The Box

The night street echoes with thunder, and white-blue light lays odd shadows from five corners back. Azalea is sprinting, Aron slung over one shoulder, at a truly Ofanite speed.

Sephar watches through Azalea's zipper reflections for a suitable car.

Sephar looks for something low-slung and *fast*.

As you pass a high-class nightclub, you spy such a car outside. It is a poem to motion.

Sephar possesses it, takes over the security system, first, then opens the doors, takes the radio and says, "Azalea." through the speakers.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 4 4 CHECK: 3.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 1 5 CHECK: 4.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 1 CHECK: 2.

Demiurge says "This all happens as Sephar wishes."

Sephar then steadily checks over the car's systems for other possession... engine, controls, etc.

Azalea stops.

Sepharradio says, "Here. Use this... you can go faster... it's Sephar."

The car engine makes a satisfying deep throb, the car sound system is excellent, and someone currently inside the club is going to be _sorely_ unhappy later.

Sepharradio then finds classical station..

Sephar says "If we just don't hurt it, I can likely get it back later... for now we need speed..."

Sephar says "... and yours because I can't drive this thing the way it ought to be driven."

Azalea puts Aron to rest in the car, and slides in.

Sephar slides out of all the control systems, but keeps its hold on the security system.

Aron slumps into the back seat, clearly content to let Azalea drive.

Sepharradio whispers, "Please get us to the Air and Space Museum as quickly as possible? I'd like to drop that box off where it can be taken care of before anyone else comes after us."

Azalea says "Air and Space Museum. Where is that?"

<> Demiurge says "It's at the Smithsonian."

<> Demiurge says "It's about 10 minutes from where you are. Less if you really break the speed limits."

Sephar gives Azalea both location and the 10 minute directions.

In the distance, there is one last clap of thunder, and then silence. The stormy sky swirls overhead.

Sepharradio gives a very soft whimper under the music.

Azalea drives like the wind through the streets of Washington, following the directions carefully.

Within seven minutes you are on the long square of the Smithsonian, and can see the rearing bulk of the Air And Space Museum.

Sephar silently slides into the workings of the engine, just to be it, nothing but a solid, simple machine that works perfectly according to its design. It doesn't change a mote of what the engine is, just experiences it fully, letting its completeness just fill it for a while.

You paged Sephar with 'You know which side door to go to, and the password for the keypad.'.

Sephar tells Azalea the door to go in and the password for the keypad to get in.

Azalea looks over at Aron, pausing a moment, and then climbs out of the car. "Thank you." She walks toward the appropriate door.

Aron, somewhat more conscious, says, "I'll keep an eye on things. Don't worry."

The door appears to be just any side door: there's a complicated keypad next to it.

Sepharcar stays quietly there as part of it is carried in Azalea's jacket again.

Azalea presses in the code.

There is a small click, and the door opens slightly. Beyond is a well-lit corridor.

Azalea begins to walk down the corridor.

A young woman steps out of the door at the far end. She's got a backpack slung over one shoulder, and says, hastily, "Is there trouble? Are we needed?" The young woman has a cheerful face, fluffy brown hair, freckles, and is in jeans and a blouse.

Sepharjacket looks around for a computer/speaker/rat?

There are no rats visible. The woman has a walkie-talkie half sticking out of her backpack.

Azalea looks the woman over, calmly. "For what?"

The woman's face closes. "It isn't hard to hear that our Lord is abroad tonight. You would be?"

Sephar possesses the walkie-talkie and tries to flick it on.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 3 6 CHECK: 5.

The walkie-talkie crackles into life, and the woman reaches out to pluck it from her backpack, glancing at it.

Sephar's neuter voice sounds actually tired as it says, "This is Sephar, she's with me... saved me from a Vapulan trap and our Lord helped us get away."

Sephar says "Would you please show her back to the Lab? We have something that needs attention, badly."

The woman relaxes, and nods. "Okay. Passcode, Sephar?"

You paged Sephar with 'It's a string of digits and letters that changes with the day. You know what it should be.'.

Sepharwalkie-talkie spills the string of digits and letters in alpha-bravo fashion.

>From afar, Sephar does recognize her?

You paged Sephar with 'Yup: a Soldier here. Her name is Becca Moritz.'.

Sephar pages: Cool.

The woman nods, face clearing further. "This way, please." She holds the door open into an inner study. "The lab's just beyond."

Sephar says softly, "Thnk you, Becca, and can she take the walkie talkie with her?"

Becca says, "Sure." She offers the walkie-talkie to Azalea.

Azalea takes the walkie-talkie.

Becca waits by the door, shifting the hang of her backpack.

Azalea walks into the inner study.

In the study, a lean balding man gets up from the computer where he is sitting, and adjusts his glasses. "Good morning. What precisely is going on?"

Becca closes the door, hanging around with the air of one who dearly wants to know what is going on.

Sephar pages: Who is he again?

Sepharwt murmurs, "Uhm... good morning? It had something to do with... uhm... would you please show him the Box? It was a recon mission turned crazy by the arrival of two teams of Vapulans."

You paged Sephar with 'He's the Seneschal, a Seraph. Name of Ithuriel.'.

Sephar to the Seraph's ears obviously does not feel it's at all a good morning but then mornings rarely are... but the rest is True.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 2 1 CHECK: 2.

Azalea pulls the box out of her waistband and sets it down before the man.

Sephar says "May I use your computer for a moment, Ithuriel?"

Sephar says "I wrote a more coherent log of events while stuck in some Vapulan holding area that Azalea, wheel of Dreams here rescued me from."

Sephar says "Vapula showed up after she and Aron, a Virtue of Dreams had won the field and this, so I asked the B--- Our Lord for help."

Azalea says, reflective, "Wheel of dreams," and then falls silence.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 5.

The man says, "Certainly, Sephar." He nods to Azalea. "Good morning, Azalea. Excuse me a moment while I perform some..."

The man goes stock-still, regarding the symbol on the box.

Sepharwt says softly, "What is it?"

Ithuriel collects himself. He says, voice sounding a little shaken, "That is the symbol of _Makatiel_. Where did you obtain this?"

Sephar also takes the computer and downloads its report and files it properly.

<> Demiurge says "Makatiel: Demon Prince of Disease, destroyed at the time of the Black Death."

<> Pat says "EEEEEEEEE"

<> Demiurge says "Int roll to try and remember more."

Sepharwt says, "In a sewer hole."

Sepharwt says flatly, "The Vapulans were coming to get it."

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 6 CHECK: 6.

<> Azalea rolls the d666 and gets 5 6 CHECK: 4.

Sephar also basks in being a system a bit more complex than a walkie talkie...

<> Demiurge says "Alas, all you two really remember is that he was supposed to have gone insane and been destroyed, though you're a little vague on who or how."

Sepharcomputer asks softly, "But wasn't he destroyed?"

Ithuriel mutters, "Right. Clearly it cannot have been there since the Black Death. So someone must have moved it. Becca! Broad-spectrum analyser, if you please, wide-band scanner, and anything else appropriate."

>From afar, Azalea was alive during that time, though, and a demon to boot.

Becca scurries into action, dumping the rucksack and vanishing through a door to the right, through which the smell of laboratory stuff and the sparkle of stuff flashes.

You paged Azalea with 'Okay. I'll give you that you remember it was supposed to have been a joint operation by Dominic and Asmodeus _together_ that took him down.'.

You paged Azalea with 'And that there were these rumours that he planned to wipe out humanity, and that he had invented viruses and bacteria which could work on _Vessels_...'.

Azalea says, quietly, "Have a care, when handling that box."

>From afar, Azalea might have heard the latter, but probably not the first.

Ithuriel says, "Certainly." His fingers lightly brush the top. "Has it been under any stress or hazardous circumstances this evening?"

You paged Azalea with 'Right.'.

Sephar says "What kind of stress?"

Azalea says "I would say so."

Ithuriel shrugs slightly. "Shaking? Blows? Excessive heat or cold or pressure?"

Azalea says "Shaking, certainly. I could not say for certain about the rest."

Sepharwt says, "It was fought over, so yes, jostling, banged about a bit... oh. Fire."

Sepharwt murmurs, "There is a Malakite of Fire who made the sewers *burn* around it, but I don't think the flames touched the box."

Ithuriel eyes the box. He says, "Probably a good thing."

Sepharwt, "He needs medical attention, quickly. "

Ithuriel says, "Where is he?"

Sephar gives the Metro station and the sewer location.

Azalea says "Perhaps I should go in search of him."

Sepharwt says softly, "I'll go with you?"

Ithuriel turns to Azalea. "I can provide some backup: or would you be faster alone?"

Sepharcomputer says softly, "Could you also have someone bring me my rat?"

Sephar says "Please?"

Ithuriel says, patiently, "Where is the rat?"

Sephar says "In the cage in the Lab."

Sepharwt gives approximate coordinates.

Ithuriel nods. "A moment, please."

Ithuriel gets up, and heads through the door into the room next door. The humming of technology drifts through.

Sepharwt says softly to Azalea, "Do you wish healing backup? I know my own abilities to heal corporeally are very limited."

Azalea looks surprised. "Healing? Am I hurt?"

Sephar says "I meant for when we find Eduardo again."

Azalea looks bewildered. "What do you mean, 'back up'?

Ithuriel returns, a white rat in his hands.

Sephar says "Oh."

Sephar possesses its rat happily and dances a bit and squeaks, "Thank you."

Ithuriel deposits the rat on his desk, and takes a seat again.

Ithuriel says, "If you think that you will be safe returning to the sewers, then I will accept your assessment of the situation."

Sepharwt says softly, "Someone to help you with healing Eduardo, though in a more general case, someone to watch your back and help you out?"

Sepharwt says, "If there's trouble."

Sephar unpossesses the computer and curls happily up in Ithuriel's hands.

Sepharrat squeaks, "I would be happier with someone that could heal better than I... but I think that once this..." points its tail at the box, "is gone, they won't have a reason for being there."

Azalea says "Someone to help would be useful, yes."

Azalea says "I am not a healer."

Ithuriel frowns, and taps a set of commands into the computer. "Unfortunately, I am the best healer here, and I cannot leave the Tether. Becca has some ability with the Song of Healing, if that would be suitable?"

Sepharrat says, "Yes."

Ithuriel gets up from his chair again. He says, "Becca has limited combat training, but is a trained information analysis expert. I doubt this will be a great deal of help in a sewer."

Ithuriel says, "Unfortunately, everybody else with any use of Corporeal Healing is currently deployed elsewhere."

Sephar pages: Would I remember anything about the Gizmo after having possessed it?

Ithuriel says, "I will tell her she is to accompany you."

You paged Sephar with 'Electroraygun thing. Jean's models are more developed, even if people don't often get to use them because they're too advanced for the mortal world.'.

Ithuriel heads into the laboratory room again.

There is a brief burst of speech from behind the laboratory door, then Becca emerges cheerfully, running across to grab her backpack. She snaps to an attempt at attention. "I'll be honored to help."

Sepharrat squeaks up at Azalea, "I don't actually think I'd be of much help with Eduardo... and I think I'd like to stay here to make a really complete report and maybe help Ithuriel out with the analysis... I'd like to know what we got..."

Sephar says ".. is that okay?"

Ithuriel comes out after her, looking somewhat resigned. He says, "I would appreciate Sephar's assistance with the analysis. In the meantime, Azalea, would you find some Essence useful?"

Azalea says "Yes."

Ithuriel nods, and offers his hand to Azalea.

Sepharrat grins quietly as the walkie-talkie goes off again and quiet and bobs a bow, "Many thanks, Azalea for your timely rescue. Please thank Aron for me as well."

Azalea says "Of course."

As Ithuriel touches Azalea's hand, Essence pulses: she can feel it rushing into

her, till she is once again at full.

An extraordinary look comes over Azalea's face, unbelieving. She smiles, after the essence is given, shakily.

Ithuriel returns a brief expression that might be a smile, in a good light, given a certain amount of charity. He says, "I appreciate what you have done tonight. Good fortune, and if my Lord walks abroad, may he look kindly on you."

Becca, by the door, looks nervously enthusiastic, and adjusts her backpack.

Sepharrat thinks of something and calls to Becca, "Oh, Becca, I'll hold onto the car's security until I feel you disarm it... then if you'd rearm it and enable the location tracker its original owner should find it."

Becca says, towards the rat, "Yes, sir!"

Sepharrat, content, patters into the Seraph's labcoat pocket.

Becca moves to hold the door for Azalea.

Azalea inclines her head and leaves with all due speed, back toward the car.

Becca follows, at a trot. Aron is still in the car.

Azalea slides in and starts it up with ease.

Becca gets in on the other side, after a struggle with her backpack, which she has to put between her knees. She says, "You're an Ofanite, aren't you? One of the really fast drivers?"

Azalea says "Newborn, but I'm a fast learner."

Becca nods, and takes great care to fasten her seatbelt.

Azalea waits for Becca to finish, and then steps on the gas.

The car burns rubber down the road, heading for the metro station where a couple of hours ago this all started.

Becca is silent during the journey, fingers fretting with her backpack. It doesn't take long to reach the station, and you can recognise Liz' car still parked outside.

Azalea roars to a halt, and turns the car off. "Here we are."

Becca nods. She climbs out on her side, slinging her backpack on again, and says, "I've got the standard kit: torch, first aid stuff, laptop, electronic gear..."

Azalea says, biting back a laugh, "You want to bring a laptop into the sewers."

Becca says, "Um. Well, it's part of the standard kit. It's at the bottom of the backpack. I suppose we may not need it."

To one side, the door that leads down to the sewers is obvious in the wall. It is standing slightly open.

Azalea walks in, not without some caution.

Inside there is a short length of corridor, and then a spiral metal staircase leading downwards, mirror to the one that Azalea came up while chasing Liz.

Becca follows, nervously. She fishes a heavy-duty flashlight from her backpack, and offers it towards Azalea, hissing, "Do you want this?" The lights above are a dim neon.

Azalea shakes her head. "No point alerting anyone to our presence."

Becca nods, reluctantly, and puts the flashlight back. She concentrates on walking quietly.

At the foot of the stairs, the sewer corridor leads in two directions, to the left and the right, and the river of sewage itself bubbles past, stinking. However, the smell of recent flames and explosions is definitely coming from the _left_.

Azalea follows her nose, looking down with some regret at her torn suit, once tailored to perfection.

Becca follows, twitching as the sewage gurgling, and glancing from side to side.

After perhaps ten minutes of walking, you can see the spot where you arrived before. There is no obvious sign of Eduardo lying out in the open, though you can see the cavity, and see the two bodies that were there before.

Becca looks at the bodies, and her jaw tenses abruptly as she puts her hand to her mouth.

>From afar, Azalea vaguely remembers Aron putting the body somewhere safe.

Azalea says, conversationally, "You've never been to hell, have you."

You paged Azalea with 'He was shoving the body into the cavity and taking the sword while you were sprinting after Liz. You might have heard him rolling it aside, or something.'.

Becca says, swallowing, "No. No, definitely. Not."

Azalea moves toward the cavity.

Inside the cavity, as Azalea comes level with it, she can see the sprawled body of Eduardo. There is also a recently-dug hole in the ground, and a scattered pile of blankets in one corner.

Becca follows Azalea.

Azalea looks at Eduardo, helplessly. "I've never tried to help anyone who was injured, before; how does one go about it?"

Becca regains a measure of confidence. "You need to check their pulse and see if they're breathing." She edges past and goes down on her knees by Eduardo, demonstrating these.

Becca sits back on her knees. "He is breathing, though he's unconscious. If you were fighting Vapulans, I suppose one might have hit him with electricity or a weird ray or something."

Azalea says "I wasn't here when he was hurt."

Azalea says "Can we move him?"

Becca frowns. "Let me try a Song of Healing first." She prods at various body parts. "I don't _think_ he's broken anything, at least, and he isn't breathing blood, so that's something."

Becca begins to croon, tracing a pattern in the air as she leans over Eduardo.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 6 CHECK: 1.

You paged Eduardo with 'You can come round. You feel like hell. You are soaked in sewage. Your muscles ache and occasionally twitch. You have a burn on your back where the lightning hit. You can just about walk.'.

<> Demiurge says "Azalea, make a Per roll?"

<> Azalea rolls the d666 and gets 6 3 CHECK: 5.

Eduardo's eyes flutter open, though the remainder of his motions apear involuntary; a twitch in his leg, even the wrinkling of his nose. "Ungh."

<> Demiurge says "As you're standing on top of it, you can perceive her Song of Healing. Sloppy, but it seems to have worked at least a bit."

Becca and Azalea, total strangers, are leaning over Eduardo.

Becca moves her hand in front of Eduardo's face, holding up three fingers. "How many fingers can you count?"

Eduardo stares up at the two strangers, and slurs. "Who you?" He attempts to move again, right arm flopping almost pathetically.

Becca says, nervously, "My name's Becca. I'm a Soldier of Jean. The lady's an Ofanite of Dream. We came to find you."

Azalea asks, urgently, "Can he be moved?"

>From afar, Eduardo resonates on 'em both. I assume this is at a penalty.

Eduardo starts to stand, carefully. It's not in the least graceful, elegant, or even certain of success. Only his voice is strong as he says "Yes."

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 2 1 CHECK: 4.

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 2 5 CHECK: 3.

<> Demiurge says "Which was which, Eduardo?"

<> Eduardo says "Becca first."

<> Demiurge says "Becca's three most noble things in the past year were to join up as a Soldier of God, to risk her life in a fight three months ago, and to work to save an environmental company."

<> Demiurge says "Three most ignoble were to stop writing to her parents, cheat on her income tax, and deliberately snub someone she thought was stupid."

<> Sephar laughs!

<> Eduardo grins.

<> Demiurge says "Azalea's three most noble acts in the past year were to get Redeemed, to come to Liz to try and get Redeemed, and to deliberately refrain from crafting nightmares in the case of an intelligent child."

Becca moves to try and support Eduardo, on his left.

Eduardo considers Becca a moment then leans on her, the stink of sewage mixing with that of the scored flesh on his back; visible where his clothing has been stripped.

Becca does have some muscle to her. She manages to help Eduardo balance, despite the backpack already on her back, and says, "We'll get you to a Tether."

Azalea says, firmly, "Sistine's." And it's the last thing she says for a while.

Becca follows Azalea as she leads the way back to the staircase, helping Eduardo.

Sepharrat in Seraph pocket, finally safe, suddenly curls up and just shakes...

The laboratory of the Lightning-Tether is comforting in its ordered rationality, as Ithuriel sets about booting up another machine for some processing. He looks down at his pocket, and blinks.

Ithuriel puts a finger in the pocket, and tries stroking Sephar's head. "Are you troubled, Sephar?"

Sepharrat just does its level best at crying for a rat, which is really weird, but then nudges against the gentle finger and squeaks, "jus... just was *scared*... and... so much.... happening... almost lost... Eduardo and...."

Sephar just shakes a bit, curled up on itself.

Ithuriel reaches into his pocket, takes the rat out, and pets it with one hand. With the other he's still tapping on the computer.

Ithuriel says, as he strokes the rat, "You're in our Lord's Tether now, Sephar. It would be illogical to fear that Hell can touch us here."

Sephar curls up into the hand... and the shaking slows quietly. "I... I don't fear now... just..." gives a soft chuckle, "Guess it's all hitting me now that I don't have something that *has* to be done..."

Sephar stops. "Oh... Liz..."

Ithuriel says, "Who is Liz, and what is the problem?" The screen flashes into life.

Sephar says "I need to call the Trade Tether and ask them to just keep an eye on Liz's Heart? They took her body for a while, and I don't know where she ended up."

Ithuriel says, "Very well. Do you have their phone number?"

Sephar says "Zebina, Wheel of Trade was with me as was Eduardo."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 3.

Ithuriel nods.

Sephar says "It was in her cel phone..."

Sephar says "So, yes."

Ithuriel nods across to the phone. "Please feel free to use it."

Sephar is steadying now that it's thought of something solid it can do.

Sephar blinks as it thinks of Liz. "Oh! 'Cultures'."

Ithuriel says, "Yes?"

Sephar says "Liz and I were in the sewer when the Vapulans came for that, and they were saying that they were coming for cultures."

Ithuriel eyes the box. He says, slowly, ""Cultures", in a box with the seal of Makatiel upon it, and the Vapulans seeking them."

Sephar says "Maybe we should be using extreme biohazard tactics on this?"

Sephar possesses the phone to call the Trade Tether.

Ithuriel says, "If it has been through what you say, it sounds as if it could survive most matters. Still. You may have a point."

After three rings, the phone is picked up. A male voice says, "SEC here. I'm afraid we're closed for the night."

Sephar nods. "Sealed, I don't think it'll be a problem, but if we're trying to find out what's *in* it..."

Sepharphone says softly, "I needs to speak to John Evison about a matter of great urgency."

Ithuriel says, dryly, "Your point is noted. I'll try some radiation checks while you call." He walks across to put the box in the clutches of one piece of machinery.

On the phone, there is a brief pause, then the voice says, "Who is this calling?"

Sepharphone chuckles, "Sephar."

The phone clicks, and then rings once, and then is picked up again. Esthan's voice says, "Hello?"

Sepharphone says, "Hello, sir, I have some bad news. Zebina's Vessel was possessed just a short while ago by a creature of Vapula. I lost track of her vessel in the ensuing action, and I would warn you and ask that you have someone, perhaps, track her down by her Heart when she repossesses her Vessel?"

On the phone, Esthan says, "Thank you for informing us. I'll have it put in train. Do you know what she was doing at the time?

Sepharphone says, "She was exploring the sewers that had a lot of noise the other night with Eduardo, a Virtue of Fire and I, and we came across a Vapulan artifact and were interrupted by four Vapulans coming to take their thing. I'm at the Lightning Tether at the moment trying to figure out what it was."

On the phone, Esthan says, "Thank you again for informing us. We'll try and trace her. Is there anything we can do for you?"

Sepharphone sounds contrite, "I"m only sorry I couldn't help her more, the demon repelled my try to get the Vessel back for her. At the moment, I have no other needs."

Sepharphone adds, "If you do find out where she is, my number is (and gives him a phone number that reaches Sephar when it's at the lab.)"

On the phone, Esthan says, voice warm, "Thank you. I'm sure that you did all that you could, Sephar. We are most grateful."

Across the room, there is the flickering of interesting shades of light as Ithuriel has fun with radiation detectors and the like.

Sepharphone says softly, "God go with you."

On the phone, Esthan says, "And with you, Sephar." He puts the phone down.

Sepharrat patters over to the pretty lights and watches as the phone hangs up.

Sephar peers at the readouts as well, and says softly, "Hrm. How hard is it to get a nice, powerful car? Azalea had to give up her old one, and I'd like to get her something she could keep."

Ithuriel mutters, to himself, "Gamma rays, broad-spectrum, hmm..." He looks up. "Absolutely radiation-neutral, Sephar. Interesting, don't you think?"

Ithuriel says, "Money. Unfortunately, we have a limited allowance. You could save up, or appeal to our Lord."

Sephar nodnods at that. "It is very. Almost like they've shielded it so that a radiation reading couldn't get anything."

Sephar nods at that money comment, "Okay."

Ithuriel rubs his chin. "Fascinating. I wonder if ultrasound would be any use."

Sephar says "We could try it. But I've a feeling that the box itself is likely a very interesting substance itself."

Sephar says "Do we have something that can shield against all radiation tests?"

Ithuriel says, "Shall we try and take a sample of the metal?"

Sephar says "Sure."

Sephar says "Or acts radiation neutral like this?"

Ithuriel says, "Very well." He finds a small probe from the assortment of tools on the bench, and attempts to remove a sample of the metal of the box. He fails: the probe simply doesn't make an impression.

Sephar says "Wow."

<> Demiurge says "Never, never leave the Lightning-Servitors alone with an Interesting New Mystery."

<> Sephar grins.

<> Daimon says "No one ever takes my advice when I tell them to run."

Sephar says "Hrm. Maybe we should wait for the Boss?"

Sephar says "He was busy earlier, but he'll likely want a look at this."

Ithuriel eyes the box reluctantly. "I suppose that we should."

<> Azalea has got to get back there.

<> Azalea makes big eyes at Demi. CanIcanI huh huh?

Sephar nods quietly. "He'll likely want to direct the research paths."

<> Sephar giggles.

<> Azalea remembered that she didn't tell anyone what she knew about that guy.

<> Demiurge says "Okay, Azalea. ;)"

<> Demiurge says "Dump Eduardo at Sistine's, and bring Becca back with you?"

<> Azalea drops Eduardo and Aron off to be put into Marath's hands, and brings Becca back, then.

The car draws up outside, with Azalea and Becca. Becca hops out, and runs across to key the door combination.

Azalea follows in Becca's footsteps, anxious.

The door opens, and Becca waits for Azalea to enter before closing it. Inside, hums and technological beeps are coming from the direction of the laboratory, though not as yet in an uncontrolled fashion.

<> Sephar says "Hey, we're Jeanites! Not Vapulans!"

<> Sephar giggles a lot, though.

Sepharrat says,"Well, if the material won't part, the ultrasound likely wouldn't do anyting..."

Azalea follows Becca to the laboratory.

Ithuriel looks up from the box, which he and the white rat are examining.

Several interestingly exotic machines are clearly functioning around the room. Lights flash. In an orderly m anner.

Becca says, "Mission complete, sir!"

Ithuriel says, "As expected." He glances to Azalea.

Sepharrat does a tiny salute for Becca.

Azalea looks at the box again, with a kind of horror. "It occurred to me that perhaps I hadn't been appropriately firm with regards to that box."

Sepharrat asks, "Oh?"

Azalea says "Don't open it."

Ithuriel says, "We were merely scanning it." He sounds faintly wistful.

Sephar says "We haven't. Did a lot of external tests, but I'd imagine it has some kind of terrific biohazard in it."

Azalea says "He - Makatiel - was rumoured to have found a plague that infects Vessels."

Azalea says "I was around then, just young still, and eager; Makatiel made my job easier than any demon ever had."

Ithuriel goes entirely still, looking at the box again.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 1 2 CHECK: 1.

Ithuriel says, "Your facts are very much appreciated. Have you heard anything about such caches as this before?"

Azalea shakes her head. "Never."

Sephar blinks quietly.

Sepharrat murmurs, "There might be others?"

Ithuriel glances between Sephar and Azalea. "Well, this may be one isolated instance. But somebody must have placed it there. Was there any sign of a watcher, or someone guarding it?"

Azalea looks at Sephar.

Sephar says "There was the same symbol painted over it, and it was buried in a niche that had some signs of life, yes."

Sephar says "Blankets and the scent of decaying flesh in there."

Ithuriel frowns. He says, somewhat redundantly, "This is not good."

Sepharrat shakes just a bit. "We didn't find anyone *in* there... but the smell was bad."

Sephar says "I remember that from even the demonic vessel I was in."

Ithuriel begins to wander around the central bench, folding his hands behind him. "One wonders where the guard - or whatever - was, then."

Sephar says "Remember the big noise that was down, it was from the same place. I wonder..."

Sephar says "I wonder if this is what Terethel was researching when he was looking at the sewers."

Sephar says "It was right in the area of this cache."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 2 2 CHECK: 4.

Ithuriel eyes the box. "You postulate that he discovered this, but alerted the Vapulans by mistake?"

Sephar says "I'm not at all sure."

Sephar says "All I know is a cross-correlation of data after the fact. That he was looking here before he was killed."

Sephar says "Right at the spot the cache was."

Sephar says "Either he or those he worked with may have destroyed the guardian but were destroyed in the process. The Vapulans were arguing over why 'he' couldn't have brought it down with him the first time."

Sephar says "I don't know who 'he' is."

Azalea leans back against the wall to listen.

Ithuriel looks to Azalea. "Have you any data on the matter?"

Azalea says "No."

Ithuriel nods, and sits in front of one computer. He begins to rapidly compose a report in one window, while running a virus-sweep in another.

Sephar nods quietly and bobs a nod to Azalea. "Uhm... I think my rat has to stay here to do reports and stuff, but if you take me outside, I can get a bird and go with you whereever you're going?

Sephar says "I'd like to see Eduardo if possible."

Ithuriel says, distractedly, "Just a moment." He finishes the report, and hits

return key. The screen begins to strobe.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 6.

Sephar waits.

The screen settles into a blank whiteness, and a three-dimensional window appears in the centre. A message begins to scroll past. **CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE. PLEASE STAND BY FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.**

The message continues scrolling. **INFORMATION ACCEPTED AND PROCESSED. THE BOX AND ITS CONTENTS MUST BE DESTROYED. PLACE BOX ON WORKBENCH AND STAND WELL BACK.**

Sephar rat goes, "Wow."

Sepharrat scampers back, but still tries to have line of sight to the workbench.

Ithuriel gets up, rapidly, and clears the bench of the scattering of tools.

Ithuriel picks up the box, and places it carefully on the workbench, before standing well back.

The lab lights begin to dim, as do the other computers around the room, till the glowing screen is the only source of light in the room.

Sepharrat curls up quietly, whiskers atwitch.

There is a sudden *WHOOF* of power, as a stream of eye-burning electricity crackles from the computer screen, flaming towards the centre of the room to hammer directly at the Box.

Sephar cringes a bit behind something on the impact.

Something seems to scream and twist and thresh at the centre of the fire, black and corrupted, reaching out with barely-visible hands or paws as it wriggles amid the scorching lightning.

Sephar watches, now glad that it is well back.

Becca shields her eyes, flinching back against the wall as she watches.

There is a pause, as between one breath and the next, and then the lightning is gone, as all the lab lights flick back to their normal brightness. The screen strobes, thoughtfully. There is a patch on the bench seared absolutely bare and sere.

Azalea takes a deep breath.

Sepharrat snuffles softly and creeps forward.

The screen begins to scroll a message again. **IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT CERTAIN SERVITORS WERE OF ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. ALIA, WHEEL OF DREAM, PLACE YOUR HAND AGAINST THE SCREEN.**

Azalea puts her hand against the screen, after a moment's hesitation.

There is another momentary flare of lightning, that crackles around Azalea, sheathing her in blue-white light, running through her like blood or motion; it lasts too long, it is gone too soon.

You paged Azalea with 'You have just received the Ofanite of Jean attunement.'.

Sephar oo's softly.

Azalea protests, weakly, once it has passed, "But I didn't do anything."

Sephar blinks.

Sepharrat murmurs, "But you *got* it from them, and saved Aron and I both."

The screen scrolls again. **YOU ACTED EFFICIENTLY.**

Sephar chirrps softly at the screen.

The scrolling message changes. **SEPHAR.**

Sepharrat blinks.

Sephar patters over to the screen.

Azalea asks, Becca, quietly, "Who *is* that?"

There is another flash of lightning, that wraps the tiny mouse in actinic fire, burning a moment before it is gone.

Becca says, barely audibly, "Our Archangel." There is awe in her eyes.

Sephar gasps softly, eyes closing for the moment feeling the cool burning fully...

You paged Sephar with 'You feel the burning of electricity in you, through your body, in your muscles, your bones, your sinews. You know it is there, that it will _always_ be there.'.

You paged Sephar with 'You have just acquired the Generator attunement.'.

Sephar pages: Oh! *keen*.

Sephar trembles just a bit as the flash goes and then says softly, "Thank you, Sir."

The screen scrolls again. **THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE GIVEN TO TARONIEL, ZEBINA, AND EDWARD. YOUR SUPERIORS WILL RECEIVE A NOTE OF COMMENDATION. IT IS NOT TO BE THOUGHT OF THAT THE SERVITORS OF TECHNOLOGY SHOULD HAVE ACQUIRED THAT.**

Sephar dances.

There is a clinking sound, then another, and then another again as three watches tumble onto the seared area of the workbench from thin air. They are all highly technological digital watches, with silvery straps and many little buttons.

Sephar says "Cool."

Azalea says, after a moment, "Thank you, Sir."

The screen scrolls. **YOUR ATTITUDE IS NOTED. FURTHER UPDATES ON THE MATTER ARE TO BE FORWARDED SOONEST. WALK IN ORDER.**

The screen scrolls, then returns to a normal Unix layout.

Ithuriel takes a deep breath.

Sepharrat sighs happily.

Azalea says "Okay, now that he's gone, could someone tell me who that was?"

Sephar says "My Boss, Jean.""

Ithuriel says, at about the same moment, "The Archangel of Lightning."

Azalea says "Thank you."

Ithuriel says, "Think nothing of it. Would you mind taking the watches with you for your colleagues?"

Sephar dances amid the watches for a bit. "And me? Or at least whatever bird lands on your shoulder outside..."

Sephar looks outside the windows for a bird or some sort...

Azalea says "Of course."

Sephar says "Keen."

There are no windows to this room.

Sepharrat grins, "Or take me outside to find one, I"d rather leave this rat here, all in all."

Ithuriel says, "We'll stay in contact. Do you have a cellphone number I can reach you on, Azalea?"

Azalea says "No. But I can be reached at Sistine's."

Ithuriel nods. "In that case, thank you for your assistance. Safe journeying."

Sephar patters over to Azalea.

Azalea waits for Sephar to jump into a pocket, and then looks down ruefully at her clothes. "I was never this grungy as a Calabite."

Sephar jumps into the pocket cheerfully.

Sephar grins, "Well, when we find Liz, we'll have to get her to take you out shopping."

Becca, eyes still awed, holds the door for Azalea and Sephar.

Sepharrat squeaks, "Becca, keep the door open for me? I'm coming back in."

Becca says, "Okay, sir."

Sephar says "Thank you."

Azalea leaves the laboratory, and the building, with all due haste, and returns to the car.

Sephar grabs a bird as they go out, and as the bird wings down to Azalea's shoulder, the rat slips from her pocket to go back into the Lab.

The lab door is closed behind the rat as it disappears through it.

Azalea speeds off to Sistine's, humming, "Quam olim abrahae, promisisti".

As Azalea draws up outside Sistine's, a taxi is drawing up at approximately the same moment.

>From afar, Eduardo is in Sistine's, healing?

Liz gets out of the taxi, and limps towards the entrance, looking considerably the worse for wear.

Long distance to Eduardo: Demiurge nods. Marath did a bit more healing on you, and offered you the shower and some really really strong soap. And said she'd try and fumigate your clothing.

>From afar, Eduardo would have burnt it. He has 4 identical relatively cheap suits, with the only dramatic thing being his penchant for very dramatic ties.

Liz fails to notice Azalea's car. Instead she opens the door, walks into the restaurant.

You paged Eduardo with 'In that case, she will have found you some new clothing. Which more or less fits.'.

>From afar, Eduardo grins. Okie.

The restaurant is empty, it being way late. Marath's voice drifts down from upstairs. "With you in a moment!"

Liz calls, "It's Liz, Marath. Anyone else show up yet?"

Marath calls, "Eduardo's up here. Azalea was here but went out. Aron's around. Sephar's at the Lightning-Tether, I think."

Sepharbird just perches on Azalea's shoulder.

Azalea jumps out of the car and speeds into the restaurant, a look of terror on her face.

Azalea . o O ( Oh, for a gun. )

Liz spins around and starts to dodge as Azalea barrels in the door, and then stops, looking relieved.

Sepharbird flutters, off balance at the speed, then flies after Azalea...

There is the sound of feet coming rapidly down the stairs.

Sephar sings, "Azalea, it's probably Liz... posessions don't..."

Azalea demands, "Name yourself."

Liz smiles a little. "Zebina, Wheel of Trade."

Sephar flutters, trailing in after Azalea.

Marath appears, a kitchen knife balanced in her hand, at the kitchen door. She eyes Liz.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 5 3 CHECK: 6.

Azalea looks at Sephar. "Yes?"

Liz says "It's me, Azalea. After you and Aron went through the portal, I had to wait until my vessel got unstuck."

Marath says, "It's her, all right."

Sepharbird sings softly, "Don't often last too much more than two hands of minutes."

Liz nods. "It's me. And me needs a shower, new clothing, and my ID, CCW permit, gun, and a few bandages, if you don't mind."

Liz says "And a ride back to the metro station for my car."

Sepharbird circles about, "Gift!"

Liz looks battered and bruised and, for the first time you've ever seen her, tired.

Marath says, "What happened?"

Liz says "I'd also love to know what happened after my vessel was possessed."

Eduardo follows Marath down the stairs, dressed in a jogging suit that sorta hangs a little around the middle and is rolled up on his arms. He also looks tired. Very tired. But he doesn't stink anymore.

Liz says "Vapulan Impudite with a Song of Posession."

Liz smiles at Eduardo. "You're okay. Good. I was terrified.

Liz smiles at Sephar, and holds out a hand for Sepharbird to perch upon.

Sepharbird settles on Liz's hand, "Me, too."

Sephar says "But Eduardo told me to go after them and then Aron and Azalea showed up!"

Liz nods. "I wound up on the Marches, and hurried to the Tower of Dreams for help. Fortunately they were both there."

Sephar says "So I just delayed the demon in your form as much as I could until they caught up and got the Box adn then a car came and swallowed me all up!"

Liz limps over to a chair and settles into it, sighing in relief.

Liz says "Given the way I feel, I take it you caught up to my vessel. Or someone did."

Eduardo leans on the staircase, listening.

Sephar says "Azalea did."

Liz says "Ah."

Liz feels tenderly at what promises to be a really classical black eye. She looks at Azalea, and smiles. "You do good work."

Sephar says "I got freed into a spinning car with a cut in half demon and another one trying to get Aron and I to let him go if he let Azalea go, and I wedgied him. But then Azalea took care of him, too... but then he called Vapula."

Liz blinks. "Vap... oh dear."

Sepharbird shivers. "So I dove into Azalea's coat and called the Boss, and he told us to run."

Liz says "Jean too?"

Liz says "I missed a lot."

Sepharbird nods. "I couldn't think of anything else todo."

Liz says "What happened to the box?"

Azalea says "I did rather a lot of damage to your body, I'm afraid."

Liz nods at Azalea. "It couldn't be helped. You did the right thing. Thanks for coming to Sephar and Eduardo's aid. And mine."

Sephar says "We ran and took the Box to the Lightning Tether, and Azalea knew more about the symbol on it and what might be in it than we could find out. Boss destroyed it and gave us gifts to give you."

Liz says "Better for my vessel to get beat up than for the Impudite to do something evil and permanent with it."

Liz whistles softly to Sephar. "I'm glad you're all okay."

Liz says "Well, alive, at least."

Sepharbird rubs its beak against her finger, "I'm glad you're okay, too."

Liz says "How's Aron?"

Eduardo notes, clinically. "I should have died, there. It happens."

Eduardo says "Leaving me was wise."

Liz says "Just so long as your role isn't broken."

Sephar bobs a nod to Eduardo and then flies over to him, landing on his shoulder.

Liz says "If for no other reason than I need someone to check and see if anyone matching this vessel's description committed any crimes last night. Oh, and to report my gun, ID, carry permit, and keys stolen."

Sepharbird sings softly, "I'm glad. Do you still need healing, Virtue?"

Sepharbird sings to Liz, "Aron took just the edge of a destruction ray, but is mostly okay, I think. Jean got in the way in time, I think."

Azalea tells Eduardo, "Azalea Proserpine. I'm usually much cleaner than this."

Eduardo nods to Liz. "I can do that," he says, then turns to Azalea. "Ed Chavez. I'm usally less burnt than this."

Azalea looks to Liz. "Wheel of Dream, I think. I'm getting used to the terms."

Sepharbird bobs and sings a cheerful note at Azalea's words.

Liz nods to Azalea. "That's right."

Liz says "How do you like it so far, by the way?"

Liz says "Sorry to call you on such short notice."

Azalea says "It's been a long time since I've cause so much destruction in one night. It was strangely refreshing."

Liz laughs softly.

Liz says "Interesting irony."

Liz looks at her hands, sighs. "I really do need a shower, though. And clean clothes. And shoes."

Azalea says "And I as well."

Sephar takes off and circles, "Gifts! Gifts!"

Marath says, "I can provide, as long as you don't need it too fashionably."

Liz nods.

Sepharbird flitters to Azalea. "Give them their gifts?"

Liz says "Fashionably I can take care of later. 'Fits' will do until then."

Marath says, "Fits I can manage. One gets used to this sort of thing."

Azalea hands a watch to Liz, and one to Edward.

Liz smiles wearily at Marath. "I'm really sorry. We appear to have turned your nice, peaceful tether into the local Battle HQ."

Liz takes the watch, and blinks. "What's this?"

Sephar flutters about cheerfully, "Gift from Jean." to Liz and Eduardo.

Liz says "Neat."

Liz looks at the watch. "What does it do? Well, other than tell exact time."

The watches are Ultratechno watches.

You paged Liz and Eduardo with 'They're also reliquaries.'.

Sephar says "For doing what you did for us and the Box. He said that commendations were going to your Superiors for what you did, too."

You paged Liz and Eduardo with 'They're currently holding 5 points of Essence, and can be refilled once drained.'.

Liz says "Really, wow?"

Liz shakes her head. "And here I'm expecting Marc to be unhappy for doing 'Liz the Action Hero' thing again."

Liz smiles at Sephar. "I appreciate it, though."

Sephar says "Yeah!"

Liz says "Looks like it was worth it."

Sephar bobs, "Thank you muchly."

Liz says "Thanks, Azalea, for coming to help."

Sephar says "It was. Really bad nasty thing that Jean destroyed. Possibly linked to a plague for angelic Vessels."

Liz says "Plague? Yuck."

Azalea laughs, faintly. "It was invigorating." She finds a chair.

Liz sighs, and says to Marath. "I think I really need that shower now. I'll be back down later."

Sepharbird circles.

Sephar says "Good cleaning!"

Marath nods. She says, "I'll sort out the clothes for later."

Liz smiles at Sephar.

Liz says "Thanks, Marath."

Liz limps her way upstairs, and thence to shower.

---

Fiat Justitia