005: In the Presence of True Power

[Tiglath]

Bringing up the rear Garvin gives Terresa a cheerfully professional nod and offers his hand "Garvin". Pulling the lapel of his flack coat back to reveal paired knife hilts he perhaps redundantly explains "Throwing knives. I'm really quite good with 'em an' I'm very good 'and to 'and - but I don't do guns. Just never really got away with 'em... Thought you should know since we're paired up".

Having learned a little bit more of interest about Ciencia's character he finally finds a moment to speak with Treegarden "You alright Aster love? I saw you got tagged with a stunner. Subdermal's good but still no reason not to wear a vest".

[Thumper]

Growler, peels out on the grav bike.

”In for a Penny….in for a Pound. Ya wanna have some fun? Hang on tight!”

The full throttle acceleration lets off as Growler pulls the nose of the bike into a 10 degree nose-high vector and immediately pulls a barrel roll. Rolling out, he executed it so well he pauses for a half second with a still slight upward vector.

”Again!” and, feeling her squeeze again, performs a snap roll and rolls out level. He then rejoins Frederick in a paired point- line abreast..

What may or may not get noticed are the two Rexwell suit tethers securing the Princess and Growler to the bike.

Barrel Roll: [2d6+6]=7+6=13

[terrymixon]

Growler, peels out on the grav bike.

”In for a Penny….in for a Pound. Ya wanna have some fun? Hang on tight!”

The full throttle acceleration lets off as Griwler pulls the nosed of the bike into a 10 degree nose high vector and immediately pulls a barrel roll. Rolling out, he executed it so well he pauses foot a half second with a still slight upward vector.

”Again!” and, feeling her squeeze again, performs a snap roll and rolls out level. He then rejoins Frederick in a paired point.

What May or may not get noticed are the two Rexwell suit tethers securing the Princess and Growler to the bike.

She'll squeak and hold on tight.

"You're doing that on purpose!"

Once you get tired of making the Grand Princess make noises, what is your plan on approaching the building atop the mountain?

[terrymixon]

Bringing up the rear Garvin gives Terresa a cheerfully professional nod and offers his hand "Garvin". Pulling the lapel of his flack coat back to reveal paired knife hilts he perhaps redundantly explains "Throwing knives. I'm really quite good with 'em an' I'm very good 'and to 'and - but I don't do guns. Just never really got away with 'em... Thought you should know since we're paired up".

"Whatever works. You handle close, I'll handle far."

Having learned a little bit more of interest about Ciencia's character he finally finds a moment to speak with Treegarden "You alright Aster love? I saw you got tagged with a stunner. Subdermal's good but still no reason not to wear a vest".

"Surprisingly good. I expected it to hurt more. This upgrade is awesome. I wasn't expecting to need a vest today."

[Tiglath]

Garvin grins and then sends a laughing neural link message to Growler "If you're going to let 'er listen to rock music as well as ride on the back of your bike I think we might want to reconsider lettin' 'er Dad 'ave instantaneous travel between Capitol an' 'ere...".

Once you get tired of making the Grand Princess make noises...

The sun tracks across the sky, the moon rises...

[Thumper]

Growler to Princess-
"Of course! Gotta have some fun sometime! If not here, where can ya?"

Growler on Link-
"Roscoe, go high on overwatch. Frederick, Garvin, Silencer, and Arker, follow me...terrain following. Keep it low and fast until aside the building."

He slides up the mountain using a neural link picture from Roscoe. He parks the bike right next to the building after doing a couple 360s. He jumps off and draws his Maser Rifle.

”I like hearing you laugh, Princess Ciencia.”

[terrymixon]

Garvin grins and then sends a laughing neural link message to Growler "If you're going to let 'er listen to rock music as well as ride on the back of your bike I think we might want to reconsider lettin' 'er Dad 'ave instantaneous travel between Capitol an' 'ere...".

Once you get tired of making the Grand Princess make noises...

The sun tracks across the sky, the moon rises...

lol

[Thumper]

Garvin grins and then sends a laughing neural link message to Growler "If you're going to let 'er listen to rock music as well as ride on the back of your bike I think we might want to reconsider lettin' 'er Dad 'ave instantaneous travel between Capitol an' 'ere...".

”Nah, he’s gonna love me. Er, Us! He’s probably a closet rocker!”

[terrymixon]

Growler to Princess-
"Of course! Gotta have some fun sometime! If not here, where can ya?"

Growler on Link-
"Roscoe, go high on overwatch. Frederick, Garvin, Silencer, and Arker, follow me...terrain following. Keep it low and fast until aside the building."

He slides up the mountain using a neural link picture from Roscoe. He parks the bike right next to the building after doing a couple 360s. He jumps off and draws his Maser Rifle.

”I like hearing you laugh, Princess Ciencia.”

"You just like hearing me squeak," she grumbled. "That is my least attractive feature."

Everyone except Roscoe and Jaelah (who is with him) land. They are on overwatch.

The building is open to the air but still seems very clean. Honestly, it looks like a massive open air scientific laboratory and relaxation patio all rolled into one. The view of the area around the mountain is stunning.

The inside of the building is about 3/4 laboratory and the remainer has comfortable looking--for Droyne--chairs and tables. The long, squat tables in the laboratory have small machines and parts laid out in an orderly fashion. There is a single mechanical device that looks like a Dryone standing there looking at you from deeper inside. It is beside an interior wall holding a pair of teleportals. It is not visibly armed and seems to be waiting for you.

[Tiglath]

Garvin enters cautiously and scans the room using his PRIS vision.

[2d6+8]=11+8=19

"You just like hearing me squeak," she grumbled.

Scientists surveying the Ancient site were baffled as to why the droyne furniture within bore human teeth marks from an apparently much later era...

[terrymixon]

Garvin enters cautiously and scans the room using his PRIS vision.

[2d6+8]=11+8=19

"You just like hearing me squeak," she grumbled.

Scientists surveying the Ancient site were baffled as to why the droyne furniture within bore human teeth marks from an apparently much later era...

A totally different James Bond moment.

The room is different with PRIS vision, but nothing pops out as worrisome.

"Welcome, Masters and Mistresses, to your home," the device--robot?--said psionically. "I have been awaiting your arrival. All is in readiness for you."

[Tiglath]

"Welcome, Masters and Mistresses, to your home," the device--robot?--said psionically. "I have been awaiting your arrival. All is in readiness for you."

In reply Garvin sends "Tell us what you have made ready".

[terrymixon]

"Welcome, Masters and Mistresses, to your home," the device--robot?--said psionically. "I have been awaiting your arrival. All is in readiness for you."

In reply Garvin sends "Tell us what you have made ready".

"Your home. All its rooms and annexes are prepared for you, though modifications will need to be made for your species. That will not take long to complete. The pervious Master left a message for you as well. Would you care to hear it?"

Everyone can begin filtering in if they want. All of the uplifted--even Roscoe and Jaelah circling above the building--can hear the announcements, though the latter two cannot hear Garvin. The non-uplifted--even Aster--cannot.

Ciencia follows Aster in with Fredrick and Terresa trailing a few meters behind. None of the four seem to have heard the announcement. Ciencia is pointedly keeping her hands on her belt. Aster is looking at the tables' contents but staying at least a meter away from them.

[Tiglath]

Garvin sends over the neural link "Anyone fancy 'earin' the message? I 'ave a funny feelin' it will involve nausea, upgrade, recovery time an' utterly freakin' our guests out - not necessarily in that order. Isn't there stuff we're better off not knowin' ? Likewise isn't there some risks we just shouldn't expose the heir to the Empire to? She's 'appy enough just as she is walkin' about a bona fide Ancient... er... whatever the fek this place is. Since we collectively just offed the Director of Omicron Division - the folk guardin' the Empire against "special" threats I reckon there's plenty of realtime "crisis" for 'er to manage without bein' AWOL in a pocket universe with us".

He comms "Roscoe, Jaelah if we do say "Yes" you might not want to be airborne on a grav bike at the time".

[terrymixon]

Garvin sends over the neural link "Anyone fancy 'earin' the message? I 'ave a funny feelin' it will involve nausea, upgrade, recovery time an' utterly freakin' our guests out - not necessarily in that order. Isn't there stuff we're better off not knowin' ? Likewise isn't there some risks we just shouldn't expose the heir to the Empire to? She's 'appy enough just as she is walkin' about a bona fide Ancient... er... whatever the fek this place is. Since we collectively just offed the Director of Omicron Division - the folk guardin' the Empire against "special" threats I reckon there's plenty of realtime "crisis" for 'er to manage without bein' AWOL in a pocket universe with us".

Good warning. Proactive thinking. I like it.

He comms "Roscoe, Jaelah if we do say "Yes" you might not want to be airborne on a grav bike at the time".

"There is nothing moving out there," Roscoe said. "We're coming down. Honestly, it might just be a message welcoming us. After all, he went to a lot of trouble to get us here."

Too bad I already had all the pieces in place. MWHAHAHHA!!!!

And before the pair can get down from above, there is a familiar seeming bright psionic flash from over by Aster. Garvin is looking right at them and sees a small rod on a metal plate resting on the table. It looks suspiciously like a miniaturized version of the staff that uplifted all of you, and it is glowing a bit before that effect fades. Neither Aster nor Ciencia had messed with it. The Grand Princess hadn't even been looking at the table on that side.

None of you feel anything. Even Fredrick and Teressa--only a few meters back from the pair--don't seem affected. Only Aster and Ciencia throw up their hands like they are blocking an intolerable light. Then they're left standing there, blinking. Fredrick and Terresa surround their principal, weapons out and looking for threats. Of which, there don't seem to be any.

"What the hell was that?" Ciencia demanded. "I wasn't even looking at it and I'm having afterimages."

The little rod isn't melting like the first one, but it seems somehow...dead now.

I honestly wasn't sure you'd let me get them both here. I might have had to settle for Aster, but no, you came through. Thank you.



To-Do List

1. Uplift Aster and Princess Ciencia.
2. Oncoming uplift nausea and hearing/vision issues.

[ateno]

"I wonder if its against Imperial law to change the species of the Imperial family."

Arkar starts wandering around after assisting the two that need to recover.

Arkar

[terrymixon]

"I wonder if its against Imperial law to change the species of the Imperial family."

Arkar starts wandering around after assisting the two that need to recover.

Arkar

They seem to be a little less affected than you were. The nausea and hearing/vision glitches haven't hit yet, but they are still on their feet.

"What?" Ciencia asked in confusion.

To amuse myself, I've added Ciencia and Aster to the skills spreadsheet, so their stats and skills are listed there now.

[Thumper]

"You just like hearing me squeak," she grumbled. "That is my least attractive feature."”

Growler-
”Yes, I really do. I know why you think that. But here and now, It’s endearing…charming. I plan to hear it and your laugh much more in those times and places you don’t have to play “Your Highness”….even though you will always be her.

———

Growler was about to ask the statue if they can delay hearing the message when he sees the tail end of the uplift.

”Uh, well scheise. Did that just happen again?

He rushes to the Princess’ side and close enough to assist Aster too, if needed. He sees the confusion and alarm icon Frederick and Teressa.

Frederick, Teressa. Were, were you not affected…flashed? Aster, Princess Ciencia, tell me. What did you just experience? Guild members, did it just happen again. A small scale version of our uplift?

Teressa, Frederick: they are safe…I think…though they may have just had the same experience of being touched….or changed…same as the Guild members. If it’s true, this is going to be a rough couple of days for them, but they’ll recover”.

[terrymixon]

"You just like hearing me squeak," she grumbled. "That is my least attractive feature."”

Growler-
”Yes, I really do. I know why you think that. But here and now, It’s endearing…charming. I plan to hear it and your laugh much more in those times and places you don’t have to play “Your Highness”….even though you will always be her.

"I suppose it could be in a worse cause."

Growler was about to ask the statue if they can delay hearing the message when he sees the tail end of the uplift.

”Uh, well scheise. Did that just happen again?

He rushes to be by the Princess’ side and close enough to assist Aster too, if needed. He sees the confusion and alarm on Frederick and Teressa.

Frederick, Teressa. Were, were you not affected…flashed? Aster, Princess Ciencia, tell me. What did you just experience? Guild members, did it just happen again. A small scale version of our uplift?”

The two guards looked at one another. "I didn't feel anything?" Fredrick said. "Was there a flash? I didn't see it."

"Neither did I," Teressa said. "What's happening? Do we need to get the princess out of here? Is she in danger?"

Ciencia shook her head. "I feel fine. What is going on?"

[Thumper]

Growler-
You feel ok? Good. Tell me, what did you just experience?”