011: The Tarsus Institute

[joertexas]

She nods. “He murdered my father and tried to murder my mother. If I’d been there’s he’d have tried for me and I am sure there are assassins on the way to end me before word gets here of what he has done. They might try tomorrow or when they get to Vincennes. I’ve skipped ahead of them. To most people, striking back at Dulinor would be cheered. I want to do the right things but he has it coming.

“As for the rest of the nobles, I’m not considering wholesale assassination. They have to the chance to support me. If they act against me, then I have to act against them. The megacorps, too. If I stand on a hill of morality, I will die on it and so will the Imperium. Tell me I’m wrong.

Jaelah sighs. "My rule of thumb was to only do what I could explain to a jury. On the other hand, we have a huge advantage that we can exploit to maybe keep the Imperium from dissolving into a chaotic mess. We also have resources and lands, if you will, to at least keep a remnant safe if we can't stop a civil war."

[Tiglath]

William was still working through his emotions although he nodded in agreement with Garvin. "I would keep the culling of the nobility to the level of "accidents" or using real or made up dirt to effect change. We should be able to blackmail the legitimate heirs where we cannot make a complete change. The corporate efforts can be a bit more gloves off and we should consider extra Imperial facilities in places such as Collace when we clean up as well. Those will be the dirtiest..."

"I believe we should have a designated megacorp to act as our salutary example," Ciencia said to Garvin. "SuSAG. Hit them from the legal side with the Omicron Division and if some of their facilities somehow ended up changing hands to new upstanding citizens, then who am I to judge? So long as the new owners have things made very clear that we will know more than they expect and that if they become a problem, then they can be replaced, too. No official sanction, though. Just our indifference to the changes. And William is right. Make clear the Imperial ownership stake remains valid, and they would find an audit most unpleasant."

Garvin replies to William "Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggestin' a full blown revolution or very much of a "Night of the Long Knives" - except for those individuals or businesses deemed worthy of some "local privatization" on the grounds of bein' traitorous... bar stewards".

He pauses then adds "One other thing though, when you mention takin' any action on Collace you are overlooking a very important line on the map - the Imperial border. District 268 is just that. It's not a sub sector or any part of the Imperium. It's independent an won't react well to bein' strongarmed by the Imperium - ask Jaelah! Any action there will need to be both covert an' delicate but... there's a but. There's somethin' very odd goin' on with SuSAG in 268. Only some rumours I picked up last time we were there, mind - but the word is that they're bein' taken to the cleaners... by some local freedom fighter. He must 'ave a few mates through what with them bein' a Corporation an' all".

Metz ...sighed. "It isn't her but this is as close to an evil a thing as I've ever considered. The biobot would know what it was doing, but Isis the personality would not and would potentially be the instrument of her father's dead, and her own. Tell me I'm wrong to consider this, Garvin, and I'll drop it."

"Sooner or later, all of this will come out to those who matter within the Imperium." Jaelah looks levelly at Ciencia. "What do you think that will do to your credibility as a trustworthy leader in their eyes?"

She nods. “He murdered my father and tried to murder my mother. If I’d been there’s he’d have tried for me and I am sure there are assassins on the way to end me before word gets here of what he has done. They might try tomorrow or when they get to Vincennes. I’ve skipped ahead of them. To most people, striking back at Dulinor would be cheered. I want to do the right things but he has it coming.

“As for the rest of the nobles, I’m not considering wholesale assassination. They have to the chance to support me. If they act against me, then I have to act against them. The megacorps, too. If I stand on a hill of morality, I will die on it and so will the Imperium. Tell me I’m wrong.

Garvin replies "Empress, you are wrong! The Imperium is dead and, I reckon, actually died quite a while ago and now, without your father 'oldin' it together, it's just a the shambling corpse of a corrupt and rotten thing. I'm sorry for your pain an' your loss but what follows must be better... or who would ever want to be a part of it? You plan to off Dulinor with a bomb Metz has stuffed up a clockwork replica of his daughter... who used to be your best mate? Ruddy 'ell the psychology of that's... just staggerin'. You and anyone else who's alright with that needs to see a shrink! I said we need to watch out for this - the Ancients went ruddy mad and we need to keep ourselves right... I fully appreciate current events aren't 'elping anyone with keepin' a mental balance!"

He gives Metz a grin "Good for you mate - you could see the difference!"

He adds with a wry smile "Besides if you're going to "borrow" Dulinor's daughter to stand at your shoulder as a reconciling ally then her disappearance needs to become the news and not a headline that says some maniac blew her Aris' all over 'er dear ol' dad!"

(OOC: This one is something of a rhyming slang "reach": Aristotle = Bottle which by association gives Glass = Arse. It's sometimes the journey... ).

[terrymixon]

“I didn’t say I was going to use Doctor Metz’s plan, but he still needs to die,” Ciencia said. “Do you have objections to her being a hostage? As for his plan, it had the benefit of killing fewer bystanders than blowing up a ship he’s on. How would you recommend he die, Garvin. What would be an acceptable plan to end the bastard that killed my father?”

[Tiglath]

“I didn’t say I was going to use Doctor Metz’s plan, but he still needs to die,” Ciencia said. “Do you have objections to her being a hostage? As for his plan, it had the benefit of killing fewer bystanders than blowing up a ship he’s on. How would you recommend he die, Garvin. What would be an acceptable plan to end the bastard that killed my father?”

Garvin looks at fondly Ciencia and says "I should be tuttin' at yer fashion sense while secretly admirin' the woman you're becoming and the 'eavy burdens you're takin' on. Instead I'll plot a murder with you but you can't be 'ands on if you are to reconcile with Isis and gather up the shattered parts of the Imperium an' make it better. 'Owever, Dulinor's a murderin' mad dog bastard 'oo needs puttin' down - so the Counts of Vincenzo will do it. Old skool".

"Meanwhile promise me you'll take a pair of grav bikes an 'alf hour sometime today an' show yer Mum Uberwald?* Fly along the forest valleys an' clear yer 'eads? We'll get you up to speed when you come back".

(OOC: * Garvin's "Bavarian" demesne).

[terrymixon]

While you are discussing that, Roscoe will speak up. “We have a visitor.”

The screen above the kitchen changes to a new outside the ship where an old human in robes is walking up to the ship. He is using a wooden cane to help him walk.

[joertexas]

While you are discussing that, Roscoe will speak up. “We have a visitor.”

The screen above the kitchen changes to a new outside the ship where an old human in robes is walking up to the ship. He is using a wooden cane to help him walk.

"Let me go and see who he is," Jaelah says. She rises and goes to the airlock.

[terrymixon]

While you are discussing that, Roscoe will speak up. “We have a visitor.”

The screen above the kitchen changes to a new outside the ship where an old human in robes is walking up to the ship. He is using a wooden cane to help him walk.

"Let me go and see who he is," Jaelah says. She rises and goes to the airlock.

Jaelah exits the ship and finds a man in his 80s with unkempt brown hair going grey. The same is true of his light beard. His robes are plain, a bit worn, and carefully mended. The feet poking out under the hem are sandaled.

He smiled at her, showing teeth that looked healthy, though somewhat yellowed. "Good morning. My name is Anton Gideon. I'm here on behalf of the Tarsus Institute. I understand that I will be travelling with you for a while."

[terrymixon]

"Sooner or later, all of this will come out to those who matter within the Imperium." Jaelah looks levelly at Ciencia. "What do you think that will do to your credibility as a trustworthy leader in their eyes?"

She nods. “He murdered my father and tried to murder my mother. If I’d been there’s he’d have tried for me and I am sure there are assassins on the way to end me before word gets here of what he has done. They might try tomorrow or when they get to Vincennes. I’ve skipped ahead of them. To most people, striking back at Dulinor would be cheered. I want to do the right things but he has it coming.

“As for the rest of the nobles, I’m not considering wholesale assassination. They have to the chance to support me. If they act against me, then I have to act against them. The megacorps, too. If I stand on a hill of morality, I will die on it and so will the Imperium. Tell me I’m wrong.

Garvin replies "Empress, you are wrong! The Imperium is dead and, I reckon, actually died quite a while ago and now, without your father 'oldin' it together, it's just a the shambling corpse of a corrupt and rotten thing. I'm sorry for your pain an' your loss but what follows must be better... or who would ever want to be a part of it? You plan to off Dulinor with a bomb Metz has stuffed up a clockwork replica of his daughter... who used to be your best mate? Ruddy 'ell the psychology of that's... just staggerin'. You and anyone else who's alright with that needs to see a shrink! I said we need to watch out for this - the Ancients went ruddy mad and we need to keep ourselves right... I fully appreciate current events aren't 'elping anyone with keepin' a mental balance!"

He gives Metz a grin "Good for you mate - you could see the difference!"

He adds with a wry smile "Besides if you're going to "borrow" Dulinor's daughter to stand at your shoulder as a reconciling ally then her disappearance needs to become the news and not a headline that says some maniac blew her Aris' all over 'er dear ol' dad!"

"You've got some particular ideas of right and wrong, Garvin," Ciencia said with a sigh. "And I didn't say I was for the idea of using a bomb to kill Dulion, just that he needed to die. Is a robot the same as a person? I suppose Roscoe could answer that question, but so long as it wasn't conscious, then it's just a machine that is good at acting. I'll wager an android could do the same as that biobot at Imperial tech levels. The key point is that he never suggested putting a bomb in the real person, and neither did I. How is that different than someone shooting him? is it the cloned or duplicated body that gives you the willies?"

She waved her hand. "It doesn't matter because you're right. A hostage needs to be known gone or they aren't much of a hostage. That needs to be mission one in the Core, and anything else will have to be improvised by you all. What I don't know will still get blamed on me, but you do what you feel best."

[terrymixon]

“I didn’t say I was going to use Doctor Metz’s plan, but he still needs to die,” Ciencia said. “Do you have objections to her being a hostage? As for his plan, it had the benefit of killing fewer bystanders than blowing up a ship he’s on. How would you recommend he die, Garvin. What would be an acceptable plan to end the bastard that killed my father?”

Garvin looks at fondly Ciencia and says "I should be tuttin' at yer fashion sense while secretly admirin' the woman you're becoming and the 'eavy burdens you're takin' on. Instead I'll plot a murder with you but you can't be 'ands on if you are to reconcile with Isis and gather up the shattered parts of the Imperium an' make it better. 'Owever, Dulinor's a murderin' mad dog bastard 'oo needs puttin' down - so the Counts of Vincenzo will do it. Old skool".

"Meanwhile promise me you'll take a pair of grav bikes an 'alf hour sometime today an' show yer Mum Uberwald?* Fly along the forest valleys an' clear yer 'eads? We'll get you up to speed when you come back".

(OOC: * Garvin's "Bavarian" demesne).

"I will. After I speak with the Ambassador. Which I will do as soon as we see what new problem is dropping in our lap."

[joertexas]

He smiled at her, showing teeth that looked healthy, though somewhat yellowed. "Good morning. My name is Anton Gideon. I'm here on behalf of the Tarsus Institute. I understand that I will be travelling with you for a while."

Jaelah smiles back. "I am Jaelah Shugilamar. My companions and I are dealing with a minor crisis at the moment, but we can provide you with lodging and such while we work."

[terrymixon]

He smiled at her, showing teeth that looked healthy, though somewhat yellowed. "Good morning. My name is Anton Gideon. I'm here on behalf of the Tarsus Institute. I understand that I will be travelling with you for a while."

Jaelah smiles back. "I am Jaelah Shugilamar. My companions and I are dealing with a minor crisis at the moment, but we can provide you with lodging and such while we work."

“Perfectly acceptable,” he said agreeably. “I have a reader and can amuse myself until you either handle your crisis or it’s time for an old man to eat lunch.”

[joertexas]

“Perfectly acceptable,” he said agreeably. “I have a reader and can amuse myself until you either handle your crisis or it’s time for an old man to eat lunch.”

Jaelah links to Roscoe. "Can you help me rent or borrow a place for this gentleman to stay until we're done?"

[terrymixon]

“Perfectly acceptable,” he said agreeably. “I have a reader and can amuse myself until you either handle your crisis or it’s time for an old man to eat lunch.”

Jaelah links to Roscoe. "Can you help me rent or borrow a place for this gentleman to stay until we're done?"

"I am monitoring the situation and based on what you said, I believe he thinks you mean housing aboard the ship. He undoubtedly has lodging somewhere nearby, but is it wise to send a representative of the Institute away like this? Perhaps it would be best to put him in Spicoli's room. I can quickly clear it of things. He will need a place once we start moving around."

[Thumper]

Walt will make his way to the inside of the airlock to greet the elderly man when Jaelah leads him inside.

”Mr Gidean? Walter Slaine. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am very pleased with the institute’s response to send someone over.

If you’ll just step inside we’ll get you to a room where you can get settled. Can I get a bot to bring you a drink or food while we have an important discussion?”

[terrymixon]

Walt will make his way to the inside of the airlock to greet the elderly man when Jaelah leads him inside.

”Mr Gidean? Walter Slaine. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am very pleased with the institute’s response to send someone over.

If you’ll just step inside we’ll get you to a room where you can get settled. Can I get a bot to bring you a drink or food while we have an important discussion?”

"Thank you," he said with a reserved but genuine smile. His grip is frail. "If the room has water, I will be fine. I can send for my bags when you are less busy and will leave you to your doings."

Once he is in his new room and the door is closed, he is shielded and cannot sense anything out in the common area.

You may proceed with your crisis in progress.

[Thumper]

Walt-
”I don’t understand how capturing Isis will help your case when we also kill her father…by whatever means are decided upon.

Bit the mission objectives laid out are clear:

Kill Dulinor

Capture Isis

Take out bad nobility in the Frontuer

Pretty straightforward. I like clear and concise objectives.”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”I don’t understand how capturing Isis will help your case when we also kill her father…by whatever means are decided upon.

Bit the mission objectives laid out are clear:

Kill Dulinor

Capture Isis

Take out bad nobility in the Frontuer

Pretty straightforward. I like clear and concise objectives.”

"Because we might not be able to get him," she said. "Not in time anyway. And if we ever decide he has to wait, it would be better to have a lever. Also, if she knew, she's dead, too, old friend or not, and the mission is Isis first."

[helvorn]

Walt-
”I don’t understand how capturing Isis will help your case when we also kill her father…by whatever means are decided upon.

Bit the mission objectives laid out are clear:

Kill Dulinor

Capture Isis

Take out bad nobility in the Frontuer

Pretty straightforward. I like clear and concise objectives.”

"Because we might not be able to get him," she said. "Not in time anyway. And if we ever decide he has to wait, it would be better to have a lever. Also, if she knew, she's dead, too, old friend or not, and the mission is Isis first."

William chimed in. "That is a good list Walt. To that I would add a few some of which may be done by Ciencia and Aster."

-Secure the Corridor Swing fleet
-Secure the J6 courier routes across the Great Rift and the X-Boat routes through Corridor
-Establish a defense in depth in Corridor to intercept the Navy, Scout, Intelligence service and 'Corp J6 couriers
-Grab Dulinor's wife if we can manage
-Tame the 'Corps

"If we can hack Dulinor's personal systems we can probably get his primary and alternative return itineraries and intercept him."

[Thumper]

Walt-
”Copy the order of operations, Ciencia, and the rationale.

And I would add to the priority list: ensure the absolute loyalty of the IISS in our Pocket Universe, and complete control of the portals to access it.

I should think that developing talents in Telepathic Psiinics will be a key in dealing with nobility and military brass.

I’m very happy to see this latest appearance.”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”Copy the order of operations, Ciencia, and the rationale.

And I would add to the priority list: ensure the absolute loyalty of the IISS in our Pocket Universe, and complete control of the portals to access it.

I should think that developing talents in Telepathic Psiinics will be a key in dealing with nobility and military brass.

I’m very happy to see this latest appearance.”

"You know, I think I should leave the things I shouldn't know about to you and focus on the politics," Ciencia said. "William, I will trust you not to go too far. Take the team and handle it. On reflection, it's probably best if I don't know what is happening. Ignorance is bliss, and so on. I'll keep my other half here with me, along with my mother, Aster, Bona, Bianca, and Roscoe the mobile. If he can make a copy to go with you, I will keep the ship as well. Then you six can go solve problems."

Metz cleared his throat. "Actually, I need to stay. I am involved in the taint project here and need to see that through. They won't need me for what they are doing."

That would cut William, Garvin, Arkar, Walt, Roscoe, and Jaelah loose to act independently. You could take your new mentor, but that might cause some questions. This will cut you loose from a situation where you aren't making the decisions, and Roscoe can be support now that you can do whatever you think best. You pick the missions and the order. Go!