Sixth Session

The next morning, the crew of the Magnum Opus discussed possible interpretations for the mention of Marina in the postscript of the invitation. They attempted to justify going with her to meet Coventry; perhaps a raven wouldn't be that bad? Perhaps a Old Terran by her side? Phaedra, after some hesitation, decided to try it alone - it would look better to follow the spirit of the invitation as well as the letter. She prepared herself.

Meanwhile, their guide was willing to show any interested to the Museum, or provide guidance to other locations. Linus and Shine actually arrive at Counterweight Station some time before Phaedra to look at the various artifacts there. There was the Old Terran room, which gave Linus pause - not only was the Old Imperial Throne and a nearly full set of the traditional regalia on display (in its own hall, albeit absent gravity), there were also priceless historical works, literature, paintings, and in the collection. Shine was also impressed. The other halls were focused on the other worlds of the cluster, with interesting - and valuable pieces - but not quite as extravagant as the Old Terra Hall.

The Diamond Hall, however - which was one of the two that held artifacts of New Buffalo - held burnt, cracked, or otherwise fairly regularly "defective"... head-sized diamonds. Theories were that they were some sort of control or other mechanism related to the Space Elevator itself. The last intact Diamond turned in (not present here - these ones were the discards) was given a reward equivalent to a significant percentage of the gross planetary product.

Shine, upon reflection, realized something important about Pieter Coventry from this collection - as valuable as these things were, they were cultural or artistic artifacts. The collection here was no more than a warehouse; technological or scientific historical artifacts were not represented here, and were hinted to be somewhere more secure. Pieter Coventry was not likely to be the kind of person who cared about people in general - he cared more about things or how things worked. Troubled, Shine and Linus buried themselves further in the rather remarkable collection, discussing aesthetics, history, and other such matters for some time.

Othis, receiving another message, accepted Syracuse's invitation to his ship for trade. Syracuse's escort from last evening - Dana - was willing to guide their ship.

Phaedra has since made herself ready for lunch. She arrived at Counterweight Station. Well-armed guards cleared her to Coventry's dining hall: she was to sit at the end of a long table, opposite a camera. A shadowy figure above, on a catwalk, was presumably him - he had a glass and plate and looked down from above. The butler poured her her drink, and she tried, quite successfully, not to feel like she might be abducted at any moment.

Pieter asked Phaedra what she thought of Galliard. He presented her with a cat in a coffin-like life support device. "A gift from Galliard, originally in better health" he said. "And what do you think about it?" Phaedra said she thought it was a travesty. Pieter was surprised.

He complimented Phaedra's performance in the remote theater. They discussed politics, and how Phaedra was semi on the run from her family. And - revealing that he was actually serving as her butler rather than seeing her remotely - asked whether she would accept his protection, with his significant resources, against her family in exchange for her hand in marriage. Phaedra agreed.

She left, injured cat in toe, and ran into Shine and Linus, leaving the museum. They had a great deal to discuss, including how this would affect their mission. Shine saw the political motive behind this arrangement. Phaedra was not saying much about how she felt. Linus saw possible complications. They would need to figure out what they were going to do before the Board meeting the next day.

Meanwhile, keg in hand, Othis had arrived at the shuttle to the Syracuse ship. Dana asks that his weapons be stored stationside, considering security. Othis agrees, locking away before going on the shuttle. They exchange small talk and pleasantries.

Othis notices that the door past the airlock to the Syracuse main ship - a very big, clearly higher tech vessel with a spinning section in the center for gravity - was a tree inscribed in a circle. He asks, but doesn't get a clear answer about it.

Led to a plush inner chamber, Dana sits him down, offering refreshments and entertainment while they wait. After some time, William Syracuse comes by. He asks Othis, "Instead of money, how about getting that arm replaced?" Suspicious, and liking his bionic limb, Othis says, "No, I think I'd rather prefer the money." "Come, there's no harm. It's a biological artifact the Topiary gave me. While I drink some more out of this keg, why not take a look at it with Dana? That'll be on top of the cash I'd promised for this." William taps the keg, and drinks.

Brought to room with the device, Othis is surprised to see it is probably legit. It has the markings of a Topiary artifact, as well as highly technical mechanisms. Dana suggests he leave a blood sample to try it out. And, soon after Othis's decision, screams, "Help! Help! I'm being attacked by pirates! Help!" Othis has been set up.

He fights as best as he can, but realizes, after taking some folks out, he's outnumbered - hiding might be a better bet. Meanwhile the device appears to quickly manufacture a clone of Othis, which Dana and William take outwards. A few hours later, he realizes the Supremacy is docking with the Syracuse ship - and the Supremacy has managed to close to within firing range of the main stations and its attendant vessels without anyone noticing.

And worse, Anders Syracuse Wotan is the nephew of William Syracuse. Something is going on... Seeing an opportunity, Othis taps into the Supremacy's systems to sent a message of warning to the Magnum Opus, but in the process is noticed - and rushes to find another hiding space or escape pod - and considers whether to take the risk of a space jump back to the station. He manages to find a pod and eject without anyone noticing; and his piloting is good enough to get him there.

On the station, Timon Pavlov has replied, and is willing to meet Shine and the rest in the fine dining ice krill establishment with the rest. Othis (the clone) appears to have caught up with everyone while they're eating. Marina von Schultz is nearby, but not eating with the crew. Timon Pavlov insists that the best thing that can happen for the people of New Buffalo is for them to get off - an answer that displeases Shine. In fact, Timon notes that he and the Union have been offered ownership of a shuttle, and a minor increase in emigration permits - dozens perhaps - if they promised not to disrupt things further.

A fight quickly breaks out, as clone Othis attempts to shoot Timon. This is hastily stopped, with clone Othis quickly collapsing into goo as he is "killed." Real Othis shows up soon afterwards, confusing the guards a great deal. He brings news of the Supremacy and Anders presence, while the rest share Phaedra's happy engagement news.

Comm signals show other scurrilous accusations are being leveled just prior to the Board meeting. That Phaedra was a murdered of Anders' wife, that she should be arrested, that the entire crew of the Opus should be arrested as suspects. But as the evening draws to a close, and messages remain pending, the Board meeting of tomorrow afternoon appears to be the one main matter that will put New Buffalo on a particular path, at least for the near future.