------------------------- Game Start ---------------------------- WillGM: Now then. I have finally gotten my hands on an '01 calendar I can keep, whereupon I have realized that the Sunday on which you were all meeting last game is not, in fact, the 30th, but rather the 28th; Hallowe'en is Wednesday, which means you have a couple of days to deal with the TCS before the KBL party goes down. WillGM: (I may also hunt back through logs and retroactively edit.) WillGM: Y'all okay with that? Fearless: fine Edward: Sure. WillGM: Alright. The next day, then, is Monday; there is a TCS general meeting, according to the website, at 7, for one hour, to be followed by a choice of media connection and discussion. Rath has suggested meeting at 5 as the Works gets off shift, to do last-minute planning. Edward: Sounds okay to Ed, who checks his schedule to see what shift he's on. Fearless: No problem here... WillGM: Ed: You get off day shift just then too. Fearless: I just stock up on minicassettes. :) WillGM: Fearless: Bringing a vidcam then? Or audio? Edward: Gotcha Fearless: gotta get that quote just right, y'know? :) [ snip game-related msg'ing ] Edward: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for Edward (3d6) and gets 14. WillGM: Fearless: One or both? Fearless: yes Edward , at work, codes up a quick searchbot to do some snarfing while he works. WillGM: I'll take it that means both, then. Fearless: audio for certain, requisitioning a small digital vidcam from the Chief at work Edward: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for Edward (3d6) and gets 12. WillGM: Fearless: What do you tell the Chief you're requisitioning it for? Fearless: "crashing the meeting of my next expose." WillGM: "... Allrighty." *signs it out* WillGM: Unless ether you have any further preparations before arriving...? Fearless: not really... Edward: I'm good WillGM: It is shortly after 5 as you arrive at the Stone and Tile Works. The day shift workers are leaving; Zeke is herding a group of young teenagers toward a block of limestone in the yard and describing its behavior under cutting. Rath, Pete, Len, and Wes are standing and chatting near the office. Edward: Which Wes? WillGM: Interesting you should ask. (typing) Fearless shows up, nods to Zeke as he approaches Rath & co WillGM: Rath is in overalls much cleaner than the others; Pete's dark brown hair is dusty enough to look gray. Len is just finishing wiping a stubborn smudge of grease from a mechanic's jumper. Wes, in his black body, is on the other hand wearing a suit and carrying a Bible, adjusting a cravat slightly. Edward is in his biking leathers, and feels slightly underdressed. :) *** Bruce (nemesis@64-252-65-82.adsl.snet.net) has joined channel #gurps Fearless is in his fedora and trenchcoat, business suit underneath (no tie) Fearless lights up a weedstick WillGM: Heya Bruce. Bruce: 'allo *** Mode change "+o Bruce" on #Gurps by katster WillGM: Bruce: We're running a scene later the next day after last game; the things you were involved with, concerning the case, would have happened earlier today but don't immediately concern this scene. Bruce nods. WillGM: "You shouldn't smoke those things, Johnny. Nasty habit." Fearless: "I know. Want one?" WillGM: "I most certainly do not. I have no wish to pollute my Vessel with such stuff." WillGM: Pete shoots Johnny a commiserating look. "Wes is going to be stirring the pot tonight. He really is an ordained Wesleyan minister -- which means against smoking, drinking, dancing, drugs, and a number of other things." WillGM: "And *for* Destiny. Too many distractants in modern society." He turns to Johnny. "I can't say this to most people, but I heard John Wesley himself when he was preaching. He impressed me, and his teachings personally shaped me. I took an oath then and there to abide by the precepts he taught as I undestood them." Edward snrks. "First Church of Wesleyanism? *looks thoughtful* y'know, that _does_ have somewhat of a ring to it..." Fearless: "There is a Wesleyan church, Ed. Large branch up in the Poconos, between Stroudsburg and Allentown." WillGM: *to Edward* "Wesleyan Methodism is a hundred-year-old doctrine in the world, my friend." Edward: "I stand corrected. No offense was intended." WillGM: "None taken." WillGM: "Our intent tonight is to follow Wes's lead as members of his congregation concerened about a certain cult." Edward nods. Fearless: "If anything happens that'll require us to flashything the rest of the Society, I may need some help editing some electronic media." *holds the digital vidcam* WillGM: "Mr. Ferrifous, we suggested you would..." he turns to Pete and whispers, "Flashything?" Pete whispers something back, and he nods. "Now *that* would be useful in this line of work. At any rate, you would presumably be following us openly, interested in the story." Fearless: "That plan will work for most of you. They know my face there, so its best I arrive separate from you if you're going that route. Me, its just the first meeting I'll have had time to attend since the time I crashed it." WillGM: "Ah. Very well, that sounds good. Better even, possibly." He turns to Ed. "And you?" Edward: "Just tagging along for the ride, essentially." WillGM: "I meant your cover story -- care to be one of us?" Fearless: "From what I gathered, the Society, being 'open to all', doesn't mind if people show up unannounced for their meetings." Edward: "Sounds like a plan." WillGM: "Very well then. We have a couple of hours -- the three of you humans will probably perform better with a bit of supper, and we can meet outside the Society's place of business shortly after 7." Fearless: "Sounds good." WillGM: Very well then. Two hours pass, and this occurs. You are outside the Society's place. The electrical system has obviously been repaired, since lights are on people are inside. Fearless: BA did very shoddy work WillGM: It was a quick job. It's been at least a week since that was done, game time, unless I'm sadly mistaken... Fearless extinguishes his weedstick as he enters, greeting the swami with a nod and takes a seat near the back. Fearless: if not longer... WillGM: Fearless: there is apparently a meditation session going on in the main room. Everyone, the Swami included, is listening to what looks like a DVD of the Swami on a big-screen TV, providing a drone of meditation instructions. Edward meets up with the rest of the Stonies, is now actually wearing something somewhat working-class-respectable. To his credit, he doesn't appear to look uncomfortable to anyone who isn't an Elohim. Fearless: in that case I'll just sit near the back, and study the meditators WillGM: Ed: you are just a short distance away from the Society's storefront. "Remember," says Rath, "take your cue from Wes. Pete, Ed, if it gets rough, get behind us. The last thing we want is for you two to develop a record from tonight." Edward nods. Fearless: "The Unforgiven" by Metallica just cued. :) WillGM: Wes adjusts his cravat one more time, and appears to pray briefly. He stands tall, and clenches a fist. "Let's go." He turns and heads in to the storefront. Edward: " What, the Soldier Benefits Package does not contain a Get Out Of Jail Free card?" katster: naw, but you do get a Get Out of Hell Free card... WillGM: When Wes throws open the doors from the reception area, he looks around contemptuously. "As I had heard!" he yells, startling several people out of meditation. "You have surrounded yourself with the trappings of technology. Look at this!" He strides to the computer banks. "Is this what your hard-earned money has gone for? You seek spirituality in a cathode ray tube?!?" WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 8. Fearless starts up the audio and discretely tries to get the video in place. WillGM: "You!" he turns on the Swami. "You in your soft robes and with your appliances of luxury. How dare you take these people with their desire for comradeship and lull them with the flickering light of the media?" He turns to the audience. "God needs no such tools -- all you need is prayer to be with Him...." WillGM: The audience is clearly irritated. The Swami is serenely meditating, apparently. WillGM: "What are you doing here?" shouts one lady. "We're trying to reconnect here. Get out!" WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 10. Fearless nudges the person next to him. "Better tell the Swami he has visitors." WillGM: Fearless: the yuppie looks up at you. "The Swami will deal with these crackpot fundies. You watch." WillGM: Edward: as you look around, you notice something almost hidden in the hangings of the curtains around the walls and windows of the room: two video cameras. Edward: Trained on what area? WillGM: Panning. WillGM: Inside the room. Fearless: security cameras Edward: *nod* Edward , just as both cameras pan away from him, nudges Rath then when he looks flicks his eyes at said cameras to indicate them. Fearless catches Ed's eye-flick, and looks in the direction indicated. Fearless: casually WillGM: Wes is continuing his spiel. Pete and Rath are already taking an argument two on one with one of the more vociferous worshipers. Len is vigorously gesticulating with an iMac in one hand, shouting about the ethereality of fad cults. WillGM: Ed: Rath looks in the direction you indicate, and bites his tongue. WillGM: (quietly) "What do you think?" WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 8. Edward keeps a casual eye on the cameras.. are they panning in a set rhythm, or do they make 'voluntary' movements? WillGM: Rhythm. Edward: (likewise) "Probably security cameras, probably uncontrolled, but I guess this whole incident will be on the record one way or another." WillGM: (continuing) "That is *not* a good thing." Fearless looks around... from my observations, where're the stairs going upstairs? WillGM: The woman who shouted earlier catches this, and accosts Rath. "If you don't like being seen, you're doing it wrong! You should be proud enough to live on webcam 24 hours a day!" Rath begins talking with her about the necessity of privacy. WillGM: Fearless: there are several doors out: a row in back lead to smaller rooms, each with some electronic device; one leads back to the reception area, from which there's a door to a kitchen in back, and one door on the farther end leads from what you can see to a hallway. Fearless excuses himself for a moment, and heads for the hallway... he has an idea. WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 11. WillGM: No one seems to notice you go. Fearless: so I'm in the hallway, then? I take it voices are still loud enough to hear. WillGM: The hallway has exits at either end, one to the alley and one the emergency exit at the front you noticed earlier. There is a row of doors, two of which are bathrooms, one of which appears to be an office, and two down at the further end you can't quite see yet. WillGM: And yes, the arguments are still quite audible. Fearless: hrrm... Fearless: I'm looking for a way *up* right now WillGM: There don't seem to be any stairwells here from what you can see. Fearless: elevators? WillGM: Fearless: nope. WillGM: Back in the main room, a couple of folks being pleading with the Swami to take part in ousting the interlopers. Edward joins in on that conversation, pointing out law enforcement's usual reluctance to actually abide by the laws it sets for itself regarding wiretaps on one hand, and the "quality over quantity" approach on the other Fearless: hrrm... I'll return to the main room, and excuse myself to the lobby. WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 15. WillGM: Again, no one seems to be paying much attention to you. You do notice that the Swami has gotten up and is conversing quietly with a couple of his own people. Fearless: Winkle among them? WillGM: Yep. WillGM: In the reception area, there are the usual furnishings, the door out, the door to the main room, and the door to a small kitchen area. WillGM: "Battle Hymn of the Republic" cues Fearless: I'll check the kitchen area for a stairway/elevator up, then WillGM: There is a stairwell in back. Fearless: *muttered* "Paydirt." Fearless heads upstairs. WillGM: You are faced with a residential area, obviously the one you saw from outside. Fearless heads over to the bank of electronics, to see if any are the surveillance cameras WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 12. WillGM: Two decks are apparently recording the current goings-on downstairs. They seem to be being controlled via the... the very, *very* nice high-end computer. Fearless: okay... First things first... Fearless: turn off the surveillance cams via the computer. :) WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 11. WillGM: You figure out the security software interface, and turn off the cameras. WillGM: Ed, downstairs, the cameras beep once and the active light turns off. They cease panning. Fearless: now, to correct that eyesore of a web page through permanent deletion. :) WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 5. Fearless: it just *has* to be done. :) Edward: And Fearless achieves his Destiny on the spot. Don't forget the backups. Fearless: "Goodbye, trueconnectednesscociety.com, hello sweet four-oh-four goodness." *deletes backups* WillGM: Critical success on Comp Op... you locate the files and delete them on this computer, but you also realize this isn't the server on which the site is located. The FTP program is fired up, and the speakers hum as the mike turns on. A screen blinks: "Password?" and some hideously ugly glyph. Fearless: hrrm... Fearless: "Figures he doesn't save the password automatically." WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 12. Fearless types in "nybbas" Fearless: or whatever the correct spelling is for the Swami's boss WillGM: Nybbas is the correct spelling, but the keyboard doesn't respond. The input is definitely voice. WillGM: Ed, downstairs the crowd is definitely getting worked up. Voices are getting angrier. Fearless hrrms... searches tapes for a bit of the Swami's voice from either the last visit or this one. WillGM: Hmm... the Swami's voice was speaking on the HDTV downstairs when you began recording. Fearless plays that tape with what he hopes is enough. Edward: What's Pete doing? WillGM: The computer chunders a moment, then the password screen clears and you are in the website. Quite a few more files here than you deleted earlier. Fearless: mass erase WillGM: Ed: Pete's talking to a teenager about how a TV screen isn't a connection to anyone, and quoting the line about three million people laughing at the same joke and still being lonely. WillGM: Fearless: *chunder* *files begin deleting* Edward isn't going to join in on that one, as he could argue the other way just as easily. Fearless: what's he have on here? 2K? Millenium? WillGM: An IM box pops up. " Walstrz! What in the holy name of Hell do you think you're doing?" WillGM: *files continue deleting* Fearless types in "Revamping the site. I'll be uploading another one in a few minutes." WillGM: "But what are you doing with the membership files, you idiot?!" Fearless also files that IM nick away... YIM, AOL, MSN? WillGM: AIM WillGM: "... And what's the week's code sign?" Fearless kills AIM. "Boring conversation anyway," he mutters, and leaves the room Fearless: while letting it keep deleting the site WillGM: 'k Fearless heads back down to the main room, and returns to the chaos ensuing there. Fearless: I certainly hope deleting that website wasn't Fearless' ultimate Destiny... Fearless: seems almost... anti-climactic Edward: It's worth a couple of Good Marks in my book. WillGM: The Swami is exhorting his followers to stand up for their beliefs and not be cowed by cowardly isolaters. Some of his followers are at this point positively incandescent. Fearless steps into one conversation, doing what he does best, acting as (if you'll pardon the expression) Devil's Advocate first for one side, and then the other, bouncing back and forth as the convo calls for it. Fearless: want a Fast Talk roll on that one? :) WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 11. WillGM: Sure, go for it. Fearless: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for Fearless (3d6) and gets 5. WillGM: Rath pulls over to Ed. "What did he do with the cameras?" Fearless: ooh, *nice* Edward glances. Are the cameras still moving? WillGM: Nope. Active light is off. Fearless: scroll up... no panning Edward: "shut 'em off, apparently." WillGM: "So we are safe from witnesses?" Edward: "Assuming no other cameras extant. Assuming the people in this room don't count as witnesses..." WillGM: "Mm." WillGM: Rath looks over at Wes, who at this point has engaged the Swami (well, is attempting to engage the Swami. Three of the Swami's more vociferous followers are standing between them) in theological discussion. WillGM: "Pete has expressed a desire to get impulsively pushy with the Swami. The notion appeals for its practicality, but less so on the possible risks... have you an opinion?" Edward: "Assault, before witnesses... I'd recommend against unless you intend to leave no survivors, which I'd also recommend against since our entry in here is on record." Fearless: flashythingie the crowd, dammit! Fearless: :) Edward: "Unless the other side starts it, violence would be a bad idea. And even then. All-out brawls aren't the best way to resolve philosophical/theological debates." WillGM: "Sound advice." He looks around. "I think we have reached the point where the testing has been sufficient. Violence would likely have started before now had there been a predisposition." katster is away -- finding dinner. WillGM: Rath steps over to Pete, and lays a hand on his shoulder. "I think our ministry tonight has reached the point of diminishing returns, my friend." WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 13. WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 12. WillGM: Wes hears this over the noise -- he turns and sees the pair of them. Len does likewise, setting down the iMac he has been waving, gently, and turning to go. Wes fires off a parting shot about rich priests and poor parishioners, and strides out the front door. Fearless turns to the Swami. "Well, Swami, after seeing what happened tonight, I think I might have to look elsewhere for my answers. Good luck in the future, and may the Force be with you." *turns and leaves* Edward decongegrates with the Stones. WillGM: The Swami calls to people not to follow you out. Edward calls over his shoulder in a scathing voice "Isn't that their choice? Free will, and all?" Fearless: just out of curiosity, how many follow? Fearless keeps from laughing until he is safely in his car and driving back to the Works. :) WillGM: None. When the Swami calls, those who had started (three or four) turn and stay. WillGM: Rath turns to Fearless when the group arrives back at the 'Works. "I saw you go in back. I trust this means you destroyed the surveillance footage?" Fearless: "Yep. And their website." Edward raises an eyebrow. "While I won't shed any tears for the increase in signal-to-noise ratio on the 'web, are you sure that was a smart idea?" Fearless: "And, apparently, their userlist database while I was at it. A 'BoysToymaker' AIM'd him/me while I was at it. I think I just got our pal the Swami in big trouble with his boss doing that." WillGM: "As long as you have the film, or at least erased it. I couldn't bear Pete getting in permanent trouble over this." As an after thought he adds, "Or you two." Fearless: "And the way I type, curled fingers and all that, there's little there in the way of fingerprints they can track." Fearless: "It was all digital feeds. I erased tonight's surveillance." Fearless: "Pretty nice system, though. Where do the bad guys get their toys, kickbacks?" Edward: "If that's the only thing you touched." "Meh, I've already got one demon personally annoyed with me. Another one won't make much of a difference." Edward: "Downstairs." WillGM: Rath shrugs. "The grunts. There are angels and demons that pretty much do nothing but go from one job to another, making money for the cause. Standard procedure." Fearless: "Well, I've got my story. 'Religious Debate During TCS Meeting' sound good to you? I can't promise the editor won't change the headline, though." Fearless: "I can even leave out your names, or you can give me fake ones." Fearless: "Oh, the IM called the Swami 'Walstrz'. That name familiar to any of you?" WillGM: "Yes, please. And no photographs showing our faces. 'Unknown missionaries' would be best." Wes speaks: "The name under which I received my ordination was David Freedman, back in 1910. You can give that name." Fearless nods, scribbling down the suggestions. WillGM: Rath cocks an eyebrow, and smiles. "Not personally, no. But it will be good to note. Demons' true names are excellent intelligence." Fearless: "Might want to get another Vessel re-ordained, Wes. 1910 was a long time ago." Edward: "Mind if I toss that name into the Lightning report as well? Might be interesting to see if they have it in their database." WillGM: "Yes, but then I *want* the investigation to lead nowhere, this time at least." Fearless: "A check of records will turn up a discrepancy if they do their homework right." Fearless nods. Edward nods at Fearless. "And discrepancy checks is how we found these guys." WillGM: "At any rate, I can only hope we planted some disharmony in the group and shook some souls loose. The angels among us might do this again, as a more regular irritant. It might have been more effective to brawl it out, but too many humans makes that a dangerous proposition." Fearless nods at Ed's remark. "You guys have been somewhat sloppy at times with your paper trail. No offense. A look into David Freedman's former connections may lead them here as it is." WillGM: "David Freedman, to all known records, died in a fight with a Klansman in 1935. I feel pretty safe using the name. If you'd rather make up a random one, though, go ahead. Wouldn't it reflect poorly on your journalistic reputation, though?" WillGM: "That is, to report a false credential." Fearless: "I'll go with the 'unnamed missionaries', then. As I don't think you ever gave them names while I was actually there." katster is back -- whee. WillGM: "Allright." WillGM: "I think we've done what we can for now regarding the Society." Fearless grins. "What? No medal for destroying that weapon of mental destruction?" Fearless chuckles again. WillGM: Wes puts a hand on your shoulder. "Welcome to payday in the Army of the Lord. Weekly bonus, bupkus." Fearless: "Just kidding, Wes." WillGM: Pete looks at you. "Well, I get three squares a day rather than a life selling tabs of Ecstasy to high schoolers..." Fearless: "Well, I need to head back to the office and type up this article for the Chief." WillGM: Rath nods. WillGM: "Very well. Mr. Wong?" Edward: "Hmm?" Edward: "I think I'll head home, check that name with l.net and then catch some shuteye." Fearless: also check to see if Lightning ever developed neuralyzers WillGM: "Very well. I know you are attending this function on Wednesday with Miss Hollister. We can be nearby in case of problems." Edward nods. "BA's wiring a panic button into her chair, isn't he?" Fearless: "Yeah. I wonder what other goodies he has in that warped mind of his." WillGM: "I don't know the details on that." Fearless: "And he hasn't told me, either." WillGM: "Keep us up-to-date on developments. We will be ready." Fearless: "Right. I'll be hanging around the area that night, for backup and because frat parties plus Halloween equals cops arriving. A reporter's gonna be called in anyways." Fearless: "Anyways, I'm gone for the night... cyas, gang." WillGM: "G'night." Fearless leaves the Works, giving them all a wave. Edward says his goodbyes and also departs. WillGM: Okay. Edward heads home and logs on to lightning.net, checks if the name 'Walstrz' yields anything, and either way, sends in a quick note indicated the name is connected to the TCS as a Swami. WillGM: Ed: noted. Fearless: typing up the story, emphasizing the clashing of ideas and that the TCS people were the ones getting angry over their ideas being challenged. WillGM: Nothing comes up immediately, though later a reply is sent confirming receipt of your submission and congratulating you. Edward: Yay for autoresponders. WillGM: Fearless: check. Edward spends a couple of hours idly programming and letting the day's experiences filter through his consciousness. Edward: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for Edward (3d6) and gets 11. WillGM: Ed: Oh, no, that was apparently a database admin confirming that you had in fact submitted new information. Edward: Ah. WillGM: While y'all are dealing with the later events, now seems like a good bit of time to invest in Bruce's day. Edward: sure Fearless: 'k WillGM: Bruce? Bruce: Yeeus? WillGM: Just checking awakeness. :^) Bruce: Ah. WillGM: After the meeting of last game, Rath gives you his home address and asks you to meet him there tomorrow, early in the morning, for the trip to pick up the replacement Carver, and asks you to bring any identifying information you can get your hands on. Bruce gathers up his casefile on Carver including available photos, fingerprint records, etc., and heads over to Rath's place. WillGM: It's the place where you met Mr. Ellis the first time; the friend's place where he was staying while his apartment was cleaned up. Rath and Pete greet you inside. "Breakfast?" asks Pete. Bacon, eggs, and hash browns are frying up. WillGM: Mmm, cholesteriffic. :^) Bruce: Not that they have to worry about heart disease. ;) Bruce still isn't quite comfortable just paling around with these celestial times. "No, thanks. Maybe just coffee if you have any." WillGM: "Sure." Pete sets on a pot. Rath says, "I'll have a cup too." WillGM: "Unlike Pete, I don't need to eat," Rath says to you. "But I can enjoy a good cup." Indeed, the aroma wafting through the house is apparently a fine blend. WillGM: Pete sets down his breakfast and hands around coffee. He begins eating while you two drink. Rath takes his time savoring the taste. WillGM: "Zekariah, Angel of Laborers and an old friend of mine, claims coffee was invented by a foresighted God particularly as a blessing to the working man," says Rath. "I can imagine that his statement might well be truth." Bruce gives the coffee a suspicious glance, but gives it a sip. He sighs slightly. "Amen to that." After a sip of coffee he seems a little more relaxed. WillGM: "Here's what will happen today: we will be going to a Tether. It is... how to explain... a holy place will suffice. I will send a message to my Superior, the Archangel David. He is capable of providing a body to spec. The actual inhabitant of the flesh will be a smaller angel, a Reliever we call them. He will be compliant and will do his best to resolve things neatly." Bruce scowls slightly, shifting the coffee cup in his hand. "And so... what? He'll pose as Steele until the thing blows over and then just fade away into obscurity?" WillGM: "Well, certainly the first part. Afterwards -- any of a number of things. He could try taking up Steele's life. More likely, he could take up a new identity elsewhere. It will be a perfectly good body, no sense in wasting it while we have an angel who can set a good example to others. No need for spectacular effects lke last night." WillGM: "I assure you, he'll be a model prisoner if it comes to that." WillGM: Rath finishes his coffee. Pete swallows the last of his breakfast and goes about cleaning up. "We don't expect trouble, right?" he asks Rath. "No," says Rath. He glances up at the shield on the wall. "Never hurts to be prepared, though. Leave it in the trunk." Bruce sips at his coffee again. "If Mr. Ellis decides not to press charges, there's nothing we have to arrest him for. He might have to submit to a psych eval for his attempted suicide, though." He untucks a folder from beneath his arm and hands it to Rath. "I've got photos, his fingerprint records, his basic medical profile.. it's all I could get ahold of without raising too many eyebrows." He glances at the shield as well. "What's the deal with that shield? Last time I was here I... I dunno, it just felt there was something funny about it." WillGM: Rath takes it down. "It is a relic. A thing crafted in Heaven. Simple, sturdy. It will not miraculously heal wounds, or cause the blind to see. It has one virtue, crafted well: no force short of the Sun will break it." He pauses. "That was the old formulation. With these new weapons Man has created, we might need to add a qualifier." He hands it to Pete. WillGM: "Those who have awakened can see it for what it is." Bruce: "Ah, I see. I guess literally." WillGM: "Indeed." WillGM: Pete goes to put the shining thing in the trunk. In the daylight, its silver-chased diagrams seem momentarily to glow with the roseate colors of dawn. Rath turns to you. "Shall we?" Bruce sighs, and stands to his feet reluctantly. "Yeah, let's go." WillGM: They drive Northeast, with you following. It takes a couple of hours to reach the spot, a small town called Saint Clair. Rath parks at a metered space in the town square. Bruce parks in a space not too far away and feeds the meter. WillGM: Ever since you've entered town, Bruce, you've heard something with that extra sense: a low tone on the edge of hearing. It sounds kind of like crowd of men, softly singing a low, rhythmic tune, in unison. You can tell the direction from which it comes -- and, after looking at you curiously for a moment, Rath and Pete nod and head in that direction. WillGM: Rath nods to a couple of townsfolk -- they apparently have seen him before. Bruce follows along after Rath and Pete, swallowing a pair of aspirin tablets dry to thwart the oncoming headache, looking none-too-thrilled about the whole predicament. WillGM: They stop on the outskirts of town, near a historical marker outside a fence enclosing private property. "In the Saint Clair anthracite mine," proclaims the plaque, "the first miner's union in the United States was formed." WillGM: "We'll have to wait until the guard comes around. The caretaker lets in scheduled tours, and puts out the story that regulars like myself are history buffs and such." Bruce looks at the plaque. "This... 'holy place'... is a mine?" WillGM: Rath smiles broadly. "It is indeed. Holiness is not limited to preachers and consecrated ground -- or, rather, men consecrate ground by their holiness, and preach with their lives. Here, a band of brave men who worked the earth came together in companionship so they might struggle to better their lot. When they did that, they touched a tiny piece of the Divine." WillGM: "You can still hear them..." Bruce listens. "Funny, but I think I can..." WillGM: The guard comes around and recognizes Rath. "Good morning, Mr. Rathwaite. Owner expecting you?" There follows a bit of conversation, and the guard goes into a building on the property to fetch out a man in a business suit. He and Rath greet each other. WillGM: "Charles." "Bill." They clasp hands. Pete nods to him, and he returns the gesture. The new man looks at you. "Bill," says Rath, "this is Officer Whitechurch of the Philadelphia Police Department. You'd better let us in to the office so we can talk..." Bruce gives Bill a nod. WillGM: He nods, and brings you in. Rath lays out why you're here, including an assessment of your own state. Bill listens, leans back in his chair, and gives a low whistle. He looks at you. "You seem uncomfortable with all this. To put it mildly." Edward: ph33r d4 3l0h1t3 s3n3sch41 !1! WillGM: Hell, I hadn't picked a Choir. It don't take an Elohite to see that. ;^) WillGM: Still, Elohite's as good as any. :^) Bruce gives Bill a humorless grin. "Why shouldn't I be? I find out that the missing person I'm looking for was in reality a demon which these bozos had ground into hamburger. And now I'm here with them to aid in a cover-up when I should be dragging their asses to a jail cell? You're damned right I'm uncomfortable. I may not be the greatest cop, but I'm sure not a bad one." WillGM: Bill nods, unperturbed. "Your respect for the law is admirable, of course. However... consider the consequences of charging Marmarath with the crime he has committed, destuction of evidence. The evidence itself was planted in an attempted frameup. For what? Murder of Carver Steele. But in a real sense Carver Steele did not exist. He was made up from the moment of his lying birth." WillGM: "What justice would be served by jailing Charles for this, then? One man jailed for evidence tampering, another under suspicion of the murder of a man who did not exist. Fear and worry in the community. What justice in that?" Bruce holds up his hand and gives it a dismissive wave. "Yeah, yeah. Look, I'm going along with it. Carver may not have been real, but to the law he was... but pursuing it would cause a much bigger mess. So let's just do this thing, okay?" WillGM: He eyes you sympathetically for a moment. "Very well. The materials?" Bruce hands over the aforementioned file. WillGM: He stands. "The materials will not be destroyed in the process, I promise. But you may come with me if you wish." Bruce looks hesistant at first. "Hell, what have I got to lose? Lead the way." WillGM: Bill walks out of the room. Rath and Pete, after querying permission with their expressions, are also allowed to come. Bill takes you to the mine shaft's elevator and hands round hard hats. "The men discussed this proposition many times," says Bill, "but most often as they came to and from work. The final decision was made at the bottom of this shaft, one momentous night." WillGM: He turns a key, and the elevator begins descending. WillGM: The elevator reaches the bottom of the shaft. No one has yet turned their headlamps on -- you are wrapped in a quiet darkness, lit by dim reflections down the shaft from a circle of sky far above. The sound you heard earlier is louder here, almost as if the chanting men were in the room with you. Bruce wears his stylin' hardhat and rocks rather anxiously on his heels with his hands shoved in his coat pockets, one hand fumbling with the lighter therein for the reassurance of something more familiar. WillGM: "If you strike a spark with that lighter, Mr. Whitechurch... well, may I remind you we are in the middle of an elderly vein of anthracite coal," comes the voice of Bill. WillGM: "I hear there's a burning coal mine in the middle of Pennsy that they won't be able to put out for another hundred years or so..." Bruce: "Huh? Oh, sorry." Bruce lets the lighter slip from his hand and draws them from his pockets. "I fidgit with it when I'm nervous." WillGM: Bill opens the elevator gate and walks a few steps forward into the darkness. From the shadowy position of his shoes, you can tell that he has gone to both knees. Pete and Rath both drop to one knee and bow their heads. Bruce stands around like an ignorant mortal. :) WillGM: From Bill emanates some notes of that disturbance you are starting to recognize. Echoing with it in the chamber, the still air seems to breeze about, blowing coal dust; it might be an effect of the dust and the shadow, but for a moment Bill seems to be a statue made of the anthracite which surrounds you. WillGM: The stone seems to increase in mass; in hardness; in age; in strength. Somehow, the very essence of stone seems to be imbuing the chamber in which you stand. WillGM: Bill speaks in a whisper to an unknown audience; in the stillness of the mine, you can hear every word. He requests a Reliever in a designed Vessel, indicating the materials before him, with enough social adaptation to survive a legal process. WillGM: A single note below the frequency range of hearing answers him, rumbling through the chamber. It is, you can instinctively tell, an affirmative. WillGM: The Presence vanishes. Bill sits up, and Rath and Pete noticeably relax. Rath looks positively glowing, as if he's just seen an old family member. Bill addresses you. "It will take a few hours to fulfill the request, unless he hurries -- something he's not known for doing." Bruce: "Heh. As far as the world is concerned, Mr. Steele is still missing. I don't think it'll miss him for a few hours more." WillGM: Bill nods, and scoots over to lean against the elevator's side. Rath and Pete take up similar waiting positions. They pass the time quietly, Bill and Rath with somewhat more patience, seeming to simply sit and think, or possibly meditate, or pray. It is something of all that, at any rate, communing with the place. WillGM: About two hours later, a cascade of chiming notes announces an arrival. A figure about the size of a toddler appears in midair, shining brightly and smiling at you all. It does not illuminate anything, though, and the observer realizes that it is not yet embodied. It rectifies this situation... and Carver Steele stands before you, wearing a happy expression that seems somewhat out of place on his roughly chiseled features. WillGM: Pete groans quietly. "Why does he always have to send them to us naked?" Bruce lays eyes on a face he's never laid eyes on before except in photographs. "Your boss is clothing-optional, eh?" he chuckles. WillGM: "Powers of the Universe tend to have their eccentricities." WillGM: Bill gathers up the materials and returns them to you, then claps the newcomer on the shoulder and guides him on to the elevator. "Come be born, lad, and we'll get you dressed." WillGM: As you go up, the newcomer watches the slowly growing sunlight. He follows the effect with delight as he emerges from the shadow of the mine into the full glow of the Sun. Bruce tucks the folder under his arm and follows after them, shaking his head. WillGM: In the office, Bill provides him with a pair of sneakers and a large jumpsuit that can be buttoned to fit -- apparently having had a certain experience with this particular sort of problem. He turns the newcomer to you. "He's all yours now, Officer." WillGM: The lookalike extends his hand. "Hi. My name is Carver Steele. You're the one who needs to arrest me, right?" Bruce hesitantly shakes the hand. "Yeah, that's me. Detective Whitechurch. But.. I don't think I should arrest you, just yet. It might be better if you just sort of turned up at the school and the campus police gave me a buzz. It'd be a little more 'authentic'." WillGM: "Okay." WillGM: And it's 3am here. Since we need Ellis to bring this to its conclusion, I'll call it here for the night. :^) Bruce: Righto. Edward: 'nite WillGM: -------------- Session End -----------------