FROM: @CMDR | TO: @ALL

[byfist]

ATTN: ALL PERSONEL.

We have had recent recruits that have joined our fight. I understand you have been briefed and given training for this mission and our stay in Aranean society. As for the rest: I am your Commanding Officer, Grothia, previously of the Regency. Unfortunately, at present, I am often tied up in diplomacy meetings with the high court. But you can reach me via your BCE, or at certain times during the day in COST's supplied quarters.

Field Officer Young, who is at present wearing of her human appearance, is also present. She can be found at similar through similar means.

If you have any concerns, you may bring them to either of us.

As for your mission here. Our main concern is to secure COST's supply of Ymir, this substance is responsible for powering all forms of time travel in the Galaxy and the dimension shifting required to do so. It is the bones of the fallen God, Ymir and it seems mankind was not made to touch their Gods. Aranean's are a species genetically made to mine such a thing and no human is capable of it. That is why they are absolutely crucial and our alliance with them over the Regency, at all costs, must be assured.

At present, High Queen Thsch is our best bet of this. There is no denying the woman is cruel. A slight is enough to make her snap your limbs, one by one. But the natural Jhashcn bias to those who would eat those who suppress inclines her to us, and we need to foster that fondness.

Her daughter, on the other hand, wishes to overthrow her mother, as is their way. So far in my dealings with her, she has been far more moderate. She favours neither heavy slavery nor absolute forms of punishment. She even has an open, qualitative relationship with her brother as I have observed them. They frequently whisper together at the meetings I have attended. That may be appealing, but she will have no bar with us, as we cannot at present assure what she needs to take the throne.

That is as much as my limited position has allowed me to learn. Sadly neither Officer Young or I can move too freely due to our high profile scrutiny. Remember: if it moves, it is a spy, here. There is nothing you say, or do, that is not being reported to someone unless it is done through the BCE.

As such: COST operatives, I require a debrief of your actions, so they we may assist one another. If you have an idea, a skill, speak up, so that we can use it. This is not a usual type of battle, more's the pity, and awareness of movements is needed more than ever.

Comments

[pointedlook]

Found one item of definite interest. Jury's out on the other thing.

Managed to find a BCE belonging to one of the members of the late House Chchai. I've already spoken to Young about it and if anything, it suggests the Araneans aren't playing as impartial as they're supposed to. If we can dig a little more, them actively working in either side's ranks could provide some social upset.

The other item is a scarab shaped trinket, no idea what it does.

[dipolar]

Destroy it.
If it's Egyptian-themed, it belongs to the Regency.

(I'M SORRY FOR THIS SKEPTIC, ARTHUR)

[pointedlook]

And waste the opportunity to trace it back? If it has identifiers like our BCE does, it could more than implicate that the Araneans aren't playing the neutral ground like they're supposed to.

[ Though admittedly the possibility of it being Regency definitely makes his fingers itch to smash it. ]

[dipolar]

Trace it back to where and for what purpose?
Storming their HQ?
We're already aware of Princess Chch's alliance with the Regency.
Destroy it.

[pointedlook]

No, who it belongs to. Who gave this to Shaiy? Or even if a part of Shaiy hasn't just thrown in their backing to the Regency but joined their ranks.

They're supposed to be impartial, if there's hard evidence of the contrary, then I'd like to pursue it.

I'm not destroying it until I've ruled out what I can.

[dipolar]

It belongs to the Regency, so logic dictates that it was given to Shaiy by the Regency.

The information you've gotten is already enough to cast suspicion on the house.
It could be a gift to help sway Shaiy, or proof of impartiality, but it could also be dangerous.
We can follow the lead personally instead of trying to foolishly tamper with something that doesn't belong to us.

[pointedlook]

Thanks, I totally didn't see that logic.

Considering it was hidden, I'm doubting it's just a gift. And here we're going to need a little more than suspicion to uproot the Regency's influence. We don't have Chchai in our corner any longer.

If both options are available to us, why not use them? One is pretty likely to turn up as a dead end.

[dipolar]

(here goes the bossy bitch)

You seemed to need the help.

Both options are not available to us when one is a complete unknown.
Seeing as it was hidden, it's even more liable to be dangerous.
No one fights fire with fire anymore, it's the fastest way to lose - we have to be very cautious moving forward.

But since you're so stubborn about this, bring the device to @SSSSSSSSS.
Apparently they might be able to hack it, if it's anything more than a trinket.
If nothing's found, destroy it immediately or I will do it for you.
Do you understand?

[pointedlook]

Options are options.

I'll take your suggestion. There's someone else I'm going to have look at it as well, and a safer place to store it so there's less chance of discovery.

Alright commander, cool your jets. I'm not gonna just let it sit idly by.

@LOUISLAMOUR

[omniavincit]

What's the deal with them and Egypt?

[pointedlook]

Maybe they're just in it for the aesthetic. Or the lean towards death worship.

You've gotta admit the unified theme does make them look put together.

[omniavincit]

I'm not a big fan of explanations that start with "just."

[pointedlook]

Plenty of people have joined lesser causes "just because". Whether it's to be contrary or due to the better marketing— in this case, their outfits serve as a walking ad.

I don't disagree with you, though.

[omniavincit]

The masks they wore in Gallipoli weren't a PR stunt.

They don't strike you as true believers?

[pointedlook]

It served as PR. And function. Very practical of them.

Hard to say. The whole clone army thing makes me want to say yes.

[dipolar]

I don't know much about Egypt, but the hierarchy within their figures and gods is clear.

L O L SORRY HE HAS NO FUCKING CONTEXT

[omniavincit]

Where does Kebechet rank?

[dipolar]

Anubis.
The god of death.

(YIKES)

lmk if this is gonna contradict our other stuff and I'll delete with extreme prejudice!

[omniavincit]

You didn't say anything about a scarab.

Where was it?

this totally works!!

[pointedlook]

Wasn't sure how I wanted to approach it.

House Shaiy, amongst their things. It was in a hidden drawer compartment, so clearly someone had gone to some lengths to keep it away from prying eyes.

[omniavincit]

It's metal? Heavy?

Why'd you take it? [ As if he wouldn't have done the same thing. ]

[pointedlook]

Metal, weighted, but small. Roughly the size of a quarter dollar.

Didn't know what it was but I wanted to find out. Seemed like it could come in handy.

[omniavincit]

So what's your pet theory?

[pointedlook]

My first guess? Something like our BCE. Communication device. Alternatively, an equivalent to a wire tap, radio transmitter.

Last option is a poison injector, with a control elsewhere.

It's currently wrapped in every layer of cloth I could manage and stuck in a chest of drawers, just in case.

[omniavincit]

The BCE's not just a communication device, it's a location tracker.

I have somewhere safer. Talk to @APPLEDIE, she'll explain. And if you haven't figured it out by the time I get back, I'll take a look.

They're right, you know. It'd be prudent to destroy it.