Chapter 19-14 Change the Doors (I)

Chapter 19-14 Change the Doors (I)

+++

[BREAKING!]

BREAKING RUMORS: UTHRED SONGLESSFORMERLY AUTHORITY UTHRED GREATLING OF HIGHFLAME HAS OFFICIALLY RESIGNED HIS POSITION AND PRIVILEGES

THESE LEAKS REMAIN UNCONFIRMED. AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE NOT MANAGED TO OBTAIN ANY CONFIRMATION FROM THE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR

HOWEVER, AN AERO-VEHICLE LINKED TO THE FORMER AUTHORITY HAS BEEN SIGHTED CROSSING A CHECKPOINT ON THE EDGE OF THE TIERS.

IT IS UNKNOWN IF HIS DISSENT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS DAUGHTERS UPCOMING TRIAL OR HIS SON'S DEATH.

FOR MORE UP-TO-DATE REPORTS ON GUILD-BASED AFFAIRS, STAY TUNED TO HARK THE TIERS.

[CAST CONCLUDED]

+++

-Hark the Tiers, Special Report

19-14

Change the Doors (I)

Fifty-two thousand arrowhead markers circulated the sigil-like channels of the Maw, each representing a smuggler barge carrying human cargo. Displayed as a dynamic three-dimensional map of New Vultun via the George Washingtons systems paired to Avos DeepNav, the cadre saw what he saw, and learned what he already knew.

Currently, he had mem-locks to 4.9 million refugeesnow smuggled slaves signed to various Syndicates. So long as they remained alive and the FATELESS remained in Nether-stable environments, he would be able to track them without difficulty.

Heavens gained: [Waveraider] (Signals/Space) x1; [Flathider] (Geometry/Boundaries) x1

GHOSTS: [26,557,563]

THAUMIC OUTPUT: 16,099

In the end, subsuming and killing the squires proved more lucrative than even the two Heavens he claimed from their golem and the barges core. Through them, he now had access to new contacts: Necros operating beyond the border, making their trade as memory dealers, secondhand Metamind installers, and cognitive enhancers. Wilders who had memories worth trading or potential worth investing formed the bulk of the Necros clientele, but other clandestine services could be provided as well.

Say, to a group of enterprising street squires who hired said Necros to mark some of their other customers in bulk, allowing the smuggled goods to be tracked when they resurfaced across the border.

Ah, a play on the old tagged imps, scheme, Quail said. The old squire chuckled under her breath as her eyes jumped from point to point on the map. Bathed in the vaporous glow of the phantoms, the group studied the routes Avo drew. Sections of the border were already pinned. Points where barges consistently stopped were isolated as wellsuspected to be hidden hanger bays. These gimmicks usually dont last long. The problemfor both sidesis with the Necros. Sooner or later, they might just sell you. Leave you staring at a Syndi Knot waiting to ambush you instead of an unprepared barge.

Was kinda surprised about them just openin fire, Draus said, a frown painting her face. If theyre gunning to snatch some product, the whole run looks like a damn mess. Could feel the kind of munitions they were using. Pulled some of them into my Arsenalist. High-Pen to punch a hole through the interior of the barge. Shattershots follow up. Took a peek inside a couple of seconds ago; looks like a fuckin slaughterhouse. Or if Avo was the one to do em all in instead. Gonna need more than a pressure hose to clean the compartments. Damn waste, even by Syndicate standards.

Tavers shook her head. Youre looking at it wrong. The crew Avo snuffed arent movers, theyre squires. The FATELESS are just more eyes that can be used to track them if someone uses a Registry. The crew needed to be handled because fuck boarding action and close-quarters combat.

Why] both instances of Draus asked, within and without Avos consciousness.

The legendary squire stared blankly at the Regular. Because some of us see a job well done as we completed our objectives, not I murder-fucked an entire block empty of life with nothing but a nu-dogs jawbone and a can-do attitude.

Draus snorted. Sounds like some yall are pussies.

The rest of the cadre stared at Draus, most dubiously, Dice attentively.

Regardless, Avo said, righting the conversation. I have run some cognitive simulations. Calvino helped. Triangulated several points of potential compromise along the border. Also burned the sessions the Waveraiders used to contact their Necros into Chambers. New assets for him to spoof. Will compromise more through them. Continue to mark the FATELESS for us now.

Im surprised you didnt just burn those bastards instead, Tavers said.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

Tempting. Had to reshape my mind more than once to resist. But theyre more useful as compromised assets. Can perform their tasks autonomously. Though he would have to watch for lapses. Just requires some encouragement from Chambers. And maybe White-Rab. Tavers. Want to meet with him soon at the Easy Armistice. Ask him to accelerate arrangements.

Synced on that, Tavers said. Hes been spotty the past few days. Turns out, the Incubi hold a hell of a godsdamned grudge when you help null a few of them. The shits just had to be good at their craft too; Rab said he got nulled once already. Hes been keeping himself real quiet.

Avo grunted. Ensouling his progenitor was wise, then. But the penalties of drawing him into Ninth Column affairs were already making themselves known. If he had refused Avos offer or postponed it, White-Rab would be dead now. Nulled in retaliation for the aid he offered in the cadres time of need.

There were still too many risks with everything they did. Too many unpredictable threats and hidden adversaries. Incubi. Highflames political troubles. Omnitech Heavens. The Low Masters.

Her eyes widened as she planted both her hands over her mouth. Oh no.

Yes, Avo said, an unwilling chuckle escaping him. Going to have a new conversation after this. Personal tutoring. Thaumaturgy.

Kae narrowed her eyes as she pouted. Stop teasing. Were not going to do that.

Yet, Draus finished.

The Agnos wheeled on the Regular. Never! She turned back to Avo. So. Were going to alter the Heaven of that border wall section. This is the goal?

Yes, Avo said. Want to rephrase a few canons.

I see, Kae said. But the annual patches

Can be expedited, Avo continued. Especially if a barge detonates its Rendsinks trying to cross it. Make it seem like a paradox.

Tavers unfolded her arms and gave Avo her full attention. A loud emergency. Something the entire city will notice. Especially the Syndis and other smugglers.

Yes, Avo said. Goal is twofold. Remove all smuggler traffic for that point in the wall. For our use only. Deployment of Agnosi to fast-patch potential weaknesses will give us an opening.

Horror became Kaes expression. Avo youre not going to eat my peers, right?

Avo considered his reply. He considered how to phrase his feelings on the matter. If an Agnos directly harms someone else. Yes. Immediately. But dont worry. Is something I want White-Rab to help us with. Shouldnt even be any actual Agnosi when he intercepts the commission.

Huh, Kae breathed. So, youre saying we go instead.

You. Chambers too. He can jack in person. Going to use him as my conduit to interact with the Heaven. Want to compromise that section of the wall completely. He pointed at the second risen markerthis one connected Scale via a phantasmal string. Use Kassamon to oversee the operation. Remove all chance of discovery.

They know how I look, Kae said. My memories are also

Maskable, Avo said, pulling up memories from some of his Incubi. Our consangs at Ori-Thaum have stashes across the city. Programmable proxy minds. I will alter your biometrics using Woundmother. Been wanting to enhance your biology for some time now. You will get through.

En-enhance, Kae whimpered.

Wont hurt. Can graft them painlessly. Use Canon of Biology.

I regret helping you build that.

Will thank me soon, Avo said. The third marker he highlighted was at the same place as the second.

Kare sighed. [No. What are you going to make me do.]

+Get you promoted,+ Avo said. Turning his attention back to his cadre, he elaborated on his plot. Going to be leaving mem-data in the overloaded barge. Paladin Kare will fortunately discover it. Along with several major smuggling routes.

Draus smirked as she nodded. Plannin to elevate one of our puppets, huh?

She has too much potential to be wasted as a pawn, Avo replied.

The last marker grew higher than all the others, its rushing mem-data forming active memories of a refugee sanctuary two hundred kilometers beyond the external Maw that formed a ring around New Vultun itself. Going to be our bridgehead to the world outside. Have Necro contacts there. Calvino can also make us invisible to all of Voidwatchs drones operating in the area if need be. Gives us more openings. Essus. Want to talk with you after. You and Dice.

Both former refugees looked at Avo and blinked. The latter would likely take little convincing. Essus though Avo wasnt sure how he would feel about the role Avo conceived for him. Ultimately, it would be their choice. In the end, no one person would be essential to the success of this endeavor. Especially with how Avo could burn whatever Fallwalkers or unsuspecting Guilders into being his perfect agents, but Essus and Dice were already shaped to present purpose. And there was a poignancy in deploying them that couldnt quite be conveyed with words.

Draus should be able to create a usable passage beyond the borders if everything goes right. And this section of the wall will be secured. Only ours. Too compromised for anyone else. Ran and rebuilt the plan with my templates many times. Welcome additional concerns. Improvements if any of you have them.

A brief silence followed as bands of thoughtstuff circled their Metas. Then, among the cadre, one arm was risen.

Chambers, Avo said, regarding the man sitting atop the locus-embedded throne.

The half-strand nodded. He drew in a breath and spoke: So Im still a little confused about, like, everything

[Oh, you STUPID MOTHERFUCKER!] template-Chambers roar at his true self, anger buffeted by a chorus of laughter exploding across the Conflagration.

[Kissing your ass, huh?] Abrel taunted.