ic The Night Flower (IC)

[olopi]

Barrier exited the ship, holding both the president and his pilot in her grip. Once the two of them had been properly secured, she turned her attention towards what was being said, just managing to catch the most important parts. It was good to work. Especially when it meant that, for once, nobody came to any serious harm. She sounded somewhat cheerful even, a rather rare occurrence, as she addressed the various participants of the conversation.

 

 

“Thank you, Red Spear. I will be sure to repay the favour should I learn of anything that may be of interest to you. “

 

 

“Now, do any of you have an idea how to best transport Lexa out of the ship? I fear that simply removing her from the oxygen supply may not lead to the best results. I could try, I am fast enough to cover the distance, but perhaps we have some better option?”

 

 

The tinker’s comments were quite interesting to hear. It was a strange way to communicate it, but Barrier understood what he had said. Perhaps it was the emotions. Perhaps it was a message. Perhaps it was diversion. Either way, it was something she could investigate further at a later point.

Edited February 19, 2017 by olopi

[Supercape]

GM

 

Number 17 unit remained still as the Tinker spoke through his creation. 

 

"Very well. My holding cells are at your disposal" he answered Paradigm in the flat voice. With that, he seemed to cut out, and the unit reactivated, its silver eyes flashing. 

 

"I have been instructed to escort the president to the emergency security cell pending your resolution of the matter" it said, straightening up and moving again. 

 

As turned out it was a simple matter to swim Lexa out. Munn even offered to help, worried lest his idol be hurt in any way. She was soaked from the Deep Waves interior, with an oxygen mask on her head and a tiny insect bot buzzing away on her forehead. 

 

Red Spear examined the little bot for a moment. "Ah! A Texian Wasp! Illegal but effective. Cost a small fortune" she commented. "No harm in taking them off, no lasting damage. Can cause a little confusion on removal, however. Not dangerous, just almost invisible and highly effective" she explained. 

 

Taking a moment, she maneuvered herself out of earshot of the Robot and into whispering range of Barrier and Paradigm. 

 

"If the Tinker owes you one, I could do with your help. I'm after a dangerous criminal I am sure is stashed away here. Get him for me, and you consider me in your debt. Ten times over...."

[Thevshi]

Paradigm 

Amara had gone in to help get Lexa out of the spacecraft, given that she was able to move quickly through the water like medium.  Once the hand the artist outside in the hanger, she gave the robot a small nod.  "Thank you for the assistance."  She stated as it took Munn into custody. 

The Praetorian then turned her attention to Lexa and listened to Red Spear’s explanation of what the small device on Lexa's forehead was.  "Yes, I had a brush with one myself.  Thank you for the information."  She then looked up at the bounty hunter.  "You can discuss who you are looking for in more detail once we have Lexa back on her feet."  With that, Amara gently removed the Texian Wasp from Lexa's forehead.

[Supercape]

GM

 

The Texian wasp of her forehead, Lexa had a brief tonic seizure and than sat upright, eyes fairly popping out of her head. 

 

"uuuhhhh...." she groaned, shaking her head slightly. "What happened...where am I...who...what...why...which...whence?" she mumbled groggily. "I can't remember anything! Just a...buzzing...." she touched her forehead trying to remember. 

 

"These Wuffians have apprehended me, Lexa! Don't believe them!!!!" gurgled Munn through his aquatic fluid filled vocal cords. 

 

Red Spear concealed a smiled and peered at the Texian Wasp. "Say, you fancy leaving that with me? I'm familiar with Texian technology" she said, enigmatically. "Costs a small fortune for one, let alone two" she explained, sighing at the crunched up and destroyed Wasp that Paradigm had effortlessly dealt with, and was now sitting silent and immobile (and most deformed) on the Hangar floor. 

[olopi]

PC

 

 

 

The bounty hunter would have to talk to the Imperatrix when it came to deals regarding the evidence and other things. That no longer was Barrier’s concern, Paradigm was more experienced in handling these things. Instead, the Lyankan’s attention was focused on Lexa. She didn’t seem to actually be injured. Unsurprising, considering Munn was an admirer, but one never knew. Especially if the president had been willing to go this far already.

 

 

“Do not worry. You almost were kidnapped, but we managed to intercept the criminals.” She made sure to properly weigh the word, so that Munn could hear it to its full extent. “You are safe now, we are still on Nocturne. I estimate less than half an hour has passed since he abducted you, so you did not miss much. “

 

 

“You may feel the effect of the Texian Wasp for some more time, so please do not overwork yourself. If you feel any pain, inform me of it and I will take a look. Last we knew, your absence was not yet publically known, so everything should still be on track. “

Edited February 24, 2017 by olopi

[Thevshi]

Paradigm 

Amara eyed Red Spear for a brief moment as she suggested leaving the Texian Wasp with her.  "Well, as you say, they are illegal.  Although I suppose their legality can very, depending on where you are in the galaxy."  The Praetorian replied, still holding the small device.  "In any event, I am afraid this one is evidence, and will need to be held as such."  She then added. 

"Number 17," Amara began, addressing the silvery robot, "please escort Munn and his pilot to the holding cells.   And take this into evidence as well."  She handed the Texian Wasp to the robot before turning toward where Barrier was speaking with Lexa.

[Supercape]

GM

 

"As you wish" replied Unit 17 in that characteristically flat voice indicating the Tinker, who ever he was, had ceased direct contact. Munn may have been a slippery customer, both metaphorically and literally, but the Robot gripped him tightly and Munn had given up the fight. He burbled something about lawyers and diplomatic immunity, and even something allegedly poetic about love as he was lead away. 

 

"Hmmph"

 

Red Spear crossed her arms and slunk her hips as she took in the scene, before addressing Barrier. "Not even one illegal Texian assassin droid for my troubles. Oh well, they are illegal I suppose" she conceded. 

 

"But I did help. Not just out of the kindness of my heart - although it would be a shame to deprive the galaxy of Lexa, especially at the hands of that idiot" she said, jerking her thumb at Munn. "Me and Dog, we still got a villain to hunt. I'm betting the Tinker has him hid away. So, you owe me one, if you recall"

 

She didn't wait for an answer, but strode of, perhaps with a hint of petulance - or, more accurately, frustration. 

 

Sphere glided on invisible gravometric bubbles as Red Spear left. 

 

"I am trained in basic medical care" he intoned politely. "If you will excuse me, I will take Lexa to the infirmary for diagnostics" he asked politely. 

[Thevshi]

Paradgim 

Amara watched for a few moments as Red Spear departed the hanger, her expression neutral.  She then turned to Sphere as he spoke up about taking Lexa to be examined.  "That sounds like a good idea Sphere."  She said with a small nod. 

Once the small robot had led the artist out of the hanger, Amara looked over at her towering teammate.  "Well, so much for a peaceful trip to an opera."  She stated with a slight smirk. "Do you know what Red Spear meant about her and her partner looking for a criminal here?"

[olopi]

PC

 

Barrier looked after the two separate parties leave. Red Spear was clearly somebody to watch out for, especially now that she was in a favourable position. Just what did she know? She sounded so sure about this criminal currently being located on the planet, it wasn’t just a guess. Or if it was, it was one she was invested in. She responded a lot less tense than she was in the moments prior

 

“They never are quiet, are they?” Afterwards, she returned to a more professional voice, running down what information she had gathered so far.

 

“Zaul Zeno. Judging by what she told me, quite a big deal. There appears to be a considerable bounty on his head. However, the two aren’t even trying to hide the fact they’re not in it just for the money. Both have personal stakes in it. “

 

Barrier recalled the first conversation she had with the two bounty hunters. Easy enough, her memory wasn’t perfect, but it was good when it came to recalling details.

 

“They see him as an experimenter. Red Spear …. I don’t know and hesitate to guess. Devil Dog seems to see a chance to get rid of some sort of biological problem. I sense an alliance of convenience, a rather unstable one at that. “

 

“Red Spear also seems to have a considerable network of intel. She knew about everything related to Munn, and more. And if she assumes that this Zeno is hiding here, I presume she has a good reason to do so. I also guess he has a good reason to be here. The two were not exactly subtle about their mission, so if he has not yet escaped, he probably has a plan. And, I must confess, in the heat of the moment, I may have told Red Spear I would repay a favour.”

 

Barrier looked visibly uncomfortable, something that was a rare sight by most accords. Yet, clearly, this deal with embarrassing to her, and admitting it even more so.

 

“Please excuse my thoughtlessness, I will deal with the issue removed from official Praetorian Business.”

[Thevshi]

Paradigm

Amara gave a slight humored smile at Barrier apologized for striking her deal with Red Spear.  "Traveller would be proud of you."  She said with complete seriousness, although the smile remained a few moments longer.  The she turned to look back in the direction Red Spear gone.  

"We no longer have the unqualified backing of a major galactic empire.  Since we were reawakened in this millennium, we have had to form new alliances and make agreements where we can.  We have not always been able to be particular about who we have dealt with.  While there are some who cannot be held to their word, our adherence to our principles defines us, to both allies and foes.  We must honor our commitments, so long as doing so does not compromise other principles." 

"In any case, I have heard of this Zaul Zeno, although in truth I cannot say I recall much about him.  Rightly or wrongly, he has not been a primary concern given other problems we have face."  Amara then looked back up toward Barrier.  "But I suppose he is a concern for us now.  Another to add to the list that seems to be forming." 

"Now let us go and see how the opera we were invited to observe has progressed."

[Supercape]

GM

 

The Night Opera never really stopped, but overnight it subdued, with long drawn out beautiful and esoteric strings and chords that was relaxing with a hint of odd. 

 

Act two started the next day. 

 

The morning was abuzz in the reception hall. Various critics and dignitaries discussing the piece. 

 

"I is being of beauty with piece much love"

 

"Mmmmwaaah....I do love septuplets! Why the third interlude was the most innovative use of polymeters I have ever heard!"

 

"The make up is fantastic, darling!"

 

"It only demonstrates the slow decline of the artist known as Lexa. She will never reach the heights of 'Fluid Ethics in the Limbic Realm', sadly..."

 

"I hear it has already reached 98% on Decomposing Flora meta-critics!"

 

and

 

"The Iambic Juxtaposition only serves to enhance our appreciation of the Gestalt Zeitgiest of quasi-existential anxiety in the face of neomodern nihilism!"

 

The latter was spoken by the artificial sentience Enlightened Smirk, one of the most famous art critics in the known galaxy. A ferocious silicon wit, he chose (for artistic reasons) to house himself in a decrepit rusting robot frame with regal purple costume. He walked slowly and had one ancient eye on the blink. "Entropy, my dear!" he would say with an apparently enlightened smirk. 

 

Sphere was feeling less serene as it approached Barrier and Paradigm. 

 

"I apologise for bringing you yet more consternation. The Star Knight, Kit Klikk, appears to be in a state of extreme stress...." it said, adopting a wobbly yellow colour on its surface. 

 

And Sphere was not wrong. The Star Knight was pacing up and down, clicking uninintelligibly, and even grabbing a few guests, staring at them intently, A few of the Tinker;s robots had started approaching, mindful of possible violence. 

 

"Whats grabbed him? Had two many Voxxian Volvanoes?" said Red Spear, hand on hip, silently coming up to the two Praetorians. In her hand was a Voxxian Volvano, a glowing red liquor full of stimulants that boasted an unparalleled ability to both cause drunkedness and cure hangovers in one. 

 

 

[olopi]

So far, the nightly parts of the Opera had, arguably, been the most enjoyable to Barrier. Soft, slow, yet artful. It reminded her of home, it was not entirely different from common Lyankan folk pieces. But, this was the time 2000 years after that, and, she was still here on a mission. A mission, which arguably, had not started as one. But with everything that had happened just on the day of the Praetorians’ arrival, it was best to stay watchful.

 

Barrier spent a fair amount of time learning the location’s layout, doing a bit of general research. She got in perhaps not quite enough sleep, but hopefully enough to not negatively affect her performance the next, undoubtedly also not easy, day.

 

“Good Morning, Red Spear. I do not know, but I assume it does not mean anything good. We may need to prepare for more action…” Barrier had stayed with the Terran Gin from yesterday, trying her best to hold the comparatively small glass in her hand. She took careful steps towards Klikk, clearly showing her intent to peacefully and slowly approach.

 

“Star Knight, is there an issue at hand? Did you learn of something new?”

[Thevshi]

Paradigm 

Paradigm had watched some of the evening portion of the Opera, but was finding herself somewhat distracted by the various problems that had seemingly sprung up around them.  After spending a bit of time observing the evening portion of the Opera, she had gotten the few hours of sleep she required and then spend some time talking with Elite and Traveller back on CoVic Station to keep informed on what else was going on in the galaxy. 

Now that they were back among the other guests, Paradigm had given up on the pretext of trying to appear as if they were just there for the Opera.  As such, she was not carrying a drink around with her now as she had moved along with Barrier, listening to some of the comments from the other guests.   

When Sphere came over to tell them about Sri Klikk's odd behavior, Paradigm quickly focused on the Star Knight, even as Red Spear suddenly appeared. 

"We will find out."  She replied to the bounty hunter.  "If you will excuse us."  She added before following Barrier over toward the Star Knight.

[Supercape]

GM

 

"Grue! Grue! Me knows they are here. Me...alone....Grue! Grue!" came the rather flat, garbled and distorted words from Klikk's universal translator. All six limbs scuttled on the floor and in the air, twitching. 

 

"Is it you? Is it you?" he said, pointing at random (rather alarmed) guests. 

 

"Is it YOU?" he whipped round, pointing four arms at Barrier.

 

Without waiting for an answer,  he whipped round again and pointed his finger at the Rusted Robot, Enlightened Smirk. 

 

Quick as flash, he scuttled up to the artificial critic, seized him by his middle limbs, and started pointing and poking at him with his upper limbs. 

 

"You! It must be you! Grue! Invader! Intruder! I heard the transmission. Not all, but enough. New flesh, old metal. It said. A disguise beyond perception! I see now! Grue can disguise themselves as ROBOTS now! Admit it! Admit it!"

 

For once, Enlightened Smirk was speechless. His left eye flickered uselessly. His crfumbling joints creaked horribly. Then, in a vexatious agitation, Klikk tried to shake Enlightened Smirk into submission. 

 

Normally such an action would be an aggressive but not injurious one. But Klikk was agitated, his Space Kinght suit was charged, and Enlightened Smirk had decided on a fragile body. 

 

Klikk pulled Enlightened Smirks right arm off to a few rather meagre sparks. 

 

And a gasp of silence hit the hall. 

 

 

[olopi]

Barrier did not flinch, or hesitate. She’d seen much worse. She knew how to react in situations like this. And, truth be told, she wasn’t entirely unprepared for something to go wrong. As soon as Klikk began to shake the art critic, Barrier was mumbling a few words.

 

And by the time the arm had come off, a mostly transparent field of green energy separated the Star Knight, the Praetorians, and the art critic from the rest of the room. It was the best she could do for now, nobody getting close to the four of them was more important than nobody getting out, actually. Anybody trying to play hero would not help the situation.

 

All the while, Barrier took a few calm steps forward. Her hands hanging by her side, her shoulders lowered. And then, doing her best to sound helpful and speaking with a calm tone, she addressed the Star Knight.

 

“Klikk. Your actions do not help in finding the Grue. Please leave him alone and stand down, then we can work together to find them. “