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Intrepid explorers from Near Space have achieved the seemingly impossible! Not only have they braved the interior of the Pact Worlds' sun to visit a mysterious city called Noma, they've managed to return alive! And in their possession: a mysterious tablet from a sector of Noma. As the protocite-modified Sun Diver returns safely to the Burning Archipelago, the tablet’s inscriptions become harder to see, but faint whispering can be heard emanating from it . . .
Arrival at the Deep Cultures Institute is greeted with joy and wonder. Nib, Taeress, and Lurian listen with awe at the details of your journey, and even Beran--the institute's gruff quartermaster--seems pleased to see you've returned safely. Nib takes custody of the survey drone and directs DCI researchers to begin an in-depth study of the tablet. Inevitably, word of the wondrous journey spreads beyond the walls of the institute, sparking interest throughout the galaxy. Praise and additional research funding from the consortium of Near Space research groups that originally organised the expedition pours in. But perhaps the most interest comes from Aballon’s anacites, as some maintain the discovery of the protocites represent iterative forms that anacites must strive toward while others believe they were a preliminary basis that anacites evolved from. Surely, there's fodder for decades of future research!
But as the members of the research team rest and recover from the rigours of the journey, Nib summons everyone to dinner at her favourite restaurant in the bubble-city of Stellacuna, the White Rat. It seems she has something important to discuss . . .
Zharis is looking forward to dinner at the White Rat. She's never eaten there before, but she has heard it is quite good.
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Tulgram, who has shaved off his mustache for some reason, also comes to lunch.
Once you arrive, Nib springs out of her chair, leaving a mildly embarrassed but smiling Taeress behind. Nib bounces excited from foot to foot as she launches into the reason she wanted to meet you tonight. The ysoki's whiskers twitch as she speaks. “Listen, I know we’ve had trouble translating that tablet. It’s weird. Hmmm . . .” She looks around conspiratorially, then, after popping a yam into her mouth, says: “I’ve found an expert on this bizarre stuff. Name’s Otlo. I’ve talked to them before, but I needed to confirm we could trust them with this. A lot of . . . individuals . . . who speak Aklo aren’t, well, that trustworthy. Otlo is. They can read Aklo . . .” Nib pauses to make air quotes, continuing with, “’stored in multidimensional encoding,’ as they put when I described the problem.” Nib shrugs, making it clear she has no idea what that means. “Thing is, we have to bring the tablet to them. Comm video can’t transmit the encrypted text, apparently. And I want you to come with me. We need to do this ASAP--after dinner, of course, if possible.”
As Nib finally pauses for a breath, Taeress gives a little wave and says "Hi everyone. Good to see you."
In short, stop being scientists, let's be bouncers again in this strange archipelago city. But I understand this in general. Power without dictatorship creates chaos, and chaos slows down progress. Now I finish the chicken and I'm ready to go. By the way. This Otlo of yers - what is they? - Tulgram speaks again with his mouth full, but carefully wiping his mouth with a napkin and brushing off his beard.
Zharis is a bit embarrassed at Tulgram's outburst in the middle of a restaurant, but she waves to Taeress and takes a seat, selecting some of the delicious-looking options and starting in on her meal.
I'm in on coming with you to meet Otlo after dinner. So, you have the tablet with you?
Jin nods at the mention of the next task, focused on cutting his beef. He's looking like a million credits.
Nib nods in affirmation to Zharis' question, pointing at her bag where the tablet must be stored. The ysoki then looks a little shifty as she answers Tulgram. “Otlo . . .well . . . they’re an orocoran.”
Lowering her voice so that it reaches only the people at the table Zharis says
Are you serious? An Orocoran? It is not my intention to be racist, but all I have heard of the people from that planet is that they are evil and crazy from getting blasted on black ichor.
Ha! Charming. I'm not surprised why only such a creature is able to understand these records. How reliable are they? Should we expect some kind of trick from them?
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"We can trust Otlo. Listen, Otlo’s not like the typical orocoran. Sure, they’re not normal, but who is? Not me. Not you. None of us, that’s who. Besides, Otlo’s a scholar. They know a lot about wacky stuff like this. They’ve always come through for me in the past, and they had to reveal what they are to do this for us. Otlo’s taking a risk, too.” Nib looks a little defensive until Taeress pats her on the shoulder to remind her that everyone is friends here.
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Hani arrives and joins everyone for dinner. Since your return, Hani seems much more...enlightened? He seems happy to take the time to listen to all of you. Before, he didn't really listen, and was more interested in dominating the conversation.
Most of all, his interest in intoxicants seems to have gone away. During downtime, it wasn't strange at all to see him drinking. Now he politely declines any offer of intoxicants.
Okay, if you vouch for Otlo, then I'm sure it's all fine. You make a good point that none of us are normal, and that you've considered the risks and have a positive history with this person. I just had to ask, you know, because of all the rumors about that place. Please don't be offended.
Bahahaha! Indeed, we have just returned FROM the sun on an EXPERIMENTAL ship! Heh. And on the other hand. What is normality, if not averaged insanity due to its maximum statistical prevalence? Who said the corporate employees at Absalom Station aren't really crazy? Only their majority defines this so-called normality.
Nib looks a little abashed about having gotten worked up. "No, no, it's okay. It's just . . . well, I am a little nervous about the whole thing. I mean, I trust Otlo, but others know about the tablet. It’s a risk to remove it from the Deep Cultures Institute, even for a little while. Plus, Otlo's lab gives me the creeps. It's an abandoned clinic not far from here, and the lights always flicker on and off like in an old horror-vid." She gives a pretend shudder. "But having you along reduces the risk I'll get zombified." She smiles and winks.
Taeress smiles in spite of herself, and says: "What Nib hasn't mentioned is that a somewhat more reputable scholar than Otlo is arguing the tablet should be sequestered because it could be dangerous. Amaldrel Vershian. He’s a specialist in solar religions and cults. A good scholar--educated, thorough, sharp. He seems pretty scared of this tablet, though, and if he persuades the DCI Board of Directors to his way of thinking, that tablet could be locked in a safe for who knows how long."
Interesting. Sounds dangerous. Okay, I'm in. I know you'll just go without us if we don't come, so I'll be there for the small amount of protection I can offer. I don't want the death collar guys to get their hands on the tablet after all the work we put in to bring it back.
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Amaldrel Vershian. He’s a specialist in solar religions and cults. A good scholar--educated, thorough, sharp. He seems pretty scared of this tablet, though, and if he persuades the DCI Board of Directors to his way of thinking, that tablet could be locked in a safe for who knows how long."
"Should we be worried about more direct approaches from Dr. Vershian? And are his concerns entirely out of merit?"
Nib gives a little shrug. "I think we just need to give the tablet to Otlo before Vershian has his way and it gets sequestered. Even though Vershian can't read it, he claims to recognize it from myths he knows. He told me he thinks it’s a key to a place called Ezorod, based on hints in the Aklo words we’ve seen--and if that’s what it is, he claims it shouldn’t be used. Ezorod is surrounded by dark legends, apparently, but he didn’t tell me anything concrete. I think he probably doesn’t know for sure! That means he’s being paranoid, if you ask me. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?"
I agree that we should try to get it translated, but I want to follow up with Vershian afterward and hear about these myths. Myths often have a basis in truth, so I want to be sure we have all the information.
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Nib nods. "Well, tuck in, everyone. We're in a hurry, but there's always time for a good meal!"
After dinner, Taeress gives Nib a kiss farewell and heads back to the DCI. Nib leads you some blocks away and down a dark side street. She stops in front of a large building consisting of a wide central entrance and a wing extending to either side. Although the curve of the entry’s wall is made of transparent material, most of the windows have been painted over on the inside or sealed with opaque panels. The structure has the forlorn air of extended abandonment.
"Well, here we are," says Nib, with obvious trepidation. "Did I mention the place gives me the creeps? Sorry. Anyway, it's called the Salubrium. Rich folks used to get treatments and such inside. It closed down years ago. Its owner died, I think. But Taeress says I shouldn't believe in ghosts.”
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Jin takes a good look at the haunted house:
"A victim of economical woes, I imagine."
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Jin surveys the building.
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Jin shares the intel about the building.
"I believe we are expected. Should I knock, or does this expert ‘eccentricities’ extend to security measures?” Jin asks Nib.
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Zharis is a little creeped out and starting to regret that she agreed to this. She checks the charge on her weapons, and takes a picture of herself outside the creepy building. She uploads it to her personal account, so that if she gets murderered, her family and fans will know where she was last seen.
Hani is uncharacteristically calm. "This is simply an old building in need of some care and attention. I agree with Taeress. There is no reason to believe there are ghosts here, or any other evil. We simply need to enter and ask for the information we are looking for."
Charming. Tulgram is ready to go inside. But before someone approaches the door, he will inspect it and the space around for traps.
After Tulgram checks the main entry doors for traps and finds none, Nib bravely pulls them open to reveal a reception room. An expansive, curved reception desk stands in the center of the vaulted chamber. The desk's front bears the words, “Welcome to the Salubrium: Unsurpassed Compassion, Sophisticated Care”. A hallway labelled “In-paitent Wing” extends to the west, while the corridor to the east is labelled “Research Wing”. Behind the reception desk is a short hall bearing signs with the symbols of a lavatory, stairs, and an elevator.
The only chair at the reception desk holds the creature who must be Otlo: a six-eyed, tentacled-faced native of the planet Aucturn, the orocoran seems to be measuring substances in three small beakers.
Nib says “Hi Otlo! Good to see you again.”
In response, a buzzing telepathic “voice” fills all of your minds: “Keep your hands in sight so sight can handle what you keep.” Otlo gets up from the chair, comes around from the reception desk, and begins to inspect each of you one by one!
Zharis handles the "inspection" well, unless the creature tries to touch her, at which point she would extend her claws, making it clear that she isn't going to allow that.
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~Telepathy. Good. Efficient.~ Xylian telepathically drones, metaphorically not looking up from his tablet, since his computer is in his brain. ~State your qualifications.~ They cannot hand the tablet over to any random ameature. There is not much of him available for inspection due to his heavy armor.
All of Xylian's companions' comm units pliq at the same time, indicating a message received...
I have enrolled you four in a class on properly interfacing with archeological sites. You may attend via the Infosphere.
THE PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION, AND RESTORATION OF HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT SITES 101 - 1345 PABAQ TIME FIRSTDAY AND THIRDAY.
Otlo's six eyes run up and down the front, back, and sides of each of you, as if they're looking for something. After the last one, they return to their chair. "If suspects refuse inspect, inspectors suspect further."
Nib nods as if that makes perfect sense, and says to Xylian: "Don't worry, there's only one Otlo! And if anyone can help us, it's them." Nib takes out the horacalcum tablet retrieved from Noma. The lights in the room flicker as she does so, and indecipherable whispering seems to come from all around you. Nib rushes the tablet over to Otlo as if she's afraid it's going to bite her.
Otlo’s six eyes widen as they scan the tablet and their telepathic voice buzzes, imparting a feeling of surprise: “Tablet tells of Ezorod. Tablet tells, tablet tells. Ezorod especially ancient, anchor of elder entity, dwelling of darkness deep in sun. Dwelling darkness deep, deep. Who speaks of it? Wicked worshippers. Malevolence marks, marked malevolence. Layers of knowledge here, yes. Strata span strata, in veins vie various visions.”
Otlo’s eyes narrow; they chitter and rub their head: “Takes time to translate. In interim, small task must ask. Task I ask, task I ask. Orocorans eat Aucturn ichor. Far from there, I eat ersatz ichor, simulated sustenance, sustenance simulated. Refine recipe repeatedly. Within western wing, in Storage and Sterilization”, Otlo gestures with a claw, “Fetch few flasks of phenotyll. Find them, fetch them. Find them, fetch them. Livid Lems left lookouts. Vex me, vex. New friends, strength superior to sentinels--destroy them for me. Strength solves. Small price, small price. For my help, finally fetch phenotyll.”
Hani looks toward his friends, wondering if this task is worth the information that is promised by Otlo. One of his eyes raises, as if to say he questions this whole arrangement.
"Ehhh...Mr. Otlo...we will fetch your nutrients for you, but you must tell us more about these 'sentinels,' as you call them. What is their nature? How can they be defeated, or perhaps bypassed?"
All the time while Otlo studied Tulgram and the others, Tulgram also studied them without hesitation. In the sociopathic manner of behavior of both of them, at the moment when they are interested in something, they seem to have something in common... Aye, I agree. But with a condition. One injection with a syringe after we bring your food - I'll take quite a bit of ye blood. I want to take a sample of your DNA. For research. Ok? This is in addition to the decryption and not instead of it. Tulgram smiles broadly, which absolutely does not make him more pleasant and charming in appearance. It's not painful and it's fast.
Uh, Nib... we came to back you up, and I don't want to leave you here unless you are sure you will be okay here by yourself. Will the tablet be secure? Maybe we should stay here and fetch this phenotyll stuff after, so we don't lose track of it.
Otlo seems agitated by Hani's question. Their telepathic voice projects: "Livid Lems the legacy of Sutrum Lem, exemplar benefactor to Otlo. Lem sadly left life but left lab to Otlo, but simulacrum sentinels suspect simple supply stealing spree! Love Lem yet Lems livid at Otlo!"
But oddly, Otlo seems to calm down when faced by what some would see as an alarming request by Tulgram for a large blood sample. "Research is relevant! Blood begets biology, and ersatz ichor must not make sicker! Take, take, then fetch, fetch!" The orocoran holds out one of their long, thin arms, ready for a syringe, while using the other to go back to work on the beakers.
Nib nods at Zharis. "Yeah, I'll stay here. Otlo's good company. Well, interesting company. But why don't you take the tablet? That whispering is going to drive me insane, and this old clinic is close enough to an asylum already."
Tulgram, without wasting time, makes a perfectly sterile and safe injection with a syringe with excellent speed, drawing blood into a couple of beakers. He looks very pleased and thoughtful, probably building a whole line of experiments in his head.
Interesting. Phenotyll is a component of a mental excitant, expensive but of little resale value on its own... Aye, we'll bring it to ye.
Still a little worried, but glad that they aren't risking the tablet, Zharis takes it and stashes it in her backpack, wrapped up to keep it safe.
Then she says
Well, let's go get the stuff. You guys stay safe. Hide if you hear anyone coming. We'll announce ourselves if we come back, okay? And, why don't you think about doing these experiments at the DCI from now on? This doesn't seem like a very safe place, especially if people are after you and there are bad "lookouts" or "simulacrum sentinels" here, okay?
Otlo could just order the pharmaceutical himself, but nobody on the sun seems to care for logic, which is fitting enough since he would not expect logic from a race descended from the Great Old Ones. He also doubts the information they get from Otlo will be that useful or intelligible. He would be able to translate the tablet himself with some research, but if this mentioned 'Elder Entity' is also related to the Great Old Ones, Otlo may be able to offer a unique perspective on the tablet's information. Otlo's perspective will no doubt be unique either way. ~ I hope your 'sentinels' are machines. I am not killing to fuel your drug habit. ~ Xylian exits. Who knew a doctors' life would be so filled with crime? Xylian always pictured his common conspirators would be fellow lettered beings, he never expected so many gangsters would appear on his published papers.
The western hallway that Otlo indicated has bare walls with lighter areas hinting that artwork or signage once hung on them. Unmarked doors line the hallway, which continues past what have once been a nurses' station behind which can be seen another junction of corridors. Opposite the nurses' station is a door with a plaque on it that reads: "Storage and Sterilization."
Xylian's shoulder mounted carbine unfolds and the green laser site bursts into life. "There may be additional valuable pharmaceuticals to salvage." He states, waiting on their security expert.
Hani checks out the door, looking for traps and any locking mechanisms.
"Could we access the local computer network, for schematics and details on the security of the building?" Jin suggests, looking for a terminal.
Good idea, Jin. They at least had to register a blueprint with the city when it was built, right? Let me see if I can pull something up.
Zharis uses her Comm Unit to find the local building authority and checks through to see if they have the blueprints online. If they do, she buys a copy.
From your family fortune, a bank trust, personal investments, or similar source, you receive a regular income or allowance to support yourself and help maintain the comfortable lifestyle to which you are accustomed. At the beginning of every week, you receive 100 credits. You cannot buy permanent goods or items with this stipend, with the sole exception of clothing, which you may purchase. Examples of the kind of services and nonmaterial goods you might spend your stipend on are listed below. Any unused credits are lost at the start of the next week when you receive your new stipend.
Lodgings, docking fees, taxes, tolls, and similar fees
Meals or restaurant dining
Professional services
Transportation
The use of recharging stations
Invitations to exclusive events or entry into privileged locations
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While Hani examines the door, Jin goes looking for a computer terminal. There's one in the nearby nurses' station (which has a sign reading "Consider Our Patients. Quiet, Please"), but it appears to be nonfunctional. Meanwhile, Zharis decides to see if the local infosphere has anything and is able to find a set of blueprints filed when construction permits were sought.
Xylian's helmet thwips into place and the life support system softly hums to life. There probably aren't any strange diseases left from when the hospital was operation, but... "We should clear every room as we go so we do not end up with any of these 'sentinels' behind us."
Jin activates his armor and draws his doshko.
"Doesn't appear to be any traps, and I think it's unlocked."
Tulgram intercepts his capture pole with two hands and also activates the life support system. Onward.