Char Li's Angels: The Skull of Saint Diana - Part VII
Now reunited, Kibri va Teban suggests he and Zillah Thana head to one of Bawaabat Samawia’s bars. Canon Alexi(u)s politely declines the offer as they plan to retire to the ship to study the new books they have acquired. Bidding farewell the Avestite sets off for the docks but is soon accosted by a ragged looking beggar. It soon transpires that this is a local Temple Avesti missionary who runs a tiny and otherwise unattended Avestite chapel. The priest heard of how Alexi(u)s interrogated and chastised the local guilders (whilst searching for Kibri) and the missionary is convinced that his prayers to the Pancreator and Saint Maya have been answered and that the Canon is here to assist him in punishing the wanton sinfulness of the station.
During the other’s sojourn on the station Bas has been busy. He has negotiated a visit to see Lady Ahgera in her captivity in the Tiger of Tashrak’s brig. The cell is designed for human sized occupants and the dishonoured Vorox captain barely fits. The conversation is relatively brief and it is obvious Ahgera has resentment towards Bas, and does not understand why he, of all people, should have been given commend of her ship. She does, however, answer Bas’ concerns about the crew. She assures him that they know their place and will be loyal to House Li Halan at all times.
Similarly Ulrich has been busy with his studies. He is continuing to catalogue the ship’s history and a record of the their quest but he also takes the opportunity of being in port to send messages to both his mentor and the Muster Guild…
Belvoir disappeared off on his own as soon as they docked with Bawaabat Samawia and we discover that this was to locate a local Scraver cybertech who has fixed the Yeoman up with a further “modification”. Pumped full of Elixir, Belvoir is making a swift recovery and he takes the opportunity to purchase some more of the “doctor’s” Elixir. They are suddenly interrupted as a huge mutant bursts in. The creature is a distorted parody of humanity, with two faces, one on either side of his head, and an expansive girth which widens to a tremendous posterior. This is the notorious Changed pirate captain, Hugh Janus. He demands that the cybertech operation be handed over to him, the Scraver’s owe him fealty and he has come to collect. Belvoir wants nothing to do with the situation and manages to fast talk his way out of things, seemingly impressing Capatin Janus into the bargain. He learns where the Captain’s ship is docked and suggests that he may sign on with the crew. On his way out Belvoir even managed to palm and pockets some more of the Scraver’s potions…
In the Avestite Chapel Alexi(u)s is beginning to realise just how zealous and fanatical his host is. It appears he has been planning to burn the heretics and “Mammon worshippers” on the station without any regard to innocent lives for some time but lacked faith. He sees Alexi(u)s’ arrival and acions in the agora as the sign he needed that his plans are ordained by the Pancreator. This does not sit well with Canon who tries to come up with a way to prevent indiscriminate bloodshed.
Meanwhile, in the bar, Zillah is quite tipsy. Kibri has found that the human alcohol being served here isn’t as pootent as the Ukar fungal brews of his people, but is pleasant enough, while his Thana knight colleague seems woefully unused to strong drink. They are shortly joined by Belvoir (who had come to the bar for a drink but happened to find the same one that the others had chosen). Zillah drunkenly reads the roguish Yeoman’s aura and they discuss some of the Dervish’s psychic powers, including his Vis abilities. Belvoir decides to try to engage his shipmates’ assistance in his latest scheme and convinces them both to help him. They leave the bar and head for the docks.
The Avestite missionary leads Alexi(u)s through the station, brandishing a rusty flamegun he pulled out of storage. In the ragged figure’s rambling and prattling Alexi(u)s learns that he has got something planned (possibly a bomb or other act of sabotage) and on the way to reach it they can punish as many heathens as they come across. Alexi(u) looks to buy some time and is able to eventually exert authority over the missionary, convincing him to let Alexi(u)s complete a chore before they bring justice to the station.
Belvoir, Zillah and Kibri reach the mooring where Janus’ ship, the Golden Behind, is docked. Using his multi-tool cyberhand, and consummate skill, Belvoir is able to eventually overcome the airlock safeties and unlock access to the ship…
Alexi(u)s purchases a squwarker from a trader in the agora and signals the rest of the troupe. He tells them about the zealot and that he needs their help to avoid the loss of innocent lives. Bas and Ulrich rush from the ship while the still light-headed Zillah attempts to contact station security before also heading to help. Belvoir and Kibri slip aboard the Golden Behind…
Seeing that Alexi(u)s has willingly purchased heathen technology the Avestite preacher becomes irrate, perhaps he is alone in bringing justice to this Pancreator-forsaken place after all? Before he can act against Alexi(u)s the Canon castigates him with the full force of his dreadful mien and the bedraggled fellow rushes off. If Alexi(u)s has been spiritually compromised then it is all up to him. Alexi(u)s sees Sir Ulrich and Bas approaching through the milling throng and calls out to them. The captain sees the zealous priest on the move, brandishing his flamegun, and immediately draws his pistol and fires, sending a round through the man’s shoulder and immediately stopping his progress. Ulrich tries to reason with him until finally Alexi(u)s arrives and commands the missionary to submit to them, which he reluctantly does.
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