Questioning the Notion

[Dracos]

"He was the one who was on the other sphere purchasing an army without going through the gates.  Tom saw and IDed him," Dracos gestured to the brute.

[Brian]

"Right," Holmes says, after a long, awkward silence.  "That's ... okay.  I would have liked to have handled this with more delicacy, but we'll work with what we must.  If he's allowed himself to be taken in by us, I can only assume that it's because he sees some way out of it.  Hopefully, that way is by cooperating with us and turning against his conspirators."

Holmes raises his pipe and pulls a small anabaric device out of his pocket -- a lighter -- made of wood and tiny brass gears, roughly cylindrical in shape.  After a puff, he says, "I will accept your allegation of his intent to purchase munitions as absolute truth."  His eyes lose focus, a tiny bit, his mind obviously elsewhere.  "Knowing these things, logically, Massif is unconcerned with your allegation either because the King will doubt it -- unlikely, given Maestro Sondheim's opinions.  The Councils are both unable to intercede at this point, so he cannot hope for help from those areas.  Not quickly, at any rate.  He looked into purchasing an army?  He had a way to cross between spheres without the Gates?"

The Inspector shakes his head, eyes focusing sharply.  "Either he already has his army -- or some suitable alternative, in his mind -- or he can otherwise expect assistance from the other spheres.  We cannot allow him and his entourage to remain unobserved any longer."  He rises to his feet, nearly toppling his chair.  "How does he cross to the other sphere?  Could he do so right now?"

[Carthrat]

"He used some form of anabaric device to do so. If he still has it, presumably he could use it again," murmurs Tom, after a moment. "It's not simply an army he's purchasing, though. By putting people through the regression gates, he transforms them into brutes, virtually identicle in body to myself. The transformation sapped them of their will, reducing them to mere slaves awaiting orders. Only I managed to keep a hold on myself.

"He doesn't have an army now, I believe, since the man he was working with on Windhurst is now dead, the slaves freed and, I hope, beyond his control for good. But it's possible he has some alternative planned."

[Brian]

"A device," Holmes says, frowning.  "Let's make sure he doesn't use it again, then."  Without waiting for any further discussion, the Inspector runs off in search of the Councilman.  A quick check with the guards shows that the Massif and his entourage are still in the conference room, awaiting their discussion.  At this, the Inspector hesitates, and turns back to the group.  "I can't imagine he has nothing planned for the confrontation to follow -- some card he's waiting to play.  If we're ready to speak with him now, let me know, otherwise, make any preparations you feel would be wise, and quickly."

[Dracos]

"Everyone around here our folks?  If so, then really the answer is just haste.  And then we need to get his co-conspiritors before they get to put anything serious into motion," Philip responded, not really having too much in the way  of preparation.

[Brian]

"Very good," the Inspector says with a terse nod, scanning over his recruits.  "Let's go."  With that, he leads the way into the conference room.

Masiff and his gang are sitting at a rectangular table, all on the same side -- there are no seats opposite them.  Instead, a short distance across the room, a more imposing desk in the shape of a crescent is assembled, with seats for the Inspector and crew.  The seats are more comfortable, and there's actually a step up to the table, putting it a foot or two higher than Massif's desk.  Panels of heavy and intricately inscribed wood go all the way to the floor from what must be the interrogator's table, instead of the interrogatee's unadorned table.

Holmes takes his seat at the center of the crescent, allowing everyone else to fill in beside them; there's a guard in every corner of the room, and another two on either side of the door.  Once everyone's seated, Holmes raps his knuckles on the table.  A previously unseen aide scurries from behind the interrogator's table and takes a seat next to Holmes with a notepad, scribbling frantically.  "Order," Holmes intones.  "Councilman Harold Massif, you and witnesses have been called before the Inspectors of the Crown, and we beg the justice of your honest explanation for events of immediate concern to His Majesty and the state of Anabara.  Do you understand the gravity of this situation?"

"I do, Inspector," Massif says, though his teeth are clenched.

"Bailiff," Holmes calls, nodding at one of the guards.  He quickly steps forward and produces a well-cared for leather-bound tome.  The cover is a brass plate, and reads, 'The Integrities'.  When the guard holds the book forth, Massif bows his head, and places one palm on the cover.

"Your name, Master?"

"Harold Pennington Massif the third," Massif replies.

"Under oath of loyalty to the Crown and by virtue of the integrities, do you swear that your testimony will be true, just, and absolute to the limit of your capability?"

"I so swear."

This process is repeated for each of Harold's witnesses, as all are sworn.  Once they're done, the bailiff (who is exactly like every other guard, except for the book he carries) retreats to his corner, and Holmes raps on the table again.  "This inquiry is for discovery purposes only in this instance; I wish to reassure and remind you that sentencing, if required, is the duty of the Crown."

Catherine smirks, and pitches her voice low enough that only Tim can hear it, hiding it as a yawn behind her hand: "Or Sondheim, if he finds out."

"Understood," Massif growls.

"Then, for the record, we now begin," Holmes says, nodding, then glancing at Bjorn and Phil.  "You may proceed with questioning."

[Dracos]

OOC: I have no idea what the spheres are named to these folks, otherwise I'd be specific on which one.
IC:
Philip eyed him, "Alright, let's start with something simple.  Please tell us what happened during your last trip off this sphere from your side?  As well as the reasons for such a trip." 

Meanwhile, he kept eye contact, drawing over his power to read minds.  He expected a lie, but wanted to begin keeping an eye out for any special technology or more indeed thoughts of partner's names.  It'd have to come eventually, even if he was trained not to say anything.

[Brian]

Massif furrows his brow, but doesn't hesitate in his reply: "I have been to Windhurst ... I think.  According to Dr. Humphrey Gladstone, who asked me to test his theory on an alternate method of travel between the spheres.  I suppose it's possible that he may have sent me somewhere else; I can only assume that he's in the game of deception if his device and its results have brought me here."


OOC: Phil's mind-read turns up: Unrolled dice.  The current sphere is Anabara.  Windhurst is the proper name of the sphere that voodoo-Bjorn and Mighty-Tom hail from.

[Dracos]

OOC: 6d6 = 20.

[Brian]

Aside from the fact that Phil and Bjorn know that Massif is lying (Gladstone was way too much of a pushover to be the mastermind), Phil is also able to discern that Massif is lying through mind-senses.  As a pleasant surprise, for once Phil is able to skim the surface thoughts of someone who seems to be totally oblivious to it, AND knows something useful!

Massif is (at present) just buying time; anything he says is a delaying tactic.  Phil isn't able to discern (just yet) what for, but it's something.

Catherine raises an eyebrow.  "Game of deception?  Curious choice of words.  Could you elaborate on the nature of your dealings with Dr. Hathoway?"

Massif shrugs, glancing at his entourage.  "Aside from the work of the Council?  It is all in the record, there should be no need to repeat it here."  Phil does sense a spike of nervousness at the question, though.

[Dracos]

OOC: He either went there only once and went to two places or went there twice.  I'm guessing twice instead of trying to drag it out of him to keep it moving.
IC:
Philip turns a brief glance to Bjorn.  ~He's lying and intends to continue lying as long as he can.  He's purposefully delaying for some reason.~

"The record will show that...once.  But that wasn't the only time you went to Windhurst using that method.  I was asking about your more recent trip.  More importantly, I wasn't asking that you'd been there.  You were asked to testify on what what happened while you were on Windhurst.  Your take will be contrasted against the witness testimony available on the time, so please avoid further perjory, and remember just as a skilled player will discard a pawn to build up the board, so will one discard a knight that is caught.  Please testify on your time there."

Philip remains listening to his thoughts.  It probably wouldn't shake him very much, but hopefully it'll bring more names to the front.

[Brian]

"What can I say?" Massif says, not visibly shaken.  Phil can tell that the man is straining to keep his alarm in check; the absolute details are still unclear, except for a single thought, before the councilman regains his mental composure: 'Hathoway must be warned.'

Beyond that, Harold is certainly worried that the questioning will end too quickly for his plans.  "I may have been a pawn of enemies of the Crown.  As for the events of my trip to Windhurst, I had established a rapport with a local, and was seeking a way to make headway for Anabara to move against the Church -- of course.  Over the course of three trips, I managed to convince him that I was wealthy, and trusted by the Church; then, I merely said that as an officer of the Church, I wished to peruse what weapons he had available ... to better warn Anabara, of course."

"Sound warning," Catherine mutters.  "Which is why this information is only known now?"

Massif hesitates, then shrugs.  "I was uncertain," he says.  "After all, until just recently, even His Majesty's Spark was not proven to be able to cross the distance between spheres without use of the Gate.  How much of what I claimed would be believable, and how much upset would there be to show that Dr. Gladstone was capable of creating something that His Majesty could not?  Truly, it was all from consideration to the Crown -- as should be expected of someone on the Council!"

[Bjorn]

"Inspector Holmes says that I should question," Bjorn says.  "This puts me in a difficult position.  On the one hand, Harold Massif says he knew of a way to cross between the spheres, and did not share it.  This is treason, I would say.  Did Harold Massif think the King's position so tenuous that the great Spark of another could threaten his rule.  What does Harold Massif know of threats to the crown, I would ask?

"Harold Massif says that he has discovered details of the threats from abroad against the nation, but did not share them.  This is also treason, I would say.  If Harold Massif knew of these things, I would ask: to whom did he give such power that he would not share with his rightful king?  For information is power, this we all know.

"And then I would ask: who are the friends of Harold Massif?  One does favours for one's friends, but not his enemies.  And then I would ask: if Harold Massif does favours for others, and not the king, is the king Harold Massif's enemy?  Or is the king the enemy of Harold Massif's friends?"

Bjorn sighs, and shakes his head, looking at the ground.  "This is what I would do, if I were to question Harold Massif.  But questioning for Inspector Holmes is but one of my duties, and among the least of them." 

When he looks up again, he's subtly bigger; the mist that replaces his eyes boils faster, and a deep fire-red.  "Because first and foremost, Massif, I am the war-spirit of the people of the plains of Windhurst.  My duty, my very existence,  is bent towards protecting them.  I will find their enemies and consume them; I will ensure their safety with words and steel and blood."  He grins widely and without humour, and the white of his teeth in his dark face is a knife in the night.  "And you, Massif, you have consorted with their enemies.  You, Massif, are a connection to their enemies, if not an enemy yourself.  And so I should not question you, not yet.  I should instead demand, as ambassador to the state, that you be surrendered onto me to... stand for your crimes before my courts, before my laws.  I should learn what aid you gave, what you learned from our enemies, what you promised them, and who you represented.  And what remains of you after our courts, Massif, I should only then return to your Inspector."

20 points of Nightmare Influence, also bringing over a point of STR to accomplish the size change.

[Brian]

OOC: You, Sir, are a monster.

Even the guards flinch at the change in Bjorn's demeanor, though Massif is the one who nearly falls out of his chair.  He struggles to form words for a long minute, working his jaw before tearing his gaze from Bjorn and turning to Holmes.  "I demand amnesty in return for my cooperation."

Holmes looks almost amused at this.  "There are small details concerning a plea of amnesty," he remarks.

"Not the least of which is conceding your position as Councilman," Catherine observes.  "Though, it would make this inquiry irrelevant.  One cannot help but note that this has the air of desperation about it.  What are you so afraid of, Councilman?  A ... credible witness knows of countless unsavory dealings in your past, even if most are pathetic, scarcely worth comment.  Save, of course, how they undermine that thing which a Councilman must possess to represent Anabara.  The same integrities you've sworn upon."

"Small...."  Massif trails off and squints at Catherine, then grimaces.  "Yes, well.  I fear for the sake of the Crown, as I should....  That is all.  But to risk surrender to some, some ... savage from Windhurst?  I demand the mercy of Anabaran justice, not some outlands mockery of it!"

Hollmes nods, then raps on the table.  "Guards, take the citizen into custody.  Alert the Council that Massif has resigned from his post.  On suspicion, he is to be denied any anabaric devices or contact with anyone."

"But," Harold begins, as the guards approach, and grab his elbows, almost hauling him upright.  "It wasn't supposed to be like this!"  The councilman struggles briefly, but isn't any match for the guards, and he doesn't put up much of a fight.  His lackeys stare in total confusion, lost without direction.

"The material witnesses should also be held with the same restrictions."  The guards also search Harold while he's standing, producing a small, hand-held device.  It's in a wooden case with brass fittings, a few dials on the front giving various readings.  Holmes takes it and eyes it speculatively, before handing it to Tim.

After a moment of examination, Tim is able to determine through the Dream (and his Spark) that the device reaches beyond the Dream itself -- just barely -- and then crashes back into the Dream in another location.  Currently, one of the dials indicates 'charge', and it's about 90% full.  In another ten minutes, it'll be completely full.  There's no obvious way to disable the charge, and if the device isn't used within a few minutes of reaching full charge, it will detonate.  It takes probably about two hours to generate a full charge, so Massif must have started it not long before he was brought in.

OOC: Now, hopefully, a Hal post to pass this info along?  Please? ;_;

[Brian]

OOC: The GM adjusts a slouch hat to try and get into character.  Tim is now IDLE.

Tim studies the device briefly, turning it over in his hands as he studies it.  Then he abruptly announces, "This device is almost fully charged, and must be used when it is, or it will cause an explosion.  It's currently set to take Massif...."  Tim trails off for a moment, and looks troubled.  "Well," he says, shaking his head, "somewhere in Windhurst, I would guess, but another sphere for certain."

At Phil's telepathy or Bjorn's mind-board inquiry (likey Phil given influence expenditure), Tim notes that the device actually takes the user slightly outside of the fire dream when it functions ... taking them towards the Dream proper before they are snapped back in a slightly different location.

"How long do we have?" Holmes asks, staring at the device, considering.

"Almost six minutes," Tim calculates.