Prelude: An Invitation from Jean (Barazephyr and Maledriel)

[shaidar]

{Mal}

Mal sits in whichever of the three chairs is closest.

[Juramenta]

{Barazephyr}

’’Your angels have arrived!’’ Barazephyr declares, arms spread wide with a grin.
Lowers them as he focuses on his superior.
’’I’m so excited for this. What’s the plan, sir? Please say it is going to be internet. Just one more year to go before I can present my thesis. Perfect time for a warm-up!
The humans are making such amazing breakthroughs. Fiber optics are now faster and even more widespread, quantum computing is getting serious and AI processing is changing the entire game.
Their infrastructure? Not ready for the surge. They’ve got serious energy demand issues just keeping the grid stable. We could help speed things up, right? I mean, imagine, uninterrupted, high-capacity power grids!’’
Pausing to notice the chair in front of him, he shrugs with a grin and takes a seat.
’’Now I’m sitting on the edge of my seat, sir... literally.’’
He finally settles down, ready to hear Jean’s response.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{Mal}

Mal sits in whichever of the three chairs is closest.

{GM}

The chairs are roughly equidistant from both the door and Jean’s desk. But the one in the center appeals the most; it’s the best placed for social interaction both with Lightning himself and Barazephyr, keeping the Ofanim from taking the further seat from Mal – if he sits. Also, that makes it easier for someone else to join should Jean plan to have anyone else come in later.

{Barazephyr}

’’Your angels have arrived!’’ Barazephyr declares, arms spread wide with a grin.

{GM}

“I can see that,” Jean says, absolutely matter-of-fact.

{Barazephyr}
Lowers them as he focuses on his superior.
’’I’m so excited for this. What’s the plan, sir? Please say it is going to be internet. Just one more year to go before I can present my thesis. Perfect time for a warm-up!

"The humans are making such amazing breakthroughs. Fiber optics are now faster and even more widespread, quantum computing is getting serious and AI processing is changing the entire game.

Their infrastructure? Not ready for the surge. They’ve got serious energy demand issues just keeping the grid stable. We could help speed things up, right? I mean, imagine, uninterrupted, high-capacity power grids!’’

Pausing to notice the chair in front of him, he shrugs with a grin and takes a seat.

’’Now I’m sitting on the edge of my seat, sir... literally.’’
He finally settles down, ready to hear Jean’s response.

{GM}

“I’m not entirely sure either AI or quantum computer are entirely human ideas,” Lightning says. “They seem quite similar to the beginning of the Gates project, and we all saw how that went.”

Both Mal and Barazephyr know that the Gates project was actually begun by human with 6th-Force potential whom Vapula quickly powered up into a Soldier of Hell. The idea was brilliant. It became a huge inter-Superior project of Hell. Vapula and Valefor supposedly did most of the planning, but rumors persist that the ideas for implementation came solely from Gates himself. Technology and Theft lead the project, but Gluttony, Dark Humor, and Fate all sent demons to join in.

The idea was simple. Build an operating system that everyone wanted. Make it slightly too large to run well on the current SOTA PC. Force other programs to upgrade to match, making current computers inadequate for the new software. BAM! Literally millions of people lusting for software upgrades, hardware upgrades, new PCs, faster internet. Communal, almost world-wide lust. Then attached to all new software a complex set of terms and conditions that take screens and screens to read. Then, at the bottom, place a button that the user must click to say, ‘I have read and agree to the terms and conditions.’ Few read it. Must push the button. A minor lie, but done on a global scale. And, of course, periodically update those terms and conditions and have them agree again. Plus, with the constant revamping of software causing people to have to buy the same program over and over and over, the urge to steal up grows greater and greater. They’ve already bought it once… or twice… or ten times. Surely they’ve paid enough. How bad is it to pirate this one? The company’s already made their money… Theft all over Earth that few even think is wrong. The whole process engineered for a culture of sin… And that before online shopping, microtransactions, pornography, cyber-bullying play into the mix.

Yes, Technology’s angels and Soldiers are fighting back… But at meetings of the Seraphim Council, this whole culture is seen as a major win for Hell and a major defeat for Heaven.

“No, Barazephyr,” Jean says in the same even-keel tone. “That’s not why I’ve summoned you and Maledriel because I need you to investigate a disturbing situation in Galveston. One of my angels has been soul-killed.”

[shaidar]

{Mal}

Shock, then grief, flits across Mal's face "Soul-killed? Who? How did this happen?"

[Juramenta]

{Barazephyr}

The mention of the Gates project lights up Bobby’s eyes. He’s already halfway to making his case, again, on the importance of an angel of cyberspace. Heaven had been too reserved, too slow to grasp the real significance of emerging technology. To him, the Gates project could’ve been a victory for Heaven, if only they’d understood what cyberspace would become.
In Bobby’s mind, both AI and quantum computing are indeed human ideas. They just got twisted by malicious forces as they took shape. If Jean could see the potential in nudging humanity’s tech in the right direction, Heaven might finally lead the innovations that shape the world. He’s just about to mention that it’s all in his thesis when Jean’s last words shock him. Bobby’s face drops as all earlier thoughts vanish from his mind.
’’Who was it?” he asks slightly worrying if he personally knew the angel in question.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

"Her name was Adoel. She was one of my Malakim, and she was a Friend of the Illuminated.” Despite the Distinction, neither Barazephyr nor Maledriel have heard of her. She must work on very different projects. “Adoel’s Role, Addisyn Olsen, was a CDC inspector for the Level 4 Biolab under UTMB. Early this morning, one of the cleaning crew found her shredded body in the lab. I don’t have any more details than that.”

“However, asking around Heaven to try to find more, I learned that both Creation and Destiny have also lost angels in the last week, as have Judgment and War. Someone or something is killing angels in Galveston, and I need you to investigate. Once you know who or what, report to me, so I can decide whether or not you two can handle it on your own or if I need to send you reinforcements," Jean says as calmly as though he were reporting on a new advancement in cleaning technology. "I suspect, though I have not yet confirmed, that at least Michael will have sent a Servitor to investigate. I can imagine Judgment will do so as well. With Creation, who knows? He may or may not even be aware that he has lost one of his own. Since others are likely to have sent angels to Galveston, you may be able to exchange information and coordinate with them."

“A detail of no little importance, all of the other murdered angels were reported to Litheroy by a young Seraph of Creation who is currently Serving Revelation. Adoel was killed after Jezreel made her report. Apparently, Judgment’s dead Servitor was her probation officer, and the murders came to her attention when he was not present for their weekly meeting. That these murders are happening around Jezreel concerns me deeply.” None of his concern, however, so much as tinges his tone.

[shaidar]

{Mal}

The shock that actually five, not one, angels have died in the last week shows clearly on Mal's face for a second, but then you can almost see his mind kick into overdrive.

"I'm sorry. Did she warn of anything she was concerned about in the lab? Do you know why she might have been there after hours? They must have security video in a lab like that. Do you have any information on Jezreel's vessel?" he pauses to pull his thoughts together.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

“No, Adoel’s last report was completely routine. No more than her normal concerns about humans playing God with viruses without nearly enough concern for the potential consequences,” Jean says.

“Jezreel’s vessel?” Lightning echoes, and for just a moment his expression leaves neutral, but the change is too brief to give away what emotion the Elohim might have almost felt. He shakes his head. “Jezreel is a 14-year-old girl,” he says. He pauses a second, thinking. “Or perhaps 15. Her birthday is right around this time of year, I believe. No matter. I can hardly think of a worse angel to be near the center of it. Still, I would suggest checking with her for more details. She is a Seraph of Creation in Service to Revelation, and she very much agrees with his philosophies. I have no doubt she will tell you everything… in exhaustive detail.”

[shaidar]

{Mal}

"The humans do seem to like mixing up DNA and seeing what happens. I'm hoping that they haven't created a monster...literally, and that it's just some demonic plot. That's an...unusual...choice for a vessel." he shrugs "I would imagine that as she works for Revelation, if we want to find out where she is then we can just go and ask."

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

“I would say that Jezreel being a teenage girl has more to do with Creation’s choices than Jezreel’s. She is far too young to be on Earth and proof that Eli should leave the experimentation to me. But, done is done.” Jean shakes his head. Once again, both Barazephyr and Maledriel note the tiniest bit of deviation from Jean’s normally completely neutral expression, the merest twitch of his facial muscles, before he masters himself again.

“Though as Creation’s Servitor, Jezreel is not technically required to follow Revelation’s ban of having a Role, Jezreel has chosen to do so. This gives me very little information to give you. Her email is Jezreel@creation.revelation.heaven.net. It should be easy enough to find her social media. She always uses her name as her username. For her physical information, which I doubt is anywhere on her accounts as her earliest Assignment involved helping her mother teach children in Montreal about cyber-security.”

Lightning pauses to consider for a moment. Then he goes on. “I would suggest talking to Kutiel, the oldest angel in Galveston. He is a Primal, the Angel of Tides. As such, Kutiel sticks to the old ways, so he expects the ancient courtesies. His Role is Dr. Kurtis Spate, a prominent researcher in tidal energy. At present, he acts as the Seneschal of the Tether of Wind in Galveston, Tidal Research Station #4.”

“Check in with Kutiel when you first arrive. He tends to be a bit touchy, but even if he is in a mood, his secretary, Martha Downing maintains a database of angels on the Island. She’s a Soldier of God and quite capable. She has served Wind for over forty years and has grown quite adroit at handling turbulent angels.” Jean nods with the barest hint of approval.

[shaidar]

{Mal}

Mal nods "Thank you sir. I'm sure that will be enough information for Barazephyr to work his computer wizardry, and rest assured that we will certainly pay our respects to Kutiel."

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

“There are three Tethers that go to Galveston. I will leave out the one to Flowers as it is intermittent and unreliable," Jean explains. "The Tether to War is slow. It is extremely quiet, but it would take you hours to get there. Therefore, I recommend you take either my own Tether, which goes directly to the underground lab under UTMB. I can arrange for your Vessels to have special access press passes to the labs – to cover the murder, of course. The human staff won’t like it, but they won’t be able to deny you the opportunity to look around. Alternatively, you can take the Tether to Wind that arrives on the Spate Tidal Research Station. The Tether is noisy, but it is fast. That would let you check in with Kutiel immediately and gather whatever information you can from Martha.”

[Juramenta]

{Barazephyr}

Bobby remains silent as he thinks things over.
’’Both wind and lightning would work for me Mal. I would have preferred getting into the GMC as soon as possible.’’ referencing to the hummer. ’’There is already a lot of research I can do on online and you know, double-checking on these ‘ancient courtesies’..." He pauses realising admitting that might not have been the smartest thing "Not that I'm unfamiliar with them. Just, you know, best to be thorough." giving Jean a sheepish smile.

"But, sir, when you say you’ll decide if we’re able to ’handle’ the threat ourselves...'' using air quotes on the word handle ’’What exactly did you have in mind with that when dealing with a threat capable of taking out Malakim?’’ hoping Jean wasn’t contemplating sending them directly into the line of fire.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{Barazephyr}

Bobby remains silent as he thinks things over.
’’Both wind and lightning would work for me Mal. I would have preferred getting into the GMC as soon as possible.’’ referencing to the hummer. ’’There is already a lot of research I can do on online and you know, double-checking on these ‘ancient courtesies’..." He pauses realising admitting that might not have been the smartest thing "Not that I'm unfamiliar with them. Just, you know, best to be thorough." giving Jean a sheepish smile.

{GM}

Jean’s gaze lands on Barazephyr’s, level and steady, saying without a word that he’s not fooled in the least. Still, he remains unperturbed, neither becoming angry as a Seraph would nor calling his Servitor out on it.

{Barazephyr}
"But, sir, when you say you’ll decide if we’re able to ’handle’ the threat ourselves...'' using air quotes on the word handle ’’What exactly did you have in mind with that when dealing with a threat capable of taking out Malakim?’’ hoping Jean wasn’t contemplating sending them directly into the line of fire.

{GM}

“I meant precisely what I said. If you can handle it, in whatever manner necessary – trap it, kill it, reason with it – do so. If you can’t – or even if you are uncertain whether or not you can – contact me, and I will evaluate the situation based on the information with which you will provide me and make a decision as to how to best proceed. That may mean to send in several more of my Malakim. It might require me to ask for advice from Yves or to request backup from Lawrence. It may mean to convene a meeting of the Seraphim Council. I don’t have enough data at present to make an informed decision and set a plan of action. That is why I am sending you.”

[shaidar]

{Mal}

"I'd rather get to the lab sooner rather than later, the longer we leave it the more likely some evidence could go missing. On the other hand, I really don't want to disrespect Kutiel and the information on the other angels could be very useful. Do you think we'd be able to use the Wind tether to return here and then take the lightning tether to the lab?"

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

“You would arrive in Wind’s section of the Groves rather than here,” Jean reminds his Servitors, “But you could do it that way. Alternatively, I could arrange for a rental car for you, so that you could drive to the lab from the docks once Wind’s Servitors took back to land from the tidal station.”

[shaidar]

{Mal}

"I could go to see Kutiel while Barazephyr returns to Houston to get the hummer and then meets me at the docks in Galveston? That's if me giving respects to Kutriel on Barazephyr's behalf would be acceptable enough?"

[Juramenta]

{Barazephyr}

''Works for me'' he quickly adds not looking forward having to meet Kutiel and his 'courtesies'.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

“That should be acceptable, Barazephyr,” Jean allows. “Just be certain that Maledriel has all of your contact information for Martha. Kutiel may still wish to meet with you in person, but he should not object to the delay if Maledriel has notified him of your presence on the Island.”

“Have you any further questions?” Jean asks. “Or can we all get back to our very important work?”

[shaidar]

{Mal}

"Thank you sir. So our passes will be waiting for us at the lab? Would it be possible to have information on the employees emailed to us to review before we arrive?"