Space Oddity

[Brian]

"Interrogating Hathoway could be problematic," Holmes says quietly.  "I have every reason to think he's done everything you suspect and more ... but at the same times, Hathoway is legally one of the Gate custodians -- though he cannot actually go to the Gates.  Any more, at any rate.  To explain, the Gates are used on occasion as a form of corporal punishment; we can only learn how they function through trial and error, but the permutations are so vast that to truly understand them would cost us and our culture beyond reason.

"So on occasion, when the death penalty is issued, criminals opt to subject themselves to progression or regression testing, as best as the Gate technicians can manage it.  Seventy years ago, Hathoway was one of those people.  The end result, though only he understands the changes to himself entirely, is that he cannot abide the light.  He also understood enough of the Gates to create the beings that police his prison.

"Some years later, while he was still kept confined to be studied, there was an uprising.  He and his ... minions ... were instrumental in turning the tide and restoring the delicate balance of power to His Majesty's father.  In exchange, Hathoway was granted the title of Gate Custodian, and has a chair on the Lesser Council.  In theory, anyway -- meetings are in the day, so he must send a representative to attend for him.  As time progressed, his 'charitable' acts allowed him to build the Asylum, once his prison, and he has slowly and meticulously developed his political power.

"So while we can be confident that he is involved, ultimately, it is those who he works for and with that we must stop.  Once that's done, he has no power ... but the Crown is forbidden to act directly against officers of the Council, and his funding assures that they see no problem with him themselves.  Aliester's threats were not entirely meaningless ... but would warrant rather dire reprecussions.  I do not think that His Majesty would like to see his power maintained only by the presence his Starflare, armed and at the ready, but I know the people would not stand for it."

[Rezantis]

"I don't picture it being as simple up and demanding answers," Nathan says, "But I don't think that you're correct in saying that all we need to do is to remove his . . . employers.  He'd remain a threat regardless."

"What I want to do is to prove what he's done, and his involvement.  He will still want that artifact, and I can't help but wonder what he'd do were he to see another opportunity."

[Dracos]

"That was...some very interesting information there, Nathan..."  He practically stared down the man.  "I think retrieving that tablet is likely on our agenda as well.  Can you bring it to me when you find it?  Will we have to go through this person to investigate the gates, Holmes?" He wondered as well.


OOC: *eyes yesterday's post rush*  Rez, you deserve a noogie of 'Bad Rez, no cookie' :P

[Rezantis]

"When I find it?  Damn thing's hidden in my room."

There's a pause as he stops to think, apparently oblivious Dracos' attention.

"Didn't I mention that?"


OOC: Six posts != Rush. :P

[Dracos]

"No...No, I don't believe you did.  Would you perhaps have anything else like that you may have forgotten?  Perhaps the secret to the void spirits?  The list of names of all who threaten the king?  The secret to eternal ice cream?"


OOC: Nope, I meant the 'btw, INFODUMP OF AWESOME' =P

[Bjorn]

"I can probably answer those," Bjorn replies cheerfully.

[Rezantis]

"Well I'd been meaning to mention it," Nathan explains helpfully, "But you were having so much fun plotting that I didn't want to interrupt."

[Dracos]

"Oh goodie, let's start with the last  one.  I'm sure the king would love such a secret.  And how gracious of you, Rez!  I'd give you applause, but that'd be rewarding using an antique response for the 'I can't believe you forgot to mention that' complaint, and you surely can do better than that."

[Rezantis]

Nathan rolls his eyes.

"I'm yanking your chain, Phil.  I did mention it - on the ornithopter after we met up.  It's the tablet I was theorising might be the church's 'message from the creator'.  Holmes wants to look at it, and I believe the Maestro does as well.  It just didn't seem relevant to raise the topic in front of His Majesty."

[Dracos]

"No ice cream then?  Boo.  I'd forgotten apparently in the excitement of events.  Well then...What about the rest of you?  I take it Holmes and Rez are going to retrieve the book and investigate the gatekeeper?"

[Brian]

"That's a possibility," Holmes agrees.  "I imagine you're the best at determining your own distribution.  Who else would go where, then?"

[Dracos]

"Well, will there be issues with examining the gate directly? I would like to go do that.  Perhaps Bjorn and I can get information out of the gates directly while Tom stays as sharp eyes and muscle alongside Tim?" He suggested.

OOC: *returns from GDC tiredly*  I see door.  Here's a breakup.  Say yay/nay whatever =P

[Bjorn]

"Sounds like a plan," Bjorn says, rising to his feet.  "Let's get to it."

[Brian]

"Very good," Holmes says, nodding.  "I will be readily available for discussion and questions, should you require any advice.  In the meantime, I've arranged for all of you -- save yourself, Master Maus -- to hold the same rank as Nathan, with regards to power of questioning those in town for the purposes of investigation.  Simply remember that when you use this power, your actions also reflect upon the Crown, and all that entails."  He slides a wooden case across the table; it opens to reveal a velvet-lined interior with custom-shaped recesses to hold a trio of elegant silver pocket-watches, each marked on the back with the symbol of a crown in a wheel, surrounded by a ring of lightning bolts.

Nathan recognizes them; he's wearing one at the moment.  There is no watch for Tim, his rank as near-royalty confers similar status anyway, and he's got the ring with his own crest on it.  "I will attend my own duties, but return to my office whenever necessary to check for communications from you," Holmes continues.  "Now, I'm afraid, I must attend a meeting with His Majesty, and Maester Sondheim."  He nods, then rises and marches swiftly from the room.

After some last minute banter and exploration involving how (or if) to wear a pocket-watch, Phil and Bjorn find a carriage to take them to the Gates, where they can investigate the technical issues.  Tim, Tom, and Nathan, however, remain in the office to discuss venues of exploration.

OOC: The former now go to The Black Gate is Closed (Lord of the Rings OST); the latter continue to Questioning the Notion (Daily Planet).

This thread now closes.