This time the descent into the pit goes much, much better with Icarus in control of the bathtub. It doesn't drop like a rock, but instead floats down and gently alights upon the stone floor. This gave Born-In-War time to modify his mask slightly so that a crystal shard is stuck to its forehead. It looks, well… silly.

The good news for Envoy is that when she reaches the bottom and joins Icarus and Born-In-War, the Silent-One seems fine. There is no evidence that his deceased ancestor, Fearless-Eye, has tried or been able to take over him again. He is even crouching near the mangled bones and examining them once more.

"I would like to take these back to the embassy so that they can be returned home and properly interred," Born-In-War signs.

"Alright, do you need any special tools to collect them?" Envoy asks.

"A box worthy of carrying one of the People would be preferred, but a simple box will function in its place," Born-In-War signs as he rises to his feet.

"I could take them up in the tub and find a good box for them," Icarus offers.

"Be careful," Envoy warns Icarus. "I still don't trust the bones. We must have a suitable box left over from our supply drop."

"It isn't like they'll come to life and attack me," Icarus points out. He extends his hand as if he's going to levitate them over into the tub and then seemingly thinks better of it since there is a 'guest' present. So … he does it the old fashioned way, he carries them over to the tub handful at a time.

"You need to expect them to," Envoy instructs. "Especially if we deal with any back on Sinai."

"Next you'll tell me zombies are real," Icarus jokes as he continues to cart bones.

"Where does that passage lead?" Born-In-War asks in sign and then points towards the side passage that led to the crystal starport.

"That… leads to a very dangerous place," Envoy notes, frowning. "An ancient Sifras site belonging to a rather nasty faction."

"Indeed? Then I expect you to show it to me," Born-In-War states.

Envoy blinks. "You do?" she asks. "It is a very long walk. And the artifacts there are the ones that killed Fearless-Eye… "

"Which is why I desire to see it," Born-In-War states. "It is forfeit to my family for its acts of aggression against us."

Envoy blinks three times next. "What? You can't claim it!" she insists. "What would even be the point?"

"And why can I not claim it?" Born-In-War asks. Envoy can tell by the way his mask shifts slightly that his brow just arched. "And the point would be that I would request that researchers of the People be sent to dissect its secrets."

"That would not end well," Envoy insists. "The man who created that creature we faced tried the same thing, and look at how that ended!"

"He lived well beyond the natural lifespan of a human?" Born-In-War signs.

"Well, yes, that… but he made a monster that hated its own existence," the Aeolun points out, trying to shift focus back on the horrible part.

"And the significance is? I have no plans to create travesties of the flesh," Born-In-War signs … then starts walking towards the passage!

"Uhm … can I make a suggestion?" Icarus says nervously as he loads the last of the bones into the tub.

"Wait!" Envoy calls, trotting after the man. "You can't get in without me anyway, since there's a crystal barrier." She then turns to Icarus, and asks, "Yes?"

"I'm Fearless-Eye's son, more or less, right?" Icarus asks as he shifts from one foot to the next, then back. "Shouldn't I be the one with the right of claim?"

This notion perks Envoy right up onto her toes. "That's right!" she says, and looks towards Born-In-War to see if he challenges the claim.

Born-In-War pauses and looks back. "By the law of the People, yes," the Silent-One signs. "Are you then claiming it on behalf of the People and accepting the responsibility of protecting it for the People until its secrets can be learned?"

"Yes? Maybe?" Icarus replies and looks worriedly at Envoy.

"I don't like the idea of any particular group having access," Envoy notes, crossing her arms. "However, since I'm the only one who can open the door, as it were, it doesn't really matter. As Icarus's guardian, wouldn't the claim fall to me to enforce?"

"You are not of the People," Born-In-War points out.

"I found the place first, though," Envoy notes.

"Fearless-Eye found it before you," Born-In-War counters.

"Actually, he did not," Envoy reports. "He never went beyond this chamber. The Sifran drone found him, and killed him here."

"Irrelevant," Born-In-War claims.

Envoy blinks. "How is that irrelevant? He never even saw his attacker!" she fires back.

"Then I claim it for the People and will research it as best I can," Icarus blurts out, perhaps hoping to stop a seemingly endless argument.

Born-In-War stares at Icarus … which makes the hybrid fidget. "As you like," he eventually signs, relenting.

The Aeolun's ears go back, as she wonders just what her son has pledged himself to. She's certainly not going to let Silent-Ones have access to Sifran technology that wants to destroy them!

"Well then, I suppose exploration can wait until Icarus is ready to mount a proper expedition," Envoy offers.

"I … appoint Envoy of Lothryn as the guard," Icarus adds quickly.

"Is that allowed?" Envoy asks Born-In-War.

"You two are impossibly frustrating," Born-In-War signs. "Given that you are an artificial life-form, not unlike an animated suit of armor … yes, it is. You have no race alliance to speak of."

Envoy breaths a sigh of relief. "Well, I'm glad that's settled," she says, smiling again. "Now, there should be another entry into this chamber – Fearless-Eye mentioned one in his… diary."

"Does it go to someplace interesting?" Born-In-War asks. Icarus, meanwhile, is climbing into the tub. "I'll take the bones up now," he says. "I'll return later, okay?"

"We won't go far," Envoy promises, and starts searching the walls. "Well, it should lead to… either a shaft we don't want to fall down, or a room full of charred remains."

Zoom! Up goes the tub at rather unsafe speeds! Boys.

Born-In-War starts searching too. A few minutes pass before Envoy finds it first, a crack no more than two feet wide in the wall opposite the passage leading to the starport. The air is still, but Envoy can detect the faint hint of ash in the passage.

Envoy nods. "This must be it," she announces. "I don't know what Dr. Von Bronson was using for his incinerator, but it might be a natural volcanic vent."

"Then are you suggesting the passage not be explored?" Born-In-War asks.

"I'm suggesting we be wary," Envoy notes. She then spreads out her wings, and collapses them back into their compact form against her back - a process that would make any other winged being cringe, no doubt. She then casts another enchantment to light up the rocks in the passage.

The passageway lights up. It doesn't look any wider now that it is lit. It also looks as if it snakes around so Envoy can't see too far ahead. "I will go first," Born-In-War signs … and then does just that. He doesn't even wait for a reply.

"How will you… " Envoy starts to ask, but then it's too late. She follows behind, trying to keep close enough to grab the cheetah if he suddenly falls into a shaft.

The passage turns out to be anything but short. A good fifteen minutes later and they're still squeezing their way through the snaking passage. It is hard to say how many times they've changed directions by this point. Up ahead there appears to be an exit into a possibly larger 'room'. The scent of ash is much stronger now.

"I didn't think Fearless-Eye could have made it through all of this," Envoy notes. "He was tougher than I thought. I think we're coming up on a new chamber."

"The People are the strongest race in the Galaxy," Born-In-War asserts as he carefully approaches the fissure. Once he reaches it he leans forward and peers out. "It is a charnal house," the Silent-One signs and his glove translates. The Silent-One then carefully steps out and Envy can hear stuff crunch under his feet.

Casting another enchantment for lighting, Envoy gingerly steps into the room. She doesn't even ask Born-In-War what he thinks of the strength of Titanians.

Charnal house is right. The floor of the room Envoy enters is covered in the burnt remains of numerous corpses. Enough that she can't actually see the floor. Unsurprisingly, the room reeks of ash. About ten feet up Envoy can spot where a shaft comes through the ceiling. The likely source of all the remains … and probably what Fearless-Eye escaped through.

"So many," she mutters in shock. "I expected… maybe 3 or 4… " Remembering the trap on Von Bronson's other secret lab, she quickly checks the walls for flame-spewing tubes.

Thankfully the walls seem solid. No tubes of death are apparent.

As Envoy explores the walls, she feels something catch on her foot.

She quickly tries to step back, thinking she's found a floor vent. "Watch your step," she warns.

"This Von Bronson was not a pleasant human," Born-In-War concludes.

As Envoy steps back, she sees a corroded chain hanging from her foot. It appears to be dragging two inch-long metal plates.

"Unfortunately he is still an is and not a was," she notes as she squats down to examine the plates. "Some sort of shackles?" she ponders.

No, too small for shackles. Now that she has them in her hands, Envoy can make out there might be writing imprinted on them under the years-worth of caked on crud.

Born-In-War has also couched down to search through the remains with his left hand. He looks disturbingly like a predator about to pounce when he does that.

Searching her memory, Envoy finds a likely match: military dog tags! She tries to clear the soot away from the writing.

The plate sports three lines of barely legible text. Daedalus, Erin | 2465798-1 | A-Negative

Envoy shivers, realizing that Dr. Daedalus really did die, and no amount of time-traveling would change it. She pockets the tags, and tries not to think of the mystery of the datapad-in-the-wall just now. Now that she knows what to look for, however, she casts a wide-area Forge-Light spell to make any metal objects glow brightly.

"Curious, what is this?" Born-In-War's gauntlet asks as the Silent-One pulls out something vaguely orb-shaped from the ash. He scrapes at it with his claws. All around them the floor seems to alight in spot-glows as bits of ancient metal flares bright beneath them.

"Is it crystal?" Envoy asks, as she starts checking the various metal fragments.

Most of the metal turns out to be coins. A few more name-tags are also uncovered, but none of the names are familiar to Envoy.

"It seems so," Born-In-War answers as he wipes the now smooth and clean crystalline orb on his leg. As he holds it up for a closer look, the orb starts to glow on its own! A cycle of colors lights up the room as it shifts from blues to greens, then back.

"Careful," Envoy says, and holds a hand out towards the Silent-One. "I might be able to figure out what it is, but it could be dangerous… "

Born-In-War holds it out for Envoy. It continues to cycle in color, low steady, and harmonic. What isn't particularly harmonic is the orb suddenly blurts out, "Envoy!"

Envoy grabs the orb, and then asks it, "Yes?"

"Where have you been?!" the voice demands. The voice does happen to have a familiar tone to it: Morpheus.

"I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to talk to you before this," Envoy notes. "I left the rose with Icarus, didn't he let you know I was alright?"

"Do you make it a habit to talk to rocks?" Born-In-War asks calmly. "I find it mildly disturbing that they talk back to you, I must admit."

"I'm an Earth Mage," Envoy comments. "I can talk to plants too."

"Well, yes he did. But that is beside the point, I expected you to contact me," Morpheus actually complains. "I had some interesting news."

"You are also in need of mental help," Born-In-War remarks in sign. "Is this another friend of yours?"

"Really? What is it?" Envoy asks, smiling now. "I got tied up with Inala when I got home. You know how she is." To the cheetah, she notes, "Oh, this is Morpheus, the spirit of the planet Morpheus and the God of Dreams. He's my boyfriend."

"Ah, when you say tied and Inala … " Morpheus asks.

"It wasn't like that," Envoy says quickly. "But she got to Walter. She gave me a potion that is supposed to give me an experience that will help me deal with Barada."

"Ah, yes, well … I feel sorry for Walter, then. I hope he has not been too horribly scarred," Morpheus notes. "And yes, the news. The Sifran starport that you located … I was able to access some of its old control channels. A few were still connected to the core network. You'll never believe what I found… "

"Sifran starport?" Born-In-War asks.

Envoy waves a hand at Born-In-War, and asks the orb, "I assume one of them leads to Behemoth, but I'm curious as to where else they'd need to send a cargo ship."

"The starport is variable," Morpheus says, "And the coordinate system is still active. I can open the gate to any of the planets."

"How?" Envoy asks, blinking. "Doesn't it require a gate on the other end to link to?"

"Apparently not," Morpheus notes, "It is classified as an 'executive' gate which can force a fold between any two points. A system only to be used by those of high authority. Or at least what I could recover from the fractured data crystals implied as much."

"I have never been dismissed before," Born-In-War signs. Somehow he manages to sound put out, even with the translation being in monotone metallic.

"That… is interesting… " Envoy says after a moment of stunned silence. "Do you think it means the Tribunal were highly placed? And… oh, can Cipher create false Tribunal identity flags for us?" She gives the cheetah an apologetic look.

"I think it means the Tribunal were highly placed, yes. Perhaps near the top, if not the top, of Sifras hierarchy," Morpheus notes. "As for the flags, I am not sure. She is working on breaking the security locks on the gateway as we speak, though, to allow more general usage. If she succeeds I will program a fold-link between the gateway and the tower of Morpheus here."

"That is disturbing," Envoy notes. "I also need to have an interface crystal encrypted if possible, but that is best done on Morpheus. Do you still want me to try and create a body for you? This orb might let you control it… "

"I sensed a feline organic near you," Morpheus notes, "Would it be suitable?"

"Ahem," Born-In-War actually signs. His glove really does go, "Ahem".

"Err, that is Born-In-War, Icarus's grand-nephew," Envoy notes. "I was thinking more of creating a plant-clone in the new Imperial Life Dome."

"He must be a Silent-One," Morpheus notes, "His lack of a sense of humor falls in line with the data I have gleaned from that race. Now, yes, a body would be helpful. The orb may also work so long as a neural bridge can be fashioned. Do you know of anyone who can link organic nervous systems to a Sifras control device?"

"I have a sense of humor," Born-In-War claims. His tail is starting to lash about now…

"Yes, but he's the one who had me shot in the head and tried to dissect me," Envoy notes. "There is one other, but… she's dead. So it would be difficult to get her input. And I don't have access to mindless bodies – and certainly won't let Icarus try it. That would just be too… weird. Unless you're willing to settle for fleshless Svartifin drone? It's all crystal, except for the bones."

"Hm. Did the one that died leave any notes on the process?" Morpheus asks.

"She might have," Envoy admits. "Hidden. I'm… not sure. I may have traveled back in time and met her, so that she'd have a reason to hide her notes where I could find them later – but then there's the whole issue of how she was able to record her own murder, then have the datapad hidden in the wall afterwards… behind the bullet hole left from her execution."

"Temporal linearity violations are difficult to process," Morpheus notes. "Organics often have offspring. Did this woman have any children? She may have entrusted her research with them."

"I… can look," Envoy says. "Dr. Von Bronson would have thought of that too, however, and he as much as told me that he didn't have her notes, since it took him seventy years to recreate what she'd accomplished. But… well, I do have her remains. If I can convince a Spirit Mage to help, I could probably get her ghost. I also have an idea I want to try out that might work, which would create a body that expects a crystal brain… "

"Indeed? And how do you plan to do that?" Morpheus asks. "And as for offspring, if she had any, she may have sent them into hiding. Something to consider, at least."

"Oh, I think I may have figured out why my cells could never be cultured before," Envoy says. "It may all be in the timing. If I can get some cells that are in the process of regeneration, say from a healing wound, and inject those into a plant clone, they may consume it and replace the soft tissue with… well… me tissue. Then the orb could be stuck inside the brain to take the place of my own optical processing core and ansible. Maybe. I figured it was worth a try if I can get a clone at all, since I think they must be spirit based and not using genetic material."

"Would that not just create a duplicate of yourself?" Morpheus asks, "I must admit it would be peculiar walking around looking like you."

"I thought you liked how I look?" Envoy asks, blinking. "Besides, a body is a body. And at least I know a duplicate of me would be durable. Should be. Depends on how much plant is in the mix, perhaps. I don't know. I don't fully understand my own biology at this point. But I'll follow up on trying to locate Dr. Daedalus's heirs too."

"I do like how you look, but it would make an actual kiss most peculiar," Morpheus points out. "But … if it works you are likely correct that the result would be durable. A reasonable course of action, if any. It also has a side benefit that I could run interference between you and the Sisters if necessary."

"Hmmmm, I don't know that I like the idea of you dealing with them again after what almost happened to you before," Envoy says. "Oh, do you think I should return the power core to the… you-know-what, down in the you-know-where?"

"I do not see any issue with it at this time," Morpheus remarks. "I do not have any first-hand experience with the devices in question to be able to tell you if it would be dangerous or not."

"I know that the thing is dangerous to have lying around, so I think I'll return it to where it belongs and hope the former owner continues to treat me as an ally," Envoy agrees. "When I'm ready to take the potion, I'll be sure to wear the rose too."

"Do you think it is wise to accept the gift of Inala?" Morpheus asks. "It could do virtually anything to you. Remember that she did have full control of your body for some time. She may have learned quite a lot about it."

"She said it wouldn't be anything to do with pleasure or pain," Envoy notes. "And of course it isn't wise. But you know she'll just keep bugging me about it until I do it, so I want to do it in a situation I control."

"Mm. What did she claim it would do?" Morpheus asks.

"Give me an experience that will help me to not be a pawn of her sister, somehow," Envoy says. "She was very vague, and Walter is pretty sure he remembers her arriving with Barada, but since the Sisters plot against one another all the time that doesn't mean much."

"Mm," Morpheus says again. "I don't like it. But as you say, she will press the matter until you agree. Contact me with the rose before you drink it. I want to establish a complete link to your optical processor before you drink it so that Cipher and I can monitor that she doesn't try to rewrite your core programming." "That was my plan," Envoy admits. "I probably shouldn't keep my guest waiting around though." To Born-In-War, she says, "If you want to go back and meet Icarus, don't feel obligated to stay with me. I need to cast a spell here to transform this place into a proper tomb, which will probably be boring to sit through."

"I don't like you continuing to deal with those Babelite Gods," Morpheus continues to complain. "What if Gorphat contacts you next? Or Blakat? Or worse … Sunala?"

Born-In-War actually sighs and shakes his head. "Dismissed, again," he signs, "As you like. It is not as if any of this makes much sense." The Silent-One turns around and disappears back through the fissure they came from.

"It is not as if I invite them to contact me," Envoy points out. "But I'm not a point yet were I can get away with making them leave me alone." She feels sorry for the Silent-One, and signs to him, "Wait. It will be interesting if you are patient."

"I am a terrible hostess," Envoy says with a sigh.

"Dealing with Gods is dangerous," Morpheus continues on and on. "Before you know it, you will be dealing with those who make it their business to meddle in dreams… "

"Well, right now I'm trying to deal with mortals, and they are far more complicated than gods," Envoy quips. "Now… I'm going to put you in my pocket," she notes, and does so, before squeezing through the fissure to try and catch Born-In-War.

"Dear me, what do you keep in your pockets?" Morpheus remarks rather muffledly. Up ahead Envoy can see the swish of a black tail tip tufted with a spot of white.

"Born-In-War!" Envoy calls to the man. "Please accept my apology! I did not mean any disrespect."

The tail stops and is quickly replaced by the Silent-One who apparently turned around and walked back. "Then what did you mean?" he asks in sign. "I have been quite patient in dealing with your … eccentricities, but I have the limits to how much I will permit violations of protocol of address. You are quick proving to be ill-suited to raise one who bears the blood of the People."

"I have not had formal diplomatic training," Envoy admits, bowing her head in shame – or at least acting like it. "It is just that I have many important issues that demand my attention, and I have to deal with them when the opportunity arises. How may I make amends?"

"You had your boyfriend demanding your attention," Born-In-War points out with rather terse movements of sign. "Which I can understand. If my life-partner contacted me, I would likely speak with her too. As for what you could do, you could trust me . I have entrusted you with our blood. I am not your enemy, nor are the People. Go perform your burial rites; such are important matters. I will go wait with Silver-Mane."

"You can observe if you wish," Envoy offers. "I know you do not have a very high regard for magic, but you may find the results of interest."

Born-In-War reaches up and actually removes his mask. The Silent-One behind it just looks tired as he rubs over his eyelids for a moment. "Do you want me there?" he asks in sign. This is probably the first time she's seen real expression on the Silent-One's face as he asks the question. The eerie part is how much it reminds her of when Icarus looks uncertain.

"Yes," Envoy says. "I want someone to witness it, other than myself and the dead."

"Why?" Born-In-War asks.

Envoy has to actually think about it. "Maybe to earn a little respect," she admits. "But mostly because I don't want to be alone."

Envoy's answer comes in the form of a brief smile from Born-In-War. Soon it is gone behind the mask he wears and the Silent-One nods in the direction of the chamber.

The Aeolun turns around and retraces the route. Once in the chamber, she spreads her arms, and begins a Reshape ritual.

As the ritual begins, Envoy feels odd. No, she feels cold. The room's darkness seems to become more oppressive and somehow seems to be closing in around her and the Silent-One. All around her in the darkness the faint outlines of people appear. Seemingly hundreds of people, all mostly human, watching her. Envoy may not be built for emotion in terms of glands, but somehow she still feels it: the feelings of loss, of dying too soon, of hopelessness, and of regret engulf her. Over and over she can hear the question of 'Why? Why me?' echo in her ears. It's so overwhelming that Envoy almost misses the mechanical voice of Born-In-war's gauntlet as it says, "Great Star … Ghosts."

"They can't hurt you," Envoy says, watching her breath fog. "So long as they don't touch you. So… don't touch them if you can help it," she advises. Then she turns and smiles to the horde of spirits. "Hello, my name is Envoy. I'm here to help."

"Help? Help!" echos a chorus of voices of the dead. The spectral images head towards Envoy, their outstretched hands grabbing and grasping at her!

"J-just tell me your names," Envoy stutters from the chill. "I need to know who you were!"

The din of names that follows isn't exactly helpful. It's hard to make out any of them. Born-In-War's expression is thankfully concealed by his mask … though it is likely he's rather confused.

Envoy feels something that has become rather familiar as of late; a localized warp in the gravity field is beginning about five feet in front of her.

"Oh no," she says. "That had better be 11 or 12 doing that," she notes, not wanting Icarus to have to face the ghosts.

"What is going on?" Born-In-War finally asks. A second later the air in front of Envoy visibly twists and bends, obscuring everything for a few seconds. When it clears, the young Twelve is standing in front of all the ghosts. And naturally, the young ghost is staring at Envoy.

Kneeling down, Envoy asides to Born-In-War, "These are the people that were killed by Von Bronson here." She tells Twelve, "I didn't mean for you to end up here, Twelve. But I didn't want Icarus to find your remains. I can give you all a proper burial now… "

Somehow all that does is make Twelve look … mad. "Not garbage," the ghost has to force out and actually be heard. "Not … shameful."

"He doesn't know," Envoy tries to explain. "About you and the others. It would… hurt him to know you were sacrificed. I'm sorry, Twelve. I don't think you're garbage, you were a real person."

"He should know!" Twelve asserts and even stamps his nonexistent foot. "He is all that is left of us. Should not be forgotten!"

"What would you tell him?" Envoy asks gently.

"Live," Twelve says. The ghost then twitches, adding, "And kill Bronson."

"You know that he's still alive then," Envoy says. "Von Bronson doesn't know that Thirteen lives. He's come after me, though, and still possesses a version of your gravity drive. But what do you want now?"

Twelve thinks about that … or at least appears to. "A name," the human ghost finally answers. "And to not be forgotten."

"I never forget," Envoy says. "I'll name you, if you like. How about… Theseus?"

"This cannot be possible," Born-In-War finally says from behind Envoy. "It must be hallucinations due to low oxygen content."

"And yet we both see them, Born-In-War," Envoy points out. "The world must be hallucinating them for us."

"I also want you to tell him about us some day," Twelve says, "And … I like Theseus. It makes me feel real."

Envoy holds her arms out, and says, "Come here, Theseus. You saved me before, so I think I at least owe you a hug."

The human ghost steps forward. The hug that follows isn't pleasant in that the touch is cold … yet somehow it makes Envoy feel warmer inside. What little substance the ghost had already starts to fade in her arms. "Envoy?" she hears his voice say; it's already fading.

"Yes?" Envoy manages, despite the cold. "What is it, Theseus?"

"I wish you had stayed longer back when I was alive. Maybe I would have survived," Twelve – Theseus – says. The cold of his touch, along with his image, then fades away. The other ghosts, though, are still staring at Envoy.

Envoy forces herself back up to her feet, and wipes the frost from her cheeks where her tears froze. "Alright, we're going to do this in an orderly fashion," she tells the ghosts. "First… is Dr. Daedalus here?"

Interestingly, no ghost actually steps forward. Odd given her tags where here.

The Aeolun actually smirks at this result. "Okay," she says, and points to the nearest ghost. "What is your name, and did you have any next of kin?"

The answer comes, a relative 'nobody'. Retired military sergeant, hired on as a guard and killed in an accident in this base. He had a son at the time and the name is given. Much of the others have similar stories. They were a 'nobody', just someone who could easily disappear through the cracks; someone whose life did not have a large enough impact to be missed outside of their immediate family. One thing Envoy learns from this is that Von Bronson was thorough in choosing people who could vanish without too much of a fuss. Some of the hosts died in accidents, others were sacrificed in experiments; the worst being the man who was torn apart over a period of several hours my slow application of localized gravity fields. By the time Envoy has collected all the names, two solid hours have passed. Amazingly, Born-In-War has been quiet and observant throughout this.

"Thank you," Envoy says, and looks up at the exit chute as she estimates just how deep they are below the incinerator room in the base before she starts her ritual again.

Envoy ends up guessing they are about three hundred feet down, judging by how the chute echoes.

As she begins to sing, Envoy also tries again to 'wake up' her implants. I need to amplify the local magic field to do what I want, she thinks. Synchronize!

Envoy's arms just feel like she stuck both of her hands into an electrical panel! Light begins to stream out of her forearms to the point Born-In-War has to cover his eyes. With the light comes a burst of 'gibberish' flooding into her brain; equations, field theory, and stuff that doesn't even come close to making sense!

Focus! Envoy thinks, trying to impose her own order on the chaos of data. She keeps singing, crafting a powerful Reshape ritual while trying to find the formula she wants for the magic interface amplifier. Condensing… condensing the surrounding magical field into a higher density zone, perhaps. She juggles the equations in her head, looking for the one to do what she wants without collapsing matter as well.

The closest thing Envoy seems to isolate in the chaos is something that, if she interpreted it right, applies a multiplier to any energy field by using in-phase waveforms to produce an additive effect.

Here goes… everything, she thinks, and applies the multiplier function.

And … nothing happens! Well, at first anyway. About thirty seconds later the 'magic' level of the room surges by over 1000 percent! The room feels charged … and in more ways than one. All of Born-In-War's fur just stuck straight out! So, naturally the Silent-One ends up chittering and barking … as that has got to tickle…

Envoy gasps in surprise, then works twice as fast to try and harness and direct the energy into her spell. She starts willing the chamber to rise – by flowing the rock around it, so the that the ceiling flows into the walls, and the walls flow into the floor (which would also draw loose material towards the center).

The net effect is the chamber suddenly feels like an elevator as it begins to slide upward. The disturbing gurgling sound of molten rock that flows around them isn't exactly comforting.

Sparing some attention towards the floor (while having to walk backwards to keep from being pulled into the center), Envoy tries to form a raised bowl – essentially a giant urn – to hold the charred remains in. With all the singing and other effects to manage, only a small part of her laments at not being able to quip, "3rd floor, sporting goods and appliances, going up!"

"I do not know if I should be amazed or be trying to kill you," the mechanical voice of Born-In-War's gauntlet remarks as the Silent-One is having to keep moving to avoid being sucked into the center as well. It is good that his kind is quick as the urn Envoy tries to fashion starts forming rapidly!

Given that the original fissure they entered through is long gone now, Envoy assumes Born-In-War won't willingly strand himself. So she continues to urge the chamber to rise, watching the chute in the ceiling as her only cue to know when they've reached the right level… although there's always the chance of coming right up through the wall of the upper room as well.

The chute begins to shift in the ceiling. Instead of being straight above, it is now quickly moving towards the left wall from Envoy's perspective. It becomes quickly apparent that the room they're in is reaching the top and soon they'll be level with the incinerator room.

Slowing the ascent, Envoy begins preparing the next phase of the room's transformation, while also taking a moment to check on Born-In-War, and sign, "Almost there."

"In your attempt to scare me to death?" the Silent-One signs back as he keeps moving to avoid the center of the room.

Once the proper level is reached, based on the position of the chute along the wall, Envoy works to expand the opening into a proper arched doorway, and then begins work on the chamber itself. She vaults the ceiling, and adds fluted half-columns to the walls. The urn becomes more decorative, with flowers and cherubs circling it. She pushes out alcoves in the walls for the busts of those who died, their names engraved into the bases, and at the back wall a single large alcove. In that, she raises three full statues; in the center is Dr. Daedalus, and holding her hands on either side are Theseus and Eleven – although Envoy names her Calypso in the engraving at the base. Then, she takes a breath and begins tamping down the excess energies along with the magnification field.

Envoy does incredibly well at collapsing the amplification effect. It feels like a hammer coming down on an egg with as fast as the field seems to shatter, returning the room to the low-level field it had earlier.

"You are frightening," Born-In-War signs just before he pats down his still puffed-out body. "Have you considered a job in the military?" he asks once he doesn't look like a huge q-tip anymore.

The Aeolun eyes her crystal arm-scales, to see if they're going to do anything she didn't intend, and when she's certain they're not she turns to Born-In-War. "Me? I'm just an Earth Mage. I build things and make things grow. What possible military use would I be?"

"Stalactite formation under opposing soldiers in order to impale them," Born-In-War explains matter-of-factly.

And of course the moment Envoy's eyes leave her crystal implants, the faux 'scales' rise up, flutter like feathers, then settle back down and go inert.

"Oh, you mean defensive enchantments," Envoy notes, waving a hand. "Like dust-storm barriers, or halls that chew up unauthorized people, or mountain-sized golems to collect tolls."

"I made that last one up," Envoy notes, leaning in and winking.

"Oh, yes. Insanity does prevent Military service," Born-In-War signs and actually sighs. "If we are through here, I believe it is time for me to return home. I am certain my daughters are up to something by now."

"Will there be a special service for Fearless-Eye's remains?" Envoy asks.

"Yes," Born-In-War signs. He doesn't seem intent on elaborating what, though.

"Ah, well… let us know if you'd like Icarus to attend," Envoy says. She considers offering to build a memorial, but thinks better of it. At least until Born-In-War is recovered from his last encounter with magic.

"He would be expected to be there," Born-In-War signs as if such should have been obvious. "His blood is required."

"His… blood?" Envoy asks in surprise. "You draw blood for the ceremony?"

"Of course," Born-In-War signs. "You sound as if such is unusual."

"Actually, I've only been to one funeral before," Envoy admits. "For Queen Third-Vision, of the Savanites. It didn't involve bloodletting."

"I have been to more than I care to discuss," Born-In-War signs. The Silent-One waves towards the archway and asks, "Can we leave now?"

"Yes," Envoy says, and leads the way out.

And Envoy finds herself standing in what remains of the incinerator room. The incinerator itself is all but gone, the archway having replaced most of it. Born-In-War lopes along behind Envoy. "Why did you smirk when no ghost answered to the name of Daedalus?" his glove asks as he signs behind Envoy.

"Because I am no longer certain that she was killed as I was led to believe," Envoy points out. "Dr. Von Bronson was also found dead, but is in fact still alive. Dr. Daedalus may have managed to fool him with a duplicate also."

"That would imply she killed someone, though, in her place," Born-In-War signs.

"That may also have been herself though," Envoy notes. "I'm not sure how human cloning works. And I'd need to consult a Spirit Mage and try to see if her spirit lingers in the room where she was killed. It may all just mean that her remains, despite her identity tags being in there, where not incinerated."

"More mages. Your kind is creepy," Born-In-War signs as he heads out of the incinerator room and heads down the hallway.

"There are also Fire Mages," Envoy notes, almost teasingly. "They are trained in combat magic. Although I doubt any magical attacks have quite the range that artillery does." She heads up the slope towards the hangar, hoping Icarus and Walter haven't gotten into any trouble while she was away.

Envoy should learn to not think about such things as when she steps out into the hangar, she finds Icarus and Thorndike arguing with an Eeee. What's worse is the Eeee looks disturbingly like Barada. And sounds like her too when she asks, "Where is Envoy? She is supposed to be here."

"Oh… " Envoy starts to say, then just sighs and picks up her pace. "I'm right here!" she announces.

The Eeee spins around and clasps her hands together in front of her chest as she positively squeals with delight! "There you are," Barada … yes it's her, the sigil on her forehead is visible and glowing, declares. "Your servants were being quite troublesome in not telling me where you went. May I smite them?"

Born-In-War eyes the strange Eeee for a moment. "Confederate," he signs simply and shakes his head. "Poor choice of an ally."

"Nobody is allowed to smite in here except for me," Envoy declares. "And besides, they didn't know where I was. And… I need to see about getting Abaddon some holidays so you can't just pop in whenever you want. What do you want this time, Barada? I need some time to… get things done you know!"

Barada actually puts her arm around Envoy's shoulder and purrs in her ear, "Little flappies tell me that my dear Sister gave you a present. You shouldn't trust her, you know. She doesn't have your best interests at heart, unlike me… "

Born-In-War, meanwhile, has walked over to where Icarus and Thorndike are. He looks at them questioningly and Icarus shrugs a 'I dunno' sort of reply to the Silent-One.

"So, can you tell me what my best interests are that you have at heart?" Envoy asks, leaning her head away as much as possible.

"Why fixing your poor, broken mind … with only nominal rewards to myself, of course. I am a Kindly One, am I not?" Barada purrs and then licks Envoy's cheek.

"Ewwwwwwwwww!" Icarus can be heard to remark at the lick.

"Good lord, did you see how long that tongue was?" is Thorndike's remark.

"Now now, don't go trying to dabble in your Sister's bailiwick," Envoy chides for the lick. "I thought you wanted super-weapons for Babel?"

"Now when did I say that?" Barada asks and tries to smile cutely.

"Mmmm," Envoy notes. "So, you don't want me to drink the magic potion Inala gave me?"

"Oh, so she gave you a potion did she?" Barada asks and keeps smiling that smile. "Well, you like me better than her, right?" the Eeee-Spirit asks as she 'walks' two fingers up Envoy's chest. "Do you really want something as silly as a potion getting in the way of what we have?"

Envoy blinks at this. "Don't you trust me, Barada?" she finally asks. "Haven't I been doing all the things you sent me to do?"

"I don't see the Leviathan awake," Barada says. The smile continues, but the tone is a bit colder.

"Well," Envoy says and smiles, then taps a finger on Barada's nose. "Maybe if I wasn't always being interrupted by Kindly visits, I'd be closer to finding a proper power source. Or… well… you could help," she suggests. "What can you tell me about the Tribunal?"

"Oooo! Just what have you been getting into to uncover that name, hmm?" Barada asks. It seems Envoy's gambit just paid off because the Eeee suddenly seems very interested in a new topic.

"Well, they seem a bit upset with me over the whole deal with showing the Svartifin how to get more engine oil," Envoy notes. "They abducted me, and were going to leave me in a prison for disobedient artificial intelligences."

"Actually they just wanted you out of the way after you helped get their plan back on track," Barada notes as she taps Envoy's nose now. "If you remained active you might get in the way. No might about it, I know you. You will."

Envoy blinks at this. "They claimed I'd set them back! Just what is their plan? They don't seem like… nice people."

"Oh nothing much. Just the end of existence and all that," Barada says as she twirls a strand of her hair with one of her fingers.

"What… " Envoy starts to say, then has to take a deep breath. "Ah. You mean existence other than their own?"

"Well, I should clarify, I suppose. The end of existence as it is right now," Barada actually clarifies. "If you want to know any more, though, it will cost you… "

"I suppose I could just ask Inala," Envoy says. "She seems to know a lot… and had that huge library in Paradise."

Barada actually sniffs. "I know more than Her," the Eeee-Spirit remarks. "I'm also hurt you didn't even ask what I wanted. I just wanted to interview your little servant, there," she adds and points towards Icarus. "He's cute and interesting. I do not recognize the species."

"He's a male of my species, obviously," Envoy claims.

"Your species doesn't have gender," Barada notes, "Inala told me how horrible and frustrating it was. And now he is even more interesting since you're protecting him. Is he important? Will you sell him to me?"

"Don't be silly," Envoy tells Barada. "You are a cute young woman and should be able to attract a young man of your own without having to buy him. All you need to do is be a little more demure."

"Oh! I can ask him out on a date, then!" Barada squeals and claps her hands together, "For that I forgive you for spending time with my Sister." The Eeee-Spirit actually tickles Envoy's sides and then slinks away. "Time for me to depart!" she announces to everyone, "But I will be back soon." The Eeee-Spirit then curls her hand up to her lips and blows a kiss towards Icarus! As she exhales, her body seemingly dissolves into nothingness and she's gone.

"I suddenly feel very creeped out," Icarus admits. "She made me itch."

"You are too young to date a goddess, Icarus," Envoy immediately declares.

"I'm older than you, though," Icarus points out to Envoy. "And what Goddess?"

"I do not approve of the people you associate with," Born-In-War adds as his opinion on the whole matter. "A Confederate is not to be trusted."

"Particularly one that has some soft of portable cloaking field," Born-In-War adds.

"The one who was just here, and vanished," Envoy notes walking over to Icarus. "And Barada isn't a Confederate… she's from Babel, on Sinai. One of their Eeee goddesses – the one who knows secrets."

"A goddess? Nonsense. It was just a Confederate," Born-In-War insists, "And I must be going now. I have been gone too long as it is. Silver-Mane, I expect you to live with honor and uphold our family name." The Silent-One then breaks with his usually stoic posture and lightly ruffles the hybrid's long hair. "Please keep in contact with me," the Silent-One adds in sign (and the glove translates), "And should you need anything, ask."

With her lower jaw gaping, Envoy stares after Born-In-War. "He just saw me talk to ghosts, move a room through three-hundred feet of solid rock and create a mausoleum in a few minutes. But he still won't believe me about … anything."

Icarus clumsily signs back, "I will." That earns a brief smile from Born-In-War. The silent-One turns and strides towards the exit door. As for Envoy's remark … he shows no sign of having heard it.

"Must be a military thing," Envoy mutters and shakes her head. Then she looks to Icarus and Walter. "Did you pack up Fearless-Eye's remains? There's going to be a funeral. And Walter, it looks like it's okay for you to salvage parts of that Titan to make an aluminum sprayer."

"I already loaded them onto Born-In-War's ship," Icarus explains, then quickly adds, "By hand! I didn't use any of my abilities. Much."

Walter says, "Oh good, I can commandeer the atomizer unit from the plasma gun. That will make power coating aluminum easier." The human then rubs his hands together in engineer anticipation.

"Okay, I want to finish the Gravy Boat as soon as we can," Envoy says, and then rubs the base of her horn. "Because we're going to have a tunnel to Morpheus in our basement soon. And… Icarus, I need to show you some things related to your creation. And at some point, when I'm relaxed enough and we have a cell to lock me in, I'm going to drink a magic potion and hope it doesn't drive me insane." She reaches into her pocket and takes out the little crystal orb. "And then, if everything else goes well… I get to be a mad scientist!"