Battle Plans

<> Demiurge says "Okay. Liz is in her plane, with a Hitherby. Aron is in his office, with Sephar in his computer."

Liz flies along quite happily. Cargo in the back, very profitable return cargo waiting in SF. Plane's handling smoothly, weather's fine.

Sephar putters about in the computer giving Aron, possibly, a better chance at using it from now on, it mutters softly to itself in binary, screen flashing now and again, occassionally sound bites from various technodigital music playing very softly from its speakers.

Aron sips coffe, reads his manuscript. He rubs his eyes, after a moment, removing the small spectacles he uses when reviewing papers. He turns to the computer and asks, "Can I use this machine to write notes for myself?"

Sephar says "Sure. And have 'em come up for you when you turn it on, if you like."

Sephar says "Organized by keyword, date, subject, and such, even."

Aron nods. "Will you show me how?"

Sephar says "Sure!"

Sephar uses the nice, new email system with dated journal entries, sticky notes, calender, tasks and file linkage system to show Aron how to write stuff in for certain days, tack on extra notes, schedule reminders and have some of the notes come up on certain days as he wants them to. Goes slow, lets Aron drive the interface a few times for each thing he wants to do...

Aron adds in, as he learns, entries for dinner tonight, and also notes to observe Belle and Dr. Matthews. He jots down to-do notes like 'Call Eduardo' and 'Inform Liz'. A footnote to those reads 'They really do this sort of thing better than I do.'

Sephar hms quietly, "Do you want to talk to Liz now? I have her cel phone number, or Hitherby's with her and I could talk through her, likely."

Sephar quietly adds Eduardo's and Pat's phone numbers to Aron's phone list.

Aron rubs at his chin and then looks up, surprised. He looks at the screen and then offers an eloquent, "Oh." He nods. "Certainly, that would be quite helpful."

Aron says "I keep forgetting about the portability of communication."

Sephar hrms and adds Liz's celphone and business phone numbers, thinks about it and puts in Sistine's, Daimon's celphone, and Shannon's coffeehouse numbers.

Liz notes a weather broadcast, adjusts altitude and heading a tad to take her around the worst of it.

Sephar says "Certainly, here, you can just hold the phone microphone to the computer speaker, click this and it'll dial for you..."

Sephar clicks the little phone next to Liz's number.

Aron picks up the phone and holds it up to the computer. He looks suspicious.

Outside Liz's aeroplane, the earth is far away, and she soars through the skies faster than any living bird ever could.

Sephar's computer emits the right beeps for Liz's number.

In the aeroplane, Liz's phone rings.

Liz blinks. She flicks on the autopilot, then patches the phone into her headset/microphone combination, then flicks off the autopilot. "Elizabeth Bradley speaking."

Liz 's voice sounds somewhat odd, with the plane noise in the background.

Sepharcomputer says to Aron, "She's on the line, please talk into the phone like usual."

Sepharcomputer murmurs, "Hi, Liz! Aron wanted to talk with you."

Aron speaks into the phone, cautiously. "Liz. This is Aron. Well, I suppose you knew that."

Liz smiles, and says, "Hello Aron. What's going on?"

Aron says "Well, I have some news about Tania, and her friends."

Aron says "It's not good news, particularly."

Liz says "Oh dear. Go ahead."

Aron says "They can't listen in, can they?"

Aron says "I am unfamiliar with this sort of thing."

Sephar hms. "I can scramble signal on both ends, if you need."

Liz says "Go ahead, Sephar."

Sephar possesses Aron's phone then Liz's then acts as a coder-decoder on both ends.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 1 6 CHECK: 4.

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 1 5 CHECK: 6.

<> Liz adores Sephar. So much.

<> Sephar gets both phones.

Liz says "Are we secure?"

Sephar murmurs, "Go ahead." when it's in place.

Aron says "Ah, splendid."

Aron says "Well, Belle apparently believes that Tania has 'potential'."

Aron says "Enough potential to be initiated into their philosophies. She gave Tania a book."

Aron says "It is not a good one."

Liz says "That's not good, no. I hope Tania brought it to one of us before reading it."

Aron says "I have a copy of it. It's called the _Liber Domini Telluris_."

Aron says "It describes the Demon Princes with a disturbing, albeit not total, degree of accuracy."

Liz says "I see. And what did Tania do with her copy?"

Aron says "She brought it to me."

<> Hitherby mutters. "How come he gets a copy of the Liber Domini Telluris before a playtest copy goes up on Pyramid?"

<> arcangel falls over laughing.

Liz says "Thank God. Anything else?"

Aron says "The book also describes the summoning of demons."

Aron says "I believe given sufficient desire, the rituals in the book will work."

Liz says "I see. That is very bad."

Aron says "Very bad, yes."

Aron says "It gets worse."

Aron says "Belle is copying this book into her computer."

Liz says "Oh dear."

Liz says "That's worse, yes."

Aron says "Tania offers that Belle has been duped. Belle believes that things of dream and heaven and hell are creations of man."

Aron says "I find myself willing to believe Belle's innocence, though of course not her rhetoric."

Aron pauses, then says, "I also find myself furious."

Liz says "I hope you're right, Taroniel, and so am I."

Aron nods, then looks at the computer, abashedly. "I am trying to contact Eduardo, though having little luck at it. I hear the others have gone to France."

Liz says "France? What are they going to do in France?"

<> Hitherby says "Must ... find ... baguette ...."

<> Pat says "Eat cheese"

Aron says "There are rumours of the return of Magog."

Liz utters a string of words much in vogue with sailors of the mid nineteenth century.

Aron says "Yes."

Aron says "My fury grows brighter."

Liz says "I'll be back in D.C. in approximately nineteen hours."

Liz says "Talk with Tania, try to make sure that Belle isn't going to do anything rash like releasing that book on computer before then?"

Sephar murmurs into the connection, "If we find her machine, I'll be sure it doesn't get anywhere."

Liz says "There's also the 'Free Will' aspect of things, Sephar. I'd much rather persuade her it's a bad idea instead of just stopping her. Although we might not have time for that."

<> Pat says "Screw free will."

Aron says "I would prefer to put something in place that could be triggered as a safe-guard, then attempt to persuade her."

Aron says "Free will must be preserved, but she is a child, still."

Sephar says calmly, "You can persuade her and if you fail, I'll -- yes, what Aron said. It must be stopped."

Liz says "I agree, completely. Give her a chance to make the right choice and if she makes the wrong one... better Divine Wrath than Infernal Success."

Sephar hms quietly.

<> Pat says "Divine Wrath is always good."

<> Liz checks Pat for tattoos and/or black tinged wings.

<> Shannen peers at you all.

<> Demiurge says "Pat, repeat after me, "I am an Elohite.""

<> Pat says "I am an Elohite."

<> Jo says "Good? It's divine!"

<> Pat is also a Dominican.

Aron says "Oh."

In the Lab, Sephar takes the celphone number it got off Belle and tries to find her address from it.

Aron says "There will be Divine Wrath no matter what."

Aron says "There is Dr. Matthews to deal with."

Liz says "Yes, Dr. Matthews has already made his choice."

Aron says "It seems possible that he is a Demon, not a Soldier."

<> Demiurge says "Sephar, make a roll."

<> Sephar rolls the d666 and gets 2 3 CHECK: 1.

In the Lab, Sephar believes that it has obtained the correct address.

<> Sarah says "Since he's got Rite and Invocation material in his shop. :)"

In the Lab, Sephar-rat then codes up a watcher for the phone line at that address to detect data like the words in Aron's quotes and to stop transmission if that happens and notify Sephar.

<> Sephar says "Or tries to."

<> Demiurge says "Hm. Your GM is technically ignorant. Can such a thing be _done_?"

<> Liz says "Only if Sephar reprograms the local phone switch."

<> Sephar says "If Lightning has access to phone switching."

<> Sephar says "Which is up to the GM."

<> Demiurge says "Lightning does not automatically have access. You can try hacking in, but this'll take time."

<> Sephar says "Sure, then, I'll do that."

<> Sephar will also write a report on hacking into the phone system to make it easier for other Lightning folks as it goes.

<> Demiurge says "Okay. SepharLabRat will be assumed to be hacking for the next while."

<> Sephar says "Sure!"

<> Demiurge admires Sephar's well-documented nature!

<> Sephar beams happily.

Liz says "Anything else I can help with just now, Aron?"

Aron considers. "No. I just wanted you to be aware."

Aron says "I will attempt to be subtle in the investigation."

Aron says "But I am also seeking to include Eduardo in this affair."

Liz says "Good luck, Taroniel. And thank you. I'll be back as quick as I can."

<> Pat says "Subtle. Eduardo. How does this not fit together? :)"

<> Sephar falls over laughing.

<> Sarah says "In every conceivable way? :)"

Sephar chuckles mildly on the lines. "Godspeed, Liz."

Aron says "Thank you. Good flying."

Aron hangs up.

<> Aron says "You notice I said 'I'll try' and then 'but'."

<> Demiurge chuckles.

Sephar unpossesses both phones and curls up in the computer, comfortably again.

Liz readjusts her course to fly faster.

<> Liz rolls the d666 and gets 1 3 CHECK: 4.

<> Liz flies much faster, indeed.

<> Liz isn't much for subtle investigation or combat, but by *God* she can deliver cargo quickly.

<> Demiurge grins. "Not like these effete types who just hop up and down Tethers." :)

<> Liz says "Darn straight."

<> Liz spares you the story of when you did your cargo by sailing vessel and you counted yourself lucky if the barnacles didn't eat through the bottom of your boat before you got there.

<> Sarah spares Liz the story of when you spent your entire life eating coarse bread and soup and copying out books by hand in candlelight till your eyes went. :)

Aron, now armed with Eduardo's phone number on his computer, dials him up.

<> Eduardo says "What time is this and stuff?"

<> Demiurge says "Early afternoon. I think you were in your car, or driving back to the police station."

The celphone in Eduardo's pocket buzzes.

Eduardo fumbles the cellphone out, plugging it into the assembly in the car. This does take some time, but eventually Eduardo, armed with a cellphone and a car, responds. "Detective Chavez."

Aron says "Good afternoon, Edward... o."

Eduardo pauses a moment, then says "Aron."

Aron nods, pointlessly. "Indeed. Are you very busy?"

Eduardo says "Not aside from my caseload. I believe the Lieutenant believes I do not need to sleep."

Eduardo offers the phone and the road a glimpse of a fleeting smile. "Fortunately, he is right."

Aron's lips quirk. "Quite. I don't suppose you could swing by my office? This is important."

Eduardo squints at the phone, then nods into it. A moment later there is the sound of a police siren over the phone.

Aron pulls the phone from his ear and squints at it. "I take it I'll see you then?"

Eduardo says "That was what the nod meant, Taroniel."

<> Demiurge cracks up.

Aron looks wry. "Of course."

Aron hangs up.

<> Daimon says "Poor Eddie. Can't deal with the phone."

Eduardo drives, sirens going when needed.

The traffic parts before him like a flaming sword through snow.

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo does know where Aron's office is?"

<> Hitherby says "He *must* find it! How could such a determined angel fail?"

<> Eduardo considers this. Most likely. And Eddie is a very old angel, and somewhat set in his ways. I mean. He was last around before this role in the time of the crusades.

Shortly, Eduardo arrives at Aron's office, and is nodded in by the blonde secretary with the flashing nail varnish.

Eduardo walks behind her, an unimposing figure without even flashing eyes.

The secretary buzzes on Aron's desk phone. "Mr Riel? A gentleman here to see you."

Eduardo blinks once, then supresses a wince. It's the first time he's heard Aron's last name.

Aron nods to the intercom. Some moments later, he shakes his head, hits the button and says, "Send him in."

The secretary opens the door for Eduardo.

Eduardo nods, offering a polite 'Thankyou," that sounds as if it should be accompanied by a smile. It's not. Then he steps into Aron's office. "Mr. Riel?"

Aron steps around his desk and nods. "Edward. Please come in."

Eduardo gives a ghost of a chuckle, then steps in, closing the door behind him.

Aron says "Coffee?"

Eduardo says "Please. Though you had said this was important."

Aron nods. "I can speak and pour at once."

Aron does so, in fact, moving to the back of the office. "Do you know Tania?"

Eduardo says "Excellent," and then claims himself a seat. "I cannot say that I do."

Aron adds gracious helpings of sugar to Eduardo's cup, none to his, and brings the mugs back. "She is a Soldier, originally trained by Destiny. Marath takes care of her now."

Aron says "She recently got involved with a group of people who are exploring a chemical substance that gives them pre-written dreams."

Eduardo mms, and nods, accepting the mug with another "Thankyou." Then he lapses back into an economical silence, listening.

Aron settles into his chair. "That is bad."

Aron says "The group is led by a pair - Belle and Thomas. They are, in turn, mentored by a Dr. Matthews. Dr. Matthews works for Fate."

Aron says "That is worse."

Eduardo nods. "It is. Though somewhat out of my realm."

Eduardo flares his free hand. "My abilities ethereal are poor."

Aron nods, and continues. "Belle has recently given Tania a book. This book describes the Demon Princes in curious - though not perfect - detail."

Eduardo frowns.

Eduardo says "Do they know she is a soldier?"

Aron says "No."

<> Eduardo says "Huh. I've lost the ability to do monosyllabic."

Aron says "Thank God."

Eduardo takes a long draft from his coffee. "So this is a more general plot."

Aron sips his coffee. "It seems to be. Belle is scribing this book into her computer. I am told that this is extraordinarily bad." He pulls the manuscript from his drawer and hands it to Eduardo.

Eduardo flips over the book. "I always saw technology as a problem, but I am not sure why 'bad' in this case."

Aron says "It can be distributed worldwide, Sephar tells me."

Aron says "Almost instantaneously."

Aron says "The book describes rituals of summoning. I believe they will work."

Eduardo blinks. "It can?"

Eduardo continues to skim over the book.

<> Eduardo says "There's an internet?"

Aron shrugs, helplessly. "It is a thing of Lightning. Lightning is fast."

Eduardo says "Ah. I suppose."

<> Sephar just giggles.

Eduardo says "Can we not just disrupt the thing?"

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo, do you want me to quote the book's introduction, or the sections relating to any particular Princes?"

<> Eduardo says "Please, mommy, can I trash the Internic's core servers and some few routers."

<> Sephar says "No."

<> Eduardo is looking for Magog (if present), Lucifer and Kronos.

<> Sephar looks very stern about it.

Aron says "There are plans to do that. Sephar holds the bulk of those plans."

Sepharcomputer beep chirps cheerfully at that assurance.

Aron says "My concern, at the moment, is with Dr. Matthews. I wish to investigate the man's mortal aspect - for there is reason to believe him a Demon."

Aron says "I believe he is stealing the brightness of dreaming from these children, Eduardo."

Aron says "It is an unkind thing."

Eduardo blinks once at the machine. "I believe my way would be more permanent. This could not happen again," he says, and then. "You do not have to show me my duty."

<> Demiurge says "Magog doesn't seem to be mentioned, Eduardo. Then again, what you hold is only a few pages."

Aron holds up his hand. "Nor do I wish to. I am furious. It overflows me sometimes."

Eduardo nods, "It is understood. You have a pretext on which I can look at this Dr. Matthews?"

Aron says "Hm. You need one? There is potential drug use involved, and he seems at the head of it."

Aron pauses. "Tania believes Belle innocent of all but reason and curiosity, by the way."

Eduardo says "I am homicide."

Eduardo says "And I suspect that telling a Vice officer 'potential drug' would not garner me much favour."

<> Hitherby says "But when the Vice Officer dies, it becomes a homicide!"

<> arcangel admires Hitherby.

Aron considers, and nods. "This is not my area," he admits.

Eduardo drums his fingers on the side of the coffee mug. "Perhaps we can involve Mazpatiel."

Aron says "I heard he was in France."

Eduardo says "Ah."

Eduardo says "There have been no deaths?"

Aron says "No."

Eduardo purses his lips, thinking.

Aron sips his coffee. "I will be investigating Belle's dreams."

Aron considers. "If I am caught breaking into this Matthew's house, can you help me?"

Eduardo says "To determine if she in innocent. And I will do what I can. If you let me know when, I could arrange to be the first officer on the scene."

Aron nods. "That would be useful. I will do that."

Eduardo says "I would prefer you not to get caught."

Aron's lips twitch.

Sepharcomputer murmurs mildly, "I can help with locks and stuff, Aron, if you have need."

Aron glances at the computer. "Well, splendid. Thank you, Sephar.

Eduardo says "That should make it easier. Can you do alarms, as well."

Eduardo gives the computer a momentarily awkward look.

Sephar says "Yes."

Sephar says "If I can find them, it's possible to cut off sensors as necessary."

Aron says "And I am rarely seen when I want not to be."

Eduardo blinks. "It is beyond me," he admits. "I merely know they exist. As I said, let me know, and I will see what I can uncover on this man. "

Aron says "Thank you, Eduardo."

Eduardo simply nods again.

Aron sips his coffee, quietly.

---

Fiat Justitia