2017-06-22: Glint of the Core

From Dream Chasers
Jump to navigation Jump to search
  • Log: Glint of the Core
  • Cast: Riesenlied, Noeline, Ambrosius, Cetiri (NPC)
  • Where: Old Petra
  • Date: 22nd June 2017
  • Summary: Riesenlied, Noeline and Ambrosius gather to learn of the outcomes of the Golem Core analysis... and of the Veruni and Metal Demon's futures.


<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

It's been a week since the joint excursion the Veruni and the Metal Demons had, where they headed towards the Lightless Shaft and uncovered the Golem Core. There's been much study on it since then, likely with Ambrosius' assistance as well... and some fruit has been borne of those studies.

Riesenlied makes the call to Ambrosius to share those findings, in a laboratory not too deep into Old Petra, a spacious science and apertures centre where... a metallic black dog-shaped Metal Demon with electronic lights for eyes is seated just below the Golem Core, her tail swishing back and forth. This is Cetiri, apparently, the Ebony Wings' head of science and research division.

"There you are," she remarks to the assembled. "Take a seat, and we can begin this briefing."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"Hmm..." sounds out Noeline, long and slow, as she stares at the Golem Core from a distance; her expression and stance are clearly curious, perched on a thick pipe that runs along the wall but leant forward a little in interest. For her, the science of an object is more a means to an end than anything - she'd probably describe herself as more of a historian and psychologist, probably - but she's had more than her fair share of technical training and has a tendency to fall into research on whatever topic interests her at any given moment.

As Riesenlied enters, she slips from her perch, joining at the commander's side with a light grin. "Have you managed to stop Devet from bouncing off the walls at the sight of this thing, yet?"

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

The Golem Core - it was an interesting find. Under Ambrosius's supervision, a rudimentary storage container had been constructed for it in order to prevent any possible deterioration or power leakage. There was no telling how much damage time and the elements had done on it.

He had agreed to the meeting when he had received word, and made his way into the room now. Gone was the bright-red poncho he normally wore. As he was among allies who already knew what he was, he felt comfortable in going without it and his hat. This made more prominent his pointed ears, as well as his rather long limbs.

He takes his seat and finds his eyes drifting toward the Core and the dog-shaped demon sitting beneath it. He had heard about her, but he hadn't really expected the description to be that...literal.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"Greetings, Ambrosius -- or do you have a title?" Cetiri asks, her voice rather raspy and electronic, as if it's coming from emitters rather than something resembling a throat. "My name is Cetiri, and I believe Riesenlied may have mentioned me already. I am overseeing the Research and Development of technological and scientific progress in the Ebony Wings... and this is quite the fascinating find indeed."

A pause. "Perhaps most saliently, and to get it out of the way -- unfortunately, this Golem Core is mis-sized for the Golem Lolithia. It is understandable, however -- Golem Lolithia is one of the eight Golems from the Metal Demon Wars, and their power consumption is far greater than most reasonable Golem standards..."

Riesenlied tilts her head. "But, are there similarities...?"

"That does bring us to our good news. There are many similarities between the broken core of Lolithia and this one, and given enough time and resources between our two factions, we should be able to manufacture a new core for the Ice Queen..."

There is a hesitation from Riesenlied. She didn't like the idea of using the Golems... she made that clear in her report. But still...

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

"I am siiimply...Ambrooosius... It is a pleasure, Cetiiiri..." Ambrosius replies with a nod. Titles weren't something he normally applied to himself. He was mindful of the ones used by others, of course, but due to his position he had never really obtained anything worth being proud of.

He listens to the explanation, though his expression darkens somewhat at the mention of 'Lolithia'. Was it fate, that his allies would retrieve the golem bearing that name...? He shakes his head.

"Yes... Golems come in...a vaaariety of different siiizes... I imaaagine...that...paaarticular cooore...came from one of our...wooorker golems..." He explains.

"But to thiiink...it is compaaatible with one of the aaancient golems...how faaascinating..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"It is an option," Noeline sounds out quietly, a hand on Riesenlied's arm as if to remind her of the other Metal Demon's presence. "Quite frankly, I hope that we never have to bring it to bear - never have to be that pressed that we need to consider its use - but it is better to have more options than less," she suggests gently. Is she the strategist? It isn't really clear, and she hasn't been quick to really identify herself beyond her name.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied looks to the Golem Core again. "Unfortunately, we race against time. We have confirmation that the sand pirates are willing to use Golem Diablo if they are backed into a corner -- and given the tactics of some our brethren, I would not be surprised if it came to that. We are in the worst position of deterrence..." she frowns very quietly. "And I do not have enough information about Gebler's capability to repair and deploy Golem Barbados."

Cetiri flecks her tail back in turn. "What are the Veruni's thoughts on the deployment of any of the ancient eight Golems?" It is a curiousity, and well worth understanding.

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

Ambrosius taps his fingers gently against the side of his chair as he considers the information presented to him. The sand pirates...he had not dealt with them before. They were a blank as far as he was concerned...and a concerning one, at that. He would have thought little of them, had they not had Diablo in their possession. As for what his people thought...

"I am...afraaaid I am not...priiivy...to that infooormation... However... I can make...a few...educaaated guesses..." He leans back, knitting his fingers together.

"They are...certainly possessing of...much power...however...their age and their...condiiition...means that cooompletely controlling them...is not a ceeertainty... In this reeespect...though their...influuuence is great...they are...unreeeliable...except as a...'baaargaining chip'...so to speak..." He says. Besides...his people possessed golem forces of their own. Though their power didn't come close to the ancient ones, they were more reliable in that regard.

"Reeegardless of that...however...I am...ceeertain...there are...thooose among us...who would...not heeesitate...to use them..." He adds.

Sentinel Kartikeya would, undoubtedly, use them at the earliest possible opportunity. That he did not doubt.

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"Given the amount of force that Gebler seem to be prepared to bring to bear even on a city under assault, I don't doubt that they will be more than happy to utilize the Golem wherever possible, assuming that they can," Noeline admits with a sigh and a tug at her hair. "Still, by the same token, I have a distinct suspicion that it is their air superiority we need to worry about more. We have enough forces to swarm a Golem, but those ships are something else," she considers after a moment, obviously recalling how quickly and abruptly the Gebler attack began and ended.

"On the human side of things, I-- somehow doubt that Diablo will be moving any time soon. Whatever it was that man did to it, it looked in need of some serious repairs, and those will surely take as much time as they do on our end. Or, rather, that is certainly my hope," she puffs after a moment. "I was hoping to see if I might get some more information on that front, but as you can imagine, things are rather cagey at present."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"I am deeply concerned about those that would try to deploy them not knowing the risks -- an out-of-control Golem is one of the worst situations I could think of in the Ignasian war," Riesenlied has to admit. "Or... perhaps worse, those that /do/ know the risks, and do not care." There are such people out there. People that she answers to, unfortunately.

"... I'd like to keep making contact with the pirates," Riesenlied murmurs. "I'd like to speak to their leader... where possible, I'd like to make plans for a possible alliance against Gebler. As much as my brethren may think, I do not think this is an enemy we are well positioned to take on alone."

Cetiri lets out a little snort, before she remarks, "On the topic of this Golem Core, however... I would be happy to release it to Laila Belle for the Veruni to use. We do not have worker Golems here, and these Golem cores do not fit into the engineering that our brethren adopt..."

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

'That man'...

"Iiindeed...it is...impressive...that a huuuman was able...to inflict such a...grieeevous wound...to an aaancient gooolem...on his own..." Ambrosius comments with a chuckle and a glance toward Noeline. At least, he assumed the human had been on his own, having not been present at the altercation himself. Her views on Gebler were interesting as well, and something to keep in mind.

"If one human...caaapable of such a thing...exiiists...others may, as well...that is...another point...to consiiider..."

Ambrosius frowns at the mention of an out-of-control golem being deployed.

"Iiindeed...that is...certainly an...unfooortunate possibility..." He murmurs. See again: Sentinel Kartikeya.

Ambrosius nods in response to Riesenlied, before glancing over toward Cetiri. He closes his eyes for a moment before considering her offer and nodding.

"Very well...if you are...fiiinished studying it...I will...contaaact home for...deeelivery of the Cooore...I can...also use the...oppooortunity...to fooorward along your...reeequest to...help manufaaacture...a new core...for Looolithia..." He replies.

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

Noeline's smile is, perhaps, ever so slightly private and quiet as she directs it towards Riesenlied; after a moment, the flamboyantly-dressed demon nods her head. "... I will certainly do what I can to make contact-- though I feel like you might have a little more in the way of rapport there than I do. At the very least, I will compile everything I know about Solaris and Gebler - but I have to admit, it is more a list of things I have confirmed /untrue/, rather than true."

Her expression drops again as she picks at her hair, though, her brow furrowing as Ambrosius makes his assessment. "Ethius. As far as I'm aware, he is not part of any organization, nor does he display any ties - but to be quite honest, I doubt very much that he would tell anyone if he were. He is, in a word, tight-lipped - and I rather get the feeling that he will stay that way regardless of what happens to him."

She pauses, for just a moment, and then smirks without humour. "He does, at least, bleed red."

"I intend to do what I can to ask him some pointed questions. I doubt I will get much in the way of answers, but I suppose we'll see. He certainly has had his hand in our affairs, however, after his rather surprising move at the exhibition - he has a sample of demon blood, as well."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Cetiri nods, and says, "I thank you for your gracious assistance -- it has been an excellent learning opportunity, and I've passed along my notes as well. It may be of interest and use to your own engineers."

Riesenlied couldn't help but keep on that topic, with a quiet frown. "Please do forward that along, that would be most useful. What are the Veruni's options as far as aerial deployment go? I admit, though we have Metal Dragons, we are somewhat stymied against the kind of deployment that Gebler is capable of. I would be interested in speaking of our strategic and tactical options..."

She looks at Noeline. "I have met Leon and Lily, is all. I can't say that rapport would help grant me an audience, but I would certainly keep on trying..." She has a quiet frown, but then nods at Noeline. "Just be cautious. He doesn't exactly respond well to discussion, so I am not exactly at my best suit trying to reach him..."

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

"Yes...I have had...dealiiings...with Ethiiius Heeesiod befooore...that is an...aaapt deeescriptor... I do not...eeenvy you...your taaask, Miss Noeliiine..." Ambrosius replies with a nod and a hint of a scowl. His opinions on the man seemed fairly negative.

"I am glad to...cooperaaate with you, Cetiiiri..." Ambrosius replies with a polite bow of his head before returning his attention to Riesenlied.

"I am a...mechaaanic and a...fooorward ageeent...first and foooremost... In that regard...you would be...better off...attempting to get in contaaact...with one of our...strategiiists... For the...time being...we cannot...expeeect to...receive direct support...from our main fooorces..." He explains.

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"In that case, I shall try as the Crimson Noble instead," Noeline bows her head to Riesenlied in a rather proud motion, flicking out her hair. "At the very least, I am still welcome in Adlehyde, so perhaps I can use that to my advantage a little and see what can be done to check upon it. I am aware of a couple of people around Adlehyde who might have the scientific knowledge to fix a Golem - one of them was at the exhibition, apparently quite a scholar of our race unlike Zed's guest - but as far as having the mechanical ability, I am not sure if anyone exists."

That's because one is your alt, Noeline. Don't get eeled.

"... I will be careful, however. I promise," she adds, and there's that ever so brief soft look again. "And, of course, I shall make any results of my investigations open to all."

"Well-- at least we are not the only ones rather cut off, I suppose," she adds, perhaps not with the greatest of diplomacy. The statement isn't badly-meant, at least, more slightly exasperated than anything. "It is, at once, a beneficial and detrimental thing. Better to be footloose in this case, I expect - I get the feeling that we are going to see some movement towards Kislev and Aveh. When I spoke with the White Knight, he had a marked interest in making Gebler answer for their attack."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"I see... yes, I'd planned to make more contact with your kin," Riesenlied nods in return to Ambrosius. "I understand that we cannot rely on support from the main forces -- it is much the same way with our deployment as well, which are limited mainly to those that have been deployed to Ignas. But at the same time, I would like to keep our options open as we search for the Guardian statues -- an ill-timed ambush from Gebler could be a devastating setback, after all."

"... do be careful of your movements in Adlehyde," Riesenlied does caution Noeline. "It is only a matter of time before the elder demons start asking questions, whether or not you are reconnoitring or otherwise." As even-handed as she wants to be, she still has some anxiety around that.

"The best situation right now would be if we were to let the Guard pick their battles first as misdirection, but laying low is not an option. Given the skirmishes of the last few days -- and I thank you for your assistance, Mister Ambrosius -- it'll only be a measure of time before they pick their way towards Old Petra."

She sighs faintly, looking to the three. "I anticipate that we may have to eventually abandon our position, but that's fine -- as Noeline says, I believe that our objectives lie west, and Old Petra's role as a staging station is largely complete." It still hurts, of course, but... it's good to be footloose, as the Crimson Noblest(?) said.

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

"The 'White Kniiight'...do you mean...the man in charge of...Altheeena's Guaaard?" Ambrosius asked, curious. It was impressive to him that Noeline had gotten close enough to speak with him...and managed to escape apparently unscathed. She was certainly a dangerous one.

"At the momeeent...I am reeestricted to...merely the reeesources and confines...already afforded to me...in other words... Myself, and the...other ageeents present...have only the...tools we brought...wiiith us..." He explains. "I can...atteeempt...to recquisition...some air support...but I...can make no prooomises..."

He nods when she thanks him for his assistance.

"It is a shaaame...you have...made a nice...plaaace for yourselves here...but...it may be for the best..." He comments.

"As alwaaays...if you require my...expeeertise...you must siiimply...call upon me..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"I am, indeed, speaking of Leo." Noeline bows to Ambrosius with something of an aura of pride. "I am, after all, a spy, and I do take some pride in my work. I have spent a great deal of time around Adlehyde, both before and after the attack, and I have become something of a known entity there. People are much more willing to help you when you have been seen aiding their relief efforts, after all," she adds lightly. It's all truth, if leaving out the exact details of Noeline's standing amongst humans.

The fact that Ambrosius is Veruni probably helps - Noeline probably counts them as a little more understanding as far as her ability to run around amongst them is concerned - but she's been a little more open about herself in general as of late.

"If there is anything you need me to uncover from amongst the city, do let me know, and I will do my best to surface it when next I am there. At least," she adds with a hum and a light grin in Riesenlied's direction, "My work as the Chevalier has not been connected back to me. But-- of course. You surely already know you have my word on that?" Is she teasing her commanding officer?

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied's cheeks are just very slightly red, as she sighs softly. "Of course I trust you on that front. Do let me know if any other developments happen... callous as it is to say, I feel that eyes are starting to move away from Adlehyde in the wake of the attack. I am planning on using the time afforded to us by the Lacour Tournament of Arms to stage our next few set of bases."

She does smile a bit more softly at Ambrosius and his comment of Old Petra. "It is a shame, but that is the nature of a forward operating base -- you have to assume it's temporary. One day, we'll see towards having a mobile base... but until then, I'm afraid we keep having to move from safehouse to safehouse."

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

"Yes, iiindeed...that is very impressive..." He comments with a nod. There is a slight smirk as Noeline apparently teases Riesenlied. It was somewhat refreshing, to see that they weren't all cold and businesslike.

He glances toward Riesenlied and nods slightly.

"The tiiiming is...raaather fooortuitous..." He agrees. It was awfully convenient how it worked out, giving them time to recover and make preparations for the future.

He nods again at the mention of a mobile base.

"Iiindeed...I wish you luck...in that endeavooor..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

Straightening up again, Noeline plants a hand on her hip, letting out a breath. "... no, I think that's a fair statement to make," she admits towards the winged demon next to her, with something of a sigh. "I know the Princess aims outside of the city - so do parts of the Guard, and many Drifters as well. Life goes on, I suppose - but when I visited the relief camps, they were certainly well-stocked and capable. The city is not being left to rot on its own."

She does allow for a polite pause. "... should I keep eyes on Lacour, as well?" she wonders after a moment. "Somehow, I get the feeling that Zed will have managed somehow to sign up. I would rather not see him get captured, if I can at all help it."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied laces her hands together and nods very gently. "I am glad. It is rather callous to say that they are resilient, given that it will not return those that have been lost... but they truly are." There is a pause. "If you have the time to. Given what has happened, I am allowing myself some space out of respect for the King..." There's a peculiar statement for a Metal Demon to make, but she means it earnestly.

"If there is some time, I'd like to hear more about the Veruni, Mister Ambrosius. About your voyage through the stars, and your trip back... there's so much I don't know, and I feel that we have commonalities in our suffering together..."

<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

"Zed...you mentioned that one before... I beeelieve Miss Priiima expreeessed...an iiinterest in meeting him at some point, as well..." Ambrosius comments, glancing towards Noeline.

His attention soon returns to Riesenlied, and he considers her words for a moment. Allowing some space out of respect for the King...it would seem Riesenlied felt deeply grieved about everything that would happen. It was a trait he would not have expected from a metal demon, before he had met any of them.

"Of course...I would be glaaad to...tell you anythiiing...you wiiished to know... It is not a...pleasaaant story...but it is ours...all the saaame..." He replies with a nod and a smile.

"However...there is much to...diiiscuss...it would...liiikely be best saaaved...for another time..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"... yes, I can imagine the two of them would get on like a house on fire," notes Noeline, a little bluntly as she huffs out a breath. Flames, people screaming and running, property damage...

"At the very least-- I suppose I'd be very interested in seeing inside one of your cities, if only we had the time," she has to admit after a moment, letting out a breath. "As much as I suppose I shouldn't admit it for the sake of pride, I do rather have the feeling you've retained a fair amount of knowledge that we have lost." Despite her words, she doesn't seem to have much problem admitting it - but then, she's rather odd for a demon, and apparently fond of chasing her whims.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied nods in agreement with Noeline and Ambrosius. "At the very least, we can reconvene at a more comfortable place for such a discussion. I've more books and other items of curiousity that would probably pique your interest, after all."

Cetiri whips up towards the case and begins to disassemble it. "Then, I shall prepare this Core for transport, if that will be all."

"Thank you, Cetiri," she nods. "That's all for now."