Aftermath

[Brian]

It doesn't take long to find a larger area in the mine that's been set up as a cordoned off area.  Partiton walls rise to the cieling, and a fan blows warm air into the mineshaft.  A door is also there, directly beneath the fan and currently closed.  Now the sounds of more moving fans and the occasional keystroke and mouseclick are audible.

[Bjorn]

Raising his voice slightly, Bjorn calls out, "Hello, Victor."

[Brian]

There's a creak, as though of a chair leaning back, and then some footsteps sound.  The door opens, revealing Victor (now dressed in tattered looking yellow sweatpants and a large, solid blue shirt).  He blinks a few times, and counts heads.

"So," he drawls.  "Come in.  Have a seat."

Behind him is a network operations center.  A handful of racks line one wall, cabling strung crazily between them.  Victor's desk currently is just a keyboard, mouse, and monitor connected to a gigantic KVM switch.  Another monitor displays what looks like security camera footage of the mine entrance.  There's terminals (currently offline and inactive) with other chairs opposite the racks and Victor's desk.  Probably fifteen people could work here in relative comfort, barring explosions of psychic energy, or Victor getting the munchies.

[Bjorn]

"How have things been?" Bjorn asks, taking one of the terminal seats.

[Dracos]

Dracos heads in as well, awaiting the answer to Bjorn's question and taking a seat nearby.

[Brian]

"Things have been worse, until now," Victor replies.  "Or at least ... very boring.  Which is I suppose all well and good."  He checks his monitor and says, "Luckily, I don't need much sleep.  You come home at 3:00 AM.

"If you're asking what's happened ... I'm now in charge of maintaining this place, and keeping it clean.  I also spend much time comparing what I knew of Pax Arcana and the Seventh Cabal with what Relm can see afar."  After a moment he adds, "And, ah, it's laundry day.  Would you like something to drink?"  He goes to a mini-fridge and opens it, revealing several generic sodas, and a handful of plasma-packs with (one presumes) blood in them.

[Bjorn]

"A soda, please," Bjorn replies.  "We have some information to add -- the names of three of the Pax Arcana five, if you don't have that, at the very least."  He sighs.  "And... Paul is dead."

[Dracos]

"This might sound odd but, what day/month/year is it?"

Dracos

[Bjorn]

"Weren't you listening?" Bjorn says, surprised, and then shakes his head.  "No, sorry, you weren't.  July second, same year."

[Dracos]

"Ah, I see.  That telepathic conversation of a moment ago, I take it?  Anyhow, not too bad.  Find out anything neat, aside from all that boredom with Relm, Victor?"

Dracos

[Bjorn]

"It's not telepathy," Bjorn reflexively corrects, but his attention is clearly elsewhere.

Sighing, he stands.  "I thought I was up for this, but... I'm sorry, Victor.  I'm not up for comparing notes at the moment."  He looks down, briefly, at the bracelet in his hand.  "I'm going to head down to New Delphi, and try and get some sleep."  

Heading to the door, he looks back.  "I'll be back soon enough.  Give my apologies to the Oracle if you speak with her."

[Brian]

Victor grimaces at that.  "I scent his blood, and don't see him," he says quietly.  "I had a suspicion."  He shakes his head to dismiss that thought.  "Well, a cola."  Bjorn and Phil find themselves handed cans of some generic cola.  'Happy Drink! is made for you delicious!'  Some generic imported cola, then.  Tastes inoffensive.  Nathan ignores the drinks in favor of tinkering with a nearby terminal.

Victor pauses briefly, until Phil and Bjorn finish their exchange.  "Your house is number eight," Victor calls, as Bjorn heads out.  Turning back to Phil, Victor says, "We've found a bit out.  Why not ask her yourself?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods his thanks to Victor, but does not interrupt.

Shortly he finds himself in the darkness -- but with his new abilities, this seems to pose little problems.  Out of sight of the terminal room, he takes a second to explore with his new senses.

[Brian]

Bjorn now heads to Home For a Rest.

[Dracos]

"Sure.  Why not?  Information, then getting back on some sane schedule.  Which terminal?  Or all of 'em work?"

Dracos