Interlude 1/7
The journey back into the Sanctity of Enlil was long and difficult. The initial part, the cold seas, was the most nerve-wracking. A tiny, wooden boat provided by allies, nothing but a shell of a tree giving protection from anything that could be lurking in the deep. It still amazed the Ensi of Enlil that they would dare to travel like this, that the world could be that safe.
If the ancient records were true, even here it was beyond belief that anyone would risk it. Not if they knew the truth.
Once that was complete the real journey began, into the Tower itself. The damage which permitted them to leave was immense, the power which had ruptured the walls still flowing through each level, barely contained by the wards. Not for the first time, he considered that he had been on the wrong side of that argument many years ago. The alterations to the structure of Enlil were still sacrilege but undeniably necessary.
Within a week, he was beyond the most damaged areas. Here attacks were rare and the distance sufficient to make only the most determined Dragon a threat. Another week and he would be beyond, to the real world. This was far enough, into the chambers of the temples. The ones which had survived.
“I see that you have returned. Has it been long enough for you to identify the weaknesses of our enemies?”, she began to demand from him. She did not understand. It would not be possible to make her understand, not now. All he had to do was to pique her curiosity. And prevent disaster, of course.
“You misunderstand the nature of this place, Nindingir. There is a vast dream occurring here, as thin as the finest hair yet wider than the oceans. Even the Sanctity is but a speck in the eyes of the peoples who have arisen here.” This was true, but misleading. Their numbers were like ants, swarming but insignificant.
She frowned before asking, “How many of them can there possibly be? There are only so many beasts which roam the lands that are good to eat, only so many places in which crops may be grown. There may be thousands, hundreds of thousands even. We have the might to bend them to our will. Though it may take time.”
He laughed, “You have visions only of the tales of those who came before us. The cities which once were, they are shadows of this place called London, the vastest and richest in the world. No less than five million of them dwell in that place, a sea of monuments taken from across the world. They display the histories of conquered nations as ornaments, on the side of the river that divides them.”
She smiled then, “They have a single ruler, then? One before whom many of them bow?”
He nodded. “There is one who they call ‘Empress’, another who they call ‘Director’. I have not seen the measure of either of them.”
“So if we were to overcome them, we would have possession of this world. That.. it would almost be too simple.”
Ensi nodded. “It would not take us longer than a month. All the wealth of those millions of people, all of those beyond them, uncounted nations and empires fallen before them. It would all be ours to claim. And enjoy. The least of our Etlu would live in a palace beyond,” he gestured around at the temple, “beyond the glory of this. Thousands of slaves. Tens of thousands of servants.”
Nindingir was silent then. Minutes passed as they both prayed for wisdom, to preserve their sacred trust. To find a path beyond the scriptures which they trusted for so long.
Eventually she spoke again. “You lied to me, didn’t you?”
He nodded.
“You did not discover any weaknesses. There was no need to scout ahead. We could have conquered them months ago.”
He nodded again. Nothing further needed to be said.
She bowed her head. “It would have destroyed us. We cannot send our forces out to conquer and expect them to return.”
Together they talked long into the night. There would need to be changes before the outsiders could be brought into the fold. Soon, the priesthood would set out. And the Sanctity of Enlil would be restored.
Scene End
Interlude 2/7
REPORT OF [REDACTED]
CATEGORY 1 HAZARD
Background:
Routine Daemon cycles were expended due to interference in Institute activities and relations with [REDACTED] . At a senior level, one cycle was allotted to each of the individuals named in Appendix II, [REDACTED] . The calculations were then performed at a junior level with a single cycle overall, contaminating subsequent results (See Appendix IV). These initial calculations are attached in full at Appendix I and remain the best source of information.
Materiel Investment:
[REDACTED]
Probability Assessments:
Presence of Category 3 Event: 100%
Presence of Category 2 Event: 92%
Presence of Category 1 Event: 57%
Probability of Chain: 100%
Usefulness of this Calculation: [REDACTED]
- See Appendix III and IV
Procedural Report:
Initial actions were [REDACTED]
Secondary actions included redirecting military efforts to the central european theater with overriding objectives to take and hold Vienna. Current information working from current Predictions are that Institute control is essential to prevent Category Escalation, if that is still possible. Estimates from secondary sources are that Category Escalation will occur within 1 year.
Tertiary actions include the establishment of secondary sources. Old protocols remain in the archives but have revealed structural weaknesses. Cycles are slow and resource-intensive. Limitations have been placed on requests.
Outcome Report:
Executive action has replaced previous recommendations of disengagement from the experiment proposed by Lady Valueleta. Official representation will be present to engage and promote the interests of the Institute.
Reinstatement of Agent Roxandra is now politically possible and has been implemented. Alternative representation may be more successful once it is established.
Diplomatic efforts are now secondary to military objectives due to the shortened time-scale for Cascade. Consideration has been given to the initiation of protocols to prevent interference but, due to long-term considerations, has continued to be rejected by Atlasia. This is now subject to constant monitoring should field operations be placed at risk.
Recommendations:
Elimination of the primary subject is not possible at this time due to lack of analysis. Furthermore, location of the primary subject is often indeterminate. Both these matters will need to be resolved before any protocols may be initiated to prevent a Cascade. Information will need to be gathered in advance of any further action.
Protocols have been readied for a Cascade and agents sent to prepare [REDACTED]
This action will require six months to initiate and may not be reversible once begun. Alternative protocols are advocated as more proportionate preliminary actions, including the elimination of all surveillance targets.
Outreach to possible Precursor organisations is also recommended for the purpose of establishing any new protocols or alternatives.
Scene End
Interlude 3/7
The vaulted roof of St Patrick’s Cathedral loomed over the city, a monument to the might of the Church in the New World. It served as a base of operations for the recent efforts to cleanse New York of the heathen Mage’s Association. The recent, successful efforts she mused, as she sat in the pews, waiting for the priest to take his confession. The queue had been longer, earlier in the week. Now barely a dozen Executors stood as guards around the handful of them that were left.
There were hundreds of them at first, crawling out of the woodwork as it was burnt down around them. Without the efforts of the Mage’s Association to protect them it was only a matter of time before each of their Atelier were discovered, broken down and plundered. No co-ordination was possible in the last few days, when it became each Magus for themselves. Together, maybe there would have been a chance of delaying them. On their own, they were crushed, each in turn.
Then the work began in earnest, all of them watched, held, imprisoned by their Sacraments or nailed down by Black Keys. The more dangerous ones had been taken into the confession booth first. In the end, it was a judgement on the Kelly family that they had been left this late. A matter of pride that there were others waiting longer to be seen. It was time. The Executors were polite, professional even as it was her turn. Walking to the booth was a common choice now, given the indignities forced on those who were dragged. For such a small wooden confessional it loomed large as she stepped into the darkness, only a faint glow from a grille revealing the seat for her. For a minute, maybe more, she sat there in the darkness.
“You know Mary, it is normal for you to start,” came a voice from the other side. It was shocking to hear it, though the tone was gentle. “Generally people say, ‘Bless me Father, for I have sinned’, though I imagine it has been quite some time since your last confession.”
The shock subsided and she fell into the routine easily while her mind worked. It had been quite some time but the words came easily. “Bless me Father, for I have sinned, it has been eleven years since my last confession.” If this was how they wanted to do it, she would happily play along.
“May God the Father of all mercies help you make a good Confession. Though I do have a list here already…”, there came the sounds of paper unfolding on the other side of the booth. Mary didn’t feel the need to add any details as she listened to him read the contents of the document prepared by the Executors. There was no doubt that the contents were damning. She had been one of the leaders resisting the Church. The blood of many of his companions was on her hands.
“.... and so that really concludes what brings us here today. Is there anything else that you wish absolution for, my child?”
She smiled, “You know, I don’t believe that I ever repented of my foul mouth. I have had quite the habit of swearing in the last few weeks, Father.
From the shadow she could see the priest nod slowly and write it down. “Thank you for that. It has been a long day and few have, ah, been cooperative.” He sighed and folded the paper. “I am Cardinal McCloskey, appointed by the authority of the Holy Church to New York. And I have heard your confession. Now we must discuss what manner of penance would be appropriate.”
She blinked. “This is a discussion?”
He coughed, she could hear him sipping from a cup. A moment passed before his answer. “Repentance must always come from an act of free will. There is an alternative available, should you choose to leave. I cannot recommend it. You would not be permitted to enjoy any kind of liberty in that state. Existence, nothing more, and that contingent on your good behaviour.”
She noted that mentally. An option, one with a potential future. “And what kind of penance would the Pope approve of for one such as I?”
“There is a place where many things which would be forbidden are permitted. The Assembly of the Eighth Sacrament is under great pressure during the war. There is space for an active penance to be completed.”
She was quiet for a moment. “I imagine that there would be precautions. Against the impenitent.”
Silence was her only answer.
“You mentioned a choice.”
“Ah, yes. A choice. Pope Pius X has a Sacrament available. Repentance for your sins and those of your family. A relief from the burdens that they placed upon you. I understand that it is painful, beyond anything that I could describe, but… that does not matter to you, does it?”
She shook her head. There would be few, very few who would take that option. The choice was easily made and quickly communicated. They would be waiting for her outside.
“Oh, and Mary? Before you leave?”, she waited, the door slightly open in front of her, “Three Hail Marys for the swearing each morning until you arrive.”
She laughed at that, “And once I am there, Father?”
“Plenary indulgences have been granted to the penitent in every Crusade, my child. This is no exception.”
She stepped out of the door then. Out and into the light of the Holy Church.
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