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The Bridge DedicationOctober 5,
5003, 9:00 AM -------------------------------------------- [Vargo] Karbydos Boulevard It's clear, cold, and windy. Obvious Exits: A podium has been erected here, adorned with crimson and white bunting, and a crowd of spectators is gathered before it. A ripple of interest moves through them as a figure in white ascends the steps to the podium: it is none other than the Duke of Vargo. Polite applause greets his appearance, and he raises his hands in greeting, smiling warmly. The applause continues until Alvaro motions with his hands for silence. When he speaks, his voice rings out across the crowd assembled there: "A thousand years ago, Vargo was part of a community of worlds. A commonwealth of humanity far larger than anyone now living can comprehend." Alvaro pauses, his features stern, yet sorrowful. "Yet the Republic was corrupt at its heart. When at last the soulless technocracy collapsed under the weight of its own hubris, wolves slipped in from the darkness of the Void to feed upon its corpse. To protect this world from the ravenous hordes, House Mercedes shut Vargo off from the rest of humankind." Alvaro Rees climbs the hill from Vargo square. Arslan climbs the hill from Vargo square. Gemmell climbs the hill from Vargo square. Sarno climbs the hill from Vargo square. Alvaro nods solemnly, as if in understanding of that action by the Mercedes a millenium ago, then speaks on. "And thus did Vargo abide in isolation for fifty generations, a lone spark of life and light spinning in the Void, prey to the sundry dangers that lurk in the dark between the stars..." He cocks his head and glances meaningfully up at the sky, and many in the crowd do the same. "Until the day that Alexius' scouts rediscovered the road to Vargo, and came through the jumpgate to reunite this world's lost children with their brothers and sisters across the stars." His brow furrows pensively. "A jumpgate is a bridge of sorts: it spans the vast emptiness of space, uniting the small islands of humanity that thrive in the warmth of the Pancreator's stars. As with all bridges, a jumpgate can be a causeway for conquerors as well as comrades. The people of Vargo received the arrival of the first Known Worlders with apprehension, and rightfully so: they did not wish to see the world they loved suffer at the hands of strangers from beyond the stars." Rees stomps into the area that Alvaro is projected to be at. He seems to have a troop of people following him. The man doesn't appear to care though, perfectly arrogant in the assumption that he has everything under control. "Bloodshed will happen tonight for this insolence!" He shouts out at Alvaro as he wanders in. He will shove his way through the crowd he if must, or he will shoot his way, no matter what cost to the people. He seems to keep his hand on the pommel of his little Neural Disruptor and then awaits to see when he will be received. The madness in his eyes begins to show. "Come with me," he motions for Arslan to tag along. Rees What stands before you is a man that appears to be about five foot eleven inches. His face always seems to hold a near-permanent scowl, molding the firm muscles to such a cool stare. His stare, another cool feature about the man, is partly due to the pale-gray eyes. Their lids are almost always narrowed in a hawk-like way. His hair is the black colour of pure midnight, kept in a short-cropped style never reaching further than his temple. It does seem to flow in such a way of a chaotic pattern, kept in strands that jut in all free-flowing, different directions. His actual face is kept cleanly shaven, in such a way that almost hints at the entire idea one will never catch this man anything but. He wears clothes that bear no symbols, or share no affiliation. A simple, black, full-length tunic that buttons in the front covers the man's build, not too broad, but not lanky either. It's collar it folded over neatly, almost meticulously. His pants seem to be a bland fashion as well. A few pockets here and there, some even near the knees like a cargo pant, though they aren't fashionable in any way of the word. Their intent seems for function rather than style. Almost predictably, when one gazes at the footwear of this man, it's plain black once more. Boots that lace in the front and don't look like much more than something heavy enough to comfortably walk in. Arslan wanders behind the madman, a blank look on his face as he shoots a look between Rees and Alvaro on his podium. Arslan Sarno looks at Arslan. Not like an al-Malik knight to suffer such treatment without good reason ... Gemmell is following along a good distance behind Arslan and Rees, speaking hurriedly and worriedly into a squawker, his gun appears to be out and held lowered, though not pointed at anyone. He continues to watch the scene unfold before him and glances around to see who else is around, "Duke!" He hollars out finally, moving that way a bit quicker... Gemmell His face does catch most of the attention when he moves down the street. He's horribly scarred and burned in a fairly hideous way. Thick ridges of eternally discolored tissue wind their way down from his forehead and around his left eye (it looks as if he may have come close to having lost it) and spreads across his whole face and left side of his neck, before disappearing under the hem of his robe. If one looks to his body, it's firm and muscled in the manner of most of his brethern, a life of hardship and labor for this boy, and more stretching out in front of him. He's fairly stereo-typically corded with muscle, but a little more squat and squared off than most, stocky with a large boneset, probably around 230lbs. He's currently dressed in the Brother Battle uniform (markings on his chest and shoulders marking him as an Oblate to those who would recognize it) set over a set of what looks like plastic half-plate. Oddly, his sleeves on the uniform is blood-stained, looks like it was totally soaked at one time. There's also a largish stain on his back, all the area between his shoulder blades, and the front seeping down his stomach area. Twin necklaces his only adornment, the simple jumpgate cross of the Church, and the sword and jumpgate of the Brothers. Not quite fitting into the 'adornment' category, but more the 'practical' category is a pair of Mitchau Ripper's holstered on either side of his waist, and a long dirk strapped to the side of his left leg. The minstrel slips a hand into his caftan. Alvaro does not yet hear Rees over the murmur of the crowd (perhaps over his own voice), and continues his speech. "Yet we of the Known Worlds who have made Vargo our home, who live among you with our families, we extend our hands to you in friendship." He extends a single hand toward the crowd, gazing at the people nearest him earnestly. "We stand with you against the true invaders: the barbarians who seek to subjugate us all. The Kurgans care not whether we were born on Vargo, or Aragon, or Istakhr. We of the Known Worlds have shed our blood in defense of your world, for it is our world now as well. We defend the lives or your children as fiercely as we do our own..." His voice trails off as he notes the approach of the party pushing its way through the crowd, drawing the notice of the VCG who form a cordon around the podium. "Who calls the Duke?" Alvaro shouts out in answer. "The Duke!" shouts Rees as he makes his way towards Alvaro, but stations himself off. He's a madman but not an idiot. "And my messenger boy," he seems to motion towards Arslan. "Your new Duke of Vargo, Rees!" He pumps a single fist in the air as he stares up at Alvaro. What a rather odd look, Rees staring up at Alvaro, as if too lowly to even stand on the same playing field as Alvaro. "Come down from the podium dear Duke, or else." He drags a finger across his throat. "I will murder these innocents one by one and you know I will. And for each extra minute you take in deliberation, I will make this nobleman shoot himself." He motions to Arslan, who so foolishly followed him. Arslan looks up at the duke, a subtle eye gesture and a slight shoulder movement declaring his intent to act on the Dukes word. Gemmell shakes his head faintly and pauses, whispering into his squawker for a moment and nodding, satisfied with the answer, he raises his weapon to point at the back of Rees head (so polite of Rees to focus on the Duke) and begin a turn of aiming, even as he mutters in prayer to himself, crossing with one hand as he implores the creator for a steady hand.... Gemmell Uses a Theurgy Rite and rolls 20 against a TN of 11: Critical Failure. [Gemmell tests his Theurgy, rolling 7 against a goal of
3.] Alvaro steps out from behind the podium, though the two Hazat officers who stand behind him seem intent on drawing him back to a place of safety. He shrugs away their hands. "Rees Catalfan," he utters, his lips curling with a snarl of distaste. "From what sewer did you crawl forth today?" He lifts his nose and sniffs at the air, and snorts. "Perhaps you have bathed since our last encounter: that might explain why the dogs of Vargo City are not fleeing from your stench." He looks out over the crowd gathered here, and makes a tsk-tsking sound. "You still seek to use innocents as shields behind which to cringe, I see. What is it you want today, Rees?" Sarno attempts to move closer towards Arslan ... without blocking Gemmel's line of sight (and fire). Sarno Rees waves a hand towards Alvaro and nods as he comes down off his little high-podium. "You and I," he says, pointing first towards Alvaro and then towards himself. "A meeting of course. None of the same tomfoolish behaviour. No more little puppets shooting at me that I have to kill. No, you know me," he seems to put his gun away, "I'm a man of trust, I'm a man of honour. If you will note," he strikes a finger in the air, "In the last three encounters with me, your people have shot at me first and I have done no conceivable 'wrong'." At the word 'wrong' Rees uses his fingers as quotation marks. After this he seems to incline his head. "You know what hurts the most Alvaro the Pest? That I'm right. Telling the truth hurts so much. Now come, I expect a safe passage into the Hazat manse where I will get brandy and wine served with hot Hazat food." He beckons for Alvaro to follow him. There's a cunning smirk on his face. Around the edges of the crowd, several Brother Battle start to show up, not quite a whole squad, around half of one, about 6 or 7 of the men pushing through the crowd slightly, taking up positions along the road back into the city, and generally getting a good glance at the situation. Upon spotting their arrival Gemmell keeps his aim steady on Rees. He doesn't fire though, perhaps because of Rees words, or perhaps he's just that type of guy, he does...take the opportunity to continue aiming, and whisper into his squawker, giving orders to hold and not approach or attack Rees until he gives the word. Arslan stands a few feet behind Rees, his body tensed to attack. But so far no order has been forthcoming. Alvaro's eyes narrow as he looks Rees up and down, his upper lip curling with a dubious sneer. He makes no move to follow the madman: instead, he slowly shakes his head. "You expect me to invite you into my home, Master Catalfan? I think not: the people who dwell there are under my protection, no less than these folk here..." He spreads his hands to encompass them all. He does not seem to notice the arrival of any others: perhaps he does not intend to betray anyone by drawin Rees' notice to them. "Whatever you have to say to me, surely it can be spoken here, under the light of Vargo's sun." He lifts a single eyebrow. "Unless you think the good people of Vargo would find your inane wickedness amusing, and laugh at your expense?" Rees seems to grit his teeth. "You will invite me into your home," he says, waving a hand towards Arslan. Perhaps there's something with that motion, "We will find a nice place to chit-chat, you and I Alvaro de Angel al Moron." The man takes pleasure. "Or else, perhaps these people of Vargo will begin to fear noblemen in general. You woudln't like that. I've been tame, do you want me not to be tame?" Finally he looks at Arslan behind him and murmurs a few words, some ancient words, some words of Darkness tht creep towards the man as if the slithering forked tongue of a snake sniffs out someone's mind, someone's soul.... Rees Uses an Antinomy Rite and rolls 20 against a TN of 15: Critical Failure. The minstrel speaks out, for the first time. "Rees Catalfan. Once a servant of the Phoenix. Now wanted by the Empire for treason - and by the Inquisition, for other crimes. What sane man would consort with the likes of you?" The Duke's brow furrows, his eyes flashing with suppressed ire as they remain fixed on Rees--yet it would take more than the casual rants of a lunatic to rub his ego the wrong way. "You are no more tame than a sleeping Guernicabeast, Rees," he utters tightly. He seems about to say more, but falls silent as the antinomist utters in the foul, demonic tongue. His gaze flicks toward the bard as the man speaks, and he nods to acknowledge Sarno's presence. Arslan recoils at the words, expecting...well, something more. But if Rees wants to play like this, that's fine. He lunges to grapple the man. [Arslan tests his Dex + Fight, [Arslan tests his Dex + Fight, [Arslan tests his Dex + Fight with a modifier of +3, [Rees tests his Str + Vigor, Okay, acting wierd is one thing, threatening people is another thing, now Rees has crossed the proverbial line, he's out and out openly used antinomy powers in Gemmell's full witness. That, is what you call in the business 'a deal-clincher' Gemmell steps in just a little closer, but then Arslan lunges and begins grappling with the man, his aim wavers slightly and he sighs, shaking his head as he begins charging towards the pair, snapping his gun back into the holster, can't risk shooting his friend. "Move in, form a perimeter." He snaps into his squawker, tightening the ranks of the guards, but still leaving them way out. [Local OOC: Arslan rolls 4 damage dice: 2 Successful. 1 BT. 1 Fire] [OOC: Rees rolls armor soak. 4 dice:2 soaked] It seems that he is being grappled. Rees shakes his head, though he makes no visible move to resist greatly. He puts a medicore amount of strength into this little fight. "Alvaro, make this man stop or I will kill him, now." He seems to grit his teeth together, rather angry that this always seems to happen. "I swear by the Bane of Yaglayelos that I will kill this man tonight, I am sick and damned tired this always happens. And yes, if you fail to comply with my orders I will start killing innocents as well." He appears to be calm, only putting moderate effort into this little grapple with Arslan. He seems rather serious, dead serious now. All gloves appear to be off as yet another 'hero' attempts to subdue Rees. Alvaro mutters into his whisper pin, "Rapid... units... blockade... of Karbydos. VCG... bridge secured." The VCG cordon has fanned out to block the entrance to the bridge: Alvaro glances over his shoulder to note this, his lips moving silently, but Rees' threat draws his attention back to the antinomist. He raises both hands in a peaceable, appeasing gesture. "Now, now, Rees... there is no need for that. For the moment, Lord Arslan..." He nods toward the al-Malik. "...is merely offering you a brotherly hug." The Duke peers at Arslan, and worries his lower lip as steps a bit closer, moving slowly so as not to appear threatening. "I am willing to hear out your demands, but I will not take you into my home. We may speak here. I have in my pocket a noise suppressor, that will allow no one present to hear us beyond a few feet." He carefully pats the front of his coat. Arslan rolls away from Rees, and springs to his feet... Rees' gun in hand. Well, threats apparently aren't taken lightly by the al-Malik, as he quickly brings it to bear on Rees and fires. [Arslan tests his Dex + Shoot with a modifier of -3, Gemmell continues to head in the direction of the fight, hurrying but not quite running lowering his eyes slightly and praying in Latin, "Pancreator, hear my words please. Guide my hand against this antinomy most foul, give me the strength to stand against the darkness, give me the will to do so. But thy own will and not mine be done Lord, walk your faithful in the path that will lead them to your mercy and glory, yours is the strength and the power of the ages. No matter what happens here today, let me remember that." Gemmell Uses a Theurgy Rite and rolls 19 against a TN of 11: Failure. Rees looks at Arslan as he seems to have loosed Rees of his own gun. He seems to incline his head and smirk, then he uses his magic powers once more, though they are not so magic. Alvaro is going to have to wait. "One moment Alvaro, it appears that your little nobleman want to start some sort of scrap." He waggles a finger at Arslan and mutters something to himself. Who knows what it is that Rees mutters though. Rees Uses an Antinomy Rite and rolls 20 against a TN of 15: Critical Failure. Sarno does some improvised praying of his own, calling on St. Mantius, Ste. Vargo and the Most Holy Pancreator to protect those present from the one who voluntarily turned his face from the Light to Embrace and become the Darkness incarnate ... Alvaro seeems startled by Arslan's impetuous move, which, sadly, fails to leave Rees a quivering heap on the ground. Scowling, as the disrupter shot goes wide, he takes another step closer, again holding up his hands. "What man of faith would stand in your presence and not feel an urge to kill you, Rees?" he barks a sharp laugh, and waves a hand dismissively. "If Lord Arslan is really no threat to you, why not ignore him and get to the point?" Arslan levels his gun at Rees' head, finger twitchy on the trigger, waiting for provocation. He is watching the man very closely, but he doesn't fire, waiting to see how the antinomist responds to the Duke's words. Gemmell likewise arrives closer to the scene, closing up and forming a rough triangle with Arslan and Rees, eyes going back and forth between the two as he watches carefully, ready for just about anything, but he nods to the Duke approvingly, apparently agreeing with the man's 'keep the violence down' strategy. Gemmell mutters into his squawker, "... the... moving them... quietly... can try... to... a stir... empty... place of an... we get the faithful... safety." Sarno closes his eyes, as if turning to listen to some inner voice. It seems that 'inner voice' has nothing to say, however ... It seems that Rees' eyes blaze with a sort of vengeance that he hasnever displayed. When he opens his mouth, his voice is no longer present. Instead it seems the voice is replaced by an echoing, rough, very dark voice, as if shadow itself were personified in such a sound. The man stands bold and tall, "Alvaro Angel Santos Castenda de Fermoselle Valencia y Vargo, you are no longer ssssssspeaking to Reesssss." The man slithers only a few words, or perhaps it's the way a demonic character speaks. "I am no longer toying or fooling about with the idea of mass murder. I have come here to sssssspeak to you and sssspeak I will, but when I have my possssssessssssssions, returned to my host." He points a gnarled finger to Arslan. "Order it ssssssso else I leave and you will not find out which house of nobility plots against the Light having made an allegiance with the Darkness." Now isn't this some enticing information that Rees or rather, whatever is controlling Rees, seems to offer. "Now." He says, expecting. "Innocents, and information will be lossssst. And I have video evidence to back up my claims." He holds out his hand, now, expecting his command to be obeyed. Alvaro seems quite prepared to confront the mortal antinomist Rees, no matter how corrupt the man's soul might be--but this manifestation of otherworldliness gives him pause. His lips set in a hard line as he eyes Rees with a hooded gaze for a few moments, considering the little hint offered. Finally, he gestures for Arslan to lower the weapon. "Speak we shall, then... whoever you are," he answers, a tad drily. "But I will not abide these threats to the innocents who are gathered here. Let them depart in safety, and your pet's toys will be returned to him. Besides, you do not want to harm them: the innocent lives at stake are the only thing keeping me from calling a plasma bombardment of this location. The rest of us here have all pledged our mortal vessels as shields for the flock, under the Privilege of Martyrs. We will gladly sacrifice our lives to see you dead." Arslan 's face never twitches, or changes, nor do his eyes ever come off Rees. He aims, and waits, finger light on the trigger. Gemmell nods in agreement to that, more than happy to agree. And in fact, (perhaps in response to his quiet muttering earlier) the 6 or 7 Brother Battle that have been ringed around the edge of the scene are already moving, working at the edges of the crowd and trying to efficiently and swiftly get people away and back into the city to safety, and Gemmell turns slightly to view their progress, the faithful civilians his first concern. "All will disappear," Rees says, waving a hand. "For you are tricky, but you are not smart. You think I will leave myself open to a few armed men? This is a test for you. The gun will be placed on the ground at my feet, and only you and I will be left to stand to speak. Else, I will disappear at any time I wish," and he places a hand within his tunic, though is it Rees even doing this action. "And I will visit you in your chambers, alone, and with me I will bring the head of a mortal." He pauses, as if the grin at the word. How immortal this manifestation truly is. Rees seems to just be going through trained motions, whoever is controlling him does a good job. "To show your greed and also to display to you how your lies and deception do not serve the light, they serve the darkness. The gun now and the people shall leave in peace, else..." he spits towards the ground and nods, pointing his finger hand and free index finger to the first innocent civilian he sees. "All leave, or none leave. Choose." Sarno knows his place in such negotiations ... and it is not here. Sarno wanders into Vargo square. Alvaro worries his lower lip, his gaze sweeping out over the crowd, and the Brother Battle working diligently at its fringes. After a moment's contemplation that seems to last an eternity, he nods slowly. "Very well, it shall be as you say," he utters evenly. "But do not think that -you- are -too- clever... daemon... lest your own hubris be your undoing." He meets Arslan's gaze. "My Lord, please place the pistol on the ground at the... thing's feet. We must place the safety of these people here first. We shall hear what he has to say." A long moment of deliberation crosses Arslan's face. Whatever conclusion he comes to, he is clearly disgusted about it. He draws his other pistol, and keeps it trained on Rees. The Disrupter he does indeed place on the ground, after emptying the clip, and kicks it over...to Alvaro. "My Duke, I will not give anything to this creature, especially at its request." His eyes remain fixed on Rees. Gemmell nods his approval at Arslan's choice, and turns his attention more fully on the civilians, staying close by to the problem at hand and watching quietly as they continue to be evacuated, perhaps estimating how long it might take.... Rees reaches down and picks up the gun, to prove a point of course. Then he brushes it off and shakes his head, smirking though. The lips of his mouth smirk and he holsters it, making a shooing motion at Arslan. Then he takes a small disk from his pocket, something that looks like a little round metallic object and holds it out towards Alvaro. The man's fingers seem to tremble, as if he's holding onto the power of darkness with his every whim and might. He holds out the disk to Alvaro, "Place this into a think machine," he says to the man, low enough for only those close to hear. "Watch it," he says to Alvaro. "You shall see the treachery beneath your foot. And then I want you to think to yourself, what other noblemen have taken my gifts to remove the Hazat from this planet? How desperate will the Darkness seek?" He seems to even point to Arslan, "For all you know, he works for me." The man will have to wait though, to speak to Alvaro again. "When you are satiated, you can thank me and send a messenger to me." Though he hasn't told Alvaro how to send Rees a messenger. "I will direct them to a place to get more of this information." Gemmell just continues letting the civilians get evacuated. Most of them are probably wierded out anyway (though curious) and the Brother Battle are fairly good at their jobs...so almost everybody is gone now, and the Oblate turns more of his attention towards the antinomist here. Alvaro's eyes follow the disruptor as it clatters across the ground to his feet, then lift to fix on the disk as it is brought into the light of day. He frowns, but does not reach out to take it. Slowly, his lips curve with a rueful smile. "I am not certain I want to know how many other nobles plot to tear me down, Rees: I have enough enemies already." His shoulders lift in an elegant shrug of indifference. "If it will make you go away and leave these good people in peace... then I will view its contents." He nods toward the ground: the Duke is not fool enough to take something from Rees' hand (beware Antinomists bearing gifts...). "Put it down, and I will pick it up after you are gone." Arslan remains aiming at Rees. He's just waiting now. Rees Uses an Antinomy Rite and rolls 6 against a TN of 15: 2 VP. [Arslan tests his Ego, rolling 4 against a goal of 3.] He figures something else out instead. He seems to look at Arslan as he is still here. "You have not left," he tosses the disk towards the nobleman, high into the air and says to him. "Catch it," and for some reason, the very tempting words from Rees' lips, or rather, whomever is controlling Rees' lips reach out to Arslan's mind as if it's suddenly a good idea to catch the disk. It's, perhaps as if Rees, is suddenly giving the man instructions. "Then put away your gun, apologize to me and give the Duke his disk." The man seems to motion to Alvaro. "Sssssssend the messenger to me. Ssssssend him to the Agora, wearing a red sash around his neck and someone will direct him to the correct assssssylum." Perhaps it's the way he chooses his words. Rees waits to see these actions carried out.
Arslan catches the disk, and holsters his gun. That seems to make sense. "I apologize for the violence, Rees." And he strides over to Alvaro, the disk still in his hands. Gemmell nods his head and watches the last few remaining members of the civilians be taken care of, and Gemmell pauses for a brief moment and then raises his own voice, "Rees Cataflan, guilty of consorting with the Dark. I fear that messenger may never reach you." he pauses, to let the attention be drawn to himself, "I must ask you to peacefully submit yourself to arrest, and subsequent judgement by priests of the Holy Flame. Now that your business with the Duke is gone, spirit yourself away, or submit." Alvaro hesitates, glancing suspiciously at the disk. Yet it has not seared Arslan's hands with dark corruption... so he takes it, and holds it as gingerly as he might a razor blade. As Gemmell speaks he looks up, then smiles in approval. Raising a brow, he looks to Rees to see what the man's answer will be (one can always hope that Rees will surrender peacefully to justice, no matter how slim the odds of that are). Rees stares over to Gemmell and then towards Arslan. The man makes a motion to Arslan, "Take off your pantsssssssss." He says to the nobleman. "Then go sing that Brother Battle an al-Malik battle ssssssssssssssong, do a jig in front of him to entertain him. I shall be ssssssseing you Alvaro." The man looks towards the nobleman gathered and then grins, laughing, laughing merrily a she walks away, towards the North. Perhaps this is another victory for the Darkness, but sooner or later, despite the best 'trackers' Rees is gone once more, as if he will disappear... off the face of any tracks. They always try. They always fail. Tavish emerges through the gate from the courtyard. Arslan takes off his pants and dances. From the northeast, Tavish, responding to the calls of his men. He stops at the gates of the Municipal Palace, trying to figure out exactly what is going on. Alvaro glances down at the disk in his hands, still wary of the innocous-looking silver shape, but looks up from under his brow as Rees makes his exit. His attention follows the antinomist for only a moment, though: the distraction afforded by an al-Malik dancing a jig is not something one sees every day. He coughs awkwardly and looks away. Gemmell politely ignores Arslan, and moves towards the Duke, nodding his head politely as he watches Rees disappear, making the token gesture of sending the Brother Battle out searching for the man, "My Lord, I am sorry that I could not do more, the crowds." That just about explains it doesn't it. Arslan presumably can stop once he's done with his jig and song? Alvaro offers a solemn nod to Gemmell, carefully holding the disk away from his body. "No apology is necessary, Brother," he asserts quietly. "It is for their sake that we fight such monsters as Rees Catalfan, after all." He looks up the street, and spies Tavish beside the gates to the palace. The detective receives a nod of recognition before he turns back to Gemmell. Under his breath he mutters, "I wish that just once, Rees would decide to make an appearance when there is no one around whom I wouldn't mind toasting under a sustained plasma barrage." Arslan goes over to his pants, oddly calmly, and puts them on. From the palace, Tavish moves out into the crowd, muttering into his squawker and immediately pulling constables aside to get the story. The Duke gets a very respectful nod from across the way - he can't really bow to the man from over here, but he'll show his respect as best he can. Tavish "It is brave of your Lordship to be willing to make such sacrifices." Gemmell makes a quiet and slight smile, politely ignoring the fact the Duke just said he wouldn't mind toasting him under a plasma barrage, "I must make an insistance upon you though sir, I can not allow you to view the contents of that disk without church representation present." Alvaro squints, holding the disk up in the light to examine it more closely. "You will hear no objections from me on that count, Brother," he asserts evenly, his tone drily amused. "I am loathe to even touch the thing, to be quite frank. If you would be so kind as to summon a member of the clergy--perhaps an Eskatonic or Avestite--to bring a blessed receptacle in which to place it for safekeeping until it can be viewed safely?" Arslan smiles to the Duke after adjusting his belt buckle. "I assume you have no further need of me, my Duke?" Tavish pushes his way through the crowd, finally, having satisfied himself that threats are past. He stands a generous distance away from the nobles and the priest, however, not wanting to interrupt his betters. Gemmell nods his head properly to the Duke, "Absolutely my lord, I will have something suitable brought shortly, and I myself will witness it's contents there with you if permitted." He pauses, "A moment." And so saying he steps off to the side, reaching around to the back of his armor and fiddling with the squawker pack to change the channel, muttering lowly to ask for the required items. Alvaro inclines his head graciously to Gemmell, then turns his attention to the now decently-clothed al-Malik. "By the bravery you have shown today, Lord Arslan, you have been a credit to your House." Holding the disk to one side, he presses a clenched hand over his heart and offers a quarter-bow. "I pray the Light guides you safely home from here." Arslan smiles and bows, and he turns on his heel, heading home. Gemmell, perhaps wisely, chooses only to nod to Arslan politely as he turns to make his way home, and then turns his attention quietly to Tavish, "Excuse me sir for not paying heed to your arrival, how can we help you?" Arslan smiles and nods to Gemmell as he leaves. The detective smiles. "Tavish Kint," he says, gesturing at his badge. "I got called by the men." He thumbs at a nearby constable and then looks at Alvaro with a worried look. "M'lord Duke," he says with a bow. "I hope you are all right?" He glances back apologetically at Gemmell - inquiring after his boss comes first. Alvaro likewise turns toward the approaching constable, and inclines his head. "I am unharmed, Detective. As usual, Mister Catalfan was more bark than bite." He pauses, his features twisting with a scowl. "Yet once again, he managed to waltz in and out of the city with the finesse of a Reeves Auditor making a withdrawal from a debtor's vault." Tavish nods. "I've had our patrols keeping an eye out for him since that regrettable business in the Agora, but..." The chief sighs. "We've not done a good enough job, m'lord. I'm sorry." "The man displays a fair amount of supernaturally garned influence Detective, your men can hardly be considered to blame." Gemmell shakes his head faintly, "I had, almost not believed the stories but this truly is a somewhat daunting foe." Alvaro purses his lips, gazing at the disk in his hand. "A cunning fiend, is Rees Catalfan, but that is no surprise considering his background," he murmurs speculatively. "The Imperial Eye is second only to the Jakovian Agency in its reputation--and I am certain that the Eye trained Catalfan well. That, added to his black arts... makes him a formidable opponent indeed." Vargo City's Chief of Detectives nods. "M'lord," he says with an agreeing nod. "But still... I don't know how he disappears so well. But then I suppose 'Rees Catalfan' is just one identity among many... And one he uses only when he needs to be visible. That means that when our fiend is invisible, 'Rees' really just doesn't exist." The hastily summoned pair of novitiates arrived with a Sanctified container for the disk, riding into the area on a brute cart after having hitched a ride. They pause a moment upon entering the area and look around until they spot the Brother Gemmell, walking his direction even as he speaks, "The Imperial Eye, really. I was unaware." He nods to the Detective, "There are many many people in Vargo, you are doing your best Detective...Oh, here is the box." A furrow creases Alvaro's brow as he ponders Tavish's suggestion, and he nods slowly. As the novitiates arrive, he gladly passes the disk over into their safekeeping. "If you have no objections, Brother, I would prefer that the disk be taken to the Eskatonic temple. They have experience in dealing with possibly dangerous occult artifacts." Tavish purses his lips. "M'lord Duke, I had a thought once that might help this... Commander Porter vetoed it when I first suggested it, though." Gemmell nods, "I will see to it that it gets there safely and guard it until you request it for viewing." he bows politely and watches the disk get placed in the box, taking it from the novitates himself and gesturing on his squawker, muttering and calling the Brother Battle back, "With your leave Duke, I will move to do so now?" Alvaro presses a fist over his heart, in the ancient Roman salute of which the Hazat are so fond, and bows to Gemmell. "Walk in the Light, Brother, and stand fast in your faith." He looks askance at Tavish and raises an eyebrow curiously, nodding to urge the man to continue. "I had thought to start fingerprinting everyone in Vargo," Tavish says slowly. "To put men at the bridge - bridges, now - and then also in the public thoroughfairs, rotating the checkpoints in the city until we finally found everyone. I had hoped to use this to find our serial murderer -" a brief pause, as the memory returns to him "- but he escaped our nets. Still, the database we would be building would be invaluable in many cases... And perhaps in finding Rees, if we were to acquire his prints from the scene of one of his escapades. Or even from that disk." A nod towards Gemmell and the priests. Alvaro casts a conspiratorial glance around, then places a hand on Tavish's shoulder and guides him to one side. He lowers his voice so it will not carry beyond a few feet. "This is considered classified information, Detective, but owing to your position, you may be considered privileged enough to know. A program has been underway for several years now, under the direction of the Interior Minister, to quietly gather records of fingerprints of the populace at every opportunity. A considerable database has been accumulated to this date. I am not entirely certain just how extensive it is, to be frank: that information is in my wife's hands." Tavish smiles. "From what I know of her, it does not surprise me she's created such. Perhaps we can find some fingerprints on this disk?" he offers. "I could send a team to the Lodge to dust some prints, if Your or Her Grace were to make sure that would be acceptable." Alvaro rubs his chin, considering for a moment, then nods. "I think this can be arranged, yes. I will send word to the Eskatonics to expect this team--and be sure to have a copy of the prints forwarded to the Interior Minister as soon as they are made." Tavish sketches a bow. "My lord," he says. "I'll go have the arrangements made, if there's nothing else I can do for you?" Alvaro takes a deep breath, and releases it slowly. "Debrief the constables who were on duty here: it is possible they noted some detail or other that will be useful. Beyond that... I can think of nothing else." He returns the Detective's bow, a wry smile ghosting about his lips. "One day, perhaps, you will have the privilege of filing a report on Rees' timely demise." Tavish
snaps his heels together. "My Duke," he
says, saluting, and then moves off to just that. [END OF LOG] |