Session Fourteen
Zebediah, Martin and Case are all 'guests' of Vapula in his 'Virtual Reality' world. Nathaniel has sort of gate-crashed the party. Tony was last seen in Portsmouth following leads on missing persons. Bernard and Lucas are with Lucille, a lilim who to wants to redeem, and they are all at the tether of Novalis on the Common with Clementine, the Seneschal.
Tony drives to Cambridge and meets Dosdi - Seraph of Density, a Cambridge Librarian to ask about Eloia. The last time Dosdi spoke to her, she claimed that she was being hunted, but she was confident of losing her chasers who apparently were Ethereals. Tony is able to confirm some of the references on the copy of the notes found by Zebediah - Ruritania and the Templar references in particular. Also he invites Dosdi back to Southampton to check the destiny of his helper in his office, Sheila, and to see whether she would be a suitable person to become a Soldier of God. One last thing Dosdi remembers is that Eloia was looking up references to musical instruments, mainly wooden string ones. They drive to Southampton.
Bernard, goes 'Upstairs', hopefully to have an audience with Jean, he makes his petition via E-mail, 'Situation out of control. Need help. Number of angels captured by Vapula - Bernard.'
Five seconds later, the reply reads, 'Will see you in 3.5 seconds - Jean.'
Bernard arrives in Jean's office exactly on time. Jean awaits with two big malakim. Bernard notes the new equipment present here, mainly computer equipment.
Bernard makes his report, it makes a sorry tale. Jean's assessment is that Vapula is annoyed at the information which allowed Jean to target various operations and is personally angry with the Southampton Angels. He instructs Bernard to get the lilim to swear not to bring harm to the forces of Heaven. Jean predicts that this will put the lilim in 'Geas conflict'. He also makes the offer of two of his Malakim to be available to Bernard, if the need arises.
Jean then announces that he has decided to release the information on 'Esaranothiel', a request of Bernard's from last session. Esaranothiel was an angel of Knowledge, a malakim who served Raphael, before Raphael's fateful encounter with Legion. Esaranothiel claimed that Raphael had become a remnant. Jean had no evidence to either support or discount this theory, and Bernard detects a trace of emotion, perhaps sadness. Esaranothiel's behaviour then became erratic and he refused to swear alliance to another Archangel. He disappeared somewhere in the deep Marches and his heart shattered some 100 years ago. Jean comments that Esaranothiel became a remnant or was destroyed.
Bernard's audience with Jean ends and he returns to Novalis's tether. The lilim is sulking in the corner, so Lucas decides to give her a hug. Bernard extracts the promise from her not to harm the forces of Heaven.
They discuss what was likely to happen to those capture.
'Sent to another dimension', Lucille replies.
She then begins to discuss what happens to those who are redeemed. 'Experimented upon', 'Pay for your sins', she recites the propaganda from 'Downstairs'. Bernard sets the record straight on this, as what he hears grates against his very being.
'What about Marc and the auction block?', she asked. Lucas is in stitches at this point. Bernard attempts to put her straight and tries something of a sales pitch at the same time.
Tony and Dosdi notices the disturbance in the Symphony as they drive into Southampton - Tony rings Bernard to find out what has happened during his absence. Bernard 'invites' them to the Common. When they arrive, various introductions are made. Dosdi's vessel is an old and thin white-haired gentleman. Lucas greets them enthusiastically, and Lucille is pointed out to them.
Bernard explained the recent events to Dosdi and Tony with Lucille and Lucas providing additional comments and colour to the recap. There is a total debrief about the two main problems, namely Vapula and the 'Esaranothiel' affair.
Lucas then presents Lucille a buttercup necklace which she apparently finds a sweet gesture.
They discuss where would be the best place to stash Lucille. Anita, Case's Soldier is mentioned among other trivial matters at this time.
Meanwhile back in Vapula's Virtual Reality, Case, Martin, Nathaniel and Zebediah are in a book-shop trying to get hold of a map and/or newspaper.
Nathaniel comes up with the 'your Heart here is actually what holding you prisoner' theory, but this is generally ignored by the others.
Martin checks the local map. The Civic building is now a big 'Ruling Party' building. Other buildings are designated as 'off-limits areas'. These include the airport, the University, the industrial areas and other unknown areas. The swimming pool is now the 'Universal Health Complex'.
Case performs an experiment here, by knocking out the store owner. There is a small twang in the Symphony, although it has an unusual tone to it.
Zebediah discovers in his history book that the World has been split up amongst the surviving Princes. For the record, the UK belongs to Asmodeus. Nathaniel casts doubt over the value of such research. He and Case go to 'acquire' a car. En route, Nathaniel gives Case some Essence, which causes Case's head to hurt.
Meanwhile, Zebediah and Martin hit the books. They discover that Armageddon has happened, and God turned away. Various bad things happen to most of the Archangels. David has barred himself off at the centre in the Earth, Jean escaped into the Internet and Gabriel went into Limbo. Others like Michael and Laurence died.
Martin performs his usual aerial observation trick, by possessing a pigeon. He decides to check out the University.
In a back alley, Nathaniel tries to do something apparently impossible, namely willing himself in the celestial realm without paying the usual costs, and he manages to do something. He briefly perceives a dark and empty place, which seems to tally with what he has heard about Limbo. He asks Case to attempt the same thing, but Case goes nowhere.
Case decides on a large fast car. It turns out to be a Party member's car.
They have a brief discussion and Case decides to visit his Heart. Nathaniel also gives Case the location of his Heart, so when Case gets 'Up There', he will see if this too exists. There is a ping in the Symphony as he does this. The others hear this. Nathaniel moves to another dark alley, close by. Zebediah and Martin see police cars fly by the shop.
Case discovers that Heaven is a mess. He finds his heart is still in his tent, but the tent is in tatters. He goes outside, and the Groves looks like a bomb site. A skeleton of a Seraph lies nearby. He heads to the chamber in the Volcano which allegedly houses Nathaniel's Heart, and finds nothing. Some of the other chambers contain shards.
He returns to the Groves. He spots a marker. He recognises it as part of a battle language developed by Michael. It is a pointer. He follows it and discovers a trail which leads to a tree stump.
There, he finds a message and an intact Heart. He scans the angel's heart and discovers its owner is in America somewhere and given the number of TV screens, in an area controlled by Nybbas. The message talks of the resistance and the next meeting. Cases places the Heart and the message back, then walks away carefully.
Martin, as pigeon discovers the University. There is no greenery, nor any leisure facilities, only the faculties themselves. Apparently Asmodeus believes in efficiency.
Zebediah continues to read - he discovers how Michael and Laurence died. Michael was ambushed and killed much to Baal's disgust. Laurence died in battle.
Another twang in the Symphony as Case returns to point where he left, right into the middle of a police cauldron. They order him to surrender but Case has other ideas. The demon gets the idea of Case's alternative solution to the developing impasse, when Case cuts off his hand. One policeman is decapitated and another sliced in two. You get the general idea.
Nathaniel briefly thinks about getting involved, but Case doesn't need the help. Case is causing a fair bit of disturbance and it doesn't sound as much off key as it did before. Hearing this, Zebediah and Martin decided to leave the book shop.
After Case is finished, Nathaniel and Case decide to borrow the police car and upon discovering it, quickly destroy the 'force capturing' crystal. They spot Zebediah and Martin's current host and invite them in for 'questioning'.
They attempt to use the radio to misdirect the other police cars, but the voice on the other end leads them to suspect there is a tracking device on the car. Martin shorts this out, at the second attempt. In order to help their getaway, they turn on the police car's siren. They decide to check out the location of the Vapula's known base in the warehouse district. They ditch the car and Martin possesses it. He drives a little distance off, before rejoining the rest of himself and the others.
Dosdi and Tony leave the Common and drive to the Meridian Offices where Tony works and where they hope to find Sheila there. En route, they discuss Lucille's Destiny and Fate. Dosdi has determined that Lucille's zenith is to redeem and her nadir is to become an experiment of Vapula's. Dosdi also mentions that Vapula is attempting to find a way to create his own brand of lilims. They arrive and Tony takes Dosdi up to his office.
Sheila is there, sorting information and mentions that Tony's boss, the human one, not Dominic, was trying to get hold of him, concerning the 'terrorist attack' news story. Dosdi introduces himself as 'Donald Sunderland', rightly guessing that Tony has not revealed the nature of the War to Sheila yet.
Anyway, after some small talk, Sheila goes for to get Coffee for everyone. In her absence, Dosdi informs Tony that she could possibly become a soldier of God, it wouldn't interfere with her Destiny which was already known. Her Destiny is to become an oceanographer, but Dosdi has determined that her Fate is to 'be snared by Lust'.
Sheila returns with the coffee. Afterwards, Dosdi then makes his excuses, saying he needs return to Cambridge, leaving Tony and Sheila to discuss matters. After some light-hearted comments about Angels and the colour of their wings, they discuss the 'terrorist attack' and Sheila is able to provide more details.
It seems a concerted effort to stretch the police resources was made and a number of armed raids, mainly on jewellery stores and banks were made just prior to the incident involving the angels. The van used in the attack was later found abandoned a few miles away. When the police finally arrived at the scene, all they found traces of blood, tear gas and a few bodies.
Tony decides to phone Bernard. Tony tells him of this latest information, then Bernard informs Tony of his decision to take Lucille over to the Lightning tether, as Bernard believes she would be more secure there. She would certainly be nearer the malakim of Lightning that Bernard could call upon. Tony is convinced by Bernard and they make plans.
When the call is over, Tony informs Sheila that they have to go to her place to get a change of clothes for Lucille, which they place into a carrier bag. He explains that the clothes are needed for something very important and will explain later. Sheila is excited by the prospect of getting involving some intrigue and possibly something even dangerous. They then drive to the common and go to the tether. Sheila perhaps senses the nature of the place, Tony assures her that he will explain later, but time is of the essence.
Lucille is given the clothes and is told to get change and to 'frump up'. After changing, she then presents herself to Tony, who in turn suggests a number of changes, none of which are appreciated by the lilim.
When all is ready, Lucas is sent to collect Bernard's car. Bernard and Lucille then walk casually to his car. Lucas will be driving, while Bernard and Lucille sit in the back. Lucille squirms close to Bernard on the back seat. Meanwhile Tony and Sheila follow them in his car, a little way behind. They believed they are not being followed. En route Tony 'explains' to Sheila that Lucille is a witness he is trying to protect. Sheila finds it all exciting.
When they arrive at the University, Bernard notices a man with a portal computer, taking too much interest in the entrance to the Library, which also leads to Jean's tether here. Fortunately, the gentleman doesn't notice Bernard. Lucas volunteers to provide a diversion for the others. Tony and Sheila stay further back and watch events from their position. Lucas buys a 'diet coke' from one of the local retailers and 'accidentally' trips into the man, slipping the drink all over his PC. The man goes white in shock and Lucas starts apologising for his 'mistake', and a scene develops. Lucas manages to get in a few choice lines in to infuriate the gentleman further.
Eventually, security is called and Lucas offers to pay for the damages. The gentleman is close to freaking out by this point. Meanwhile Bernard and Lucille manage to get into the library unnoticed with some ease.
Lucas, after giving his vessel's name and address, leaves the scene and heads to gym before doubling back to the library. The man is still somewhat stunned as Lucas leaves, there is theory that the gentleman was a shedite of Vapula, and the computer was his 'special vessel'.
Tony, then drops a disappointed Sheila back at the Meridian offices, before rejoining the others at the library. Dosdi is there reading some of the books. The Seneschal at the Lightning tether, Abdi-Bezek greets all and Bernard does the introductions.
Abdi-Bezek informs Bernard that Jean's people have been busy and located another of Vapula's bases of operations underneath the part of Southampton Airport. Also, it seems that Vapula's people are searching for Lucille. Jean's agent are tracking a couple of known agents. Basic descriptions given one tall and thin, the other shorter and more heavily built.
Between them, Bernard, Tony and Lucas come up with the plan to have Jean's people capture the Vapula's agents, and disguise themselves as the two agents and take Lucille in, and once in, attempt to release the others and then link up with a task force of Jeans who will storm the area shortly after.
After some discussion and a little liaison work, the plan is changed slightly. The disguises will be now provided by another agent of Jean who knows the Celestial Song of Forms, to allow Bernard and Lucas to look like Vapula's people. Tony has now been nominated to play Lucille's part, again using the Celestial Song of Forms once he has changed into his female vessel. Another point is they will all change clothes with those whom they plan to impersonate.
Anyway, Tony becomes Toni, who is still wearing same provocative clothes as she had on last time, when she was posing as a prostitute. Lucille voices her professional approval of this vessel. Toni has put on Lucille's clothes and then she asks Lucille if there is anything else. After a small bit of persuasion and a little reluctance of Lucille's part, she hands Toni her skeleton keys. Meanwhile, Bernard has been practising a few lines to remember so that he can avoid lying. Lucas practises grunting. Lucille then shows Toni how to whimper properly.
Back in the Vapula's fake world, the group go to the multi-storey car park that now stands where the Common used to be. Case decides on a Mercedes. Martin checks the car is safe. Zebediah and Nathaniel then also pile in and they set off for the warehouse district, avoiding the police patrols en route. They arrive at the checkpoint to get into the warehouse.
Martin briefly takes over the guard here to allow them to get through the checkpoint. They approach the warehouse where Vapula's lab was hidden, and notice an increased security presence. They drive by it slowly and note the two guards manning the gates. They drive pass it and park a little way off and park outside another building.
Martin again possess another pigeon and flies over their target. He notices two additional guards patrolling the roof and two security cameras on the front of the building. On top of the roof, there is a hi-tech communications antenna and a number of dead pigeons, all shot. They have obviously know about the pigeon tactic. Martin avoids coming too close.
The four of them discuss how to get in. The main sticking point seems to how to get Martin or at least part of him into the building with the rest of the group. Several ideas are mooted, one with involving several very quick changes of hosts. Eventually, after much debate and at times near argument, the plan is for Martin to take over the two guards at the gate, the others to wander up and play act as if they had a reason to be there. This is for the benefit for the cameras and the guards on the roof. Then Martin as one of the guard at the gate would accompany the rest of the group into the warehouse.
They begin to proceed as planned, when a series of strange events happen. (Martin's player rolled a '111' at this point.). Both cameras spark and the door opens. The group somewhat surprised, enter the warehouse fearing another trap. Martin notices a screen, and it seems the Jean of this realm has achieve some sort of self-consciousness after being trapped in the Net here for so long. It is using Martin's call sign and suggests a way out of this world.
It suggests follow the thing that is within but not part of this place, and then escape into Limbo where Gabriel will send them home. The assumption is that Nathaniel is the thing that doesn't belong here and the Gabriel mentioned here is the one of this realm. The Jean AI, for want of a better term, then closes down the link for fear of being discovered.
Case is highly sceptical about what just happened at this point. Nathaniel remarks that Gabriel said something similar about leading the others out. Case then replies it is all too convenient and that it was nice of Nathaniel to tell them that then. Nathaniel reminds Case that he told the others how he came to be here and what Gabriel had said when he arrived. Neither Zebediah nor Martin are convinced by Nathaniel's words either. Case storms off looking for a fight. The others follow him reluctantly.
The group in the real world arrive at the meeting point with the agents of Jean, two obvious malakim types and a woman. They have captured the two Vapula agents. Lucas and Bernard then change into the clothes of the capture agents. The woman performs the Song of Celestial Form once on Toni, Bernard and Lucas in turn. Toni now looks and sounds like Lucille, Bernard is the tall and thin one and while Lucas is the heavily built one.
Lucas is the driver. Bernard and Toni sit in the back. Toni is cuffed and discovers they would also stop her going Celestial if she tried. They drive off towards the Airport. They head towards the hangers and they find a speakerphone.
Lucas says 'It's me' in his now unfamiliar voice.
'Chaz'd, what kept you?', a female voice replies.
'We have her', he replies.
'Good, head towards Hangar B', the voice instructs. They find a ramp heading down. They follow it. They then come to a manned barrier. A guard comes out and sees the car's occupants and gives the signal for the barrier to be raised. They pass through, going round and then down further. They eventually come to a door with a glass pane with a security camera above it. Lucas parks the car.
Toni begins her 'terrified lilim act', but not all of it is an act. Bernard starts pushing and shoving Toni ahead of him once out of the car. 'Let's go', he growls.
The door is unlocked from within and they enter. There is a guard room of sorts and there are two guards here. One male and one female. They had recently been playing cards and the woman is winning, going by the stack of chips. She also seems to be in charge.
The woman gloats about how she is glad that Toni/Lucille is captured and how much she would have enjoyed killing her. She knows what happens to poor lilim in the Doctor's little game and seems quite happy to put Toni/Lucille into it. She congratulates Bernard and Lucas for the capture. Bernard is a little too convincing with his reply for Toni's liking.
'Take her down and get her wired up', the woman commands Bernard and Lucas. Toni is shoved ahead of them, and they come to another checkpoint, a man armed with a machine gun. 'Oh, I see you got the traitorous bitch', he comments. He stands in front of a large metallic door. The door is opened and they lead Toni through.
What they find is a large room with various computer banks in one half and a sort of medical lab in the other. In the second half they see the unconscious forms of Case and Zebediah with wires going into their heads and IV dips in their arms. Also, there is a crystal with wires attached, this reminds them of the force-catcher they saw earlier during the attack. There is no physical sign of Nathaniel here.
Also here are a number of technicians, and a large silver screen displaying a female head. Also there is a screen showing what is happening to the other half of the group, currently arguing, with Nathaniel present there. The technicians are trying to work out what Nathaniel is and how he got there.
The female head on the screen, talks to Bernard and Lucas, and asks whether Toni is the one 'Father' wishes to be inserted. Toni starts to struggle and Bernard attempts to stop her, but is actually removing the cuffs. Toni then starts hitting out at various pieces of hardware with whatever she can find, and she finds a chair. One of the technicians tries to lunge for the alarm but is stopped by Lucas. Bernard shoots one of the screens with his gun.
In the simulation, Case and the others, although it was mainly Case, have just finished off a minor battle with a few guards at the warehouse. Nathaniel tries to convince him to go with him. Case is adamant that he is not going into Limbo just because some screen told him too. Case reasons that it is just another trick by whoever is running this place. Various disturbances caused by Case and the others seem natural now. Case tells Nathaniel if he wants to go then take Martin and Zebediah and go. Nathaniel replied his Oaths don't allow him to leave Case here on his own and that Case knows this. Case tells Nathaniel that he releases Nathaniel from his Oath, Nathaniel replies it is not Case's decision. Another small battle occurs.
In the lab, the technician that tried to stop Toni, is smash by Toni with the chair. Lucas having stopped the technician hitting the alarm, headbutts him and the technicians falls down. Lucas handcuffs him for good measure. Bernard takes a seat at one of the terminals and begins hacking. He nearly causes the system to crash before he gains control of the system. The general alarm goes off as the Jean's back-up team hits the complex.
Around where Case and the others are fighting, small black holes are appearing. This is noticed seemingly by everyone here bar Case and those he is fighting.
The female head, the resident AI, recognises that Bernard is not who he seems to be, 'too logical' is the reason cited. She demands why he is trying to stop 'my Father's work'. Bernard says it is his duty to do so as a servant of Jean. Lucas having stopped his opponent decides to pump some essence into the crystal.
At the end of another battle in the warehouse, Martin gets a buzz from the essence Lucas has just given him, Martin's head briefly hurts. Nathaniel is almost successful in knocking Case out from behind, Case just notices Nathaniel coming up behind him. Nathaniel steps in front of Case. Martin sends one half of himself into the blackness. Nathaniel points out the black holes, which are getting bigger as time passes. He reminds Case of the times Nathaniel has put himself on the line for Case and asks Case to trust him. Case hesitates and Nathaniel holds out his hand and says that they have to go now as one before it is too late. Case reluctantly takes Nathaniel's hand. Nathaniel instructs Zebediah and Martin to do likewise. They all are then surrounded by blackness.
Bernard now assisted by Lucas begin the shut down routine, and another '111' is rolled, this time by Lucas's player. They easily locate the program shutdown routine and the wires in Zebediah's and Case's heads begin to retract.
Nathaniel, Case, Zebediah and Martin are floating around in the darkness, when Nathaniel senses a light, or perhaps more correctly a warm glow. Needing no second invitation, he heads for the light and pulls the others towards it. Soon they are all bathe in a warm golden glow. It seems to have a sentience to it. Case feels it can identify with his anger and frustration. Martin senses the strong flow of energy circulating around him. Zebediah detects a strong sense of honour and need to destroy evil. Nathaniel recognises the almost motherly touch of Gabriel as she propels them elsewhere.
Case and Zebediah awake in the lab. The crystal shatters and Martin's celestial form appears briefly before he possesses one of the technicians. Nathaniel just appears from thin air. They do not recognise the current forms of Bernard, Lucas and Toni. Case seeing Toni as Lucille rushes towards her. Toni just about gets enough time to change back into Tony before Case attacks her/him. Nathaniel, seeing this, checks out the heavily built man using his resonance, and realises it is Lucas. Tony explains what happen and say the other man here is Bernard. Combat is heard from outside and the malakim with more than a small score to settle, get to work.
The base is captured and Bernard and Martin copy the relevant data of Vapula's operation here for Jean's intelligence people to process. However, the AI escaped into the Net.
Case storms off, without telling the others where he is going. In fact, he is going to Winchester to use the War tether there, as he has a few issues he needs to sort out.
Tony is left to cover the story as Bernard isn't confident enough he could cover it without lying at some point.
Zebediah and Nathaniel want to speak to Lucille, probably for different reasons.
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