ximilia | audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen; Shortly after Group 2's arrival

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audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen; Shortly after Group 2's arrival

How many of you were here for Braccia? It was the second mission and- well, here's what's important. The woman who had the orb used it to kill people, and add their magical and lifespan to her own. When she tried to do that to one of our number, the orb didn't cooperate.

[And between Viveca saying the orb would protect them, and the warnings given by the authorities on arrival, all of this slots together into something unpleasant.]

That was the first mission we tried to fight someone for the orb. And we were not able to beat her- what happened was that she decided that risking her lover's life wasn't worth retrieving the orb, so she abandoned her claim on it.

[Just a warning, in case Zandr turns out to have less than noble aims- they should still try to make violence a last resort.]

I'm not sure if it's the same here- it might be that ghost matter is a natural phenomena, not connected to the orb at all. This isn't the first mission where magic doesn't work.

[But the orb didn't help them retain their powers at all in Novis Nox. So why now, in this world?]

I'm enrolling at the university, to see if I can get an internship studying ghost-matter once I've established my identity and an academic record. Viveca's file suggests that Zandr likely has the orb, but she also listed three people in the Federation as individuals of interest. We shouldn't neglect looking into them, and their activities.

[Did they know Zandr, somehow? Or had Breezr's experiments involved inmates at the prison?]

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I've signed on for the Security Division. If anyone can get a hit on Zandr's location, I'm hoping it's these guys.

Maybe details on his crimes, too. The mission file said he worked alone, but he could be building some sort of resistance here against the Federation.

That's what "high treason" usually means back home.

[ Who hasn't been wanted for treason, though, really? Stuff happens sometimes, y'know?

And, damn, yeah, he sure does remember Braccia. What a time. ]

If you find any information about any deceased allies or supposed victims, let me know, and I'll try to talk to them. It's possible that the information that's available about him isn't accurate.

Well, Treason generally means that or passing information to an enemy nation, or otherwise aiding them. But so far, there's no mention of this Federation being at war.

[Of course Zandr could be organizing a resistance, with the Federation refusing to acknowledge it to preserve the impression of their own power.]

I'll try.

In my experience, superpowers like the Federation don't like admitting they're at war until they can't ignore it anymore. But you're right. There's been no sign.

Considering the ghost-matter and that registration business when we arrived, I wouldn't doubt that something was building from the inside.

You're right, but... before they acknowledge it, they'll come up with excuses- like 'bandits' 'pirates' or 'terrorists'. The Federation hasn't gone that far yet.

I know, but... I'd like to know what life is like for people in the federation beyond these planets, where Ghost Matter isn't an issue.

[ Well, Finn was considering piracy and terrorist activity to be part of the war effort, but that's a good point. ]

Now that you mention it, I haven't heard much about the planets beyond this little system. That's definitely worth looking into.

You'd think these planets would be less popular because of the ghost matter, if these powers were so abundant. Maybe it doesn't affect as many people as I was thinking.

[ Oh, it feels like there's something big right in front of them now... or maybe Finn's just paranoid. As usual. ]

Maybe some people who don't have powers moved here because of the ghost matter. It sounds like they're extracting it somehow on Deumia, to make weapons.

[ Look who's using text! On purpose even. ]

Hello Sabriel. It's good to hear your 'voice'? [ For lack of a better term. ]

I won't be able to contact you often, the population I've embedded with is extremely hostile towards anything even remotely Federation. I doubt they'd kill me, but all the work I've done to gain their trust would be broken if they discover me talking to someone connected to the Federation.

That said. I'm very interested in this notion you raise and in knowing more about the ghost matter. I'm working an angle myself, but if you need my skillset, shall we say. [ His Sight in particular. ] Just get word to me.

Oh. Same if you happen to learn anything particularly interesting about this ghost-matter. [ And this is why he doesn't like the whole 'text' function. Because she's under no obligation to share shit with him. This is where he usually turns on the charm to coax people into giving him what he wants. ]

The useful thing about this network is that it's impenetrable to anyone who isn't part of the crew- we can talk through it to our heart's content, and no one will ever know, even if we wanted them to.

Of course, if we ever have to show someone that their beloved leader is plotting to kill everyone, the security becomes a bit of an inconvenience, so if you hear anything that you want to share with authorities, record it via other means.

But thank you. Normally, I'd investigate it myself, but given the limitations of this mission, working together might be advisable.

[If she wastes her two power uses searching for sites of death, she won't be able to talk to the Dead when she finds them.]

[ This is all very useful information, some of which he's heard in snippets but it's always good to hear it straight from a trusted source. And right now Sabriel is about his only trusted source from the station. ]

Understood. I've positioned myself such that I haven't had to use my Sight and I don't expect to have to use it in the course of my own line of inquiry. If you have a need, just let me know.

[ Okay. Now he gets one of the draws for this whole texting thing. He can type the words and sound all noble and confident, without running the risk of her picking up on how disquieting he finds the hole noting of using and then losing his Talent. Lockwood words hard to keep his reservations to himself and having just a screen of words between himself and someone else definitely helps. ]

I will. Please, stay safe and keep your eyes open.

And when we start getting close to the orb, get ready. Missions often end in fights.

I'm always ready, Sabriel. [ A fact that usually worries people back home so Lockwood is going to be relieved to simply be encouraged here in this team. ] I'll keep an eye out.

[ There is a brief pause with three little dots before another message comes through. ]

I know we discussed some of what it is like in my world, but I don't recall how detailed we went.

When I talk about how the living are killed by ghosts, and there are some instances where a Type Two will use an object to kill, but it is usually ghost touch. Ghost touch isn't about a ghost wrapping their spectral hands around your throat ... it is how living flesh is broken down by contact with ectoplasm; ghost matter.

I don't know, this really is George's area of expertise but I guess I'm saying it may be worth while to look at relationship between ghost matter and living matter, along with the study of ghost matter itself.

Anyway. Good luck. Call if you need.

So it's less a matter of feeding on life force, like the Dead of my world, and more that their substance is inherently inimical, like Free Magic's effect on living flesh

I think you're right- we need to look into what the true nature of this 'ghost matter' is.

An investigation angle I leave in your capable hands.

[ Because that sounds like research which gives him brain ache, though she knows she can call him if she needs his Talent. ]

Be careful Sabriel, yes?

Thank you, Miss Sabriel, for the information.

If there is any assistance I may provide, please call on me.

（ she hopes the girl has the good sense not to shout about ghosts from a rooftop... but by the very faint emphasis on emphasis she is offering more than just her services as a doctor. ）

Thank you.

[Sabriel can read between the lines of that offer... and she accepts.

And she also sets this entire reply to private.]

My usual means of finding restless spirits aren't an option, but please, tell me if you get any leads about deceased individuals who might know something.

Of course. Though I wouldn't wish for you to risk yourself in such a manner, given the warning we received about using our abilities.

I know, but... Viveca said we have two uses. So if I only do it once, I should be fine.

That presumes that there will not be a more dire need at a later point during our tenure here.

All I am asking is that you be careful, Miss Sabriel.

I can fight without magic. And with only two uses...

If I don't use it for this, I'll save it for healing- or once we have a better idea of what's needed to get the orb.

Is it too early to tell, do you think, whether or not the orb is currently contracted to an individual here?

We do not have any confirmation, but Viveca's files strongly suggest that Zandr has a contract with it. What that contract is, and what price is being payed, is unknown.

But I think we will have more success finding it by trying to track Zandr down, rather that exploring the remote parts of Nuhiri and the mines of Deumia, which is where I'd expect it to be if it was unclaimed.

And we must break or end the contract, correct...?

（ cirawei was an almost deceptively simple mission, with no such fuss to be made. ）

I'm not certain that I'm positioned to advance our cause on that front, but at the very least I can see if there are any medical records for Zandr without redaction.

Yes. If we tried to take it by force, or stealth, we'd just be stuck in a fight. We need Zandr, or whoever has the orb, to hand it over willingly.

[Because Sabriel's not sure how well they'd fare with such limited access to their powers.]

Having those files might help- it might show us why he's doing this, or what he wants.

Edited 2023-04-19 21:17 (UTC)

I'll see what I can do. I can't guarantee anything, of course.

（ almost, she makes a joke — after all, i'm only human— but instead chooses to refrain. sabriel might not appreciate the gallow's humour. ）

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audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen; Shortly after Group 2's arrival

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voice ↪ Private

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