Skull

The Skytower Rebellion

Babylon - Capitol District - Congressional Hall

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The seating arrangement in the Congressional Hall wrapped around a small main stage in two semi-circles that expanded outward in waves. Divided straight down the middle sat BESC and CGB politicians in their own designated chairs, nearly filling up the entire lower level seating chart. Had this been a more ceremonious occasion, the president and his cabinet would also be in attendance on the upper balcony suite. Unfortunately for Illugia, this was not one of those days.

BESC Representative Illugia Faux strutted fitfully onto the podium. He rose a hand to shield his eyes from the flash photography bombarding him from press row. Recorder drones clicked and whined, sputtering around the rotund politician, broadcasting his irritably flushed demeanor to millions of viewers across the globe. The overhead spotlights beamed down on him like a police unit tracking a suspect. Beads of sweat began to paste his already shiny forehead. For a moment he thought his hearing had gone, until he realized that the entire auditorium had been dead quiet.

"Ahem..." He cleared his throat and shamelessly blew into a handkerchief until his nasal passage unclogged. Illugia made sure not to wipe his own sweaty forehead with the snot-drenched cloth and carefully folded it back into his pocket. "On behalf of the President, BESC prime delegates, ROC Intermediaries, and CGB politicians, I, Illugia Faux, offer my sincerest apologies to the people of Outremer. As a representative of the people, I have failed you..." Illugia's balding skull stared off into space as if searching for a miracle, or divine intervention; anything that would grant respite from this unbearable moment that would likely haunt him for the rest of his life. When nothing came, Illugia quietly sighed.

The reports and accusations filed by CGB Politician Robert Kruschev Sinclaire and his oversight committee, are undoubtedly correct. Yes, I cosigned the order of approval for biohazard experimentation on Tindrel communities from unregistered Corporations for profit. " Recorder drones honed in. Press row erupted in flashes. Murmurs, melodramatic gasps, and whispers cluttered the auditorium. "Further information regarding the misappropriation of charitable donations are also correct. Yes, I knowingly partook in reallocating funds from charitable foundations that have supported my candidacy into activities which I will not state in a public forum."

The mob grew restless. Despite Illugia's attempt to speak louder into the microphone, the chatter would not let up. "I must express my utmost regret for how I have misrepresented the President and his Cabinet Staff, but most especially, you, the people of Outremer. My role was to give you a voice, but instead, I used it for my own selfish gain and hurt so many people in the process. Therefore, I hereby resign as BESC Representative and await a public trial with the high courts for the crimes I have committed."

Illugia searched for pity in this crowd of esteemed cohorts, but found only hellfire in a den of dragons. The entire left side of the auditorium was clamoring out of their chairs. Fists were raised, scowls and expletives were shared, and they all were aimed directly at him. The right side, the BESC side, remained as statuesque as fear-ridden greeks staring into the face of Medusa. The deed was done. Career suicide, accomplished. BESC Security Officers reared toward Mr. Faux and escorted him off stage. He took one last look into the crowd before he disappeared into the side exit. He searched and searched, canvassing out the sea of scowling faces, but Illugia couldn't find the one he was looking for.

"So the fucking bastard didn't even have the decency to show up, eh?" The BESC officers shoved him through the side exit and into a small corridor, locking the doors behind them.

"Looking for someone?" The slightest tinge of a southern drawl frolicked into Illugia's ear like a cursed spell. Robert Kruschev Sinclaire stood in a well-tailored suit like he always did, flashing that charming smile that blurred the line between mischief and genuine sincerity. Illugia's face turned bright red.

"Are you happy you smug piece of shit!?"He spat on the ground in front of Robert. The BESC security officers grabbed Illugia by the shoulders, but Robert raised his hands in Faux's defense.

"Now, now, boys. Represe-" Robert rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue, mockingly chiding himself. "My apologies. Former Representative Faux means no harm. He is clearly distraught from the gut-wrenching testimonial he just confessed to the entire world. I do applaud you, fine sir, for your stalwart bravery." The condescending tone in Robert's voice was ice cold, and the echoing claps of his fake applause burned something fierce in Illugia.

"You're pathetic." Illugia grumbled. "You think this'll put you in high favor with the cabinet? You and your CGBs are piss-ants. You've got a glass ceiling over your heads and you're dumber than the Tindrels I embezzled from if you think you can gain any leverage from this. The BESC won't vouch for bipartisanship. Its sad really. You poor bastards are just wasting time and energy. "

"Oh, but I'm not..." Robert walked forward until he was face-to-face with the man, careful not to step in Illugia's spit. "Did you ever stop and think about how I had access to all of those juicy details I blackmailed you with?" Illugia grew silent. "I'm not talking about the hogwash you just spilled out there. I'm talking about the devil in the details. The stuff they'll sweep under the rug at your trial for lack of "evidence", which just so happens to be in my possession. The mutilations. The lewd sex traffick rings with unregistered immigrants. The President's-" Illugia yelled at the top of his lungs, desperately screaming out: "LIARRRR!" to drown out the rest of Sinclaire's words. The BESC Officers said nothing, but Robert could see the fire in their eyes. He turned to Illugia and stared him down with a fierceness that Faux had never seen before.

"The consequence for your wrongful doings in this world is at the mercy of my leniency." Robert reared in closer, his oaken brown eyes piercing into Illugia's shattered exterior. The man had the look of a defeated prizefighter, but Robert wasn't pulling any punches. For the past eight months he had worked to get to this moment. The trap was set long ago, and it was only a matter of time before Illugia had no choice but to off himself in it. It was the better alternative, opposed to facing more serious allegations that he went through painstakingly great lengths to keep secret. "You should know that your own compatriots played their part in priming your guillotine. I was merely the appointed executioner."

Illugia winced at the thought of betrayal. Such an act of deception from the very loyal constituents he had broken bread with for over twenty years was unfathomable. It was frightening to think that one man could do so much damage in so little time.

"You think I'm the only one that has blood on my hands? You think I'm the only one that's done wrong?!?"

Robert laughed affectionately, like a parent would to a temperamental child. "Did you really think all of this was just to get to you?" He addressed the question as if gravely insulted.

"Why then?! Why'd you target me you son of a bitch!? You think you're some kind of fucking hero or something?!" The exit doors began to jostle, followed by loud bangs and the sound of a bloodthirsty mob shouting for the former BESC Representative.

"Sorry Sir, we've gotta go." One of the officers said.

The BESC officers immediately grabbed Mr. Faux and pulled him past Robert. Just as he did, Mr. Sinclaire whispered his answer. There was no menace behind it. No searing rage, or even mild contempt. All that Illugia could read was a nonchalant indifference which perhaps made it all the more terrifying:

"I'm no hero. You were just in the way."

Cue Robert Kruschev Sinclaire's Theme Song!

The Skytower Rebellion

Catharyn said
Where'd everybody go?

Waiting patiently for IC.

The Skytower Rebellion

Catharyn said
Good! It's scope and scale absolutely blew my mind. Just give it time, the start is slow til he finds the CAT!

You weren't kidding. I just got past the Temple of Light scene. That was crazy lol. I like how Horza is constantly getting into space suits that don't fit him. haha.

Tryliin Blues

I'll try and get a post in by tonight. If not, I won't be available until tuesday night. If you need to move the story along, feel free to use Temujin accordingly.

Venastia - The Arcane Coalition

orcpunx said
okay coolWddeings i love weddings, food and drinks all around, with good live music to acompany you.XD

Yes! It's going to be a nice getaway weekend for me. Reception is going to have an open bar so... I have my hangover remedies ready XD

Konica said
Will post soon!

Sweeet!

The Skytower Rebellion

So I started reading Consider Plebas today. XD

The Skytower Rebellion

Catharyn said
I can't decide whether i want to go full on sci-fi with himOr have him be more of an old-school gangster. After being dirt poor, starting to enjoy the finer things in life. I think the former because he's stuck out in the desert.

I like the first one, but I do hope he'll show some Burt Young tendencies. Gideon Hyde is not on the roster.

The Skytower Rebellion

Catharyn said
It blew my mind too! It engendered so many questions about faith and what we might call the soul. Absolutely amazing. What do you guys think about my first bio? Okay?

Grandpa Jack's story was pretty interesting. I'd like to know more about that guy. Also, Gideon was accepted but not added to the roster. He's on the first page with everything else I submitted on the first post.

Batarian Batman said
I eat people.

Can you eat my boss? That would be nice.

Leidenschaft said
I'm having trouble trying to figure out if The Group and The Minutemen are going to butt heads or find some compromises. Either way, I welcome both.

I definitely see both happening too. The Minutemen are a nice touch. They're a great and logical addition to Outremer considering CGB's past and current circumstance with BESC.

Also, nice work on the Tindrel Liberation stuff Singe. I think I'm going to add one more character that they'll definitely want to strangle/beat the shit out of.

Venastia - The Arcane Coalition

Alright folks, finally posted. I've opened it up for dialogue, but you can talk amongst yourselves if you'd like. I'll try and get the ball rolling into the first act before this weekend (because I'll be unavailable. Got a wedding out of town to go to :-/) so you can run around and do your own thing for a bit.

Venastia - The Arcane Coalition

Dmitry took note of Finn's lack of conversation, sensing his attention focused elsewhere. He wasn't a stickler for manners like other superior officers; heck, Dmitry considered himself a rebel in that regard. All that mattered was that he knew how to follow orders and work with the group - a common problem among many hunters, one that Dmitry hoped the Org-Cathian wasn't privy to. The rest of his troops filed in with varying expressions of spirit, utter reluctance, curiosity, and sheepishness for arriving late. Dmitry welcomed them all the same. He returned salutes and gave nods. Soon, every seat along the War Room table was filled, and for a moment, Dmitry was silent until only the hum of the engines was heard.

"Glad you all could make it." He began, standing up from his chair to address everyone in the room. "I hope you all have found the Aurora to your liking; if not, then you're in for a looong ride." Dmitry cleared his throat.

"I'll get right to the point. We carefully handpicked each and every one of you for this assignment. As of this moment, you're all hereby promoted into The Interceptor Unit. Congratulations." Dmitry grinned approvingly before moving on. "The missions we'll be doing aren't your typical run-of-the-mill tasks. Venastia is experiencing... a shift. We're not talking spikes of criminal activity here - something else entirely. Our investigators around the globe are reporting erratic energy signatures in several sectors. Of particular note are The Hivera Isles, which will be our first assignment."

Dmitry stopped for a moment to let that sink in. "Now for those who are uninformed, or have never been, Hivera Isles is filled with Venastia's colorfully worst. Not only is it a hotbed for syndicate guild rings and airship pirates, but its the only unclaimed territory in Venastia. That means anything goes once when your boot hits their soil."

"Now, not all of HIvera Isles is downright loathsome. There are many respectable Venastians doing their best to carry on with what they got over there. Many free thinkers like ourselves included." Dmitry shifted over to the manilla folder and grabbed a small circular disk from it. "This here is a recorded message from one of the Coalition's former outpost listeners at the Isles. I'll let her take over from here."

He slipped the small disk onto a phonograph device mounted in the far corner. After placing the needle directly over the marked spot, he pressed play and moseyed back over to his seat.

"Scuttle fish. Scuttle fish. Tidings..." Dmitry explained that this was code to keep her identity anonymous. She had a calm and soothing voice, but it was also declarative, and with purpose. "Just after winter. The port harbor is different than before. The people here are less alert. I'm beginning to worry. I frequent the wharf and help fishermen with loading bait onto their ships. Many of them are expressing odd symptoms. It's almost as if their bodies are present, but their minds are not. Many of them are acting strangely. Response times to questions are a lot less reactive than usual...."

The small disk cackled in silence and Dmitry raised his hand to assure that there was more.

"Scuttle fish Scuttle fish. Dawn cloud." This time her voice sounded more urgent. "Visited the town physician for further investigation. His clinic is unusually full. Many are experiencing lack of sleep, ringing sounds in their ears, and minor headaches. I've conversed with a child, a middle-aged woman, and an older gent. All have expressed erratic hallucinations, but what is of note, is that they are all seeing the same phenomena at night: an emerald shade of light hovering in the sky like gem clouds. repeat! emerald shade of light hovering in the sky like gem clouds. Will retreat to former outpost and await further instructions. Please respond with urgency..."

The cackling feedback from the phonograph eventually died off, leaving the room in silence. "This message was received at the nearest Kadesan outpost by pigeon carrier four days ago. That emerald light people are seeing? Reports are coming in from all over about the same thing. We've consulted with the counsel of The Eight, and they cannot determine the source, which is why we're all here. Our mission is to investigate the strange happenings at Hivera Isles and report our findings to HQ. Any questions?"