(no subject)
WHO: L, Roy Fokker, a Special Guest
WHERE: The Privy Council Chambers, the FUTURE.
WHEN: July 24, 2007
WHAT: Roy takes a detective to look for advice, and gets more than he hoped for.
THE FUTURE is a vast, wonderful place - and with the coming of Buster Machine Number Seven, peace has fallen upon this world. But it is a peace strained by fear. The people of this Solar System have seen the face of their true foe - the Fluctuating Gravity Sources, the Variable Gravity Wells. Uchuu Kaiju. Space Monsters.
Roy Fokker and his guest(s?) arrive through a Gate that has been located in a
spaceport on Lunar Tokyo. True to its name, it is the capitol of the Earth Empire, and it is on the moon. Neon lights flash in the distance, and above, Earth looms - a shimmering jewel in the endless night.
The entire facility is, surprisingly, not nearly as advanced as you'd think one would be twelve thousand years into the future. It is similar to the technology level of many other less far-flung futures - holograms, humanoid robots, hovercars and skyscrapers that literally scrape the sky. They are met at the terminal by a tall, austere man, with pale hair and pale skin. His pupils are shaped like squares, and if you listen closely, gears whir as they adjust their focus.
"Commander Fokker," says the man, who Roy may recall as Admiral Dhorasoo's
dispassionate aide from their earlier encounter. "I am Number Two. I will also
answer to Niigo. I have been sent to escort you."
The Commander offers a quick salute after disembarking from the two seater Veritech. Turning back to look up, Roy smirks. "Be careful on the ladder, Ryuuzaki." the man offers, before turning back to the aide. "Number Two, this is Ryuuzaki - part of the IPA's intelligence division. I asked him to assist me in this." It's only a partial lie, after all.
Folding his arms behind his back, the Commander shows some confusion for the first time. "Niigo, where are we heading to?" he asks finally. "I was told that we would be meeting with the Concil."
Roy is fortunate, perhaps, in that he has a very quiet passenger. Or unfortunate, in that his passenger is a creepy 'random kid' (who isn't a kid, or random) with a tendency towards very intense staring contests with anything and everything. One could call the silence 'unpleasantly heavy' and be fairly accurate. The other problem is...
He's constantly snacking on any number of assorted candies he happened to pack in a bag that seemed to only have one other set of clothing identical to the rumpled shirt and roomy jeans he already wore. Barefoot for the entire trip, wearing otherwise only a pair of very battered Converse (without socks), with laces that have seen better days.
L is, in short, an odd bird to have to spend considerable time with. 'Ryuuzaki' disembarks and doesn't stray far from Roy Fokker--that is to say he remains just out of arm's reach, and a little behind, hands buried into the pockets of his jeans, bowed forward in a slouch with dark-rimmed eyes peering wide out from under a veil of disheveled black hair. He tilts his head to one side at the aide, one hand slipping from its pocket to nudge the tip of his finger into his mouth. After a long moment, the edges of his mouth twitch a brief, almost amused kind of smile.
Niigo's eyes adjust. Whirr whirr. "The Privy Council has asked that I be your
escort," he says, managing to not look any more put upon than he normally is when dealing with foolish hyuumannz. "I was the member of staff most readily available and qualified to deal with you, who come from another world."
He gestures behind him, as a black Sedan rolls up. It has real wheels! "This will be our transport. The Council building is but a short drive. In the meanwhile, I will be able to answer some questions, myself."
Roy nods. It'll have to do, he guesses. The Commander looks down at the little
nerdling - I mean - Ryuuzaki, and goes to open the door. He won't need a booster seat, right? Climbing in a moment later, Roy frowns. "Well, I'm not sure if I want to start spouting off questions right now, or if we should wait until we're meeting with the Concil, Niigo." he admits as he settles down in the back seat.
He won't need a booster seat. In fact, he's almost six feet tall, he just needs to bother getting up out of that slouch. Ryuuzaki proves as much as unnecessary by climbing in, climbing -over- Roy to get to the other side, only to hunker down on his heels after nudging shoes to the car interior floor. Arms wrap around his legs, knees tucked under his chin. "I have a few questions," states the detective. L begins rattling them off without waiting for confirmation.
"Are you a robot?"
"Why is this city built on the moon?"
"What is the Privy Council like and how are its representatives selected for office?"
No. 2 climbs in shortly after Ryuzaki and Roy both get inside. It is not designed for intense meetings - Niigo sits in the passenger seat, while a large man wearing a military uniform sits in the driver seat. The car begins to move as soon as the doors are closed and everyone is settled in, driving it a comfortable speed onto a private road.
"The Council is primarily a governing body, Commander. I can provide military
information that they will most likelly defer to me anyway during your meeting."
L speaks up, ans Niigo's eyes shift toward him. Despite the sudden bombardment of questions, the android remains poised.
"Yes," he says. "I am a registered android. Unlike many worlds, in this world,
androids and humans possess essentially equal rights."
The next question gives him pause, and he says, "I am unsure. Lunar Tokyo has been the Solar System's capital for many thousands of years." He shakes his head. "Earth is a precious place, to the people of this solar system. We struggle to keep it pristine."
For the final question, he says simply, "The Privy Council is the governing body of this Solar System. They are a council of the oldest and wisest members of our society."
"Essentially equal," muses L aloud, as he pulls open a small green and clear plastic bag filled with small, irregularly shaped candies of various colors. They look vaguely like little stars with rounded 'points'. "How enlightened," he adds, plucking a yellow candy out with forefinger and thumb and peering at it as he holds it at a point somewhere above his head. Eventually he drops it into his mouth.
And crunches it, audibly.
"I assume these rights apply only if 'registered'." Passing curiosity, this. There's the crumple of plastic while he fishes for another, white, in particular. This, he nudges into his mouth with a fingertip, which he mouths even while he chews the candy into fragments between his teeth. "Thank you for answering my questions. The others I have will wait for this Privy Council."
"Unregistered androids," Number Two supplies, "are treated much in the same fashion as your modern day immigrants. Their fortunes depend on who finds them."
He nods, then, saying, "Very well. We will be there shortly."
The wheels on the expensive luxury car go round and round, round and round, round and round...
When the Sedan finallly arrives at the Privy Council chambers some time later,
Number Two steps out, waits patiently for Roy and L to get out, and strides inside.
There is a quick security check that involves a pat down before they are allowed past the gates, and then a short road which leads to a building that looks more like an ancient daimyo's castle than a modern governmental center of power.
The interior is almost as anachronistic, walled with steel (and stronger) materials that nonetheless appear to be classical Japanese paper doors.
"The Privy Chambers are for the Council and their aides alone," Niigo explains, dispassionately. "They feel guests are more comfortable here, in their briefing chambers."
Commander Fokker frowns as he steps out of the vehicle. This is not the same place where Roy went to the last time he was here - to argue for Nono's continued survival. The Commander looks towards the building as he follows Niigo.
"I see." he'll have to remember to feel honored in their presence, because really, he is. Roy frowns as he looks towards the walls. This really isn't the way it went last time. Maybe it will be better this time around. And not leave him with such an angry taste.
L is carrying nothing weapon-like, unless a laptop computer, a cellphone, and a couple of lollipops are suddenly contraband.
They aren't, fortunately.
The detective is very quiet throughout the entire procedure, preferring to clutch only at the bottom hem of his shirt with the index finger of his other hand in his mouth, eyes on the floor, during the search. To say it seems like the procedure is tolerated but uncomfortable for all that it's brief would be an understatement, but he handles it without complaint. He's handed down similar security procedures before on others.
For someone who rarely trusts anyone with his face, it's just part of the job.
After a long stretch of silence (somewhere in it, L had sniffed twice, quietly), Ryuuzaki speaks. "Commander, the paint job is a good one, but the least they could've done to make the facade more convincing is leave the smell of wood." He smells nothing. Except the underlying tang of metal, but that seems to lie everywhere around here. Furthermore, the temperature feels all wrong. Artificial.
Of course... this is the Moon, as crazy as that sounds. "I can't help but wonder if it's to keep the Council safe from outside attackers, or from us." Dark eyes skirt a direct glance at Roy Fokker, finger tugging at his bottom lip. "I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. You seem put out. There is a 75 percent chance that this is not what you were expecting."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "I've been here before, Ryuuzaki. Last time was to save the life of one of my pilots."
Roy is correct. This is not where he went last time.
This is where the smart people work.
There are a series of security checks, retinal, infrared - all sorts of strange and marvelous biometrics OF THE FUTURE are employed.
And then the far wall opens with a loud clang of metal and a hiss of hydraulics, revealing a triple-locked door almost as well-secured as the hangarbays on the Macross. Inside is a classic Japanese tea room, with tables and cushions set out for L and Roy to seat themselves. On the opposite side of the room are the five members of the Privy council.
They are all ancient and wisened to the point where they could probably be used effectively as footballs if not for their brittle bones. It is difficult if not impossible to tell which ones are male or female, aside from vague differences in the structure of their kindly old faces.
They all have enormous ears.
"Hello..." one of them says, in the middle. "Commander Fokker, Detective Ryuuzaki. We are happy to see that you have made it. Please...sit down. It seems we have a lot to talk about."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "Please continue, if you feel this information may be relevant to the situation, Commander."
Before Roy enters, the Commander explains Roy's past with this world over the radio.
Then, finally, he steps into the council chambers. Stepping forward, the Commander offers a salute. "Thank you for allowing me back on your planet." the Commander says with a small smile - before moving to take a seat. "There is a lot we need to discuss. But it seems like you already know what's going on with Lieutenant Ray's world."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "About six months ago, one of my pilots, Nono - was a member of the Topless Fraternity - a group of Busters that were responsible for protecting this universe from the same STMC we face now. Nono had gotten the threat under control, so in the Command Staff's 'infinite' wisdom, they offered to shut down the fraternity - effectively offering to kill the pilots as no longer needed. Myself, Sanger Zonvolt and others came here to plead their case."
[Fac-IPA] Amuro Ray says, "Good evening, Commander."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Lieutenant. We're in Council at the moment with Nono's world."
[Fac-IPA] Amuro Ray says, "Any luck?"
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Just starting."
Having received the short version of matters from Roy Fokker, L seems--well, you could hardly call it 'satisfied', but he seems to find it sufficient enough that he doesn't press for more information. In contrast to the Commander's salute and confident demeanor, the stooping detective continues to clasp his laptop, finger hooked in his mouth, eyes wide, staring. There's a beat of silence before he adds his own formality. "Thank you for your invitation."
Without further ado, he turns and finds a place to settle in. This means putting down the laptop, sitting on the floor in bare feet -- shoes left at the door -- and knees once again pulled to his chest. His palms drop onto his knees, fingers of his right hand scratching at it, a sound audible against denim.
[Fac-IPA] Amuro Ray says, "I'm going to be doing all the research I can myself."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Good. We'll compare notes later, Amuro."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "...I see. So the members of that fraternity were viewed, I assume, as expendable resources that could be disposed of without moral issue when they were no longer 'useful' to their society?"
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Pretty much."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "And yet they go to lengths to assure androids of their rights."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "They were viewed as war machines, nothing more. Since that time, I have not seen Nono. I can only hope that they held to their end of the bargain."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "...That is, however..."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "...A very unfortunate name for a fraternity."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker chuckles. "They had their reasons."
"Yes," the sweet old lady in the middle says, with a nod. She is old - so old that even smiling is an exercise. "We were informed of a pending threat by Number Seven shortly before her disappearance. We have done some of our own research, since then."
She folds her tiny hands in her tiny lap, and continues, "We do not know a great deal about the Fluctuating Gravity Sources. They are a mystery to us, a mystery ten thousand years old. All we can do...is tell you what we know."
She tilts her head. "What do you wish to know, Commander Fokker? Detective?"
Commander Fokker frowns. It is a face he has worn a great number of times in the last forty-eight hours. It is a face he will be wearing for the next several days, he feels. "...how did they get out of this universe, Councilwoman?" Roy finally asks, straightening himself.
"When last we met, we were informed that Number Seven and the Fraternity had this under control." the Commander states. "When did this change - and more importantly - how can we attempt to stop this threat to Amuro's world. I know of what it takes to take down just one of these creatures."
In the meantime, L unfolds himself partially to lift open the laptop, disengaging a screensaver that looks like a series of white-on-white-gray spheres, the bottom corner rippling the way a pond does after a stone's been dropped in it. He begins pulling up files -- dossiers, timelines, maps, graphs, all items he acquired from the IPA's intelligence resources and Roy Fokker's research in particular -- intending on reviewing these while he listens.
He absently tugs a lollipop from his pocket and plucks its wrapping off where he pinches a corner of the wax paper with index finger and thumb. "I would also like to know," adds Ryuuzaki, eyes leaving the screen. "How troublesome is it to observe these creatures." They'll need to know what they're each capable of. The last thing they want is to throw lives away needlessly in trying to discover a weak point. They can't outlast these creatures, they have to outsmart them.
"They did not," says Niigo, striding across the room toward the Privy Council.
The woman in the center bobs her head. "That is the issue - and the reason
Fraternity was nearly disbanded in the first place, Commander."
A man to the far right supplies, "The number of Fluctuating Gravity Sources in this world are few. The Black Hole Carneades is still stable, only a handful of their number remain - and in numbers that Number Seven and her Buster Legion can easily combat."
A woman to the left of center explains: "They came from a different plane, Commander."
The woman in the center picks up the conversation, and supplies, "We believe they most likely came from a world where their power was still vast. Perhaps a world where Carneades never occurred...perhaps a world where the Buster Machines never existed...perhaps, simply a world where their defeat has not yet been written. We cannot know for sure."
"But we do not believe we are the source of the Universal Century Express,"
concludes Niigo.
"As to military measures...traditional weaponry is barely effective, however in sufficient volume, it should prove useful. It takes enormous amounts of energy to pierce their hides. But it can be done."
One of the taller Privy Councilmen, with military ribbons on his robes, says,
"...but it seems that Topless abilities do not work as well in their vicinity. That was the reason Fraternity became helpless on Titan. That was the reason so many of your attacks were more effective than our own. The Exotic Maneuvers of the Buster Machines...they are weakened, by the presence of the powerful Topless abilities of the Fluctuating Gravity Sources."
Number Two looks over at the Privy Council, and the Privy Council looks over at Number Two, and both shake their heads at L's question.
"Extremely difficult," Number Two says. "They destroy any spacegoing vessel on
sight...and their abilities at long-range detection exceed our own. Number Seven was capable of it to some degree with her Buster Legion units, but..."
"Number Seven has resigned herself from direct participation," the central figure concludes. "She is unable to oversee such an operation at the present time."
Commander Fokker frowns, arms going over his chest. "So, it's going to take an
insane amount of firepower, just to dent this thing." Roy already knew this. The Reflex Cannon of the SDF-1 may only be able to mortally wound several - and as often as it takes to just recharge that weapon.
"...I had heard of Nono's" he refuses to use her designation, to him, she's Nono. "resignation, and I have expressed my sense of loss at this." Roy nods towards L. "I have a mage, Miss Nita Callahan - her universe has requested that she try to speak to one of these creatures before she is able to offer any type of assistance in battling them."
"Unfortunate," L says, his head tilting to rest his cheek against his knees, eyes directed towards the floor, then up towards the ceiling. "I suppose I could ask 'Number Seven' myself for any remaining data, but if she's resigned from direct participation, I imagine hoping to contact her through you would be..." Something about his expression becomes closed off, distant. "Impossible, perhaps. No--difficult. A tiny chance, but..."
Because that tiny chance exists, he might just try to go after it anyway.
Roy Fokker's mention of Nita Callahan draws L's sidelong stare. His head gradually straightens, by which one means it's back to a bow over bended knees. "Her capabilities are as much a mystery as that of these creatures -- please request that she go ahead with this idea. At the very least, we may learn something valuable at relatively little potential cost." An individual, it seems, rather than a fleet of ships. He continues to watch Roy carefully, gauging his reaction. Even here is a test. Is it acceptable? Would you, Commander, consider it acceptable losses?
"I've volunteered to take her myself, if they get in range. The Veritech FAST pack is top of the line, and hopeully it would be only a short distance from a Gate." Roy says to L, before returning his attention to the Councilwoman. Hopefully, that answers his question.
The Privy Council shares some confused looks at Roy's final words, and then on of them looks up at Niigo, and says, "You may go now. I believe the rest of this matter should be..."
"Outside of the military's jurisdiction. Understood," says Niigo, and he turns on his heels and strides out the door Roy and L entered through. It opens and closes with a thunderous clamor.
Only then do they turn their attentions to Roy. One says, "There is only one
Fluctuating Gravity Source that we are able to access without calamitous results."
"It is at Excelio," says another.
"The den of the Buster Legion. You would need Number Seven's permission and escort, to get to that place, and--"
"...as Detective Ryuuzaki observes...we are unsure how to reach her. If she were to grant that permission...then, perhaps. But otherwise, what you propose is a very dangerous thing."
"It is a dangerous position we are currently in, Councilwoman." The Commander
responds, tone flat, eyes narrowing as he looks up towards the woman. "...without this endeavor, then we are face with the prospect of facing an Express that not even you know about, madam. We may not have the same luck we did last time - but we must do everything we can." he closes his eyes for a moment, face stained as he looks away.
When he speaks again, it's quiet. "I realize that Nono may not be willing to assist us - but if I have to travel to Excelio myself to find her, then give me the coordinates, and I will find a way to seek her out."
Dragging the pad of his thumb across his mouth, L seems content for the moment to observe, fascinated perhaps more with the way the councilmembers finish each other's sentences and seem to be sharing a lot more than a braincell between them than anything else. Looks, however, can be deceiving. The corner of his mouth twitches again in what may have been the beginnings of an interested smile.
Things are getting exciting again.
"Yes. Of the little information I have, the best choice to contact Number Seven is you, Commander," says Ryuuzaki, who turns his head back to the laptop. "It may seem harmless enough to grant another access to information that may be used for good, enough that one who has chosen to remove themselves from matters directly to feel a little more inclined to assist us. Please use your rapport with Nono to benefit this endeavor."
The Privy Council frowns, looking amidst themselves for a moment, leaning in close to whisper. "Should we?" "Ah, but she said--" "Yes, and she ALSO said--" "Perhaps we should--"
"That's enough."
A voice - high-pitched, youthful, but somehow tired, and very familiar.
"That won't be necessary, Roy."
The door behind the Privy Council snaps open (duKSSSH), admitting a pretty young woman of probably no older than sixteen. Pink hair flows long down her back. She stands about five foot ten (counting the antenna-like cowlick), but unlike when she typically appears in this state, her hair is not luminescent like a fire - merely its usual, dormant pink. She wears a white jumpsuit, with red and blue accents. She has no discernable feet - although she is walking, the bottom of each leg simply ends. On the bottom of each 'foot' is a photon-based acceleration thruster, and on the backs of her thighs, not readily visible from this angle, are huge heat exhaust vents. Over the backs of her two hands and over her heart are three clear plastic shells, protecting visible machinery.
Buster Machine Seven - the android some call Nono - smiles, a tired look, and says, "I am glad to see you again, Roy. You don't need to go that far to see me, though."
WHERE: The Privy Council Chambers, the FUTURE.
WHEN: July 24, 2007
WHAT: Roy takes a detective to look for advice, and gets more than he hoped for.
THE FUTURE is a vast, wonderful place - and with the coming of Buster Machine Number Seven, peace has fallen upon this world. But it is a peace strained by fear. The people of this Solar System have seen the face of their true foe - the Fluctuating Gravity Sources, the Variable Gravity Wells. Uchuu Kaiju. Space Monsters.
Roy Fokker and his guest(s?) arrive through a Gate that has been located in a
spaceport on Lunar Tokyo. True to its name, it is the capitol of the Earth Empire, and it is on the moon. Neon lights flash in the distance, and above, Earth looms - a shimmering jewel in the endless night.
The entire facility is, surprisingly, not nearly as advanced as you'd think one would be twelve thousand years into the future. It is similar to the technology level of many other less far-flung futures - holograms, humanoid robots, hovercars and skyscrapers that literally scrape the sky. They are met at the terminal by a tall, austere man, with pale hair and pale skin. His pupils are shaped like squares, and if you listen closely, gears whir as they adjust their focus.
"Commander Fokker," says the man, who Roy may recall as Admiral Dhorasoo's
dispassionate aide from their earlier encounter. "I am Number Two. I will also
answer to Niigo. I have been sent to escort you."
The Commander offers a quick salute after disembarking from the two seater Veritech. Turning back to look up, Roy smirks. "Be careful on the ladder, Ryuuzaki." the man offers, before turning back to the aide. "Number Two, this is Ryuuzaki - part of the IPA's intelligence division. I asked him to assist me in this." It's only a partial lie, after all.
Folding his arms behind his back, the Commander shows some confusion for the first time. "Niigo, where are we heading to?" he asks finally. "I was told that we would be meeting with the Concil."
Roy is fortunate, perhaps, in that he has a very quiet passenger. Or unfortunate, in that his passenger is a creepy 'random kid' (who isn't a kid, or random) with a tendency towards very intense staring contests with anything and everything. One could call the silence 'unpleasantly heavy' and be fairly accurate. The other problem is...
He's constantly snacking on any number of assorted candies he happened to pack in a bag that seemed to only have one other set of clothing identical to the rumpled shirt and roomy jeans he already wore. Barefoot for the entire trip, wearing otherwise only a pair of very battered Converse (without socks), with laces that have seen better days.
L is, in short, an odd bird to have to spend considerable time with. 'Ryuuzaki' disembarks and doesn't stray far from Roy Fokker--that is to say he remains just out of arm's reach, and a little behind, hands buried into the pockets of his jeans, bowed forward in a slouch with dark-rimmed eyes peering wide out from under a veil of disheveled black hair. He tilts his head to one side at the aide, one hand slipping from its pocket to nudge the tip of his finger into his mouth. After a long moment, the edges of his mouth twitch a brief, almost amused kind of smile.
Niigo's eyes adjust. Whirr whirr. "The Privy Council has asked that I be your
escort," he says, managing to not look any more put upon than he normally is when dealing with foolish hyuumannz. "I was the member of staff most readily available and qualified to deal with you, who come from another world."
He gestures behind him, as a black Sedan rolls up. It has real wheels! "This will be our transport. The Council building is but a short drive. In the meanwhile, I will be able to answer some questions, myself."
Roy nods. It'll have to do, he guesses. The Commander looks down at the little
nerdling - I mean - Ryuuzaki, and goes to open the door. He won't need a booster seat, right? Climbing in a moment later, Roy frowns. "Well, I'm not sure if I want to start spouting off questions right now, or if we should wait until we're meeting with the Concil, Niigo." he admits as he settles down in the back seat.
He won't need a booster seat. In fact, he's almost six feet tall, he just needs to bother getting up out of that slouch. Ryuuzaki proves as much as unnecessary by climbing in, climbing -over- Roy to get to the other side, only to hunker down on his heels after nudging shoes to the car interior floor. Arms wrap around his legs, knees tucked under his chin. "I have a few questions," states the detective. L begins rattling them off without waiting for confirmation.
"Are you a robot?"
"Why is this city built on the moon?"
"What is the Privy Council like and how are its representatives selected for office?"
No. 2 climbs in shortly after Ryuzaki and Roy both get inside. It is not designed for intense meetings - Niigo sits in the passenger seat, while a large man wearing a military uniform sits in the driver seat. The car begins to move as soon as the doors are closed and everyone is settled in, driving it a comfortable speed onto a private road.
"The Council is primarily a governing body, Commander. I can provide military
information that they will most likelly defer to me anyway during your meeting."
L speaks up, ans Niigo's eyes shift toward him. Despite the sudden bombardment of questions, the android remains poised.
"Yes," he says. "I am a registered android. Unlike many worlds, in this world,
androids and humans possess essentially equal rights."
The next question gives him pause, and he says, "I am unsure. Lunar Tokyo has been the Solar System's capital for many thousands of years." He shakes his head. "Earth is a precious place, to the people of this solar system. We struggle to keep it pristine."
For the final question, he says simply, "The Privy Council is the governing body of this Solar System. They are a council of the oldest and wisest members of our society."
"Essentially equal," muses L aloud, as he pulls open a small green and clear plastic bag filled with small, irregularly shaped candies of various colors. They look vaguely like little stars with rounded 'points'. "How enlightened," he adds, plucking a yellow candy out with forefinger and thumb and peering at it as he holds it at a point somewhere above his head. Eventually he drops it into his mouth.
And crunches it, audibly.
"I assume these rights apply only if 'registered'." Passing curiosity, this. There's the crumple of plastic while he fishes for another, white, in particular. This, he nudges into his mouth with a fingertip, which he mouths even while he chews the candy into fragments between his teeth. "Thank you for answering my questions. The others I have will wait for this Privy Council."
"Unregistered androids," Number Two supplies, "are treated much in the same fashion as your modern day immigrants. Their fortunes depend on who finds them."
He nods, then, saying, "Very well. We will be there shortly."
The wheels on the expensive luxury car go round and round, round and round, round and round...
When the Sedan finallly arrives at the Privy Council chambers some time later,
Number Two steps out, waits patiently for Roy and L to get out, and strides inside.
There is a quick security check that involves a pat down before they are allowed past the gates, and then a short road which leads to a building that looks more like an ancient daimyo's castle than a modern governmental center of power.
The interior is almost as anachronistic, walled with steel (and stronger) materials that nonetheless appear to be classical Japanese paper doors.
"The Privy Chambers are for the Council and their aides alone," Niigo explains, dispassionately. "They feel guests are more comfortable here, in their briefing chambers."
Commander Fokker frowns as he steps out of the vehicle. This is not the same place where Roy went to the last time he was here - to argue for Nono's continued survival. The Commander looks towards the building as he follows Niigo.
"I see." he'll have to remember to feel honored in their presence, because really, he is. Roy frowns as he looks towards the walls. This really isn't the way it went last time. Maybe it will be better this time around. And not leave him with such an angry taste.
L is carrying nothing weapon-like, unless a laptop computer, a cellphone, and a couple of lollipops are suddenly contraband.
They aren't, fortunately.
The detective is very quiet throughout the entire procedure, preferring to clutch only at the bottom hem of his shirt with the index finger of his other hand in his mouth, eyes on the floor, during the search. To say it seems like the procedure is tolerated but uncomfortable for all that it's brief would be an understatement, but he handles it without complaint. He's handed down similar security procedures before on others.
For someone who rarely trusts anyone with his face, it's just part of the job.
After a long stretch of silence (somewhere in it, L had sniffed twice, quietly), Ryuuzaki speaks. "Commander, the paint job is a good one, but the least they could've done to make the facade more convincing is leave the smell of wood." He smells nothing. Except the underlying tang of metal, but that seems to lie everywhere around here. Furthermore, the temperature feels all wrong. Artificial.
Of course... this is the Moon, as crazy as that sounds. "I can't help but wonder if it's to keep the Council safe from outside attackers, or from us." Dark eyes skirt a direct glance at Roy Fokker, finger tugging at his bottom lip. "I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. You seem put out. There is a 75 percent chance that this is not what you were expecting."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "I've been here before, Ryuuzaki. Last time was to save the life of one of my pilots."
Roy is correct. This is not where he went last time.
This is where the smart people work.
There are a series of security checks, retinal, infrared - all sorts of strange and marvelous biometrics OF THE FUTURE are employed.
And then the far wall opens with a loud clang of metal and a hiss of hydraulics, revealing a triple-locked door almost as well-secured as the hangarbays on the Macross. Inside is a classic Japanese tea room, with tables and cushions set out for L and Roy to seat themselves. On the opposite side of the room are the five members of the Privy council.
They are all ancient and wisened to the point where they could probably be used effectively as footballs if not for their brittle bones. It is difficult if not impossible to tell which ones are male or female, aside from vague differences in the structure of their kindly old faces.
They all have enormous ears.
"Hello..." one of them says, in the middle. "Commander Fokker, Detective Ryuuzaki. We are happy to see that you have made it. Please...sit down. It seems we have a lot to talk about."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "Please continue, if you feel this information may be relevant to the situation, Commander."
Before Roy enters, the Commander explains Roy's past with this world over the radio.
Then, finally, he steps into the council chambers. Stepping forward, the Commander offers a salute. "Thank you for allowing me back on your planet." the Commander says with a small smile - before moving to take a seat. "There is a lot we need to discuss. But it seems like you already know what's going on with Lieutenant Ray's world."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "About six months ago, one of my pilots, Nono - was a member of the Topless Fraternity - a group of Busters that were responsible for protecting this universe from the same STMC we face now. Nono had gotten the threat under control, so in the Command Staff's 'infinite' wisdom, they offered to shut down the fraternity - effectively offering to kill the pilots as no longer needed. Myself, Sanger Zonvolt and others came here to plead their case."
[Fac-IPA] Amuro Ray says, "Good evening, Commander."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Lieutenant. We're in Council at the moment with Nono's world."
[Fac-IPA] Amuro Ray says, "Any luck?"
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Just starting."
Having received the short version of matters from Roy Fokker, L seems--well, you could hardly call it 'satisfied', but he seems to find it sufficient enough that he doesn't press for more information. In contrast to the Commander's salute and confident demeanor, the stooping detective continues to clasp his laptop, finger hooked in his mouth, eyes wide, staring. There's a beat of silence before he adds his own formality. "Thank you for your invitation."
Without further ado, he turns and finds a place to settle in. This means putting down the laptop, sitting on the floor in bare feet -- shoes left at the door -- and knees once again pulled to his chest. His palms drop onto his knees, fingers of his right hand scratching at it, a sound audible against denim.
[Fac-IPA] Amuro Ray says, "I'm going to be doing all the research I can myself."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Good. We'll compare notes later, Amuro."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "...I see. So the members of that fraternity were viewed, I assume, as expendable resources that could be disposed of without moral issue when they were no longer 'useful' to their society?"
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "Pretty much."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "And yet they go to lengths to assure androids of their rights."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker says, "They were viewed as war machines, nothing more. Since that time, I have not seen Nono. I can only hope that they held to their end of the bargain."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "...That is, however..."
[Fac-IPA] 'Ryuuzaki' L says, "...A very unfortunate name for a fraternity."
[Fac-IPA] Roy Fokker chuckles. "They had their reasons."
"Yes," the sweet old lady in the middle says, with a nod. She is old - so old that even smiling is an exercise. "We were informed of a pending threat by Number Seven shortly before her disappearance. We have done some of our own research, since then."
She folds her tiny hands in her tiny lap, and continues, "We do not know a great deal about the Fluctuating Gravity Sources. They are a mystery to us, a mystery ten thousand years old. All we can do...is tell you what we know."
She tilts her head. "What do you wish to know, Commander Fokker? Detective?"
Commander Fokker frowns. It is a face he has worn a great number of times in the last forty-eight hours. It is a face he will be wearing for the next several days, he feels. "...how did they get out of this universe, Councilwoman?" Roy finally asks, straightening himself.
"When last we met, we were informed that Number Seven and the Fraternity had this under control." the Commander states. "When did this change - and more importantly - how can we attempt to stop this threat to Amuro's world. I know of what it takes to take down just one of these creatures."
In the meantime, L unfolds himself partially to lift open the laptop, disengaging a screensaver that looks like a series of white-on-white-gray spheres, the bottom corner rippling the way a pond does after a stone's been dropped in it. He begins pulling up files -- dossiers, timelines, maps, graphs, all items he acquired from the IPA's intelligence resources and Roy Fokker's research in particular -- intending on reviewing these while he listens.
He absently tugs a lollipop from his pocket and plucks its wrapping off where he pinches a corner of the wax paper with index finger and thumb. "I would also like to know," adds Ryuuzaki, eyes leaving the screen. "How troublesome is it to observe these creatures." They'll need to know what they're each capable of. The last thing they want is to throw lives away needlessly in trying to discover a weak point. They can't outlast these creatures, they have to outsmart them.
"They did not," says Niigo, striding across the room toward the Privy Council.
The woman in the center bobs her head. "That is the issue - and the reason
Fraternity was nearly disbanded in the first place, Commander."
A man to the far right supplies, "The number of Fluctuating Gravity Sources in this world are few. The Black Hole Carneades is still stable, only a handful of their number remain - and in numbers that Number Seven and her Buster Legion can easily combat."
A woman to the left of center explains: "They came from a different plane, Commander."
The woman in the center picks up the conversation, and supplies, "We believe they most likely came from a world where their power was still vast. Perhaps a world where Carneades never occurred...perhaps a world where the Buster Machines never existed...perhaps, simply a world where their defeat has not yet been written. We cannot know for sure."
"But we do not believe we are the source of the Universal Century Express,"
concludes Niigo.
"As to military measures...traditional weaponry is barely effective, however in sufficient volume, it should prove useful. It takes enormous amounts of energy to pierce their hides. But it can be done."
One of the taller Privy Councilmen, with military ribbons on his robes, says,
"...but it seems that Topless abilities do not work as well in their vicinity. That was the reason Fraternity became helpless on Titan. That was the reason so many of your attacks were more effective than our own. The Exotic Maneuvers of the Buster Machines...they are weakened, by the presence of the powerful Topless abilities of the Fluctuating Gravity Sources."
Number Two looks over at the Privy Council, and the Privy Council looks over at Number Two, and both shake their heads at L's question.
"Extremely difficult," Number Two says. "They destroy any spacegoing vessel on
sight...and their abilities at long-range detection exceed our own. Number Seven was capable of it to some degree with her Buster Legion units, but..."
"Number Seven has resigned herself from direct participation," the central figure concludes. "She is unable to oversee such an operation at the present time."
Commander Fokker frowns, arms going over his chest. "So, it's going to take an
insane amount of firepower, just to dent this thing." Roy already knew this. The Reflex Cannon of the SDF-1 may only be able to mortally wound several - and as often as it takes to just recharge that weapon.
"...I had heard of Nono's" he refuses to use her designation, to him, she's Nono. "resignation, and I have expressed my sense of loss at this." Roy nods towards L. "I have a mage, Miss Nita Callahan - her universe has requested that she try to speak to one of these creatures before she is able to offer any type of assistance in battling them."
"Unfortunate," L says, his head tilting to rest his cheek against his knees, eyes directed towards the floor, then up towards the ceiling. "I suppose I could ask 'Number Seven' myself for any remaining data, but if she's resigned from direct participation, I imagine hoping to contact her through you would be..." Something about his expression becomes closed off, distant. "Impossible, perhaps. No--difficult. A tiny chance, but..."
Because that tiny chance exists, he might just try to go after it anyway.
Roy Fokker's mention of Nita Callahan draws L's sidelong stare. His head gradually straightens, by which one means it's back to a bow over bended knees. "Her capabilities are as much a mystery as that of these creatures -- please request that she go ahead with this idea. At the very least, we may learn something valuable at relatively little potential cost." An individual, it seems, rather than a fleet of ships. He continues to watch Roy carefully, gauging his reaction. Even here is a test. Is it acceptable? Would you, Commander, consider it acceptable losses?
"I've volunteered to take her myself, if they get in range. The Veritech FAST pack is top of the line, and hopeully it would be only a short distance from a Gate." Roy says to L, before returning his attention to the Councilwoman. Hopefully, that answers his question.
The Privy Council shares some confused looks at Roy's final words, and then on of them looks up at Niigo, and says, "You may go now. I believe the rest of this matter should be..."
"Outside of the military's jurisdiction. Understood," says Niigo, and he turns on his heels and strides out the door Roy and L entered through. It opens and closes with a thunderous clamor.
Only then do they turn their attentions to Roy. One says, "There is only one
Fluctuating Gravity Source that we are able to access without calamitous results."
"It is at Excelio," says another.
"The den of the Buster Legion. You would need Number Seven's permission and escort, to get to that place, and--"
"...as Detective Ryuuzaki observes...we are unsure how to reach her. If she were to grant that permission...then, perhaps. But otherwise, what you propose is a very dangerous thing."
"It is a dangerous position we are currently in, Councilwoman." The Commander
responds, tone flat, eyes narrowing as he looks up towards the woman. "...without this endeavor, then we are face with the prospect of facing an Express that not even you know about, madam. We may not have the same luck we did last time - but we must do everything we can." he closes his eyes for a moment, face stained as he looks away.
When he speaks again, it's quiet. "I realize that Nono may not be willing to assist us - but if I have to travel to Excelio myself to find her, then give me the coordinates, and I will find a way to seek her out."
Dragging the pad of his thumb across his mouth, L seems content for the moment to observe, fascinated perhaps more with the way the councilmembers finish each other's sentences and seem to be sharing a lot more than a braincell between them than anything else. Looks, however, can be deceiving. The corner of his mouth twitches again in what may have been the beginnings of an interested smile.
Things are getting exciting again.
"Yes. Of the little information I have, the best choice to contact Number Seven is you, Commander," says Ryuuzaki, who turns his head back to the laptop. "It may seem harmless enough to grant another access to information that may be used for good, enough that one who has chosen to remove themselves from matters directly to feel a little more inclined to assist us. Please use your rapport with Nono to benefit this endeavor."
The Privy Council frowns, looking amidst themselves for a moment, leaning in close to whisper. "Should we?" "Ah, but she said--" "Yes, and she ALSO said--" "Perhaps we should--"
"That's enough."
A voice - high-pitched, youthful, but somehow tired, and very familiar.
"That won't be necessary, Roy."
The door behind the Privy Council snaps open (duKSSSH), admitting a pretty young woman of probably no older than sixteen. Pink hair flows long down her back. She stands about five foot ten (counting the antenna-like cowlick), but unlike when she typically appears in this state, her hair is not luminescent like a fire - merely its usual, dormant pink. She wears a white jumpsuit, with red and blue accents. She has no discernable feet - although she is walking, the bottom of each leg simply ends. On the bottom of each 'foot' is a photon-based acceleration thruster, and on the backs of her thighs, not readily visible from this angle, are huge heat exhaust vents. Over the backs of her two hands and over her heart are three clear plastic shells, protecting visible machinery.
Buster Machine Seven - the android some call Nono - smiles, a tired look, and says, "I am glad to see you again, Roy. You don't need to go that far to see me, though."