You are given a few days to rest and train, after which Quinn calls you into a conference room aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. A Russian man and an elf in an ill-fitting pinstripe suit sit on either side of him and then begins to speak.

"Sit down, agents. Allow me to introduce two of my Assistant Directors. This is Omar Bednarczyk, of the Cassandra Division, and Tenushath of the Marathon Division. They have information about the next mission. We'll begin with Mr. Bednarczyk."

Quinn sits down and the Russian stands up. "Thank you, Director Sebastian, for giving me this opportunity. The Cassandra Division takes the lead on all matters involving eternity shards and other strange but useful items that will help us win this war." He taps on a tablet and the monitor comes to life, showing the image of a Catholic priest whose crucifix is laden with circuitry.

"This is Brother Pierre Laplace, a leading official in the Cyberpapacy's Techquisition Division, an analogous division to my Cassandra Division. Often times, our agents have contested with his in acquiring eternity shards and other useful items.

"Our agents in France learned he had headed to Denmark, which has fallen under the influence of Ayslish reality. For him to leave France can only mean he is after something powerful, and we need to find out what he's after and either get it for ourselves, or at least destroy it so it can't be used against us. As I am unfamiliar with Aysle, and am stretched to the limit already, I invited Tenushath here to use the spy network of Marathon Division to pinpoint his location. Mr. Elf?"

Bednarczyk sits down and the elf stands up. "Thank you, Director Bednarczyk. Marathon Division is tasked with gathering intelligence that can be used by other divisions. In this case, we were to find where in Denmark Brother Laplace went. We found evidence he was in Copenhagen only a day ago, a city that is resisting transformation to Aysle, but seems to be losing its Core Earth identity. The Danish Army is tasked with evacuating Core Earthers before they can transform. Now that we have a place to start from, we decided that rather than wait for a more experienced team, we are going to send you, as you can leave immediately.

"And since I'm here, I can brief you on Aysle as well. You are going to see things that defy all scientific explanation. Centaurs, minotaurs, giants, harpies, and things that are impossibly large or impossibly small. Magic is big in Aysle. Not the sleight of hand tricks you do here, but real magic. Fireballs, lightning spells, and metal chunks that fly as fast as bullets. People wielding enchanted items. Light and Darkness are tangible entities with real power. And there are pantheons of deities that grant power to their faithful followers." He sits down, and Quinn speaks again.

"Sadly, due to illness, Ash will be delayed. If it goes on too long, he will be reassigned to another team. Too bad, though, his magic and knowledge of the Cyberpapacy would have been quite useful. Still, I'll field requisitions now, and I'd like to ask the others to stay and field questions." They nod and wait for questions.

OOC: You can requisition equipment and ask questions now. Your equipment and Possibilities are reset to where you were at the start of the first mission.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Ivan just shrugged. They always tried so hard, but he just killed things. "Nyet."

Jacob raises his bandaged hand. "So...I know we had some realm issues in the Living Lands, mostly with our tech. That should not be a problem in the Cyberpapcy, right? Well, not for me anyways. I think everything the Nile Empire produces can, ah...'fit'...inside the realm rules of that place?"

"Cyberpapacy uses the most advanced technology we have faced. But you are not being sent there. You are going to Copenhagen to track this Techquisitor. Copenhagen is surrounded by Aysle reality, but it is holding onto vestiges of Core Earth reality for the time being. Our latest reports identify the city as a mixed zone, meaning that tools supported by either reality should work there. And from what we can tell, the only tools of the Nile Empire that are problematic from a Core Earth perspective are 'Pulp Powers' and other tools dependent on them."

OOC: This does affect Regeneration, but since you don't roll for that, it only comes into play on a Surge.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

"I would like to requisition an Electric Longbow, if you have one. It may be higher tech than the locals, but the look will fit in better than an M16."

"I will have to check our inventory. Tools coming out of the Pan-Pacific Alliance are hard to obtain, but I'll check."

OOC: Make a persuasion test. The difficulty is 16: 12 (value) + 4 rarity modifier.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Sat 12 Feb 2022.

"We haven't obtained one yet, but we have plenty of regular longbows in stock. We can get you one and a couple of quivers of arrows."

"That is probably a good idea. Thank you."

"Will we need a passport or some form of ID?  I guess I need that and maybe an Delphi Council Aysle survival kit?"

"Your Delphi agent ID has been authorized in Aysle and Core Earth as a passport equivalent. You will be provided a standard passport for other areas or for collecting entry stamps.

"As for survival kits, Tenushath suggested the following equipment issue:
*Tinderbox
*Pitch torch
*Simple compass
*Lantern with shutters
*Small polished metal hand mirror
*Individual collapsible tent
*Sleeping mat and blanket
*20 meters of hemp rope
*One week’s worth of dried ration
*Animal-bladder canteen

"This will also be considered part of issued equipment, so you can still requisition something."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:27, Wed 16 Feb 2022.

Case looks up from the stack of newly issued equipment, "Anything else we might need?"

"I haven't heard anything from our newcomer. Miss, was there anything else you needed?"

"When you're ready, head to the airstrip. Ms. MacMurphy will be there to fly you to Copenhagen before heading to her next assignment in Cairo."

There was a shadow in the room in one of the corners. Or, rather - an absence of light as this shadow was cast by nothing anyone could make out. It had been there the entire briefing and only appeared when the Assistant Director called out to it.

She - for the figure was female, based on the face - leaned forward and shook her head, her black eyes settling on each of the others in the room before moving back to the Assistant Director.

"I have never needed before so I have no idea what I might need," she said in a voice that echoed eerily and seemed to hiss in the air, twisting and turning before and after she spoke. Her first words still hung between them when she spoke again. "If something comes to mind I will be sure to ask. Thank you. Thank you, Director, for the Delphi Council's aid."

She leaned back - a pale face that was neither old nor young, but was beautiful and unsettling as were the black eyes; seemingly floating in the void in the room that was the corner in which she sat.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Sat 19 Feb 2022.

"Well, if that's it, time's a'wasting. JJ is waiting for you at the airstrip. Remember, we need to know what Brother Laplace is after and get it ourselves or at least keep it out of his hands."

OOC: Use this thread to engage in any discussions you want before landing in Copenhagen.
EDIT: Cards are dealt, but they can't be used until you land.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Sat 19 Feb 2022.

In reply to Quinn Sebastian (msg # 15):

Jacob nodded, taking whatever he was given. Granted the survival gear meant very little to a being like him, but he could carry it for the others when they got hungry and thirsty. He does glance over at the odd inhuman-seeming woman, but keeps his thoughts to himself.

Eager to see JJ again, Case stuffs his issued equipment into his backpack and head out to the airstrip.

Johnny loads up and follows Chase.

JJ greets the Storm Knights as they board. "Hey, guys! Sorry I can't stay for your adventure, but I got one of my own. I get to meet a Rocket Ranger in Cairo! She sounds like fun!"

In reply to JJ MacMurphy (msg # 19):

"Yeah, yeah. Everybody loves the Rocket Rangers." Jacob said with a groan.

"Its all anybody ever talks about over in the Nile Empire. 'Oh, do you know one of THE Rocket Rangers? They are soooooo amazing! Can you get them to sign this for my kid!?' Blah, blah, blah. The most amazing part of them is they dont blow up in midair in one of those tin buckets suits." He grumbled.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Sun 20 Feb 2022.

"Ooooh they do sound cool!" Case adds oblivious to the Revenant's jealousy.

"Yeah, it would be fun to fly without the benefit of a plane. But to be fair, I've grown attached to Bubba and Ralph. I've kinda grown attached to you guys, too, though I think y'all have too much red meat in your diet."

In reply to JJ MacMurphy (msg # 22):

Jacob looked at Case, but it was hard to tell his expression behind goggles and bandages. Then he nodded as JJ spoke.

"It would be nice to eat anything..." Jacob grumbled under his breath, and then winced when he realized it said it out loud. "Er, I mean, who are Bubba and Ralph?" He quickly added, trying to change the topic.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

"Bubba's my C-130. Left him in Rio after I had to make a quick getaway. If you make it there, look for the bright pink cargo jet.

"I'm actually going to be flying a few agents in Ralph when I get to Cairo. They need a helicopter ride, and a competent pilot. They promised to put a fresh coat of purple paint and on and get him washed. That Sikorsky seems to fly better when spruced up like that."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Sun 27 Feb 2022.

"So you like the colors pink and purple?"

"For planes, sure. But as you can see, when it comes to clothing, I'm black leather all the way."

She had no idea what the others were talking about but she followed, nonetheless. Watching and listening were how she had managed to learn to this point so she saw no reason to stop doing what she had been doing.

She boarded the aircraft with the others, found a seat, and seemed to vanish into a state of uncertainty until she was directly observed or talked to.

"I think you look good in leather too," escapes the young man's lips before he quite realized what he said.  Getting a little red faced he leaves JJ to do her flight check and flees to an empty seat.  Noticing Void he tries to shift gears and offers a tentative smile, "Uh...I'm sorry I didn't catch your name.  I'm Case by the way.  Ah, Case Morrow."

"Stay safe, JJ. May the light of the ever living sun guide you home. Or some such gibberish. I never really bought into all that mumbo jumbo. Even now..." he sighed, not really explaining what that meant as he headed off with the team.

The odd woman seemed to snap back into focus when she was addressed and turned to look at the speaker, her head cocked to one side. "I am nameless but the Delphi Council called me Void which indicates a lack of something."

She smiled. Or rather, she tried to smile: it was the look of a being for whom such expressions did not come naturally. Not yet, at least.

"Case. Case Morrow. It is...good to meet you, Case. Case Morrow."

Undaunted Case continues, "Huh.  So where are you from?  I'm from New York myself."

"I am from nowhere. I was never born. A chance coming together of forgotten things in a place that doesn't exist. A place where there is neither creation not destruction because it is not a place. I am from a place that is not a place and where nothing is from."

She gave him one of those unnerving smiles again.

"New York...I heard much from New York when I listened to Creation. It was loud in a place that was not a place that had never known anything but silence. It is part of the reason I came here."

She leaned forward. "Tell me of New York. Tell me of pretzels and Broadway, Times Square and Central Park. All of these I heard, and more, but I do not know them. Would you do that, Case. Case Morrow?"

"Just call me Case."  He pauses a moment as puzzles out the woman's words a moment, "I don't think I like nothing."  Realizing that might be a rude observation he apologizes quickly, "No offense."

The young man chews on his lip a second as he thinks of something nice to say about his home.  "Uh...well I'm originally from Brighton, New York, not New York City New York.  Though when I got into trouble I went to a special school in New York City...ah, I didn't see much of the City 'cept for a few hours before the beanstalk fell out of the sky.  But Brighton was nice, it's pretty much a piece of Rochester.  It has a nice lake and a lot of trees my family used to picnic at.  And lots of snow in the winter.  I wonder what it looks like now.  I haven't lived there in a while."

Remembering a few trips into New York City before...everything...Case adds, "Oh I guess I did see some of New York City before I was sent to the Program.  Pretzels are okay I suppose but they get cold fast and maybe a bit too bready and salty.  We weren't allowed up in the Statue of Liberty.  That was a bummer.  But it has some neat museums.  I liked the one in Central Park with Roosevelt."

Realizing he's chewing up all the air time he asks, "So how did you get involved with the Delphi Council?  Did Mister Sebastian find you?"

The plane enters landing protocols at this point. Your opening scene is up, and cards are active.