Jewel glares at the display.
Akriel looks puzzled.
Akriel also looks thoughtful. The result may be cute, or at least interesting.
Cassia doesn't even try to think too much, just waits for the others.
Jewel gets slightly distracted by Akriel.
Jewel says "This is going to be interesting. Is there *any* information we can rely on?"
Jewel says "I wonder what we'd find if we went to the Geo Sci center."
Beneberak beeps, almost indignantly.
Akriel says "I am sure that Beneberak's information is as accurate as it can be. It does, after all, come from Heaven and our fellow angels."
Jewel says "Then why did it change?"
Jewel says "You *did* see it change, didn't you?"
Akriel says "That is an interesting question that I do not have an answer to."
Beneberak repeats, firmly, in blinking text, "Display did not change from Baal to Furfur."
Cassia eyes the display quietly.
Jewel says "Shephi, did you see it change? Cassia?"
Akriel says "I am not certain what our next step should be. Perhaps investigating the GeoSci center somehow."
Cassia says "The words changed."
Jewel says "So either something funny is up with Bennie, or something funny is up with our minds."
Jewel says "or both."
Akriel contemplates the map display thoughtfully.
Akriel notes that the route doesn't pass particularly near a Hell Tether or a Furfur Tether.
Jewel says "We could fly over and see if we hear loud bad music."
Cassia says "That would make certain which it was."
A small dot of blue light on the panel in front of Akriel traces in a circle several times, and then Beneberak announces, in soft orange letters, "The Northwestern Lab for the Advancement of Genetic Science contains maintenance equipment. Calculated odds that display changed from Baal to Furfur: 1.25e8. Calculated odds that three angels simultaneously developed delusional Discord in response to unknown event: 7.3e8."
Cassia blinks mildly at the numbers.
Jewel says "Maintenance equipment? For you?"
Akriel says "That seems unlikely in a Tether to Hell."
Jewel says "What?"
Shephi studies the seat in front of her with every indication of interest.
Jewel says "It's the Geology center that's the tether. I don't know what this Northwestern Lab is."
Jewel says "Shephi, did you see the display change?"
Jewel resonates on Shephi. Her head spins dizzily.
Beneberak flashes, in white, the Lightning logo, with the lab's name beneath it.
Shephi admits, "I was distracted."
Jewel blinks and puts her hand to her head.
Akriel says "Ah."
Akriel says "Do you need maintenance, Beneberak?"
Beneberak states, "Using above odds, there is a 14.62 percent chance that Beneberak requires maintenance, and an 85.38 percent chance that the present angels are in disrepair."
Beneberak adds, "Approximately."
Akriel says "Ah. I believe that neither are the case."
Jewel resonates on everything else, sensing ...
Akriel is puzzled, thoughtful, perhaps concerned, and thinking.
Cassia is puzzled and, admittedly, bored with nothing to fight and
nothing she can specifically *do*.
She senses nothing useful from Beneberak or the Heart.
She tries Shephi again, and gets solid celestial static. She hypothesizes that Shephi is resonating, meaning that her entire emotional state is being determined by celestial interference -- which cannot be resonance-sensed.
Akriel asks Beneberak "Is it hazardous for you to overfly a Tether to Hell?"
Beneberak indicates, "Not inherently."
Beneberak explains, more fully, "A Technology Tether could fire missiles. A tall Tether could project upwards beyond the immediate vicinity, causing emotional effects. Demons who sight us might fly upwards and attack."
Akriel says "I understand; thank you."
Akriel looks to Cassia and Jewel and Shephi. "I do not know what we should do next."
Jewel is watching Shephi with imperfectly-concealed nervousness. "Shephi, penny for your thoughts?"
Cassia says "I don't either."
There is a whirring, grinding noise, muffled, from somewhere inside Beneberak's front panel.
Akriel asks Beneberak "What was that?"
Akriel resonates, determining that the car is right there.
Shephi says, calmly, "I find Jean's work fascinating. The car possesses rudimentary emotion, but with a control so perfect -- I am uncertain of its purpose. As well as, I admit, somewhat impressed." She hesitates, thinking. "It is currently experiencing -- curiosity. And a hint of amusement."
Jewel says "Good amusement or bad amusement?"
Shephi says, "I do not believe it to be malign."
Akriel says "I believe that the Geo Sci center may be of more immediate concern."
Jewel tries the creativity detector on Beneberak, and determines that the car is very, very creative.
Jewel says "Yeah. If we're going to investigate, we should probably do it on foot, or at least on the ground. Not up here with a 'shoot me' sign stuck to our back."
Cassia says "Then let's go near there, set down and drive in more normally?"
Akriel says "There is the curfew, I believe."
Jewel says "Yah. It's easier to sneak by cops on foot. Although Bennie is most of our firepower if it really is a War tether."
Akriel says "Perhaps I should stay with Beneberak as -- backup, I believe it is called? -- in case of problems, while the more personable and more war-capable of us scout ahead?"
Ohab, who has been quiet, speaks. "The Geo Sci center ordered a hit on me; personally, I would enjoy dealing with it."
Cassia says "I'd love to do something."
Cassia says somehwat hopefully, "A fight would be nice."
Akriel says "Beneberak, can you land near the center without being detected by it?"
Jewel rolls her eyes at Cassia, somewhat amusedly. "If we need demons whacked, you get first dibs."
Jewel is reminded to reload her gun, which she does with much squirming around in the back seat with Shephi.
Beneberak offers, "Virtual reality goggles are available." Then its front panel opens at the side, and five cups filled with boiling black liquid extrude from it on clench-grips. "And coffee, for peak form."
Cassia says "Good."
Beneberak then adds, "Yes, Akriel."
Akriel says "Thank you, Beneberak."
Jewel pounces on the coffee!
Cassia takes one of the cups of coffee, eyes the boiling, and lets it cool before sipping.
Akriel accepts a cup of coffee.
Akriel says "Beneberak, is this fresh-ground?"
Beneberak beeps. "Yes, Akriel."
Akriel says "Ah."
Jewel absorbs about half the coffee. "Okay, who's going and who's staying?"
Cassia says "Going."
Akriel says "I believe myself staying could be wisest."
Beneberak adds, "70 percent mocha java; 20 percent hazelnut; 10 percent Glade-grown."
Cassia gradually absorbs the entire cup and starts to very gently vibrate.
Akriel says "What is the normal function of the VR goggles, Beneberak?"
Jewel says "Ohab? Shephi?"
Beneberak explains, "Cassia wanted action."
Ohab says, "I will come."
Akriel looks amused. "Ah."
Shephi considers.
Jewel says perfectly seriously to Shephi, "Would you like to come?"
Cassia looks at the goggles.
Cassia picks them up, "Uhm. This won't make me flail around in the car, will it, Bennie?"
Shephi says, calmly, "I am under orders to accompany you, Jewel."
Akriel says "Do you have remote communicators that could be loaned to people, Beneberak? I should stay in contact with any group that departs."
A sharp rattling from the front panel. Beneberak flashes:
"Assembling ."
"Assembling .."
"Assembling ..."
"Assembling ...."
"Done."
Jewel blushes slightly. "Okay. Do you have a gun?"
Beneberak indicates to Cassia, "No more than is normal for Ofanim."
Cassia hrms and puts on the goggles.
Beneberak extrudes a plate with small black discs with a silver ear symbol traced on them, and similar discs, only white, with a golden tongue symbol.
Akriel passes them around, keeping one of each for himself.
Jewel eyes the disks. "Do we get a manual?"
Suddenly, Cassia charges against the demonic traitors of the Jovian moons, her trusty Seraph and Malakite companions one on either side! The terrible weight of her meson cannon doesn't even slow her down.
Cassia whoops happily.
Everyone else hears a faint 'whoop!' in the Symphony, but not aloud.
Beneberak flashes, "Place the ear disc in your ear, and the tongue disc under your tongue."
Jewel blinks at Cassia.
Jewel applies the discs as instructed. "Testing, testing, one two?"
Everyone else wearing a disc hears the voice clearly through it, as well as through their other ear, without noticeable time lag.
Akriel applies the disks as indicated.
A raging virtual Calabite, twice Cassia's size, raises a hand to smash her down!
Cassia fires her cannon into the center of mass on the Calabite!
*Foom!* The Calabite's middle and another small moon in the distance disappear!
The Calabite looks surprised.
Cassia says "Cool."
Cassia runs forward happily.
The Calabite totters and falls. Ahead, it looks to be -- one of the giant serpent-people of Jupiter, its gas-vent wings inflating and disinflating, chained most cruelly by the Djinn on its back, who whip it onwards at the angelic assault force.
Beneberak flashes, "Now playing test tone."
A tone sounds briefly in the relevant ears, and then a male voice. "Am I audible?" It sounds too precise to be anything but computer-generated.
Akriel says "Yes."
Cassia runs towards it, leaping up towards the Djinn and avoiding the serpant's mouth as she is best able...
The world Sings ... Celestial Entropy, the Song of mental attack.
Again, it is very faint, and *very* multi-voiced, and comes from everywhere, and again there are no obvious effects.
Cassia says "AACK!"
Cassia whips the goggles off and looks around at the faint sound from everywhere.
Akriel looks disturbed.
Everyone can hear, very quietly, a Djinn voice in the Symphony saying, "Where'd she go?" Another starts to reply, but is cut off when Beneberak flashes, "Shutting down virtual world."
Akriel taps some menus to bring up some radio stations. Hopefully ones with news.
Jewel says "Bennie, did you generate that Song of Celestial Entropy just now?"
Jewel says "Or the voice?"
The only music stations play sweeping, rushing, dramatic music. The talk stations appear to be shut down, save for occasional comments to the effect of, "If there is an emergency, we will describe it here." The voice is definitely recorded.
Beneberak flashes, "Voice generated by Virtual Reality program."
Jewel says "But not the Song?"
Beneberak flashes, "No, Jewel. The Song was generated by some other means."
Jewel says "Could it have been generated by someone else's virtual reality system?"
Beneberak hesitates. "Scanning," and then a growing series of dots appears before Jewel.
Akriel watches with interest, absently turning off the radio stations.
Cassia studies the disks a moment before putting them on.
Beneberak reports, "All other Lightning VR units capable of subSymphonic isolation remain in Heaven or in distant locations. No record of the manufacture of necessary components at Earthly sites. No record of the theft of same. No record of such technology being stolen by demons. No record of angels involved with its development Falling. Song does not precisely match known behavior of such systems. However, the possibility of variant technology developed independently in Hell exists."
Jewel says "How reliable would your records be if we were in someone else's virtual reality?"
Akriel considers. "Are you suggesting that this is all an elaborate dream, Jewel?"
Cassia blinks at that thought.
Beneberak scrolls, "Variable. Reliability in the high 99 percentile, if I am a participant. Reliability as directed by system designer, if I am an aspect of the simulation."
Jewel says "Maybe. It would explain how and why things keep changing, and why Songs appear without a source, and why I can't reach Eli."
Akriel looks disturbed. "I hope you are not just an aspect of the simulation, Beneberak."
Beneberak scrolls, "I am not."
Jewel says "But how do you know?"
Beneberak scrolls, "I have access to information that cannot exist within a simulation."
Jewel says "Such as?"
Akriel says "Can Lightning VR simulate Heaven accurately enough to fool us, Beneberak?"
Jewel says "Or Vapulan Reality."
Beneberak scrolls, "It cannot be described, Jewel. It is unlikely, Akriel."
Akriel says "That is my opinion too. And Ohab and I were both in Heaven with you."
Jewel says "Gnosticism. Okay. I think this is a cunning plan to paralyze us with cheap philosophical debate."
Akriel says "If Vapulan technology could produce an area of virtual reality..."
Akriel says "And it was being field-tested here..."
Jewel says "Yah. That would explain the octopus."
Akriel sips his coffee, sinking into some thought.
Akriel says "Yes. And other events."
Jewel peers out the window. Where are we now?
Jewel says "But not the retroactive earthquake."
Akriel says "Why not?"
Beneberak is pulling downwards into an alley, about six blocks from the Geo Sci center.
Jewel says "It could have created an earthquake, but why didn't we notice it? It only showed up in the news after it was history, and having lived through the time specified, we had never noticed it. Maybe the radio reports are what's being faked."
Akriel says "I would assume that they were an aspect of the virtual reality."
Jewel says "Weren't we going to go check the epicenter for damage and witnesses and such?"
Ohab comments, "The Media."
Shephi comments, "The curfew seems real, by the streets."
Jewel says "But people heard about the curfew over the radio."
Shephi raises an eyebrow. "True."
Cassia taps a toe quietly.
Jewel says "So that doesn't tell us anything."
Akriel says "It seems logical that Vapulan virtual reality would have an easier time affecting humans than us. Perhaps it influenced their minds."
Akriel says "Perhaps even that was the purpose of the Song."
Jewel says "Yah."
Cassia nods quietly. "To set up the gullibility?"
Akriel says "Or the like."
Jewel says "Shall we continue with our current plan? We're just flapping around in a vacuum right now."
Jewel says "Any information at all will only help."
Jewel says "Famous last words."
Beneberak stops, in the alley.
Cassia says "Yes."
Akriel says "I believe that the Geo Sci center may be useful."
Akriel says "Or informative."
Jewel says "Okay, let's give it a try."
Akriel says "Do you believe it would be more useful for me to wait here or to come with you?"
Cassia says "Is there anything specific you want me to look for? Or just go in and see what there is to see?"
Cassia says "I think it would be more useful for you to wait out here, capable backup is always a Godsend."
Akriel says "Then I will wait here, as you are the expert."
Akriel says "We should be able to remain in communication via these disks."
Cassia says very softly, "Yes." and sees if it comes through the disc as well.
It does.
Jewel's clothes suddenly cling tighter to her figure.
Akriel, typically, does not notice this. (Perhaps to Jewel's regret.)
Cassia says "Jewel, do you want me to take point or rear guard?"
Jewel is actually watching Shephi's reaction.
Jewel says "Just hang loose for the moment. If we run into anyone, we should try scamming them before we open fire."
Shephi shows no obvious reaction.
Darn those Elohim!
Jewel is holding a crystalline sphere that was previously hidden beneath her loose jacket. It is pretty obviously a Heart.
Jewel senses ...
Music and darkness from the Heart.
Ohab opens his door and climbs out.
Cassia nods at Jewel and jitters quietly.
Jewel says "Akriel, Bennie, I'm going to leave this with you."
Akriel starts tapping on menus to call up passive sensors, tracking systems, and the like.
Akriel looks up and over and blinks. "... Okay."
Akriel holds out a hand to accept it. "We will keep it safe."
Jewel says "Do you have an armored glovebox or something?"
Jewel passes over the Heart.
Akriel looks to the console. "Beneberak?"
Beneberak flashes, "Place on the panel."
Akriel does so.
The panel lowers, and a lid slides closed over it, becoming completely smooth.
Cassia says "Woo."
Jewel pats Bennie's dashboard. "Take good care of it, okay?"
Beneberak beeps over the earphones.
Jewel says "Okay, let's go."
Shephi slips out of the car.
Jewel bails out after Shephi.
Cassia slips out after them.
Akriel listens and, in general, monitors.
Cassia takes rear guard possition instinctively, letting them do the easier bits of spotting what's in front.
Jewel leads the way toward the Geo Sci center, keeping out of sight as much as possible.
Soon, Jewel and Cassia stand outside the Geological and Geothermal Sciences Center. The two can hear the faint sounds of rock music from inside.
Cassia blinks mildly at the sounds.
The windows are dark.
Jewel whispers, "Sounds like Furfur. But Baalites have stereos too."
Cassia looks in the windows at the lower corner to see if ther eis anything to be seen inside.
Akriel layers his immediate visual field in a thicket of ready menus. Being prepared is a good idea, after all.
Cassia sees a faint bit of purplish light down a hall. Very faint.
Cassia whispers, "There's a purplish light down a hall... shall we go in and look for that?"
Jewel senses ...
No emotions in the Center.
Jewel whispers, "I don't feel anyone inside. Shephi?"
Akriel absently says "Beneberak, are the doors currently locked?"
Beneberak scrolls, "Security systems inactive. Activate?"
Akriel says "Yes."
"Activated."
Shephi frowns slightly. "Also nothing."
Cassia walks back and forth to see what doors are nearby.
Jewel whispers, "Does this smell like a trap, or is it just me?"
Cassia says "It smells of semi-automatic trap. though to know what the light might be..."
There's a set of loading doors at the side, a lattice door to the garage, and the main door.
Cassia says "... shall we go in through a window nearer that glow?"
Jewel looks up. How high is the building, and are there upper-floor windows?
It's two stories tall, and there are upper-floor windows.
Jewel whispers, "Maybe an upper window?"
Beneberak's mechanical voice notes, via the ear pieces, "I am under observation."
Cassia nods at Jewel.
Akriel says "Where from?"
Jewel whispers, "What kind of observation? From where?"
Cassia pauses at Beneberak's voice.
Beneberak says, "Satellite."
Akriel says "Vapula's?"
Beneberak says, "Unknown. Listed purpose: relaying television programming."
Cassia whispers, "Media?"
Jewel whispers, "Could be. Should we keep going?"
Akriel asks, with curiosity, "Is it within the range of any of your weapon systems?"
Beneberak says, "Yes."
Akriel examines what, if all things go well, will be an appropriate menu to see which ones.
Cassia uses the Ofanite resonance to figure out which windows might be closer to the purple glow ...
And finds one.
There are only three weapons systems, Akriel. The nova-powered non-diffusive laser, quantum bombardment, and a missile launched from a nearby Lightning satellite.
*That* window looks good.
Akriel dismisses the menu. "The satellite appears no serious concern."
Beneberak scrolls, "Noted."
Akriel says "I assume you will notice if they start preparing to shoot at us?"
Beneberak says, "Yes."
Akriel says "Good. I do not like being shot at, so advance notice is good. If they begin preparing to shoot at us, you may move without asking me first."
Beneberak says, "Noted."
Akriel says "I wouldn't want you to get hurt or anything."
Cassia jumps up to that window, then, and looks for any security strips.
There is a wire.
Akriel pats the console (on a bit without buttons et al) fondly, and goes back to watching passive monitors and listening to the progress of everyone else.
Jewel keeps an eye out for passing Calabim, grad students, and other riff-raff.
Cassia whispers softly, "Akriel, there's a security wire up here, can Bennie do anything about it?"
Akriel sees if he can zoom the mapping system in on an appropriate wire.
Jewel whispers, "What kind of wire? Across the window or beside it?"
You say "The wire runs along the bottom."
Cassia whispers that info to Jewel.
Jewel realizes ...
The upper part of the window can probably be removed without disturbing
the wire, since it's in multiple parts.
Akriel, with a faint bit of disappointment, gives up shuffling through menus of options.
Cassia marks the line, then gently opens the window, and passes through and tries not to get in the way of any attached photosensors.
She doesn't think she got in the way of the light.
Cassia moves then towards where she saw the purple light and whispers, "I'm in and headed towards the purple glow."
Jewel lurks nervously with Shephi.
Not far in, Cassia finds the right hall, and heads down it. The music and the purple light comes from under a door. It sounds like dance music.
Cassia murmurs softly, "There's a light and... well... dance music coming from the room. shall I open the door to look in?"
Cassia eyes near the roof for ventilation grates.
Jewel whispers, "Let us come up in case you need a hand."
Cassia whispers, "I will wait and see if there's a way other than the door..."
Jewel offers to boost Shephi up to the window.
The song inside changes.
Shephi nods to Jewel. Ohab is, at this point, already at the window. Those Ofanim!
Cassia blinks.
The song, Cassia thinks, is now "I'll be watching you."
Cassia murmurs softly, "This is spooky, the music just changed to 'I'll be watching you.'"
Jewel gives Shephi a boost. Since eventually she'll go in through the window, the period of distraction will be limited.
Cassia paces to the left, looking up for ventilation grates.
The building is reasonably well ventilated, as it gets hot in Geothermic Science Centers.
There's a grate in the hall.
Cassia moves up to the grate and tries to quietly remove it.
The grate is quietly removed.
Cassia whispers, "I think I have a way in, but I'll wait until you're up here."
Ohab is in through the window.
Cassia gestures Ohab to her.
Shephi is through the window.
Cassia gestures Shephi over to her as well, whispering, "Come this way..."
Shephi and Ohab join Cassia.
Jewel climbs up once Shephi is no longer right above her and joins the others.
Cassia whispers softly, "Ohab with me through the duct to check it out?"
Ohab nods, quietly.
Jewel whispers, "Okay. We'll watch here."
Jewel stands to the side of the duct so she doesn't get her head taken off by a retreating Ofanite.
Cassia goes in.
Ohab and Cassia make it easily into the duct.
Cassia goes through the duct in the direction of the lights and sound.
In fairly short order, the two come to a grille and look down through it.
Cassia whispers, "We're here."
Below is what appears to be a large dance hall, complete with the colorful reflections from a spinning ball. In the hall are -- metal things. White metal things. With four *really* long legs, small bodies, gleaming red eyes, and no heads or arms. Dancing.
Outside, Akriel hears a *very* large disturbance.
Those inside, given the Tether's shielding nature and bad rolls, hear nothing.
Cassia murmurs, "Oh, my. There're many metal things dancing...
Akriel looks up, peering through the thicket of menus and stuff, to see if he can see anything outside. Or on the sensors, for that matter.
Jewel is still dazzled by having watched Shephi climbing up to the window and notices nothing else.
Ohab frowns faintly. "There was something ..."
Cassia whispers a description of what they look like to everyone.
Cassia looks at Ohab, "What?"
A man in a white suit, short and orange-haired, sits on Beneberak's hood.
Cassia murmurs softly, "I wonder if the ball controls them?"
The man turns to look at Akriel. Television static plays across his sunglasses.
It's Nybbas.