Play@YSDC

Day 1
11th March 2189
18:30 Earth Central European Time
Barnard's Rest Colony, Titan

Virgil hurries over to the top floor of the administrative complex. The foyer outside Kingsley's office is not locked but the lights are dimmed and there is no sign of his secretary Stacy.

From behind the door leading to Kingsley's office Virgil can see some light. Otherwise the room remains the same as the last time he was here, a large waiting area with chairs and a side table. Stacy's desk with a free standing computer terminal and the intercom to Kingsley's office. And the ever present red fish-eye lens and wall intercom for CENTRAL.

Virgil waits for a moment to see if there’s any movement within and then he’ll open the door quietly and step into the foyer.

The foyer is dark and silent. Virgil can see something periodically blocking the light from Kingsley's office, suggesting there's someone inside.

OOC,Roll Listen

Virgil sees the shape of something or someone outlined. He listens hard,

Listen,50[dice]0[/dice]

Virgil,This is what Virgil hears unless he spends some luck to make a hard success or pushes it

Virgil can hear a voice, or voices. He can't make out who it is but it seems to be a man, or men, arguing.

While he strains to hear the conversation in Kingsley's office he also hears something behind him, it seems to be coming from the corridor outside the foyer, a woman's voice, “Officer Tyson?”

Virgil slips quietly into the foyer hoping to avoid Tyson. (Although he is keen to speak to Kingsley. He thinks he can guess what the argument might be about; Virgil is feeling pretty angry it too.

Virgil moves forward and opens the door to Kingsley’s office. If one of the figures is Kingsley, he speaks quietly,
“Kingsley, we need to talk. About Waystation.”
If not, he waits to see who the figures are.

As Virgil opens the door to Kingsley's office light spills out into the foyer. Standing near to the door is Officer Tyson, holding a bottle of whiskey, in the centre of the room is Kingsley, he seems to be pacing. Hearing what Virgil has to say he frowns and gestures to Tyson to leave, shutting the door behind him

Virgil waits until the door is closed and then walks over to Kingsley.
“Okay, Kingsley, what’s the deal with Waystation? Production’s down, you’ve got problems out there with the convicts? And now there’s this damn marshal sniffing about which spells trouble.”

James Kingsley is still dressed in his ridiculous outfit of baseball cap, Hawaiian shirt, and khaki trousers. He looks utterly unfazed by Virgil's questions, as if he knows something Virgil doesn't.

'Ah, Mr Steinmann, I've been meaning to talk with you alone. I had thought to leave it until our meeting tomorrow morning but I suppose now will do' he says.

'The fracking facility at Waystation is your baby isn't it? Like I said to your companions, we've had a few temporary setbacks but production will be back on line soon. And as far as I'm aware there's nothing untoward about the doctor's death that should keep the marshal much longer.'

-----

Virgil feels the ground shifting under his feet. This is accompanied by a high pitched whine as if metal bulkheads are twisting or shifting.

'This is what I'm talking about. Chief White says it turns out high pressure cyclohexane fracking has certain unforseen consequences when there's a subsurface ocean.'

After twenty seconds the lights flicker then go out. Everything is in darkness for what seems like an eternity, but is probably only a few seconds.

Kingsley sighs, 'I'm told the tremors disrupt the power supply from the wind turbines in the upper atmosphere. But it shouldn't last too long.'

The dull green emergency lighting comes on bathing Kingsley in a sinister glow.

'There's something I've been meaning to discuss with you, as a good company man.'

OOC,Roll Credit Rating with a bonus 1d10

Virgil looks around quickly as the tremors occur and hopes he hid his momentary alarm.
“I’ve got a lot of money and time invested in the project, yes. I’m sure we can all benefit from its ongoing success.” Virgil replies. But he is interested in what else Kingsley wants to say, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Credit rating,20[dice]0[/dice][dice]1[/dice]

Kingsley continues, 'I have uncovered an...opportunity that I think could be mutually beneficial. Something that dwarfs even the lucrative rewards of cyclohexane.'

Kingsley looks very pleased with himself and has an almost manic glint in his eyes.

'Rather than tell you about it I think it would be most persuasive to show you. If you will accompany me to my old office I have something there that I think will interest you greatly.'

Virgil nods. “Lead on.”

He knows the present setup to mine cyclohexane can’t last forever; if Kingsley has found something else then it will be worth initiating the project as soon as possible. Especially as Virgil is on site to oversee it right now. It’s difficult to find an excuse to visit far flung colonies in his business.

Kingsley leads Virgil out of the office and down the hall. At the far end of the corridor is a large door that seems to be made of wood, something almost unheard of this far out in the solar system.

He unlocks the door and invites Virgil into the room. It is a comfortable looking reception area. There is a desk, still displaying the nameplate 'Stacy Hennecker', which is otherwise clear except for an intercom. There are several soft seats upholstered in some kind of faux black leather, and a few low tables covered with expensive coffee cups, high end document readers, and plates of mouldy looking pastries.

Through another wooden door is a plush office which is dominated by a large, possibly antique, wooden desk. Beside it is a large black leather chair. The room is decorated rather ostentatiously with various rare items such as old oil paintings and displays of late twentieth century Pokémon cards.

'I can't tell you how much it pains me to have to vacate my office', says Kingsley. 'But when I show you what is in here I think you will understand.'

“I like your style, Kingsley, quite a collection.” Virgil stands in front of a painting, contemplating it for a brief moment. He raises an eyebrow at the Pokemon cards, “Originals? It must have been some effort to bring all this all the way out here. Well, show me what’s made you give up it all up.” He gestures around the room.

Kingsley leads Virgil behind the desk where a large metal container is concealed. It is around three metres long and seems to be plugged into the power supply as there are large cables running to the wall.

'I needed somewhere to keep it frozen, it seems to be decomposing quite rapidly.'

There is a small box mounted on the front of the container and Kingsley flips it open to reveal a keypad and a small visual display. He types something and the display flashes green. He then pulls on the lid to the container, 'Give me a hand with this'.

The cover pivots and a mist of water vapour begins to form in the air. The container appears to be some kind of large chest freezer. Through the haze Virgil can make out what looks to be some kind of body. It is not human.

Virgil struggles to process what he is seeing. The body is large, two, two and a half metres even, in overall form it reminds Virgil of a giant frog or a squid, grey-green in colour. It is nothing terrestrial.

It has a smooth, bony cranium with articulated cephalopod eyes and a sharp, beak-like mouth fringed with fronds. He estimates six long tentacle-like limbs, the upper ones near the head are broad like a mantis with serrated claws, the smaller pairs lower down the body are tipped in pointed hardened cones. The creature's torso is segmented and chitinous and contrasts with the head and limbs which look shrivelled, mummified even. On what Virgil thinks of as the chest, between the two upper limbs, the exoskeleton is fragmented with a ragged depression at the centre. Around this the thick shell is discoloured with a lattice web of red lines running through coarse patches of ridged and thickened iridescent tissue.

Virgil feels an involuntary cry come from his throat. The sight is compelling, fascinating, but utterly alien and vaguely grotesque.

OOC,Roll Sanity 0/1d6

'We call it the Xenoform' says Kingsley.

sanity,50 [dice]0[/dice]

Virgil leans closer, peering into the freezer.

“It’s incredible, superb!” He breathes, “My god, Kingsley, where did you find it? Was it already dead? I take it it is dead. Just look at the size of it; and that head! My god, it’s gruesome.” He looks at Kingsley,
“Who else knows about this?”

Ooc,Have other aliens been seen in this life or is this the first one ever as far as Virgil knows?

Kingsley chuckles, 'Don't worry, it is quite dead, probably has been for thousands of years if what I'm told is accurate. Unfortunately it seems to be decomposing rapidly in the atmosphere of the colony, you can see the discoloration around the chest, that's why I had it brought here and stowed in the freezer.'

He looks Virgil in the eyes, 'As to where we found it, ultimately does it really matter? The possibilities it represents are infinite...'

He starts pacing, 'Only a few people know about this and they are quite loyal, I control this colony. But as I'm sure you appreciate, this discovery needs to be handled with a degree of tact and consideration. How it is revealed, the pace, the manner, it all needs a lot of thought. I'm not sure that would be best achieved by just publicly announcing the find. No, no, I think this is something that needs a little more preparation. And you're just the man to assist me with that. I have some...associates back on Ganymede who could take custody of our specimen while we prepare the groundwork for discussions with Richter Dynamics about how I...we...will be compensated for our endeavours. I need your assistance, in particular, with shipping this back to Ganymede discretely on your shuttle.'

OOC,This would be the first confirmed alien life of any kind (including microbiological) ever found. It is big. Roll Appraise to figure out how big from a financial perspective. It goes without saying that it would be highly illegal not to report this find to the authorities, but given his work on Waystation I doubt Virgil is too bothered by that

“Good, good. You’ve got it well in hand. We can work it onto the shuttle somehow and, as you say, time is of the essence.” Virgil stands there, looking at the alien and then looks at Kingsley.
“Have you thought about a private buyer for the body? And then how are claims staked here outside of the colony boundaries? Once word gets out, as it will, the owners of the land where it was found stand to profit. Unless the whole damn moon is property of Richter Dynamics.”

Appraise,50 [dice]0[/dice]

Virgil can see the momentous scientific implications of the discovery. This could open up vast scientific frontiers and prove to be more lucrative than Waystation a hundred times over.

'As to ownership, that's a little...complicated. Richter Dynamics has the rights to all resources extracted from Titan. While this isn't exactly pumping methane the Xenoform was found during the course of corporate activities, over at the Waystation facility in fact. Illegal corporate activities.'

Kingsley gives a little smile, 'But while we decide on the whys and wherefores of ownership I thought it would be prudent to have a trusted third party look after this valuable resource for us, and do a little exploration into how it can be best exploited. Personally I am wondering about whether it would be worth more separated into smaller, more manageable parts.'

He stares at Virgil intently. 'Now you can share in the ample profits of this enterprise, you will be spectacularly rewarded when the time comes. But I do need you to sign a few things, commit to a contract, you understand.'

“A contract for an illegal enterprise is unlikely to hold up in a court of law.” Says Virgil smiling slightly. “However, I’ll look over it and sign if I’m happy with the details.
I don’t know about cutting the creature up; it would lose a lot of value and you’d be left with just DNA analysis to prove it’s an alien. Whereas lying there in all it’s majesty- well it is truly spectacular.
You say you found it at Waystation; has it got anything to do with the problems you’ve been having there? Was it unearthed in one of these seismic disturbances?”

'Good good' smiles Kingsley. 'As I said, it really doesn't matter where we found this particular opportunity.'

OOC,Roll hard Psychology

Virgil frowns, there was something not right here.

Psychology,65[dice]0[/dice]

But it doesnt seem like Kingsley is going to be forthcoming. Certainly Virgil will have to watch his step.

Virgil can't tell whether Kingsley is being deliberately evasive about where he found the Xenoform, but he does seem to be avoiding talking about Waystation.

“I’m going to have to go out to Waystation you know.” Virgil watches Kingsley. “I need to see what the problem is out there. Hopefully I can misdirect Marshal Favre and the rest of the team so they don’t realise the full situation out there. Do I have your agreement over this? Once they’ve made their report we can be away back to Ganymede. Hopefully with the ‘opportunity’.

Kingsley visibly squirms at the suggestion Virgil visits Waystation. 'Really, there is no reason to go out to Waystation, we had a few difficulties but it is all back under control.'

His face hardens, 'I must warn you, this arrangement is contingent on you not interfering with operations at Waystation, and bringing the Xenoform to Ganymede of course.'

Virgil is not sure but Kingsley's attention seems to have been attracted by something for a second before he focuses on Virgil again.

Virgil decides to drop it; the man seems not quite himself and there was no point in antagonising him.
“How about a drink as a token celebration; have you any whiskey, or bourbon at a pinch?” Virgil looks closely at Kingsley’s face to see if the blankness happens again or if it was something in the room that diverted him.

Spot hidden,50 [dice]0[/dice]

Kingsley beams, 'That sounds like we have a deal Mr Steinmann.' He walks over to a walnut drinks cabinet and takes out a bottle. 'Bourbon indeed Mr Steinmann, this is 112 year old Yamasaki single malt.' He pours out two generous glasses and hands one to Virgil. 'To success.'

Several times while he is talking Kingsley seems to glance at something behind Virgil.

OOC,Roll Listen

Virgil takes the glass. “Salut!” And drinks, savouring the ancient Japanese malt. “This was one of their finest.” He says appreciatively. He wanders about the room looking at the art but also trying to see what might be taking Kingsley’s attention at the back of the room.

Listen,50 [dice]0[/dice]

Kingsley swirls his glass and toasts, 'Cheers,' he looks rather pleased with himself.

-----

Virgil sips from the whiskey, savouring the berry notes mellowed with oak and vanilla. As he looks around the office he doesn't see anything obviously out of the ordinary but Kingsley continues to glance out the windows at the rear of his office. Virgil turns to see what Kingsley is looking at and thinks he glimpses a figure through the window into the foyer just before the green emergency lights blink out leaving everything in complete darkness.

'Shit, what was that? exclaims Kingsley.

-----

After about ten seconds floor level LED lights come on, bright pinpricks of intense white light that flash progressively indicating the direction to follow for evacuation towards an assembly point. After another minute there are red flashing beacons spaced widely along the walls and a whining siren starts.

Virgil looks back at Kingsley,
“A power cut? Does this happen often?” He swallows his drink and puts the glass down. He looks back at the window now that the room is dark it might be easier to see outside.

Whoever was at the window has gone. Kingsley sounds a little panicked, 'We've had a few interruptions to the wind turbine feed but the emergency power has never gone before. CENTRAL, CENTRAL, what's going on?'

There is no reply from the computer. Kingsley heads back behind his desk to check on the freezer, 'Power's gone, this isn't good, I don't know how long it will last.'

Virgil can feel the temperature has dropped and while it is hard to be certain he thinks he can see his breath condensing into misty water droplets in the weak LED lighting.

“The xenoform will be okay, it’s us who I’m worried about; the temperature’s plummeting. What’s your emergency procedure? I hope it doesn’t rely on CENTRAL, that AI’s strangely reticent all of a sudden.”
He points to the lights in the floor. “Come on, man, we’ve got to get moving!”

Kingsley is flustered, 'There's a backup fission generator, that's what kicks in when the green emergency lights come on.' He starts pacing back and forth across the room, looking into cupboards, 'The backup power must have failed, it's never done that before. CENTRAL, CENTRAL, contact Chief White' he shouts over the loud whine of the sirens.

There is still no reply from CENTRAL. Kingsley starts to look more panicky, he goes up to the office window, Officer Tyson, what's going on?' he shouts. There is no reply and Virgil cannot see anyone outside.

“I think he was there a minute ago but he’s probably following protocol and evacuating.” Virgil says drily. “What are you looking for- can I help?” He winces as a cupboard door slams, neatly topping a sculpture.

Kingsley pulls on a jacket and stuffs something into his pocket. 'Okay let's go, follow the LED lights.'

Virgil waits and then follows Kingsley out of the office. “No need to turn off the lights.” He thinks to himself.

Virgil and Kingsley follow the LED lighting on the floor down the stairwells to the ground floor. Sirens continue to blare and red beacons bathe their surroundings in a shifting bloody glow.

OOC,Moving here: [url]https://www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/pbp/viewtopic.php?f=472&t=7279#p244170[/url]