audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

Newton's not gone. Those... things- the Precursors- might be in control, but he's still in there.

[There's an almost frenetic energy beneath Sabriel's controlled tones.]

I think there's a way to get them out, and erase their memories of the orbs in the process- perhaps even smash their minds to bits, if everything goes well. But I don't think I can do it alone. If you have any means of reaching into people's minds, I'd like to speak with you and come up with a plan to combine our skills into something that can save Newt and deal with the Precursors.

[They'll figure it out- Sabriel knows Belgaer will work, they just need to make sure the first attempt is strong enough to succeed- otherwise, the precursors will try to destroy Newt's mind, and then flee with knowledge of the orbs, and the Ximilia.

So they'll just have to get it right the first time.]

Between then and the Highest One... how many groups are out, there, trying to destroy worlds? How many are we going to encounter during our time here?

Comments

audio | un: goodvibes

[aurable]

The best I can offer is "hold him down" or, in the non-zero chance the precursors somehow manage to make a cameo appearance because why not at this pont, put them down if it doesn't harm Newt.

I doubt Newt would be compatible with Shadowplay, even if we good get him hooked up to some sort of neural link.

[bindsthedead]

Would they be able to use the connection to physically manifest? They only seemed able to bring that monster onto the train because of the orb.

It's worth a try, but I should warn you- my magic may make you very sick.

audio, un: blue

[firstroar]

Those creatures will not leave willingly - nor easily.

My brush with them...tore at my own psyche. It could very well lash out at you or others just as violently.

They may even try to destroy him in the process.

[bindsthedead]

I know. That's why I'm asking for as much help as anyone's willing to give.

Our best hope is to get things right the first time, before they realize how much we can do against them.

audio; un: finn

[hatejakku]

I'm with you. My only idea so far is that we have at least one person on the defensive, ideally two. Someone to protect Newton and another to protect those on the offensive.

They might try to hop bodies, too, once we make a connection. We cannot allow that to happen.

audio

[bindsthedead]

Right- or turn the connection back on us. I know some defensive spells I can cast ahead of time, but... my main worry is Newt. If we fail the first time, they might try to tear his mind apart out of spite.

[firstroar]

Let me anchor you, then.

I won't go in with you, but...I'll be there to pull you out, just in case.

audio; un: zewu.jun

[calmness]

As a cultivator, I have experience with exorcism. I can assist with this and soothing Newton's mind once the task is done.

[bindsthedead]

Thank you. We'll need both of those- after everything Newt's been through, and what the Precursors might try to do in retaliation- thank you.

audio | un: rey

[garbagepilot]

What makes you think you can get them out? You're asking a lot of people to put themselves at risk when all you have is you think it can be done.

[bindsthedead]

Because I've encountered them, once before. They were not impervious to the power of the bells.

And besides, Newt is my friend, and leaving world-destroying monsters with knowledge of the orbs... seems unwise.

Audio | un: Star - Lord

[spacedisaster]

When I last visited, the precursors were talking through him but his fingers were tapping. He was using Morse code to say he's sorry. Over and over and over. Perhaps there's a way to send a message only Newton could understand, and not them?

I don't have any magical or supernatural abilities, so I can't help that way but if there's anything else I can do, let me know.

If you all get into Newton's mind, be extra careful. We don't know if the Precursor can hop from him to someone else's mind.

[bindsthedead]

Can we try morse code? If they didn't spot what he was doing...

And when I was talking to him... Newton reached out to me via the earpieces. It was full of static, but it was definitely him.

And I think we should assume that. I'm going to take precautions.

( not here )

[fuchsiative]

[ clarice has no real horse in this race... but the ability to reach and even alter people's minds? you can bet she is paying very close attention to all those who respond. ]

audio: (un; major.yzak.jule)

[coordination]

You know what you're doing with the more intense Charter magic in that regard, so if there's some way I can support you or if you can use and harness whatever power I have to enhance your own, you can obviously do that.

Otherwise, I'm sure I can help keep a handle on things from the outside.

[bindsthedead]

We'll see. I could use your support with any defensive spells we have to lay down ahead of time, but... keeping an eye on things outside will also help.

voice; un: stargirl

[bossily]

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there are beings out to destroy worlds on every single planet. In every single universe, in every dimension.

[Her voice is hoarse and she's tired. But she feels the need to chime in with that great news.]

They will be there, and we will likely encounter them on every single mission.

[There's a pause, and then -]

Do you have a plan in place for if setting Newt free doesn't work?

[bindsthedead]

Are you sure? We didn't meet any of them until Giva. Nothing... trying to eradicate Life entirely.

[Which makes Sabriel wonder if they'll ever encounter a dead world, scoured of life entirely.]

If we can't free Newt, then our priority has to be dealing with the precursors, and making sure they cannot seek out the orbs. But I believe that freeing Newt is possible- he's still in there.

audio; un: mccoy

[homeostatic]

I'm going to be there.

( It's bluntly delivered, with the expectation that he'll be heeded. )

Magic or no, if these things do try to hurt Newt, it won't happen without some kind of physiological effect. If you're focusing on evicting these sons'a bitches, you can't address a hemorrhagic stroke at the same time.

[bindsthedead]

I'll be glad to see you there, Doctor McCoy.

Hopefully, this will end with Newt unharmed- mentally, as well as physically.

audio | un; tracker

[tochnyy]

Are we sure this isn't some sort of trick? [ he isn't so convinced he isn't. ]

[bindsthedead]

I'm sure. I confronted those creatures several months ago- this isn't someone putting on an act, something else really has taken control of Newton.

audio; un: megatron

[flickerandfade]

None of the methods I am familiar with work on organic brain modules, as far as I am aware. Nor am I versed in them other than being aware of how they work.

[bindsthedead]

That's all right. There seems to be enough of us to put a plan together, using a more... supernatural approach.

Audio. Un: Kirigan

[cruelyethuman]

You know what I can do for you. You asked me once if I was willing to help, and the answer has not changed.

Re: Audio. Un: Kirigan

[bindsthedead]

Good. I think there's a way to save him, and stop the Precursors- but we're going to need all the help we can gather.

audio

[whitestonelives]

I have little useful magic on my own for this kind of thing, but I have experience in throwing out an unwanted occupant from inside my mind. If you need, I can play backup.

...how long has this been happening?

Re: audio

[bindsthedead]

That might be helpful.

And- I'm not entirely sure. The connection was there from the start- but they weren't in control.

audio | un: silent

[callada]

I worry about the long-term implications also. We're clearly not the only ones who know about the orbs. All it takes is for someone to converse with one and have it tell them there are more, and given what we've seen, I doubt the Ximilia is the only station in all the worlds with the tools and people needed to retrieve them.

Viveca and Commander Degar seem to believe we're in no danger here, and I trust that they believe that, but I'm still not sure I do.

[bindsthedead]

We were lucky with the Highest One- he was out of communication with his kin, if he had any, and in all the cases we've seen so far- even if the world had space travel, everyone thought each orb was a unique entity, rather than a piece of a greater whole.

I've asked Viveca the same question, and she's given me the same assurances- and I do think the station is safe, save for infiltration through- or by- one of the crew. But that doesn't rule out other forces realizing there are multiple orbs, and seeking them out.