I agree with Billy, Xander says. If we walk into Titan without getting answers on that front, we're going to be dangerously uninformed.

Xander expertly manipulates the controls, bringing the large transport in to dock with the all the grace you'd normally only expect of a starfighter.

[Piloting: Success]

In reply to Xander (msg # 49):

Team Kamikaze


Xander expertly nestles the transport alongside the Factory's hatch, though the faintest hint of purple can be seen behind his eyes at several points in the process. In short order, the console indicates that the hatches are aligned and pressurized.

"I'm staying aboard the ship," Whitney says. "I'd hate for something to happen to the engine because nobody was minding it."

I am capable of being in two places at once, you know, Sophia announces. But if you'd like to stay, I don't mind the company.

Whitney folds her arms.

"I said I'm staying."

Bradford glances over at her, shrugs, and struggles to put on an EVA suit from the equipment locker.

"Not me," Bradford says. "I saw what Viceroy did to the engine. His technology must be amazing! I want to see his ship first-hand."

He walks over to the hatch, but waits for Billy or Xander to take the lead before following them through.

"You're not...actually going to shoot him, right?" he asks Billy. "That was just a playful expression?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:20, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

Billy slips on his own EVA and walks to the hatch. "How playful I feel depends a lot on Viceroy at this point," he responds to Bradford, not sounding incredibly playful at the moment, before pounding the button to open the hatch.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:59, Wed 20 Dec 2017.

Fiernas flashes a wolfish grin as he approaches the two men, hand extended in enthusiastic greeting.  "Not a problem, not a problem.  You do you.  But let me tell you, you don't want to miss the opportunity to see my boys play ball.  I'm not exaggerating when I say they're the best team sport animals you'll ever lay eyes on."

He grabs the timidly-extended hands of the scientists, shaking them vigorously.  "Skanderbeg, nice to meetcha.  If I recognize the getup, you and I might be working together very soon."

In reply to Fiernas Holm (msg # 52):

Kayla yelps inside the handball court.

In reply to Nightmare (msg # 53):

Kayla blinks, looks down for a moment, then walks over toward where Fiernas is introducing himself to the two scientists.

"We're probably ok with four," she says, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Besides, look at the size of the court. Playing with six would be a nightmare."

In reply to Kayla Wallin (msg # 54):

Team Kamikaze

Billy marches into the Factory without a backward glance, though the heavy footfalls behind him indicate that Bradford has opted to follow along. Xander is (ostensibly) not far behind.

The interior of the Factory looks familiar, but Viceroy appears to have been busy since the last time you were here. The tables are still strewn with components and the half-pipe arena is intact, but there is a long line of half-assembled battlesuit components along one wall, all set upon various mannequins in varying states of assembly.

No one appears to be on this floor, though there is a lift tube toward the center that would ostensibly lead you elsewhere.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 55):

The smaller of the two small figures nods at Kayla's suggestion

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 55):

Muse spills orchid-colored radiance into the chamber's dark corners. The same hue pools in the whites of Xander's eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:25, Thu 28 Dec 2017.

"The hell...Viceroy!" Billy shouts at the empty factory, "Okay, not what I expected.  Uh...I guess we hack the lift?" he walks over to the tube and pokes at the controls, doubting he has access to the alien vessel but unable to resist trying anyway.

"All right, all right," Fiernas laughs the situation off.  "I can tell a nooner when I see one.  Go do your thing.  But once the bumping is done, make sure you put the same energy into your work.  We've got a lot of Roshak killing to be doing."

He lets the suited figures retreat down the hallway, then heads back into the court with Kayla and the others.  "What did the kid say?" he asks in low tones to Kayla, making sure not to be overheard.

In reply to Fiernas Holm (msg # 59):

Team Kamikaze

Billy fiddles with the touchscreen and, to no surprise, is unable to make much sense of it. There's a button that seems intended to open the lift tube, but pressing it pops up a box that requires a keycode.

***

Team Titan

"She wasn't specific," Kayla replies quietly. "It was essentially charades with her doll. I think she wants us to quietly follow them to wherever they're going."

Billy attempts to enter his password from the near earth hub, and if unsuccessful, several other potential codes, ”Did Viceroy ever give you his secret elevator code?” Billy shouts absently, probably addressing Xander.

"Finally, something that I'm really good at."  A whistle brings the dogs to heel.  "Their trail is so fresh I could follow it blind."

Back in the hall, the two suited figures nowhere in sight, Fiernas strolls down the hall with feigned casualness.  He seems to know exactly where he's going, and he's in no hurry to catch up to the others.

In reply to Fiernas Holm (msg # 62):

Percy appears in the middle of the group, surrounded on all sides by the dogs and group members, tugs on Fiernas' pants and does an exaggerated leisurely stroll... then disappears.

"There's something really unsettling about being told something that you already know," Fiernas gripes to the others.  His hand tightens around the pistol grip of his shotgun.  He doesn't change pace.

I don't think so? I'm...very confused. Sophia, can we get any kind of ID thumbprint on any of the systems in here?

In reply to Xander (msg # 65):

Team Kamizake

Sophie performs a quick scan while the others look around.

This access panel is coded in Solese, she observes. Give me a moment...

15 seconds later -- precisely 1 moment -- the panel beeps and the lift tube doors slide open invitingly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:11, Thu 28 Dec 2017.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 66):

"Did no one else find that...thing... unsettling?"

In reply to Barachiel (msg # 67):

"It's just Percy," Kayla shrugs in reply. She follows along behind Fiernas as casually as possible.

The group rounds a bend and finds itself in a long, empty hallway that seems completely unremarkable.

"That's...we weren't that far behind them," she frowns. "What now?"

In reply to Kayla Wallin (msg # 68):

Team Titan

Kayla and Barachiel are standing in an empty hallway behind Fiernas and the pups. This hallway has no doors along either wall, and simply extends forward for a ways before reaching a T junction.

The pups seem drawn toward the right-hand side of the hallway...


***

Team Kamikaze

Purple light flickers behind Xander's eyes -- testament to the power of the gemstone in his pocket -- and Sophia perks up.

Fascinating. The layout and structure of this floor is similar to Viceroy's Factory, but there are notable distinctions. The battlesuits off to the side, in particular, lack the nuance of Viceroy's designs. And the arena does not contain the scouring marks left by his previous attempts at perfecting his Enforcers.

Bradford glances over at Billy, who is still standing near the now-open lift tube. The man is clearly somewhat unnerved by the disembodied voice of Sophia, but his general excitement at this treasure trove of tech is helping him overcome it.

"So maybe he didn't get here first?" he asks at last. "Then whose ship is this?"

I can't rule it out entirely, of course, but it's looking increasingly unlikely that this is the Factory we're familiar with.

***

Team Date Night

Things continue to occur.

"Oh I am definitely going to shoot him," Billy grumbles as he steps into the lift, "Who's coming?" he looks at the other two impatiently.

In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 70):

Three pulses of purple light emanate through the fabric of Xander's suit.

In reply to Muse (msg # 71):

Team Kamikaze

"I'm...is there more stuff up there?" Bradford asks. He's having a difficult time tearing his eyes away from all the goodies on this particular floor. "I'll...yeah, I'll go with you."