Department N-12 Research(Beacon City)

Special Training

"This special training is a result of spending months meditating in the Plane of Awareness, Vec'zne. Taking extreme concentration, this ability allows the user to sense when a living being is thinking nearby. It does not allow the user to read a target's mind. It doesn't allow the user to sense what the target is feeling. Its main benefit is to allow the user to track the thought patterns of individuals they have already met. +2 bonus to notice hidden, camouflaged, and invisible attackers."

Cost: 5 points
Requires Intelligence 6, Will 6, and Shadow Level 2

Resource:
-The Border Wars: Aftermath, pg 80

Special Training

"Field-lite training allows Beacon City Recognized to convert frost generator components into temporary surge platforms. They can create a temporary surge platform on an intelligence (T#5) test, and it lasts 10 combat rounds. If they can spend five full combat rounds using this ability they can turn a pre-existing frost generator network into a surge platform."

Cost: 5 points
Requires: Ability to make Nebulous Orbs

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 2

Implant

"This implant can connect to machines that do not have standard inputs, allowing them to pilot many varieties of alien spaceships. And the blood can be used to hack directly into computer systems and flight control settings. The level of nano-fusion gland training will give 1 automatic success to certain skill tests. This artifact controls blood flow and is artificed with air layes. Those implanted take x2 damage from Chill and EMP."

Nanite Valves - Heals V.A.R. by 5 points, or special attack

Nanite-Blood Whip** - 8 (No A.R.) Melee damage, Nanites Lower V.A.R. and S.A.R. by 8 points; Flurry (+5 Dodge T#)

Nanite-Blood Cannon** - 18 Missile damage with Knockback or 18 (No A.R.) damage that costs User 6 H.P. per No A.R shot

**Technomantic Artifact, cannot damage targets protected by Chill or EMP shielding


Special Training

1. One automatic success to computer hacking tests, piloting tests, and leyas abilities that do direct damage only.
2. Two automatic successes to above listed tests.
3. Three automatic successes to above listed tests.
4. Four automatic successes to above listed tests.
5. Five automatic successes to above listed tests.

Cost: 10 points for each rank
Requires: Nano-Fusion Gland and Nanite Valve Implants.

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 2

Heavy Starfighter

"Garmin Fe's personal design. The basic Jotun chassis conforms the shape of a slanted tetrahedron and is designed to out-maneuver and overpower the swifter and lighter fighters of other factions. The Jotun Jarl has an experimental cockpit that requires the use of the Nano-Fusion Gland to operate as it has no obvious controls. The craft also utilizes a new layes powered weapon called the Majesty Core, a focusing device is artificed to project the elemental talents of the pilot. The effect becomes even more devastating when the Jarl is attached to a Surge Platform."

Jotun Starfighter, has a Pilot and Co-Pilot

Typical F.S. 6; No. of Attacks 3

V.A.R. (Hardened Airframe)
vs. Melee 60; vs. Missile 40; vs. Energy 60; E.P. 50

Move 25 (fly & space)

Onboard Layes Generator level 5
4 Open Weapon Mountings

Majesty Core - 1d6 Energy Damage, x20 Damage to Vehicles & Structures. Can do additional range when hooked up to a Surge Platform.

Nanite Healing System - A tubing system is utilized to force the nano-infused blood of the pilot to flow through vital components of the craft, thus keeping the core components in good condition even while in the middle of combat. Can only be used by a Nano-Fusion Sage to heal 10 V.A.R..

Mounting a Surge Platform - When this vehicle is hooked up to a Surge Platform it CANNOT Dodge any attacks. Instead it is Immune to EMP and Chill as long as the surge platform is functional. Majesty Core counts as orbital range, maximum of 1 shot per combat round.

Blackmarket Price: 80,000 ghaz

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 4

Leyas Focus

"When a Savior of Cities matures to its peak of growth, it becomes ready for the next evolution of its being. Turning and twisting in the sky above, the shard can be expanded to a greater size and imbued with such power that it begins to shed light as bright as several full moons. To do this the elemental anchors keeping the shard in place must be linked directly to the corresponding planes of existence with materials native to such places. Then its capacity to hold the shard can be vast enough to allow it a greater sacrifice. The Savior of the Cities will expand and rise ever higher as it evolves. At the last stage, its colors distort and shift to that of a pure rainbow and the edges of the crystal achieve impossible symmetry."

Unhackable

This acts as a Leyas source allowing up to Leyas 6 Leyas use AND +2 Bonus to Leyas Use within the walls of a city protected by a Well of Radiance. Any artifact used in the presence of the well gain +2 successes. Keeps working even when in the presence of Zela. Heals 2. H.P. per round.

S.A.R 150 Takes x2 damage from acid attacks. Immune to chill and EMP.

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 4

"Flags bearing the marks of Beacon City are set upon the backs of 7 unique golden nephilim called the Remembered. Inspiring allies and creating a field that protects those within it from the Hearts of the Forgotten."

All within twenty feet of a Flag of the Remembered are immune to The Hearts of the Forgotten.
Unique Relic: only 7 exist.

The Unique Remembered Golden Nephilim have +40 V.A.R. and Regenerates 5 V.A.R per combat round.

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 2

"When the first Savior Shard of the Cities was raised, it was a celebration like no other. Many Beacon City citizens collected themselves around an ornate fountain that stood three stories above the crowd at the center. Floating high above it, suspended by powerful elemental layas anchors was but a tiny crystal. It was a specially designed savior shard created from the life force of Garmin Fe himself.

During the ceremony, many judges, jurys, and ruling officials were present. Each of them approached the fountain and shed blood from their palm. Then they placed their hands in the waters of the fountain and sacrificed a bit of themselves. The water turned clear and the shard above the city grew the tiniest bit. The people rejoiced, for it's growth represented their hopes for the future. The fountain is now open to all and several more like it will be resurrected in the metropolises under Beacon City's care. Slowly but surely, the crystal becomes ever more visible and sheds a pale light for travelers to see."

These temporally locked devices cannot be stolen from the city, or moved. once they grow in a location they will continue to grow until shattered under its own sacrifice. This living crystal is similar to the Savior Shards used by the heroes of Beacon City.

Absorbs 1000 damage from annihilation, void, and annilator attacks. It also absorbs 500 damage from psychic special training attacks, preventing wild attacks from taking down the buildings of the city.

These savior shards can be grown but require the devotion of at least 1000 people to come together and permanently sacrifice. 1 Max H.P. each. (If character's have 15 H.P. max before now 14 H.P. max). City can have up to 10 Savior Crystals. Not affected by Zela. Living Crystal.

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 3

"Tarturus was the place were the Titans, former gods, were cast down into with hopes that their return would never come again. The Tarturus Beam hopes to fulfill the same goal. This unique weapon will only be forged once. Its design is an iron cylinder with many black iron rims around it, each encircling it in a nonuniform and overlapping manner. Seven thin golden spindly legs extend from cylinder and aim forward when the beam is fired so that the energies can be directed. Coming out of forward end of the cannon is a cauliflower of quarts crystal. The crystal is black and devoid of light. Looking at it, one gets the sensation that it is attempting to draw you into it. In fact, looking into it for too long hurts the soul.

Activating the beam will fire a solid grey beam with blackened energy waves weaving around and through it. Any being, be it a Mortal, Planar Knight, Ascended Being, or Ancient Evil, will be drawn into the weapon. The essence of the being will be refocused into a cage positioned behind the Tarturus Beam."

Requires two Open Weapon Mountings

Tarturus Beam - This beam is fired as any other beam weapon, but has no effect on targets inside vehicles and power armor. However on a successful hit (if target doesn't dodge) this beam will trap them inside another containment vessel (this beam does require a containment vessel or it will not fire). Requires a crew of two characters.

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 3

A K'iou garbed in blue tinted Drak'han living armor lined with golden hues upon it edges steps into a blank white room. He is well aged and looks tired. Yet a determination can be felt within his eyes. The walls of the room are colorless and light radiates from nowhere, as if the room itself contained the essence of light itself. There were no shadows cast, and no objects, aside from the K'iou for which to cast them from.

The warrior diplomat and archaic craftsmen disrobed his armor, piece by piece each portion fell upon newly formed slabs that extended from the wall next to him. The white surfaces were not clinically smooth and refined, but rather had the feel of chilled stonework. Garmin touched the whiteness to his left and the wall opposite the entrance moved outward. Pieces of a work in progress emerged from the wall as objects would emerge from a pail of water that had been drained from the bottom. Another tap on the wall and five white stoney diamonds drifted out from wall next to him. Each one floated and approached the broken pieces of the Crown of the Forgotten.

Each piece of white projected an image for the general to see. Each image a perspective of the work at hand. Various tools appeared from a newly formed bench as he approached the wall to the right. He went to work.

Countless hours later...

It had perhaps been half a day since his last meal. Weeks of work was poured out in front of him. Sleep was but a foreign notion at this point. Attached now to the assembled crystal crown pieces was some sort of projection. Energy arced around an invisible circumference. Inside the projection an image was catalyzing. Near it the K'iou worked away at the pieces, applying new machinery made of the same material. Moving, turning, and jostling the parts until they fit correctly.

The projection flashed and for a moment Garmin caught a glimpse of a far off world. Alien compared to the white grainy surfaces that surrounded him. Garmin could not be sure of what he saw. Lastly he heard what he thought was the voice of Field Marshall Strykker. Then all focus was lost and the pieces of machinery attached to the crown exploded with terrible force. Another three days of work was lost, but now Garmin, lifting himself from the floor was a bit closer to his goal. He now knew what it would take to unlock the secret of the crown and discover what had happened to those imprisoned by it. It would only be a matter of time, yet still, time may not be on their side.

Constructed of living crystal and reinforced with hardened minerals, the vault is a chamber without an entrance, without an exit, and with one purpose to guide it. The vault must be located close enough to the core of the planet to perform its duty. From such a location it can draw upon the essence of the planet and use that very force to shield it from the threats of the greater universe. Inside the hollow chamber resides a solitary column with the appearance of a stalagmite that has joined in the center of the structure. Within the middle of the column rests the cleansed memories of a fallen hero. With the earth to drive the will of the hero, the vault becomes a phylactery for golems made of pure living crystal.

Each golem born of the vault is essentially immortal and a force to contend with on almost any scale. Segmented at the limbs, the creature resembles a nine foot tall humanoid with twin tales. Each joint is held in place by strands of pure energy. The faceless beast is without organs, without fingers, and without feet. Instead each one moves and manipulates objects with pure kinetic energy as they float in place.

The primordial defenders, golems of the vault, can be in any one location of the planet at any time the vault wishes. Their influence is limited to the edges of the atmosphere. From within the atmosphere they can project a field of force able to deflect any known planetary bombardment. Should the need arise, they can sunder objects with the strength of giants and form weapons of pure energy to wield against its foes.

It takes but one vault to defend a planet. The creation of additional vaults is impossible as the implantation of more then one will may cause the planet to turn upon itself. Yet a single chamber can be a host to an endless supply of defenders, limited only by the essential strength of the core and determination of the hero inside. Should the determination of the hero falter for too long, the chamber will crack of its own accord, and crumble into dust.

[Should require the mission reward, "the essence of a hero" in order to make. Usually in the form of a shard heart, but alternatives are far from impossible. The current plan is to use the shard heart of commander Verbal Flint. Please inform me if this is not sufficient.]

"The Colossus is a six armed 50-story tall metal giant wielding two round shields, a glaive, and twin swords. Following closely behind each sweep of the glaive is a swath of gale force winds that chill to the bone. Around each blade swirls of crystallized air will await the opportunity to tear through the haul of an enemy craft. Finally the Colossus will have a hollowed out section where an Earther's heart would relatively be. From the center of the cavity an enormous beam of utter cold can be projected both in front of and behind the giant. The Colossus is powered by the city itself and cannot operate after it has gone beyond its borders."

Fixed Wargiant with City Spanning Arms

V.A.R. (Reinforced Armor Shell)
vs. Melee 100; vs. Missile 200; vs. Energy 100

Move 0 (cannot move)
Crew of 3

Immune to Chill and EMP attacks

Sky-Scraper Glaive
30 Melee Damage, Lowers V.A.R. by 30, x3 to Flyers

Giant-Killer Swords
30 (No A.R.) Melee Damage to Wargiants only

Chilling Heart and Gale Winds
30 Chill Damage, Area Effect (+8 Dodge #T)

Anti-Air Flurry of Strikes
60 Melee Damage to Flyers, +10 bonus to hit Flyers

Reference:
-The Boarder Wars: Aftermath, pg 75

Impant & Training

This implant has the appearance of a colored crystal that potrudes from the back of the hand. From this crystal, lines of grey originate and follow along the skin, weaving patterns akin to archaic runes across the palm and all the way down the forearm. The designs and color of the crystal is personalized and distinguishable from each other.

When wielded by the Judge that bares it, the lines of grey on the hand and arm can extend metallic needles to deliver unbearable pain or to delve into the recesses of a mind and pull perceived truths from it. The Lawgiver is a judges primary tool for dispensing justice and for uncovering secrets. This implant is the first step in the total retraining process that all Judges of Beacon City will go through.

[Artificed with LIE Detector and Pain inducing Healing leyas. This implant is to replace the Stun Gauntlet used by Judges. This occupies the dominant hand of the Judge leaving them the ability to obtain only one other implant in the hands. Jurys are still allowed two hand implants. To stream line Judge training, they will be issued a Executioner-style Glaive rather then an Earther Judge's Gavel. This means that a Jury that learns to use a shard-sword (slashing weapon) does not need to retrain themselves in a bludgeoning type weapon. This is also more fitting since the role a Judge tends to play when outside the city is that of an executioner. Lastly, the training of Judges in the use of Shields is concluded. The Shard Shield is seen more as a sign of the Order of the Recognized and therefore more fitting for military units, not civilians. Lastly, in the interest of expanding Beacon City's knowledge of the layes, an emphasis on more diverse elemental training may be employed at the discretion of the ruling council.]

Capitol Ship

The plans for this vessel are not made of exact measurements, or detailed mechanisms within an enclosed structure. It is instead the basic outline that proves that the whole can be greater then its many parts. The cruiser is formed from some easily accessible rock formation. It can be a mountain of no consequence, an asteroid found floating in space, or even a pool of chilled lava made into obsidian. The whole of the structure is reinforced with frost generators and dotted with surge platforms. The insides are cut away using Earth layes and the air supply sealed inside with Air leyas. Nanite shielding blocks off the many random entrances to the non-uniform passages within, acting as a physical defense at times as well as a backup to the artificed entrances.

Inside the mass of rock, the crew are encouraged to build as they see fit, allowing for variance. Each crew must know their particular ship by heart as each is riddled with traps of all kind to keep unwanted visitors from getting too far inside. Each Cruiser comes with a compliment of roughly twenty to twenty-five Juton Mark 2 fighters. The fighters can occasionally be housed within a cavern in the rock, but more likely they take positions on the outside 'hull' and attach to Surge Platforms. The major offense of the vessel comes from the turreted Juton fighters, but a dozen or so turret mounted flack cannons also dot the surface and are manned by shielded crewmen. The vessel flies under the power of the Jotun fighters themselves and uses the combined propulsion of each to achieve travel via shadow drive.

All-in-all the design is nothing complex or time consuming, and is in fact designed to be cheap and dispensable. Take one large piece of rock, add Frost Generators, Surge Platforms, Juton Fighters, and gun turrets. Carve it out and add simple traps and artificed entrances. Done. The real challenge of the project is to create protocols that allow the Jotun Fighters to work cohesively for maneuverable and evasive flight while being several independent units. This is even made more complex if the whole protocol system is to be shielded from hacking so that any one unit being compromised does not compromise the whole. The solution is a free-will joint communication protocol that tells the pilot what it needs to do to cooperate, but doesn't allow the network of fighters to assume control of any one vessel.

[I wanted to formalize this tactic into something with greater cohesion. Since of the frost generators absorb heat at a rather fast rate, the vessel will likely fair well against energy attacks that strike non-essential parts, which can even turn against the opposition and feed the surge platforms even more energy to work with. Though not hack-proof, the whole would be more difficult then a standard capitol ship if one wanted full control.]

WarGiant Augment Armor

This reinforced shell is a medieval-style armor plating designed to fit around and enhance the Aggregate Niphilim WarGiant. The shell is made of enhanced tungsten-alloy plating, a grey metallic material matched only by diamond in its hardness. Though the added protection is secondary to its prime function, which is to further the mobility and fighting potential of the Niphilim. The blackened plating is artificed to grant the giant the mobility to match that of a starfighter. Furthermore, it grants the giant the ability to move through shadows, heightens the chilling effect of its spear strikes, and extends those strikes beyond the spear's point to reach targets across the void of space. The shell also includes a compartment for the rider upon the back of the Niphilim, where his or her commands can be heard and responded to. Lastly, seven metallic obliteration spheres can detach from the plating and answer to the Nephilim's call. They fly freely about shredding both mineral and flesh around them using microscopic wire blades as the key rending device. The spheres also double as eye-spies allowing the giant and rider a greater view of the battle theater.

[The function of the armor is to put a single Niphilim (normal or golden) on par with other capitol ships. It should grant a space move speed (though not a fly speed beyond hovering), a bonus to fighting skill, the ability to shadow jump, shadow walk, and the other upgrades already described. I should be developing more warrior-shells in the future.]

WarGiant Augment Armor

This particular warrior-shell appears as jade bracers upon the wrists and ankles of the Nephilm along a jade breastplate. The armor, once attached, transmutes the body of the Nephilim to become fluid like the aggregate pieces it was once made from. Increasing in both speed and versatility, the giant is no longer limited by it own size. The rider of the Naphilim has no place within the giant, instead he is generally swept away and carried by the flowing metal and liquid jade, allowed to make strikes of his or her own under the protection of its companion. In order to maintain the full mobility that the shell is designed for, the Nephilim must forgo the stock spear and shield. In its stead the wargiant obtains the ability to strike with its own fists as if they were spears or blades or hammers, as well as constrict using the flexibility of its form. Lastly, the Nephilim has the ability, on contact, to transmute a living target into jade either to preserve or pacify the being. The transmutation is reversible with special treatment.

[The armor doesn't grant true shapeshifting as there is no way it can doppelgang the appearance of anything other then a greenish metallic ooze. The purpose of the shell is to allow me to take the giant to places where they normally could not go before, expanding my options for deployment. Hitting the rider is a called shot with a difficulty comparable to the fighting skill of the giant.]

Leyas Energy Bridge Weapon

The Majesty Core channels the elemental skill of the pilot and creates wide spheres of the leyas power using multi-directional energy bridges at the core of the attack. The spheres are not projected, but rather opened upon their targets. Connecting to a Surge Platform most notably increases the range and area-of-effect the Majesty Core can project, while the power remains dependent on the skill of the pilot.

This weapon does 1d6 per point of leyas rating as energy damage, x20 to vehicles and structures. (For Example: Will 6 = 6x6 x20 energy damage to vehicles and structures, min 120 max 720.) This weapons causes a huge flood of leyas into an area targeted by it. If used on any planet other then Refuge, there is a chance it will permanently tear an energy bridge open causing regular leyas surges and leyas storms. On a ark Refuge Natural 1 or a Time Shredders Deuce it will permanently rid a hole to one of the primordial dimensions and cause the natural leyas rating of the planet to 6 and cause fear tests and nightmare creation. If all 1's are rolled or a joker is drawn then the pilot will become a leyas burnout. Causes unshielded artifacts to backfire. Blinds those using Leyas Sight in the area for 1d6 combat rounds.

Requires 3 open weapon mountings; Requires Leyas Generator level 5

Blackmarket Price: 25,000 ghaz

Reference:
-Space Campaign 3, Update 4

This research is broken up into 4 parts.

Character Class Kit - Arch Knight

Long before Beacon City came to be, the land surrounding it was known as the great Freedom Homeforge, a region of free people attempting to keep the lords of Itash at bay. The General Garmin Fe came to conquer the region peacefully during the old CEN conquests. What he brought with him was the practice of augmenting the humanoid body for the sake of survival. In the times since, the augmentations and surgical procedures have continued to progress. Evidence of this can be seen in the order of Judges, Jurys, and Sages that serve the great city. Every citizen, down to the lowest ranks of society, are augmented by implantation. Technomantic devices, leyas artifacts, and living crystal technology are grafted to flesh without the single sign of restraint. A practice rivaled only by the fully augmented Cyborgs of the Waste or the mind-swapping warframed soldiers of the Unity.

Now a new breed of warrior emerges, crafted to fill the role once played by the Order of the Recognized, Beacon City's old guard. The Arch Knights are both shock troops and defenders at the core of their being. Learning from their predecessors, they have come to value the art of tecnomancy. Utility, bravery, and defense are at the heart of what they have been trained for. Though this is just their basic conditioning, to be a Arch Knight, one must forge more then just their mind and go beyond what the body is capable of on its own.

Grafted onto the back of a proven warrior, flanking each side of the upper spinal column, are one quarter meter long arcs of iron metal that protrude from the skin, smoothed and gapless. From this originates a metal rooting system that lies just under the skin and spans the entire body. The metallic implant is kin to the frost generator, the technology that keeps the mountains of the city in perpetual frost. The craft is restructured and redesigned to be implanted into the warrior, augmenting his or her fortitude and endurance beyond their normal limits. Smaller, slimmer, and within full control of the host, the frost generator implant can lash out a spike of chilling metal from any limb of the body, granting the warrior a lethal weapon to those without a proper shield against it. The shifting plates of their armor allows passage and permits the strikes to fly unhindered. Beyond this, the implant grants one last gift, the ability to withstand the hottest flames of Ky'rpos and the deepest depths of V'Crios. The prefect warrior for an invasion into the primordial planes of existence.

Their armor is also iconic and singular to them. Each plate of white stone textured metal has the glow of something blue around its edges. Where the old guard once held shield-in-hand, the new guard carries with them a ward upon the arm itself. The shield arm stands out like that of a giants gauntlet. When the armor is engaged, and when the interlocking plates seize and clasp, exposing no gap to the enemies blade, the Sovereign Plate will itself strike out against those that would mean to do harm.

All Arch Knights have Solider-Class-5 clearance. Like all citizens of Beacon City, the Knights are implanted with a shard heart that increases their survival in frozen wastelands and gives them immunity to natural cold.

[The warriors should know technomancy, and an elemental layas of choice. I like them hardy. The spike attack from the frost generator inside of them will replace the old shard short sword. The old shard shield is replaced by armor integrated into the plate mail. It would be great if they could pick any two hand/arm implants. If that can be arranged then no need for other weapons. Grapple hook would be handy. I would still like them to be able to fashion nebulous orbs and frost generators, but Nephilim construction is a new special training and only automatically granted to the Old Order of the Recognized. Skills include tactic, wargiant riding, and planar Survival.]

Special Trainings

Nebulous Construction - Allows for the creation of Nebulous Orbs and Frost Generators. A Prerequisite for other instantaneous crafting.

Niphilim Construction - Allows for the creation of Niphilim WarGiants using Nebulous Orbs. Requires Nebulous Construction.]

Body Armor - Sovereign Plate

"During the Border Wars, Garmin Fe Constructed four unique armor sets. This armor was to be given to the bravest of those he could find and only to those who would hold true to the ideal of freedom at all costs. The Standard of the North, of the South, of the East, and of the West were one of the finest crafts the General ever made. To this day, only the Standard of the West is accounted for. Derived from the same plans, an inferior copy of the armors is massed produced for the next generation of Beacon City warriors."

This well constructed plate mail is made of metal plates that have a silver white sheen and rocky texture. The Plates are held together by a blue nano-weaved cloth that shows through the seams of the plates. The off-hand shield arm is made of heavier plating and has the girth of a giant's arm. The plates themselves have been worked over by the layes and refined with nano-technology to make it light and strong. When engaged in the stalwart stance, the armor plating clamps down and the will of the knight inside can be reflected back onto his or her attackers.

[Reflects a leyas attack back on attackers when the stalwart stance is engaged. Includes a shield built into the arm itself and can be wielded while both hands are free to hold objects.]

Bound by zela shackles, chained at the ankles, and muzzled across their deadly jaws, the Sylvan Hunters, shells of the Planar Knights they once were. They arrived from the Kasanthian empire's suburban-based prisons, a gift from the Grand Admiral Layne Yr. Snarling and savage the alien beasts from another dimension were led to their cells. Cautiously the binds were removed, all save the zela shackles.

Oust Tulic, operational manager of Department N-12, observing the process turns the General Garmin Fe and says, "They are so untamed, so wild that its hard to believe these were an advanced civilized race at one point."

Garmin Fe, looking grim turns to respond, "The disease that festers on their mind does that to them. Stories are told that they were the first to discover living crystal technology. Perhaps their is a connection."

Oust Tulic looking puzzled, "A connection to what?"

Replying with almost no regard for his curiosity, "Its nothing. I want the test subjects prepped for examination. We begin our work immediately. The path to a cure starts now and we will not rest until it is found. I trust you Oust to get it done."

"Yes sir," said Oust in a commanding voice. "Sir, before you leave, there is something I thought you should know. A certain someone was assigned to this facility recently and they were granted clearance above my own."

"Really? I placed you in charge of this facility, there should be no one else above you. Who authorized this?", said Garmin.

"Well technically, your above me as well.", replied Oust, "The authorization comes from Magister Denthis under the authority of the second circle of the council. And sir, your not going to be pleased with who it is."