Space Oddity

[Rezantis]

Nathan picks a seat at random and straps himself in.

[Brian]

"We are off to the palace," Aliester says, as the last of his passengers finish belting themselves in, and the doors are closed by the pilots.  The whirring of the ornithopter's wings seem curiously muted, inside the cabin.

"There," Holmes picks up, "we would like to discuss things with you in length -- mostly about the sphere you came from, and the condition of the Starflare."  He looks at Westley, then.  "The voyage was longer than His Majesty anticipated."

"By years," Westley says cheerfully.  "Unfortunately, we spent most of that time lost, in transit.  I'll gleefully tell His Majesty anything he'd like to know about the world beyond the Shroud, but I expect that our guests here will know far more about Windhurst than we will."

"That will be welcome," Aliester says, smiling.  "Are there any sort of special accommodations I should be aware that you will require while you are staying with us?"

[Bjorn]

"Yes, in fact," Bjorn replies cheerfully.  "I'm afraid that, for the purposes of my mission, I'll need to collect one more person.  Tim Maus is currently working at an anabaric power station, under the supervision of a man by the name of Ballmer.  I realize it might pose some inconvenience, but I would be quite grateful if we could pick him up on our way."

[Dracos]

Dracos eyed Bjorn, a thought flitting across Bjorn's mind Are you sure its wise to have all of us clearly within view?  We don't suspect treachery here, but that doesn't mean that there isn't other folks who might be watching or listening, whether spies from the church or simply whatever different political trouble was being discussed by Vega.

OOC: switching only for the message

[Rezantis]

Nathan gives Bjorn a very sharp look.

"Discreetly if possible," he says, "The Maus siblings supposedly died when their home was burned down, and if Timothy hasn't revealed himself I presume he has a very good reason for it."

[Bjorn]

"Quickly, I'm afraid, is rather the word of the day," Bjorn replies to Nathan.  "Mr. Maus' cover has already been compromised, and his safety is best ensured by us."

[Rezantis]

Nathan frowns.  "You're remarkably well informed.  Do you know anything about his sister?"

[Bjorn]

"I'm afraid not.  But then, if Lord Sondheim will indulge my request, you should be able to ask Mr. Maus himself directly."  He raises an eyebrow at Aleister.

[Dracos]

Dracos blinked and tapped the side of his nose, resisting headbutting Bjorn for the sake of appearences.  And strategy.  And friendship.  And the fact that hal probably was actually in danger for him to ask so bluntly.

Despite very much wanting to smack the midget around a while for the suddenness.

He wondered briefly to himself what happened to that nice grip on the floor his feet had gotten instead.

Dracos

[Carthrat]

"There's another Thrall that accompanied us," says Tom, at length. "He's still on the Starflare, but if you could see that he shares the same accomodations as us, I'd be much obliged. His name is Simmons."

[Rezantis]

"A-"

Nathan starts to say something, and abruptly cuts himself off.

[Brian]

"Well," Aliester says after a moment.  "Balmer.  I've little head for memorizing station attendant's names....  Holmes?"

"I believe that was the tower that was struck by trailing pieces of the Starflare," the inspector offers with a frown.  "A stopover there should not be too suspicious."

Aliester nods, and barks the orders into the speaking tube at his side.  The craft banks a bit more as the course is adjusted, and almost immediately begins descending again.

The view through the windows shows a massive expanse of city, with the occasional park, and the regular anabaric towers ... the same ones that provided the energy shield that stopped the falling armor plates.  The damaged tower is smoking faintly, and the smooth top is irregular now, torn open and jagged.  The ornithopter landing pad would have been there, so instead the pilot makes for the street.  Distantly, the passengers can hear him yelling through a sound amplifier of some kind for people to move out of the way in the name of the Lord High Anabarist, special Minister to the king.

"I would like to know more of your sources of information," Aliester adds, inclining his head slightly to Bjorn, "but I suppose that can wait until we've accomplished rather a bit more here.  'Mr. Maus' was a cousin of mine, before his ... dissapearance."  He turns to Nathan, nodding again as the ornithopter settles to the street.  "I recall, now.  You were engaged to his sister."

Holmes looks wary, but says nothing.  Shortly, the pilots open the door, and everyone can step out.  The door to the tower is wide open, and the streets are mostly deserted.  Perhaps seventy feet away, there's a piece of the Starflare's armor plate driven into the street like an irregular, curved, metal wall.  There's a handful of men with a cutting torch, slowly making the large pieces of armor into smaller pieces of armor, which are then being stacked to one side.

The general populous seems to have decided that there are better places to be.  Aliester nods at the men, who all stop their work to bow, then strides into the dimly lit interior of the tower.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn quickly follows Aleister.  At the same time, he once again makes the effort required to reach through the Dream to speak to Tim.

[Dracos]

Dracos eyed Nathan, briefly, but kept his eyes on Aliester, trying to detect any strain in his mention of his cousin, any subtle social cue that they might be leading someone who shouldn't know about hal to hal.

Dracos

[Brian]

Aliester's not a difficult read, but all that Phil can readily discern is that the anabarist is eager to see his cousins again.  That could mean pretty much anything, ultimately.  Inside the doorway is a broad hallway, currently littered with boxes and loose bits of scrap metal.  A handful of men in coveralls are working on ducts and valves throughout the space, but all flinch and bow at the sight of Aliester.  He acknowledges them with an absent nod.  In short order, the Lord High Anabarist and all who are following him reach a brass-worked elevator.

He pauses there, then looks around.  "Where is Balmer?" he asks, his voice resonating.  "I would have words with him."

In short order, a balding, sweaty, corpulent man stumbles from a doorway on one side of the elevator, anxiously mopping the sweat from his forehead.  "Y-y-your grace," he squeaks out, "I, I apologize, but-"

"I must speak with Tim," Aliester says, one eyebrow rising.  "I trust you can take me to him?"

"I...."  Balmer falters, then swallows nervously.  "I think he's in the infirmary?" he manages.

"Take us there," Aliester commands.

"T...this way, your grace!" Balmer yelps, scurrying to the elevator door and frantically punching at the control panel.  "It should only take a moment!"  He continues pouring out apologies and thanks, until the elevator arrives.

Aliester ignores him, and turns to regard Bjorn curiously.  "I must confess to being impressed by your powers.  The Inspector himself here could find no trace of my cousins, after the fire."

Holmes frowns, shaking his head.  "The Spark is more powerful than my humble insight," he says.  Then the elevator arrives, and everyone boards.

It's large enough for everyone to fit comfortably, and still seems to be in perfect working order -- despite the beating the tower appears to have taken.