They arrived back at the hotel. Talk of suspicions of who was responsible for the "accident" in the Shaping hall last night was rampant, but Takers or Awakened were suspected, not aliens. So long as there were no squads of guards descending to question them, Dolen was content to let matters remain as they were for the moment. He stopped by the keeper to request that meals be brought up to their room for the three of them, then continued thence. The innkeeper nodded tacitly in agreement and went to prepare some food for them. Rispy and Kalli quietly followed him up the stairs.
Returning to their room, Dolen waited for the meal to arrive. "A few minutes, Rispy, then you may rest and replenish your strength whilst we discuss the plans for this evening's endeavor." He didn't mention the target just yet, leaving the subject for later discussion.
Rispy took a seat on one of the beds, grateful for the softness of it at the moment, and Kalli set his weapons aside on the table by the bed. "Thank you for coming back for me," he said quietly, staring at the floor.
"I would abandon none to such a place," Dolen replied, snorting lightly, "Much less one who has shown the mettle and spirit to fight for their home and people as you have. No gratitude is needful, it was merely a debt of honor to be paid to a comrade."
"I am, nonetheless, grateful," Rispy murmured.
There was a knock at the door, and a serving wench - well, cat actually - arrived with their food. The nali handed the tray off to Kalli, who thanks her, and then left again. Kalli handed a bowl to Rispy, who ate quietly.
Dolen waited for the server to depart, then offered a hand-shrug in reply. "It is, what was that phrase, Kalli May?" Dolen looked over to her questioningly, then chuckled, "Ah yes, 'all in a day's work'. Regardless, you must eat and rest, a full night is before us as I did indeed find the likely location of their storage facility."
Kalli munched a bit absently on her food.
Rispy gave a nod and said, "What is it that you are looking for?"
"It seemed unlikely that the facility that came to an unfortunate end last eve," Dolen said, "remained the sole repository of the canisters which the 'Enlightened' are so dependent. Assuming that to be true, whilst Kalli May returned once more to the ships I reconnoitered further until finding a secondary location within the city's walls."
"I think you're right," Rispy said. "I know there was somebody conducting research on the affects of canisters somewhere in town. But the Enlightened didn't listen much to his warnings."
"Not surprisingly," Dolen scoffed, "What heed does the cultist pay to anything save their own depravity? None. That which gives power is far too often an addiction that leads only further into the depths of corruption. Regardless, the facility indeed appeared to fall well within the parameters of what I sought, including heightened security in the wake of their recent loss."
"I know there were those of the Awakened who had started down that path before realizing what they were doing..." Rispy said quietly. "There was a Shaper named Tuldaric who was helping some of us learn powerful magic... he didn't tell us that he'd summoned and bound a demon in order to do it."
"Power is ever a heady drug," Dolen replied, "And most will go to any lengths to pursue it to the bitter and unpleasant end. One source of contamination may at least be removed from this world, the canisters, though we will need be careful in the doing as nothing is known of the new target beyond its location."
"So when some of us Awakened found out what was really going on, we didn't want anything to do with it and came here..." Rispy continued. "The ones who cast the powerful spells like the Kill spell that he used on us tonight? They're using demonic magic... That's what they're doing..."
"And it shall surely consume them," Dolen responded, "Should the Awakened not tend to it before then. Those who may follow shall need find other means to power, having no access to the taint of the canisters or the foul gods of Chaos to empower them."
"Makes me wonder," Rispy said. "If people learned the powerful spells by summoning a demon lord, did they then learn the lesser ones by summoning lesser demons?" Rispy mulled over his stew.
"I could not tell you," Dolen replied honestly, "The concept of magic as a whole is unfamiliar to me, and definitely on a level of repugnance in the place which was my origin. I would suspect, however, that the summoning of a greater evil would suffice for all the needed abilities."
"Serviles can't normally do magic," Rispy said. "Not without driving themselves mad to do it. But some were... altered. And then those vile Takers made canisters that work on serviles..."
"The nature and ways of magic," Dolen said, "Have needfully been of little interest to me save in the ways that they must be countered and dealt with upon the battlefield, Rispy. Your questions may be better directed toward an Elkandu of one caliber or another, though I might warn that they are assuredly mad in their own ways as well."
"What? I don't want to learn magic," Rispy said with a bit of a shudder. "No. No, no."
"Wise of you." Dolen chuckled quietly. "Not all would appear to be as inherently soul-destroying as others, yet does it make one wonder upon the nature of the spirit and the inclination to hold that power above the bared neck of others for one's own purpose."
"I've power enough in my hands and weapons," Rispy said. "I don't need to... do that..."
"Well said, Rispy," Dolen replied approvingly, "What more may any ask of themselves than to do what they may with the tools to hand? In truth, though I have indeed seen uses of Power which I would consider untainted, never has it been when beyond the confines of serving a greater purpose and the betterment of others. Self-aggrandizement is ever the broadest path leading to corruption."
Rispy nodded in agreement, and finished up his food, setting the bowl aside. "I'll rest, then... I might not be as strong as you, but I'll do whatever I can to help."
Dolen chuckled softly and moved to rest a light hand on the smaller being's shoulder for a moment. "Where it matters most, you are equal to any other. The soul, always that which soars above the flesh, beyond Power, and may deny control to all evils. But rest now. A long night is before us."
He stepped away and crossed to sink gracefully to a casual kneeling position at the far side of the room. Rispy smiled faintly at him and curled up in bed and was asleep in moments. Kalli cleared up their dishes and went to return them downstairs.
He might wish for greater stores of information for the night's assault, but Dolen could and would not complain upon the quality of the company. There was hope yet for this world as a whole should such beings gain the high ground and manage to defend it against all who might challenge.
Kalli returns momentarily and closes the door quietly and goes over to Dolen. "So what in the interim? Should we do some more scouting, then?" she murmured.
"When twilight is upon us, assuredly," Dolen replied, "I am wary of approaching too closely before we may be nearly ready to attend to the task at hand. The increased vigilance of the defenders would certainly lead them to identify us as suspect."
Kalli gave a nod and took a seat nearby, leaning back against the wall. "We'll find what we're looking for, one way or another, and we will deal with it by any means necessary."
"Proper and well prepared scouting would doubtless be preferred," Dolen replied, lowering his voice so as not to disturb Rispy's rest. "Yet there is much to be said for improvisation when time remains short to us. I would not see the opportunity laid out by the destruction of the Taker facility and its likely disruptive effects go to waste."
"We'll find it, if we have to tear this town apart building by building," Kalli muttered. "What of that researcher Rispy mentioned? Do you suppose we might get some information from there?"
"Perhaps," Dolen mused. "Yet would seeking out a social pariah for potential of the information he possesses serve our purpose well? Or would it merely serve to target the suspicion of the rulers of this vile city upon us? Already do we know the location of the next facility, I am not certain that the risk of searching this person out might be sufficiently beneficial to outweigh the risk."
"Well," Kalli said. "All we need to do is wear trench coats. They make you completely inconspicuous." From her tone, she was clearly joking.
"Trench coats?" Dolen asked with a quirked grin. "I have seen such worn by the leaders of the masses of the Imperial Guard, and had noted one thing only regarding them... they make identifying targets of preference quite simple."
Kalli chuckled faintly. "Indeed. Some people I've known insisted on wearing the things..." She pondered for a moment. "Regardless, I feel that speaking with this person may be beneficial. That their leadership would not listen to his advice probably doesn't imply that most people in town shun him or anything... otherwise he'd not still be around here."
Unfolding and rising, Dolen nodded to her. "As you wish, Kalli May. I will only restate my reservation that this individual may indeed be watched by those of higher station as a potential source of discontent and thereby adding a possibility of suspicion directed upon us for contacting him. Else, I shall readily acquiesce to your judgment in the matter."
Kalli shrugged a bit and headed downstairs, wondering precisely where this fellow might be found. His caution aired, Dolen followed readily enough and set his mind to the task of finding the man. First would be to find a source familiar with the workings of the city and then specify an interest in the theory and practice involved in the canisters. The name should rise readily enough from that avenue of inquiry, if in no other context than 'that crazy loon' who disputed their use.
The common room of the inn was filled with its usual array of beings from various planets, a few of them almost looking normal enough to fit into the everyday operation of the town. There was one aloof one sitting in the corner, however, whose pointy ears marked him as an elf, but his skin had the glow of a canister user.
Providence was indeed occasionally divine, Dolen mused dryly to himself at the appearance of the elf. He controlled the inherent disdain for the taint of foul magics and approached the being, halting a few steps away and offering a polite nod.
"I wonder if I may occupy a moment of your time?" Dolen asked.
The elf looked at them only slightly more disdainfully and arrogantly than normal, and gestured vaguely toward the chairs across from him. Taking the cue from the arrogance displayed, Dolen returns easily to the quietly aloof nature of his blood as he moves to take a seat.
"I could not help but notice the faint aura of the canisters and their power about you," he said, carefully choosing his words to keep the disdain of the topic from rising. "In truth I had considered such means myself, of late, and would inquire as to possible avenues of research within this city which may be known to you."
The truth being that he would sooner give his soul to the Infinity Circuit than descend to such corruptive powers, but revealing that would be counter-productive.
The elf, however, completely bought it. "You really should, yes. They offer much in the way of strength and clarity of thought. Most of the canisters in town are produced and distributed from the secondary research hall. But do avoid that fool, Tobar. He will likely attempt to convince you that they are of ill purpose."
"Ever are there those willing to avoid the acquisition of power for some greater purpose or supposed good," Dolen replied scornfully, then continued thoughtfully, "Yet even in opposition is there opportunity for gaining another perspective. To balance that view, what other might you suggest seeking the opinion of?"
"I would have suggested speaking with Head Shaper Merrod, a wise and powerful man, but he has appeared to be missing following the incident of the previous night in the primary research facility. He most likely is not dead, however, of course. One of such great power and clarity of thought could not so easily be slain. No doubt he is holed up somewhere continuing his research."
And so the wretched departed gained a name, not that it mattered to Dolen. "Without doubt," he agreed lightly, then rose, "I shall seek one of his contemporaries then to gather further enlightenment upon the matter, and leave you to your other pursuits."
The elf nodded to him and returned to sipping his beverage contentedly. He didn't seem to have thought anything particularly odd about the conversation whatsoever.
Dolen walked away without further word, content in the information which had been acquired and needing only now to find a source of information to locate the malcontent Tobar. To this end, he turned to a more general source that might know a greater part of the city's lore... the inn-keeper.
"I would ask a question of you," he said without preamble upon approaching the being in question.
The innkeeper glanced up from wiping a glass and said, "Yes?"
"I seek a denizen of this city," Dolen replied evenly, "Or two, to be more precise, both having some connection to the practice of canister usage. Tobar, and Administrator Merrod or a contemporary are the individuals in question."
"Tobar'll generally be found skulking around the secondary research center," he replied. "And Merrod? Dead, with any luck, in that little accident last night." He snorted softly.
"Despite more certain answer as to the second part of my query," Dolen responded with a faint sneer, "I suppose it is only to be expected of your kind. The first shall needfully suffice for the moment." He turned without further comment and strode for the door.
Kalli followed him out onto the streets with a faint smirk. "Secondary research center, eh? Know where that's at by any chance?"
"Follow me," Dolen replied simply and headed back in the direction of the facility he'd encountered earlier.
Kalli headed after him. They didn't encounter any undue attention along the way, and the guards standing outside the facility didn't even question their presence there. They didn't seem to think the two of them were the least bit suspicious.
Dolen walked by without a second glance at the guards, though ready for a confrontation merely by hard-earned reflex. That it did not come was by measures reassuring and troubling, the nature of this facility surely not quite what he had expected. He set that aside for the moment, however, instead entering and searching for signs which might lead to this Tobar or a person to do the same.
Not too far within he saw a man, lacking the canister glow and wearing robes, sifting through notes at a table and muttering to himself about one thing or another. He noticed them enter and looked up and said, "Yes, yes, what do you need?"
"Would you, perchance, be Tobar?" Dolen asked, the distinctive robes of this order seemed strangely at odds with the lack of clear taint.
"Yes, yes, that's me," he said distractedly, carrying his notes into an office and gesturing to them to follow.
Dolen followed quietly after, waiting for Kalli to enter and then closing the door behind them. "I would ask a moment of your time, if convenient," he said, walking nearer to observe the man and maintain casual speaking distance. "In light of recent events, I have come to question the stability of the canisters and their usage, an issue of some import as I had considered purchasing the same for my consumption."
Tobar made a face. "Oh, those canisters." He started filing away his notes. "They'll make a person dangerously unstable, they will. Definitely trying on the sanity, and requires a strong will just to maintain any sense about it. They're addicting is what they are. The addiction of power, but even just looking at one will cause a person to want to use it, especially if they've already used many of them..."
"I see," Dolen replied musingly. "My own observations as to the nature of their power are not wholly different from your own assumptions, yet still does that temptation rise in light of what may be done with them. One wonders as to their availability in the wake of the events of the night past, however."
"Meh. Most of them are made right here, anyway. I've been testing and observing volunteer subjects these past month," Tobar said. "I don't like what I've seen. Not at all. They give power, and they give it easily, quickly, without thought or regard to the wisdom of its use or the sanity of its user. No, not good at all. Power is not meant to come like that. It's meant to be earned, slowly, over years of study."
"Power without purpose," Dolen murmured, slipping from the role without thought, "Leads to naught save corruption." He caught himself and straightened deliberately to offer a polite nod to the man, returning to more normal tones, "Might you be willing to show examples of what you speak? I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to gain further knowledge of the process in the interest of making a decision."
"Alright, here, come take a look down the isolation cells," he said, heading out into the hallway.
"By all means," Dolen replied, following quickly and paying the utmost attention... though not necessarily to what the man might assume. He already knew the dangers of power unrestrained and unguided, the taint and perversion of the soul which it wrought, yet the opportunity to view the environs with a soldier's eye to defense would be invaluable.
Tobar showed him the people in the isolation cells, with varying levels of glowingness and clear signs of madness, and not just from sitting in an isolation cell. The interior of the place did not appear to be heavily guarded, although there were defenses in the form of Shaper technology of varying sorts.
Dolen made all the appropriate thoughtful noises and gestures which would be expected in studying the afflicted, mentally taking note of the defenses and their appearance that Rispy might be asked regarding them later.
"Most foul," Dolen remarked, not bothering to cover the disdain that comes of his true opinion of those within the cells.
"This one here's the worst," Tobar said, indicating a glowing gibbering man. "Hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, he's not even remotely coherent most of the time. I don't know where he thinks he is or what he's doing, but his perceptions certainly don't agree with most people's."
"I believe that you have convinced me to avoid the use I had considered," Dolen replied, studying the indicated specimen with clear distaste. "Upon other worlds would ones such as these be removed wholly from existence and the source of their taint cleansed beyond any doubt."
"I'm glad to hear that," Tobar said. "And oh would I love to, but I'd never hear the end of it." He snorted bitterly. "I'm here to observe and record and report my findings. Not, of course, that any of them actually listen to me." He sighed.
"Perhaps they shall learn the error in their ways," Dolen replied consolingly. "Ever are those who seek power reluctant to remove any potential source of it from their grasp, and often such requires the intervention of forces beyond their knowing. Do not dwell overly long upon it, Tobar, nor spend long hours this day musing when it might be better turned to more pleasant pursuits."
No pity would be found within him for those who willingly stepped into the grip of the foul powers, but to sentence one who worked within the system in an attempt to dismantle it to death was a repugnant idea.
Tobar sighed. "At the very least I've kept the most unstable ones from gaining access to more canisters.. The ones who arestill running around are actually the more stable ones."
That was far from reassuring, considering the ones which Dolen had already encountered. What might one expect of those who sought power for naught but their own purpose though? He offered a distinctly polite bow to the man, then said, "Much yet lay before you, as surely as for us, and no longer shall I keep you from it. Remember my suggestion, Tobar, for the health of the spirit is like unto life itself."
Tobar gave a nod and returned the bow, and said, "Thank you for your consideration. I will do what I can."
Dolen could hope that the man would do so and not keep to the hours of his contemporary, as their fate would be much the same and without hesitation. He made his way back along the route they'd followed in, checking his former observations silently in passing on the way back out. Kalli headed out along as well stoically, mulling over what she had seen there. Tobar returned to his business thoughtfully as well.
Waiting once more until they returned to the anonymity of the street, Dolen remarked quietly, "One might wish he would take advantage of a day free from his toils and cares, staying late into the night shall doubtless be the death of him one day."
Kalli gave a bit of a nod. "He does seem to work overly hard. I'd hate to see all his work go to waste."
"As it must be," Dolen replied, offering a hand-shrug to the vagaries of fate. To such fickle hands must the man and his work be set, as his presence at the facility that night would mean his undoing. He mused silently on it as their path led back toward the hotel.
They returned to the hotel and Kalli passed through the common room without much of a glance toward the various aliens congregated within. Back in their room, Rispy was still sleeping soundly as the day passed slowly on.
Following after, Dolen glanced aside at Rispy with a faint smile, shaking his head as he crossed the room silently. "As well to allow him to rest," he said quietly, "Time enough to share what has been learned regarding the facility and the nature of its defenses."
Kalli murmured, "That Tobar, at least one person is sane in this town."
"True enough," Dolen replied. "With continuing effort such a voice of reason may act as the soft breeze which softens the raging winds of the hurricane. With fortune smiling, he may yet continue to do so and achieve greater works in future."
"For his sake I hope he's not a night owl," Kalli said with a grim smirk.
"As do I," Dolen agreed lightly. "The land may make use of such enduring idealists, though their impact may remain unfelt for long and frustrating years. Such a one might well prove ally to the cleansing which this world so clearly needs."
After some amount of time, Rispy awakened again, yawning and stretching.
"Welcome upon your return to the waking world," Dolen offered with quiet humor. "We find ourselves in need of one familiar with the technologies of this world to decipher what was found this day, if you are sufficiently aware to do so?"
"Maybe," Rispy said. "What was it that you saw?"
Dolen outlined the details of the building they had toured, including concise and detailed descriptions of what he presumed were defensive structures within.
Rispy nodded, listening. "Those energy spires you saw in some of the cells, they were to sedate the detainees and keep them from using their powers... There were crystal pylons as well of some sort, although not apparently directed at you."
Dolen raised a brow at this, the idea seeming preposterous and yet seemingly within the mindset of the man they'd spoken with earlier. Yet how had he managed to convince the others of the city to allow such slipshod security arrangements in light of the damage to the canister manufactory? Odd.
"The defenses would then appear," Dolen mused aloud, "to be largely directed toward imprisonment rather than counter-intrusion."
Kalli commented, "Although I'm not sure I'd care to test that if we broke in unauthorized in the middle of the night. I'm sure they could as easily be turned against intruders as well."
"True enough," Dolen agreed, "And yet would the opportunity exist until someone set the devices to redirect in such a fashion. Regardless, the setting is clear enough and an avenue of approach may be derived of it, the specific location of the canister storage being largely irrelevant as the building itself shall be demolished."
Rispy gave a nod, and said, "I won't count on the pylons being so docile if we went in there at night, especially after last night, but just maybe..."
"Of such small uncertainties," Dolen chuckled and grinned faintly, "are life and living made. If either of you had truly sought a calmer existence, then might a cozy home and family be within your grasp even now. I do not," he glanced around thoughtfully, then back to them, "see such tranquil environs surrounding us now, however."
Rispy said, "I know the risk. But I will go regardless. If it were safety that I sought, I would have remained in Hodaxa, or way back in Medab."
Dolen raised a hand in gentle forestalling. "No offense was offered any here, only speaking of the knowledge which all present are aware of as to the fragile nature of our paths. There is little which may be done regarding what is before us save to wait and see what may transpire in a few hours time."
Kalli suggested, "Perhaps a bit of dinner before we go. It's been a while since breakfast. Or was that lunch?"
She pulled out a pizza from somewhere and offered Rispy a slice. He peered at it curiously and took it tentatively.
"I suppose," Dolen replied reluctantly, though offering a quirked grin as he removed a gauntlet of his armor methodically and set it aside before taking advantage of the offer. "Though shall I ever question your fascination with this supposed food substance."
"Would you prefer some more of that stew?" Kalli said lightly, munching on a piece of pizza.
Rispy made a strange face as he took a bite and commented, "It is... different."
"No, certainly not," Dolen replied and took a bite in deliberate support of his denial of the idea, then sighed softly as he chewed. "Though perhaps one day," Dolen said after dispensing with the first bite, "May I have the opportunity to introduce you to much more appealing fare, including wine which is fit for more than removing a Space Wolf's plentiful hair."
Kalli chuckled softly. "If you like." She grinned at him.
Rispy finished his pizza with a bit of puzzlement as to just what breed of ornk was used for the sausage on it.
"One does not live by service rations and pizza alone, Kalli May." Dolen chuckled lightly, the amusement fading to a fond melancholy. "Though the meals of younger years are barred to me, perhaps the El'dari are sufficiently similar to enjoy similar tastes."
He tilted his head in quiet dismissal and downed the remainder of the slice in short, business-like order. Kalli pulled out some cola to wash it down with and ate up the pizza. Rispy wiped sauce off his hands absently. Dolen did not indulge in more than one, the oddity still strange to him and all the more so for its endless origins within Kalli's pack. He wiped the faint smear of grease from his fingers and returned the gauntlet to its normal place, and settled quietly nearby to watch the other thoughtfully.
Rispy said, "What is it like where you are from? Are there serviles there, too?"
"No," Dolen replied quietly, "Only here have I seen those of your kind, Rispy. The land which was once my home was solely of those of my blood, only traveling since has revealed the broad diversity of beings which may be found throughout the universes as a whole."
"Some of the off-worlders here seem very strange," Rispy said.