I come with an update on the Proteus Tome situation. Specifically regarding the 'girl' Nomak met a few days ago, yes, the one heavily featured in the recordings we recovered from the black box.
With the information we gathered prior to the event I am about to describe, I deduced that we were woefully lacking in any real leads and options, so I decided to pay another visit to where the Silver Sun doesn't shine - the Order's black bastion. I kept to the shadows, in and out of cloak, until I finally reached the rings of Planet Nebet, overlooking the Order's home - Akabat. I had hoped that the interference from the rings would conceal my position as I scanned the surface with my ship's instruments, and surely enough, for a time they did.
After a few minutes, however, Akabat's ground-to-space scanner array came online, I noticed it as a flash of light lit up near the moon's north pole. I attempted to engage my cloaking device but it became unresponsive. A software error was at fault, I'm led to believe. Someone should look into that.
Needless to say the array picked up on my position, but interestingly enough, only a single ship launched to intercept me. I initially attempted to thurst my way towards one of the other moons as I waited for my cloaking systems to recharge, but this single ship piqued my interest. So I waited for it.
And lo and behold, it's the girl. Yes, -the- girl. And she didn't appear to be very dead or otherwise incapacitated at all. Here is the transcript of the encounter that followed.
Code:
[24.01.2017 19:44:21] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Took you long enough, whoever you are. I thought the Order would be far more ready to deal with immediate threats in their-
[24.01.2017 19:44:22] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: space.
[24.01.2017 19:44:55] Unknown.Guardian: ?: You are indeed a threat..and if you do not leave, I will do as Jeremy orders.
[24.01.2017 19:45:09] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Jeremy? Tell me more.
[24.01.2017 19:45:45] Unknown.Guardian: *The pilot didn't respond, only the feeling of a hawk watching a floundering fish would impail him...she didn't even seem..
[24.01.2017 19:45:57] Unknown.Guardian: alive to say the least* I cannot disclose Orders.
[24.01.2017 19:46:34] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: [Systems at 77%] Wait...that voice is oddly familiar.
[24.01.2017 19:47:02] Unknown.Guardian: ?: My uncle is getting more upset...I'm giving you a chance to leave..or else..
[24.01.2017 19:47:49] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: No need for such brashness. I'm sure your uncle wouldn't mind too much if we talked for a bit.
[24.01.2017 19:48:27] Unknown.Guardian: *The female didn't respond, there was only a click and hissing from the armor she wore on her body* Its the job of the guardian
[24.01.2017 19:48:46] Unknown.Guardian: to protect the trove...don't meddle with the dragon within unless you wish to anger it.
[24.01.2017 19:49:04] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: [99%...100%-systems ready]
[24.01.2017 19:49:15] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: But I don't wish to anger you...
[24.01.2017 19:49:40] Unknown.Guardian: ?: ...No, but what you want from me, would only lead to suffering of my loved ones...
[24.01.2017 19:50:01] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: That's a big assumption to make.
[24.01.2017 19:50:33] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Why do you think so?
[24.01.2017 19:50:51] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Hmmpf...you don't know me, but I will not allow you to make the Hunters..my family..suffer.
[24.01.2017 19:51:32] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: [He makes a mental note of the names] You've got this whole thing wrong, dear, I'm not here to make anyone suffer.
[24.01.2017 19:52:09] Unknown.Guardian: ?: No, what you want will make other suffer however...you might be pure of heart, but your target will only lead
[24.01.2017 19:52:12] Unknown.Guardian: to suffering..
[24.01.2017 19:52:32] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: And what do you think my target is, exactly?
[24.01.2017 19:52:50] Unknown.Guardian: ?: I'm sure you already know, judging by your interest..
[24.01.2017 19:52:51] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: You seem to know an awful lot about me, so illuminate me.
[24.01.2017 19:53:48] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Hmpf...you remind me so much of Emissary..
[24.01.2017 19:54:12] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Emissary...that's a name I haven't heard in a while.
[24.01.2017 19:54:20] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: You know her?
[24.01.2017 19:54:33] Unknown.Guardian: ?: She tried for the same object your looking for...
[24.01.2017 19:54:39] Unknown.Guardian: ?: And died in doing so.
[24.01.2017 19:54:48] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Yes, a regretful affair that.
[24.01.2017 19:55:03] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: But aren't you tired...just a little bit?
[24.01.2017 19:55:17] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Tired? Not the least.
[24.01.2017 19:55:56] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Oh come on, you can tell me the truth, no need for idle bravado. I'm sure the mask feels quite heavy on you.
[24.01.2017 19:56:18] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Tired of people looking for that damn tinker toy? Yes...and the mask is just to prevent people from knowing who I am.
[24.01.2017 19:56:49] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: There you go...admitting your problems is the first step towards getting better.
[24.01.2017 19:57:10] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: We can make you get better you know.
[24.01.2017 19:57:16] Unknown.Guardian: ?: No, I've caused suffering the likes you'd never understand..
[24.01.2017 19:57:28] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Who hasn't? Suffering too is part of life.
[24.01.2017 19:58:05] Unknown.Guardian: *The female glares aggressively at Hussaini, she taps a controller on the mask, the helment retracting to show ruby red
[24.01.2017 19:58:13] Unknown.Guardian: eyes and crimson hair..a Kusarian..*
[24.01.2017 19:58:25] Unknown.Guardian: ?: I've started a war against my own people..
[24.01.2017 19:58:42] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Suffering is just something I've grown used to
[24.01.2017 19:59:02] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Not everything has to be suffering, though.
[24.01.2017 19:59:20] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Don't you think it's a bit unfair...leaving you all alone to carry that...burden.
[24.01.2017 19:59:35] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Don't you think you finally deserve some rest?
[24.01.2017 19:59:47] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Hmpf..want to know how many have asked that question before...?
[24.01.2017 20:00:11] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Geoff Enfield...The Outcasts..The Cross..The sisters of dreams..Emissary...Kusaris backdoor hive..
[24.01.2017 20:00:30] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: And does it become more tempting with each asking?
[24.01.2017 20:00:53] Unknown.Guardian: *The female only laughs gently, before smirking up at Hussaini*
[24.01.2017 20:01:13] Unknown.Guardian: ?: You know little of my suffering.
[24.01.2017 20:01:41] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: That may be so, but I know suffering in general, as a matter of fact I am intimately acquainted.
[24.01.2017 20:02:25] Unknown.Guardian: *The female slowly puts a hand to her head, letting her hair fall loosely, was she..grinning?*
[24.01.2017 20:03:02] Unknown.Guardian: ?: You know...the first conflict I started was something that still goes on today...people have tried to break me..the nomads
[24.01.2017 20:03:06] Unknown.Guardian: tried harder..
[24.01.2017 20:03:32] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Save.. *As she brought her head up, dropping her hand to her side..a complete deranged look in her eyes*
[24.01.2017 20:03:49] Unknown.Guardian: ?: They forgot how to put me back together...
[24.01.2017 20:04:50] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: So you're a bit broken, you wouldn't be the first one.
[24.01.2017 20:05:09] Unknown.Guardian: ?: *The pilot tilts her head to the side, her smile remaining* I'm broken..but choose to remain this way...
[24.01.2017 20:05:19] Unknown.Guardian: ?: As..odd as that sounds..
[24.01.2017 20:05:29] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: You think you have a choice? Cute.
[24.01.2017 20:05:49] Unknown.Guardian: ?: I'm well aware of what choices I have and don't have..
[24.01.2017 20:06:10] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Looks to me that all choice has been removed from you, and you accept it without question.
[24.01.2017 20:06:33] Unknown.Guardian: ?: I never go back on my word..thats not the way Kusarian's work..
[24.01.2017 20:06:35] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: I guess there is some...honor, in such servitude, in such...slavery.
[24.01.2017 20:07:47] Unknown.Guardian: *The female presses the control on her helmet, slowly it reforms around her head* Theres just one problem, between me and you..
[24.01.2017 20:08:03] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Only one? That's generous.
[24.01.2017 20:08:30] Unknown.Guardian: ?: The Nomads have tried to kill my family, so have the Outcasts and sister's...you've made the Dragons cut me apart to make
[24.01.2017 20:08:46] Unknown.Guardian: sure I was not infected...this, is on the nomads head..I'm aware what they want.
[24.01.2017 20:08:57] Unknown.Guardian: ?: At first, I was curious..yet they remained more cruel.
[24.01.2017 20:09:14] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Slowly, they destroyed any and all trust I held for them.
[24.01.2017 20:09:26] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Cruel? Objectively wrong choice of words.
[24.01.2017 20:09:49] Unknown.Guardian: ?: The Nomads are cruel when they want something badly..
[24.01.2017 20:09:49] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: They have no capacity for mercy, certainly, but neither do they have capacity for cruelty.
[24.01.2017 20:10:46] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Want to know something?
[24.01.2017 20:10:54] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Always.
[24.01.2017 20:11:08] Unknown.Guardian: ?: If not for the nomads, I'd not be here, in pain and suffering to begin with.
[24.01.2017 20:11:19] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Curiousity kills the cat, sure.
[24.01.2017 20:11:45] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: If not for the oxygen we'd all be suffocating, what is your point?
[24.01.2017 20:12:15] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Simple. The nomads destroyed any and all chance of getting their toy back.
[24.01.2017 20:12:31] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
[24.01.2017 20:12:40] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Looking to the past will get you nowhere, you should look to the future. There's still opportunity for a happy life for you.
[24.01.2017 20:13:00] Unknown.Guardian: ?: In exile, in the middle of space, killing others? Forget about it.
[24.01.2017 20:13:20] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: We can give you this. All you have to do is...give it up. As simple as that. We give you our word.
[24.01.2017 20:13:50] Unknown.Guardian: *There is only the sound of a bellowing laugh, the pilot cracking up heavily at such*
[24.01.2017 20:14:16] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Laugh all you want, but you know it's possible.
[24.01.2017 20:14:29] Unknown.Guardian: ?: ...No..no...I don't want a new life... *the pilot reaches down to her pocket slowly, pulling loose a metal object
[24.01.2017 20:15:07] Unknown.Guardian: that seemed unseeable till the center was spun* ...You know...Jeremy was right...pain is momentary...peace is forever...
[24.01.2017 20:16:06] Unknown.Guardian: *There was the sound of her pushing the spinning cilinder into place, pulling back the extended back part with her thumb*
[24.01.2017 20:17:58] Unknown.Guardian: *There was a deathly cold pause from her* ...No, this is goodbye...but not like this..
[24.01.2017 20:18:25] Unknown.Guardian: *She places the gun back onto her waist silently*
[24.01.2017 20:18:26] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Wait...what are you doing?
[24.01.2017 20:19:01] Unknown.Guardian: ?: Nothing you need to worry about...just know, to the Order, and those around me...I'm dead...goodbye.
[24.01.2017 20:19:16] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: Death isn't the answer.
[24.01.2017 20:19:52] Unknown.Guardian: *There was no response, the word she left with cold as death's icy grip as static only responded*
[24.01.2017 20:20:40] (C~Bassam.Hussaini: [An audible sigh is heard as he inputs the codes and cloaks, disappearing from sight]
[24.01.2017 20:20:45] Preparing to cloak...
[24.01.2017 20:20:56] Cloaking device on
Yes, it was all a ruse. How unexpected. [He claps sarcastically]
And before someone asks, yes, I did consider outright shooting her, but I decided against it as I was literally within the range of any and all ground-to-space cannons planetside. And besides, I don't think this "guardian" carries the object with her, nobody would be that dim-witted. And she's certainly not dim-witted at all, perhaps a bit stubborn, possibly also deranged, but not dim-witted, no.
As you can see, my attempts at coercing her to relinquish the object willingly have failed. I still think coercion is possible, but we don't have nearly enough time or opportunities to do so. Towards the end, you can see her alluding to suicide. She's certainly insane enough to do so, but I think it's just another attempt at deception. Fool me once, as they say.
Diplomacy has failed, my brethren, I advise capturing her by force the next time we meet her, that is - if we meet her. In the meantime, I suggest the Commune convenes to discuss the next step of this operation. This concludes my report.
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