Meeting at the Citadel

[Ninkurra]

After briefly manipulating the crystal, Eris turned her attention back to the Revenant. Now her intervention, however, was not so painful. Of course, the feeling of presence from within again suppressed, but the pain that arose during the forced penetration of mind was suppressed by Eris. Revenant felt that thoughts from an endless stream acquire order. Eris responded to her in the back of her mind.

*** We feel. We see. Understanding... You are aware of what happened. You realize for what we are judged, and for what you will be judged. Harbinger's bias, Melia's detachment, Shozak's hatred, and Eris's frustration. We are all on the verge of a tough choice. Your conclusions and further answers will determine the verdict. Our verdict was issued before. There were several variations of the choice before you made. Now only two. You know what they are. You understand that there are no other alternatives. Do others understand it?
Ours believe that you have betrayed the Light. Prove to us that this is not the case. Not with empty words. Promises... A stream of endless excuses and lies. Prove by action. Cleanse yourself from sins and prove that you are true to your path. Return everything you took. Perhaps something is lost forever. No matter. The information remained. The essence remained. Your own repentance determines only Your destiny. Others have nothing but greed. Let them prove their adherence to the Light.***

The "Nymph" looked around the room, analyzing the other samples, but Eris attention was directed at Harbinger now.

*** We are interested in your conclusions, Harbinger. What do you think about this? There is no lie in her words. There is a fear of punishment and a desire for repentance. ***

[Kauket]

"Then take it all. We have never stopped you. The Triumvirate was a foundation of the trust. To swear to duty to protect to persevere, and to eliminate the opposition of those ideologically opposed... The Order. The Core. Do you feel the mutual tasking has failed you? The destruction of those who harmed you? Of those who seek to destroy your legacy? We have not attempted to harm you, or even thought of such. Do you feel that our services of helping you reunite with your lost kin within the other voids did not help you? We offer our services, all it requires is your inquiry. Many possibilities remain to solidify trust... Destruction, invention, creation, learning, manipulation... Task us. Allow us to prove our indifference to Humanity's destructive loop. Even if you reject us here, we know how futile it is to waste our energy on brutish extermination. Power is not our desire. "

Pausing for a moment, she thought of the worst, the one thing she did not want the Order to be right upon. "Or another way... even sacrificing one's self, despite the embrace of the Ascension. It would be a perverted twist between our forms, a conflict between our symbiotic refinement from the Ascension. "

Audax was still enthralled by what he was seeing, now in the room. The conversation in hand made him slightly uncomfortable with these darker implications. He had hoped that this was not a sell out, signs of frustration came across his mind. He would not usually be privy to Directorate level discussions, now understanding why they kept their doors closed tight from the ranks.

---

[Treewyrm]

At center of the issue was the dynamic between Technocracy and Vagrants. Where one prospered in technology the other was slowly degrading, being reduced to a much more primitive level. Almost like being pacified, whether intentional or not. Nomads had little to gain directly from the path these 'humans' had decided to follow, while the same cannot be said the other way. The interest this group has shown towards his kind is very much one-sided. Once again he was reminded of the view held by his more vengeful brethren. For all the simplicity of their points the assessment wasn't entirely wrong.

But then a different thought was growing within. Vengeful ones made demands, not necessarily of him, rather what outcomes they would prefer. Every time he would return to Omicrons it was a noticeably colder reception than before. At this time it would not surprise him if Shozak was already making moves against, which would not bode well for the coming Trial of Dreams if he's ever to redirect them. Pulling a few brighter minds into his vision might knock a peg or two, but that's a long stretch. Alas Harbinger had to contend with that for now, the Sphere had to be protected at all costs and regardless of the dispute. While Vagrants were only recovering their views on humans were too naïve, still they were slowly opening for fundamental changes. The puzzle had a few missing items in it.

Harbinger contemplated the situation and the possible outcomes, none particularly to his liking but the number of options was growing short as of lately. Not to make desperate bids he'd still try to the gain the most out of unfavorable circumstances. On one hand one more push might just leave this 'alliance' in dust, an outcome most certainly to Shozak's delight. But it seem like a route too simple to take, it merely appeased the other party but there was little in it for himself. On the other hand keepings things as they were would only serve to compound the issue. As it stands Technocracy is not to be trusted in the current arrangement. But there are other means to ensure they'd play along.

At the end there were no particular rules about how Maker's vision to be fulfilled. Any and all options were on the table, but which would be efficient and which could lead to yet another setback? The old method had a moderate success at first but then a small mishap occurred throwing everything into disarray, all the carefully orchestrated steps had to be discarded by the end and even then it was too little too late. Following the crisis different views came about, some more radical than the others, some grew out of frustration and others out of desperation, none particularly reasonable in his mind, all reactionary rather than defining.

The Archives are the solution and the key.

After perusing the artifacts on display he came back to the group. Up until now he seldom said anything but those aware of him knew there was more to than just making a mere visit.

"I may have made my mind but first tell me this. Exactly how do you see yourself benefitting my kin?" - He addressed Revenant. "Many possibilities do remain. Do you think there's something I'd want from you? Let's see how much you have learned so far."

[Kauket]

Knowing his words were deliberate, there is further confirmation of his discomfort, his bias as Eris mentioned. His words were a test, a sheet of thin ice. The wrong step, the wrong mention, may shatter any potentials. As much as he was analysing the surroundings, they were analysing them too. And they had hoped it would not come to their back up plan in the event of break down within these exchanges. Nonchalantly, she glanced an eye over to the Administrator, then slowly glanced back to the 'Benefactor'


"You still question the benefit. Uncertainties still loom. What I think, is irrelevant. What matters, is desires and the intentions. It is the truth that only endless possibilities stem from here. We could destroy each other. We could relinquish this vault. We could leave upon a neutral grounding. Or even surrender. Your kins segregration definitions vary wide, but all converge into one similar path, no matter your evolutionary differences. To rekindle your legacy. "

"Our goals may not align, but what aligns is our obstacles, our foes. We do not wish for Humanity to hold your legacy. And you wish to reclaim yours. There is benefit to chaos, opening up windows of opportunity, they shan't predict all motion if the goals do not necessarily align. Expect the unexpected. We have the vantage of connections with organisations for further influence. To spread our window of opportunity to destabilize those who blind themselves with Human superiority. The Order. The Core. We may not ultimately require each other, as we walk different paths, but collaboration makes the situation a little easier."



There was another moment of silence as they held their hands behind their back, glancing around the room after she finished her brief talk regarding chaos and being predictable.

"I am willing to make the necessary sacrifices to hinder Humanity's exploit. But it would come to the question, are you truly concerned of our motions? I would imagine we could not truly hinder your desires. Whether you see the benefit of having mutual foes and further reach of resources, is up to you. Our priorities does not lay with your kind at this moment, beyond assurance of the survival of the Triumvirate members. Gammu. Vagrants. The question of benefit also lingers within our directorship, your ponders are not alone. Betrayal, is not a memory they wish to endure once more after time and time of experiencing it. A natural question to ponder when those are not linked together in cohesive networks, scarred by history. Yet we share the burden of familiar roots and interests, this mutual understanding has held them together, bound by logic and ideology, sworn by word and proven by action. To be different, is not all so bad."

She returned her eye back to him, answering his more personal hypothesis,

"You already have one of the things you want from me. I know what would be necessary to illuminate your scepticism. And they would not take kindly to subjugation, as they suffered once under Humanity. Retribution leaves a sour taste."

There was understanding, pure factual knowledge, that they would only trust those who are co-opted to them. She referred to the damage they had done unto her mind previously, the other half would be for them to assume total control. Their psychology was not so enigmatic to understand. It was familiar to theirs. They fear the lack of control. Us or them. Co-opt, or remain foreign. The Nomads were like any being, they did not appreciate uncertainties.

But a certain thought of fear came across her mind for that brief moment as she questioned the meaning of impact, a pray that they do not need to lay waste to what was established here on this level, should his wrath entangle his thoughts. But sometimes, the horrific is necessary for tranquillity. Losing the Triumvirate would pain them to a personal level, particularly the loss of Melia, but it was not ultimately required for Gammu, nor the Technocrats, to thrive and evolve. Another quick glance over to Audax. He was very subtly shaking his head, notioning to not do it. Revenant felt that they had not much to lose as time ticked on, dryly looking back up to the gang.

Forever calculating possibilities and outcomes. In the end, it all appeared to end in either total destruction, indifference as a tool, or delayed damage to the Technocrats. But there was no matter, for there was to be reassurance to be found that they have always survived a tragedy. Faith.

---

[Treewyrm]

In contrast to his peers Harbinger preferred to play with moral dilemmas and tribulations instead of direct confrontations. Pushing the envelope of coercion and making use of subtle mind tricks whenever possible.

"But how could I not question the alleged benefits? I have observed the results and they left me unimpressed, concerned even. A picture began to emerge in which your role had not been as benevolent as it may seem at first. You have observed my kin like no one else was ever allowed to, you have gained valuable knowledge, and while you prospered they were getting weaker. Let's not forget how you've got into the mess between two tribes, contributing to the rift between them. You are dealing with subjects you do not fully understand and cannot comprehend the lasting consequences of."

He held the artifact that Eris gave him. Before that Technocracy had considered it completely inactive, marked as 'dead' in database, yet here was a shimmering light dancing beneath the matte surface when it was held by him. A volumetric image appeared above it depicting what seem to be a the Archive before it was damaged, various glyphs ran in quick succession around it, while their meaning was elusive one possibility might be that it was a list of what the Archive contained. Seconds later the image disappeared and the object surface went dark once again.

"I see you are irresistibly drawn to such places. They were never meant for you. But did you really think there's be no consequences when you entered the Archive? That your 'friend' would permit you to scavenge around and none would notice the absence in the end?"

Passing by Revenant he stopped there for a moment to look directly at her.

~ Melia did confess. Others know about your expedition to the Archive as well. Except Melia involvement, that part I've left out. ~

Up until now Harbinger made no attempt to use telepathy on Revenant during this meeting. Each Nomad had something of an individual touch, as their physical forms were often interchangeable this was about the only glimpse into individual personalities comprising the mindshare. Harbinger's approach was different as well. Ostensibly, it required almost no effort to figure out his communication, but it was difficult to get a read on anything beyond the immediate. The effect wasn't lost on Revenant, as she might have noticed a subtle aura permeating her own thoughts as it lingered on long after the 'conversation' from the previous encounter was over.

An echo of these thoughts reached Eris as well.

Giving a broader look to everyone in the room he locked stare at Revenant again, waiting for her to process this information before arriving to the conclusion:

"I am afraid this alliance had been detrimental in its current form, irrespective of your stated intents."

He gestured Eris/Juliette to approach Revenant while observing how Audax would react. The intended outcome of this meeting had become abundantly clear.

"It shall be an oversight rather than control. A small difference to some, I know, but a world apart for others. While your mind would still be yours there would be no place for lies to hide, for misspoken details to be left out. With truest intentions you have nothing to fear. All the same your people can pursue their path, merging with the machine until they cease to exist. Or perhaps they will succeed, who's to say..."

In a rare show of emotion he had a slight smile leaving the last phrase deliberately ambiguous. The ambiance was getting a little too tense. Inciting stress was intentional at first but push it too far and someone might snap, and now was the time to loosen up the grip.

"Think of us as... shareholders instead. Yes, a majority stake, sure, but I would reckon your day-to-day operations are going to see minimal change if any at all, same for your organization. The presence within you will be mostly dormant, so much so that I reckon our brethren would not be immediately aware, even in vicinity. Similarly you won't gain benefits of the enlightenment, as this isn't meant be a reward for you. For now it will remain as a reminder and... as a future potential, should you make the right choices, the right decisions ahead. Either way the days of benefiting at our expense are over, that much is certain."

He nodded to Eris, a signal meant to be seen and understood by everyone in the room, while the other portion went into her mind instead.

~ Later do 'inquire' her on anything that hadn't been mentioned so far. You may want to leave a few trinkets around, if only to test and see where her thoughts would go. As for Melia, it's your flock, do as you will, but there are interesting possibilities you may want to consider. ~

[Kauket]

Revenant remained stoic to stand their ground, eyeing the benefactor.

"Observed the benefits, have we? And what was it that we have learned? The Vagrants, whenever they desired, to inquire for assistance, we provided. We understood that they desired their privacy, that is why we kept away from their home and belonging without invitation. We respected that. The rift was an... unusual error. We had agreed to not attack the others within their presence. But they had opened fire on our automation, undermining their ability to destroy the Order's allies. But there is no blame. No sentient can understand the illusive flow of time. Consequence of action. Even to show restraint would show recoil."


The pair eyed the screen momentarily as it flashed on with data. Revenant hummed, pondering something as she walked over to the console, briefly analysing the screen as it faded out. Audax eyed her, nervously holding his hands together in anxiety as he overwatched the scenary unfold.

"I do not apologise for our curiosity. It is nature to understand. What we saw was deprecated ruins, a decaying structure inevitably falling to its imminent end within the gravity well. Experience is the foundation to learning. I do not expect absolution. But I do apologise for the rift. Though we do ponder why they never took the object of interest and brushed it off as debris..."

Revenant glanced at Audax for the last sentence, then proceeded to pivot around upon her heel to look at the gang again. Suddenly, she felt a piercing noise opening up in their head, hearing the telepathic message murmuring through. They closed their eyes as a prolonged blink, briefly listening to the whispers of a voice gradually becoming louder, understanding what they conveyed silently. She was unsettled, mainly by the nervous composure of the companion present, but a moment of worry had passed onto her, realising that Melia had been informing him. But what did Melia say? She pondered, wondering what was exactly said to upset him.

Fortunately, the Technocrats have their own little technique of communication through their augments, a technique passed on by some Gammu. A neural link within the eyepiece, controlled by the motion of the muscle and impulse of the nerve. A discreet message was relayed from Revenant to Audax's interface through the station's Uplink relay.

:: Remain calm. Do not fret. They are in place. They know. They observe. They await for us to conclude. ::

She opened her sole eye, retaining the stoic stance to repress any immediate reaction to conceal any trailing thoughts, though taints of ponder just barely surfaced, wondering about their aim with empty intimidation. Although, there were involuntarily defensive thoughts crossing her mind, such as the instinctive reaction to upper cutting the approaching individual who is violating their personal space. A minor smirk grew on her face after the prolonged stand off with Eris, as well as the invisible cheeky wink from their missing eye. But naturally, unless one was feeling her very muscle input, it probably wouldn't have been seen under the occular implant. Such cheeky confidence. Was there a back up plan if things were to fall apart?



Audax looked over to the Keeper, then over to Juliette approaching her. He raised his guard, noticing that Revenant was staring down the host, who was maintaining that apathetic gaze. Anxiously, he reached his palm down his wrist - breaking free from his interlocked hands, sliding his palm subtly towards his mounted personal device on his armband.

"What if they refuse?" he inquires sheepishly in a daring manner, concealing his hands behind his back. Revenant momentarily glanced over with her eye, somewhat amazed he had the guts to stand up to his fears. In haste, she returned to the stand off. She thought about what he said, particularly about enlightenment being a reward. How so? A reward for them? Perhaps assimilation wasn't too far off from their own philosophy of transhumanizing individuals to act as one. A familiar tactic, but on a different path overall. It was certainly notable to her that Harbinger had no clue of their ideology, seeing them only repeating a stereotype.

Nevertheless, the physical gesture from the enigmatic male was noted, hawking Eris treading forward to Revenant. She clenched her palm involuntarily as the host was approaching, releasing it moments later to keep their control, keeping themselves in check from the implants. But they were ready for anything in this moment, expecting the best and the worst, to happen.


"Hm. "


She remained in silence, calculating this decision to submit, which had a very clear implication of a catch, the ability to suddenly turn. But the current circumtances are compelling them to incline to agree to it, for the sake of the future, she knew her time was limited and that the number of Humanity was vast. The long game would be the safest route, yet, would mean immediate short term consequences. The short game, would give the Technocrats time to work to reach Gammu and the vaults, but held very very grave consequences in the future, particularly with a possible scenario of all Houses working against them. Both choices, had terrible repurcussion, but an act to sacrifice themselves for the prosperity of the Technocrats mission was deemed more favourable, to permit the chance to operate. But there was certainly resistance to the idea to willingly die like so.

"... How?"

She pondered, wondering regarding the conflicts of the Ascension, the symbiotic link between the metallic alien synthetics constructs, the oozing flow of nanites released into the blood stream from regulators, the rewired neurons, the implants and the co-opted brain, conflicting against the Nomads methods of brute force intrusion, "How do you propose to achieve this... investment?"

[Ninkurra]

Eris stood right in front of Revenant. Energy sensors in the room went off scale. The haze emanating Eris host's eyes grew brighter, taking on a flourish of small lightning.
Revenant felt the oppressive presence grow significantly stronger. The world around her began to lose its sharpness, as if she found herself behind a dull glass. Eris eased her tension as soon as she scattered her attention back to everyone present, which eased the pressure on Revenant aswell.