IC-Ep 1-Da Vinci's Inquest(Everyone else)

[Mr. Handy]

"No, it has been remarkably sessile," said Leonardo. "That means it doesn't move. You can still see it over there." He pointed to the suit of armor, which was in exactly the same position. "The controls have not been modified, I checked. You are free to examine it yourself if you wish - at your own risk, of course. Still, it hasn't killed me yet, and I'm a lot easier to kill than you are."

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques regards the suit of armour with very evident distrust. Without thinking about it, his left hand comes to rest on the scabbard of his sword, ready to hold it steady for a quick draw with his right hand.

"There are two very different mysteries for us now, are there not? Who commissioned the thief to steal the jewel? And why did the suit of armour kill him?"

"Well, perhaps daylight will help find an explanation."

Careful not to get close to its front, Jacques circles the suit to inspect its rear. He gets very close, studying it from foot to helmet.

Spoiler:

Does the armour still hold the halberd that skewered the thief?

[Mr. Handy]

The suit of armor still carried the halberd gripped in its right gauntlet, though the blade had since been cleaned, and the armor itself was well-polished. The controls that could be used to manipulate it were in the rear.

Anyone who wants to try to determine how the controls work may roll Mechanical Repair (for the TARDIS crew) or Repair/Devise (for Jacques).

[Snapper]

Jacques:

1d%p/d20%

OOC:   Fail. Definitely not Jacques' forte.

"I'm still imagining the scene you described, Master, of armies of these suits going into battle with each other, and not a person in sight."

[Mr. Handy]

"It will be a long time before that happens," said Leonardo. "I shall not live to see that day, and it will most likely be after your lifetime as well. It is indeed a mystery how this automaton was able to kill the thief. The only logical conclusion that comes to my mind is that someone operated the controls. If you like, I can explain how they work."

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"I should be most grateful if you would, Master." Jacques gets out of the way, casting another (superstitious) glance at the armour. Absent-mindedly, he kisses the ring on his hand that bears the St John's Cross.

[jp1885]

[2] = 2
Mechanical Repair (20%) d%: [ 2 ] = 2
Wow!

Brook peers over the inventor’s shoulder at the controls. Maybe it’s her (albeit limited) knowledge of 20th century technology, but to her it all seems pretty obvious.

[aine]

Elizabeth takes a quick look at the back of the automaton but it looks rather complicated to her.

Roll:85

“Could we perhaps reenact the scene- without the casualty of course- Ivwonder if someone could use the controls without the thief seeing them.”

[Mr. Handy]

"It certainly looks possible," said Leonardo. "The knight is larger than either you or your younger friend. If either of you stood behind it, someone in front of it would not see you, and the controls are in the rear." He spoke to Brook. "I see you understand the controls, Mademoiselle. If you would like to do the honors, we could reenact what must have happened. I have a man-shaped mannequin that would make a suitable target."

Brook quickly got a sense of how to operate the mechanical knight. It was much simpler than robots or similar devices from her own time, almost five hundred years hence. The jaw looked and operated just like a human jaw, and she could see how use the controls to open or close it. Likewise, the controls could be used to move the arms and legs, all of which had accurate joints. It would be a simple matter for her to make it sit down, stand up, salute by raising its visor, and swing its halberd.

[jp1885]

Brook grins as she operates the mechanism, causing it to wave at her friends and, if she can work it out, do the mash potato.

Eventually, she harrumphs and settles down.

“Okay then, who’s for the chop?”

[Mr. Handy]

Brook actually was able to make the suit of armor dance, and rather well at that.

"Impressive," said Leonardo with a bow. "You operate it better than I do." He went over to a large wardrobe and opened it, revealing a six foot tall wood figure with the accurate form of a human male. "Our wooden friend here will take the blow. Will you help me move it into position, Chevalier?"

I'm reminded of this scene from Red Dwarf, which I just watched recently.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"Of course!" Jacques springs into action to assist, very conscious of not letting the elderly master over-strain himself.

[Mr. Handy]

Jacques positioned the wooden dummy directly in front of the mechanical knight, and then everyone stood well back. When Leonardo gave the signal, Brook made the automaton bring its halberd down in a mighty stroke that caused it to embed itself in the chest of the mannequin.

"Yes, this is consistent with what happened last night," said Leonardo, examining the impact site. "Giuseppe was shorter than our target, so his wound was higher up on the chest, of course."

[aine]

“Gosh!” Exclaims Elizabeth. “How awful. The poor man; even a thief doesn’t deserve that! Good work, Brook. Our mystery puppeteer must have had some practice beforehand and was prepared, one would think.”

How much fun did they have making that programme!

[jp1885]

“I surprise myself sometimes,” Brook grins.

“So this thing could’ve been operated by someone without the thief seeing him, or her. But if that’s the case, where did they go to? We all arrived pretty soon afterwards and didn’t see anyone… The secret passageway maybe?”

[Mr. Handy]

"It makes sense that there would be secret passages," said Leonardo. "Someone could easily use them to slip in and out of the room. It was also dark in here at the time, so it would be even easier for an intruder to hide."

Everyone, please roll Listen.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

1d%L25%

Jacques observes the halberd strike with professional interest. "Well, that would do the trick."

"There are secret passages? Not that it really surprises me."

Spoiler:

Can I spend a point of Luck to make that a 25?

[jp1885]

[43] = 43
Listen 55 d%: [ 43 ] = 43

Despite being engrossed in operating the automaton, Brook’s senses remain on the alert.

[Mr. Handy]

This is 6th edition, so there's no spending Luck, but Brook rolled well enough. Let's just say you think you heard something, but you don't know what it is.

Brook heard footsteps approaching in the hall outside. Whoever it was was trying to be quiet - and failing miserably.

[Snapper]

Spoiler:

Yeah, I know, worth a try though!