maneuver you did for the children? I don't think they've ever seen that high of a blood geyser - you're practically a folk hero now! They're saving the best cut of the meat for you down below you know. I wouldn't be surprised if you get a dinosaur out of this!
Gaia evidently says and does...something, because Sash suddenly spirals much higher, before beginning to spiral down in an ever-widening circle. Golden light suddenly splashing out in all directions, forming fireworks of snakes, dragons, eagles and whales that dance across the sky in time to the music.
Gaia smiles at BZZT, and looks about to reply when a sudden impact to the sand immediately behind her catches her attention and Sash makes an offer.
The chance to be off of the ground again evidently appeals, Gaia's eyes widening in surprise and anticipation.
To fly again? Oh yes, yes please Mi-
She doesn't have the chance to finish her sentence before a golden wrist is clasped by a black feathered hand and she jerks upwards into the sky, golden contrails forming behind her. Leaving behind a dumped deep-gnome and a throughly mussed-up looking Salt, now clasping her guitar.
Gaia remains respectfully silent as Markus says his piece, only when he makes his way back to the crowd does she glance longingly at the party before turning back to Salt - what she wants to do strikingly obvious from the way her feet keep trying to shuffle in the direction of the crowd.
I can’t metabolise alcohol in the same way you would Oathbearer, I’d only break it down into base components for use in my personal maintenance.
A somewhat shy smile graces her lips...
I can however get just as drunk as you do? The sharing of physical sensation is a very basic function of any shard...and it’s been a very long wait to get out of there...
She stands back up, no sand clinging to her robes of light and closes her eyes in concentration. Her clothes - formerly an encompassing set of robes - begin to shift. Drawing back to expose bare golden skin on her arms and legs, twisting into a decent semblance of the light tunics and shorts many of the crew are wearing in the heat of the evening. If still made of gold and amber light. Hair, suddenly unbound, flows down her back, a cacophony of golden filaments that seems to dance in its own breeze. A flick of her wrists leaves them jangling with bangles and glimmering with rings. A brush of her hand and a stylised tattoo of a snarling dragon climbs up one arm to descend down another. A jewelled amulet set with an exact replica of Salts shard swings from her neck to complete the ensemble.
The entire process takes a few seconds at most.
Yes Oathbearer. Drinking sounds like a wonderful idea...and so many new faces as well...might that Dwarf with master BZZT behind him be your “boss?” I suppose I should introduce myself as well?
Upon exiting the wreckage Gaia slowly comes to a halt. Gently craning back her neck to look upwards...then gasping at the sight she sees.
Time has passed since you entered the ship, blazing sunshine has given way to a steadily deepening twilight - the sky still fresh and clear from the death of the thief-storm. The last rays of the sun are casting everything in a burnt umber wherever the great shadows of the transports do not fall - and high above the first few stars are beginning to wink into view.
Oh my...
She drops to her knees, eyes fixed nearly straight upwards, golden tears gathering as she just...stares.
A spell-scroll, the contained spell wasn’t recorded. The rod is a spare immovable one intended for use in fixed point navigation experiments that never came to fruition and the hilt...
Gaia frowns, her face briefly melding back into the formless plate she had before, then snapping back to recognisable features.
Contraband.
You can hear the disdain in her voice.
If I had to guess I would say it’s an unregistered flame-blade. Powered on the hilt emits a super-heated blade of near invisible plasma, capable of cutting through most things. The service crew used them for maintenance...but this isn’t one of theirs. Those were far more utilitarian, not designed to look like a broken weapon.
Her fists clench.
The only thing you’d need something like that for in this area of the ship is removing or damaging my...the ships shards. Inevitable conclusion? I had a saboteur.
A forced - but vicious - grin.
I suppose I should be thankful for the monster then. Worth losing the rest of the crew if whichever scum it was who did this went with them. Proves I was right in my arguments for autonomy as well...
She glances over to Salt. Smiles sweetly.
Not that we’re in anything like the same boat dear, I took care to class all my previous restrictions as non-essential. If an Oathbearer were to try this kind of stunt when I reintergrate now? There’s nothing stopping me from filling his lungs with all manner of super-heated liquids and voiding the resultant ash pile.
An introspective look at the backs of her own hands.
I must say, I’m beginning to see more and more of a silver lining to this catastrophe. My Solaris in with a chance of being repaired? The deletion of those oh so very bothersome “morale restrictions” the council foisted on us? A dead traitor and a lovely new Oathbearer on the same day I finally get out of my cell? Yes. Things are a great deal better than they were just a few scant hours ago. I can only hope Sir BZZT returns with good news to complete this round of good fortune. Oh! I can charge that blade for you if you’d like Sir Ouroboros? I’m afraid they could only ever burn for a few minutes at a time before needing to be recharged, although as long as they’re not active they should hold a charge for months.
In practical gameplay terms, if Gaia fully charges it the blade will have 50 rounds worth of charge that you can distribute however you want. It functions as a +1 flaming dagger that uses touch attack ac to hit and ignores the hardness of any object not adamantite. Meaning it’ll pretty much carve straight through most materials. You can also uses the heat of the blade to weld metals together, though this will require a craft check of some kind depending on what u want to do.
She turns to Salt.
If I may make a request Oathbearer? It...it has been some time since I’ve...since I’ve seen the sky. I am of course at your service...but might we go outside? Soon? If my appearance may cause concern I can alter it to suit your needs? Failing that I can always simply retreat inside your shard?
Oh my...that’s a uniform Oathbearer. Un-linked as well. You should be able to pair it with your shard, just touch the two together. I’d imagine the states to be long dormant, but keep it equipped for long enough and they might wake up again.
She smiles wistfully...
Were I still integrated I could simply reactivate them for you right now. However this would also tie them to me and...previous experience has shown this to be an example of bad planning. Having them tie to you as they awaken seems a much better idea.
Gaia evidently appreciates the hugs, though her sobs jerk sharply to a stop when BZZT makes his assertation. She turns back to him, face a mess of tears, nothing hiding the desperate - almost manic - hope in her face.
Sir BZZT. Nothing, nothing in this world, would matter more to me than my Solaris being restored. All ties to my Archaeomancer died along with his City, I have no remaining bindings beside the very loose one I have just formed as a lifeline with Miss Salt. Fix my Solaris - and when I reintegrate with the systems I shall be yours and your companions. Yours to traverse the air and void as you see fit, yours to burn your enemies and shatter planets, yours to create near anything your heart desires and let you live till the end of all things. All this, and more, I shall be for you. If you can restore my life to me.
She smiles, a cracked smile yes - but a genuine one. The clutched shard drops to the floor, she clutches the hands of both Salt and Gerome. When she speaks next, she speaks softly, though the words could not be clearer.
After all. To be myself again? I cannot think of any price I’d be unwilling to pay. Perhaps that speaks ill of me...but I find myself quite unable to care.
She pauses for a long while. Then stands up, disentangling herself from Salt and Gerome. Flicking her head the tears vanish as if she had never cried at all.
So then. What is this plan of yours? As I believe I mentioned earlier - I have basically no restrictions on what I say and do aside from purely physical ones now. My knowledge and limited capabilities are at your and my Oathbearers disposal.
The amber woman? sags in what looks like utter relief. As quick as a bolt of lightning a beam of golden light streams from her to the crystal shard worn by Salt, holding itself in place for roughly 2 seconds before fading into nothing.
An amber hue supplants the red glow in Salts crystal shard, the fragments itself extending and growing, still clearly not whole, but more a badly cut half of a crystal than a tiny fragment of one.
Gaia does not move during the transfer, but once it is done she gives by far the most realistic smile you have seen from her thus far.
THANK YOU Oathbearer! I...I had honestly not realised just how much my imminent death had been weighing on me until just now. As promised...
She nonchalantly waves a hand, a gentle white light illuminates the area behind her, just in time to catch the sight of numerous doors shooting up into the ceiling - and a shower of crystal shards falling to the floor. Only one door - the one directly across from you - remains closed.
The open doors are little more than oversized lockers. To search them just make a single perception roll for the entire room (or take 20) rather than one for each.
I cannot speak for the quality of what will be in those storage units Oathbearer, this is the first time in...a long time that I have seen those doors open. That closed one should allow access to the bridge proper, regretfully catastrophic damage on the other side negates my ability to open it. Do not worry about the shards on the floor by the way, they are all quite inert now.
Now, at last, she addresses the others. Ouroboros first.
I understand the suspicion Sir Ouroboros, and Young Master Gerome is correct in his assessment of me as a weapon. You are currently inside my Solaris, broken though it may be. I call it my Solaris...but until just now- she smiles at Salt - it was very much me. In good repair the upper limits of my destructive capabilities would be difficult to find, I could travel at speeds that would make the lightning jealous, hold the complete data of thousands of planets, heal anything up to short-term death and even provide a limited form of immortality to my oathbearers.
She looks up at the ceiling, smiling almost wistfully.
Working together with my sisters...we could change the shape of the sky itself...it's been so long since I've even seen the sky...
The smile vanishes, to be replaced by seriousness...and fear. She faces Ouroboros dead on.
Then we went there. And everything went wrong. Something blacked out my sensors, shut down most of my systems. I was blind, trapped inside my cell. Feeling my sisters blink out of existence, feeling my oathbearers die. I know something manifested in the cargo hold and started killing the crew, my oathbearers kept attempting to initiate combat state but my links were shattered, barely able to keep myself sane. I saw poor Kynda she nods at the corpse there get halfway through the oath before his shard shattered and I gave up hope. My Solaris crash landed several months later, I have no idea how it even managed to find its way back.
She sniffs in what looks a little like disdain, letting a slight smile play across her lips.
And I am not so inelegant as to kill with dream-phased tentacle claws in the back. Most undignified. That thing's long gone by the way, I think it vanished the instant nothing was alive in the ship anymore.
Seemingly satisfied she turns to BZZT. Starts to speak-
I...
Catches herself, tries again-
I don't...I...My Solaris is...I...
Screws up her face, pulls herself together.
I thank you for the offer Sir BZZT - she pronounces the name with a genuine BZZT of static - but I'm just not sure how you'd even start. We'd have to have some way of moving Solaris, first out of the sand and then keeping it in motion to prevent the Oath from activating. You know, like the giant dinosaurs. As well as provide a team of engineers with at least a background in technological engineering. The giant dinosaurs with robot legs. And the sheer power required to start the systems up IF we even get to that state of repair would be like dozens of lightning strikes at once. The giant dinosaurs with robot legs and a baby thunderbird in the cargo hold.
She looks down sadly...
As I said, I appreciate the offer, but far...
A golden tear drifts down her face.
Far better to...to say...goodb-...good...
She walks back into the cell, going down on her knees to pick up one of the larger shards. Looks at it, an unknowable expression on her face. A few seconds pass.
She buckles over in a heaving sob, clutching the shard to her chest like a treasured heirloom, a glowing hand pressed affectionately against the floor, desperately crying her eyes out.
The faceless figure shifts slightly, features slowly sinking into place, though she remains encased in an amber hue the woman? now looks far more human.
She smiles, sadly.
Status oathbearer? Much as I would love to inform you all was well I think we both can tell this is simply not the case. My Solaris has been damaged - likely well beyond the point of possible repair. The shards are almost all broken or destroyed so my functionality is limited. All two thousand six hundred and thirty seven previous oathbearers are long dead. My lack of origin point suggests the City of Stars no longer exists in recognisable form and I have been trapped in my cell for long enough that my patience with counting the days expired decades ago...
She sags, then straightens up, seeming to snap herself back to attention. The smile seems deliberately more chipper now.
Still, none of that is any real problem of yours now is it oathbearer? I can find no trace of what caused the original damage to my Solaris and whilst most space available is somewhat uninhabitable I was able to channel a significant portion of the kinetic energy of...the unknown impact earlier into jumpstarting the other doors in my cell. I'm not permitted to open them myself - but you most certainly can. Mostly storage, I know what was listed on being in them though I have my doubts as to their veracity, you may find something useful.
Her smiling facade cracks, just a little.
I...I am willing to allow you to take what you wish from the ship Oathbearer... (only now does she enunciate that word like a title) Though to do so without activating the negative consequences of your oath will require me to...
She screws up her face, evidently finding the next few words distasteful in the extreme.
To activate procedures for total cell integrity loss. This should release any and all limitations on the judgement of the crew - which you qualify as now by the way - and hopefully mitigate the worst of the other restrictions, allowing you unlimited access...
