Patchwork Universe

liason · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject: A Tour of the Foundry

The Guide stepped out into the long carpetted corridor and gestured onwards.

Walking at a fairly brisk pace, he headed first for the main entrance, where he approached a plaque set into the wall.

"This is a good place to begin," he gestured grandly, "this plaque bears the inscription made by the Illuminated Emperor at the establishment of the Foundry."

Despite the great care which had obviously gone into maintaining this memento, there was something curiously lacking. Perhaps it was in the Guide's manner or maybe the echoing emptiness of the hall in which they stood. This place had something of the look of the heart of a thriving Empire, but none of the feel of it.

And as the Guide turned around to move the tour along, his showmanship seemed a bit forced. Almost as though his real job was not to show so much as to conceal.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Lieutenant Stafford ditufully viewed the plaque, although without especial interest. Following the Guide down the next corridor, he noted the quiet emptiness of the place, which was marketdly different from the clatter and chatter of the Justice, where the many crewmen lived cheek-by-jowl, and there was never a moment of silence. The change was not unpleasant. "I suppose that the lack of custom has means that there are fewer folk about than usual?" he asked. "How many visitors or customers might the Foundry have on an ordinary day? Have you much work to do if there are none?"

liason · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:41 am Post subject:

"Seldom more than a few dozen customers on a typical day," the Guide explained as they walked, "but the figure does vary considerably. The grand scale of this place is a reflection of its importance within the Empire more than it is a strict requirement."

After navigating several more corridors and short stairways, they arrived at a balcony. A wrought iron rail of complex patterns was all that stood between them and a small courtyard, which they were viewing from several storeys up. Alcoves lined the light-well, each home to a stone bust of some long-dead Imperial luminary.

"This is the original meeting square in which the Emperor would meet with the Artificers," the Guide gestured grandly, "the Foundry has grown over time and now this place is seldom used."

As the Guide moved on from location to location, the unsettling emptiness of the place became more and more apparent. Even the most deserted areas had been well maintained, but beyond that there were few signs of activity of any kind.

Also, for a place which was supposed to be a Foundry, the locations visited seemed barely relevant. They were of diplomatic or historical interest for the most part. To be sure they passed a few displays of elaborate polearms or baroque suits of platemail, polished to a dull gleam. However, there was no sign of any workshop or forge.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Lieutenant Stafford had patiently and attentitively listened to the details of the various rooms and noted the relationships described between these "Artificers" and the Imperial Government. As far as he could tell, it was something like a large and powerful guild, which had become involved in the politics of this nation. He was beginning to think, however, that this was more the Doctor's area than his own. At the next appropriate juncture, he enquired, "Certainly, the history of the place is unique, and fascinating - but I wondered if I might see your forge, as it were, or other industrial facilities? Having worked with the ordnance board in the past, I was truly impressed with the weaponry the Mr. L'Iason demonstrated on ship, and I was hoping to observe some of your methods." He paused at this, uncertain of the reception. "Of course, I realize that some may be proprietary, but surely your principal would not object to a brief view of the actual workshops, as it were?"

liason · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:22 am Post subject:

"Of course, I understand your interest, let us proceed then," the Guide took Lieutenant Stafford down a wide spiral staircase to a network of interconnected rooms. Many of these were dark and the guide had to light lamps as they moved.

The Lieutenant was shown swords and pikes, ancient rifles, carefully carved items of wooden furniture and storerooms used for raw materials (mostly curiously empty).

"And here is one of our workshops."

The Guide pushed open the double doors and they entered a dark, dusty room. The Guide lit lanterns and rows of racks and workbenches could be seen. Some of the racks had a few tools in, but the place had clearly been unused for some time.

Picking up one of the tools, the Guide displayed it proudly.

"This is a traditional wood carving tool of the kind used to produce some of the wooden items we saw earlier."

His manner had nothing of self-consciousness about it. Here, far beneath the Foundry, he stood in the deserted room as though it was the most exciting thing in the world, a confident smile on his round face. The polished buttons on his carefully brushed topcoat gleamed in the dim light. The Guide was doing his job well.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Lieutenant Stafford was baffled, and more than a bit affronted Could it be that this erstwhile Guide was deliberately trying to mislead him, or to hide the workings of the place? The man appeared to be guileless, but this display was ridiculous. "This is all most admirable, I am sure, and no doubt of great historical interest, but I had been hoping to observe some *operational* workshops. I had been of the impression that the Foundry was, at current, producing weaponry and ordnance. Is that not the case?" It occurred to him that the weapons that Liason had demonstrated might also be historical artifacts, but a quick perusal of the antique swords and rifles seemed to belie that explanation. These were certainly not the technological innovations that he had earlier seen. Surely this man was playing some unwelcome game. Letting his sense of outrage get the better of him, Stafford continued. "Let us be frank, sir. If you are unwilling to show me anything of current interest or import, simply say so rather than continuing this farce. I have no wish to cause offence, but I had been under the impression that I was to see a working facility, not a museum."

A little suprised at his own outburst, Lieutenant Stafford paused with great dignity and waited for a response.

liason · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:17 am Post subject:

The Guide seemed to pause for a moment, gazing into space. Eventually he turned to the Lieutenant, "Of course, I should have realised your interests would lie elsewhere, I do apologise. Please follow me."

They walked along the length of several corridors and then through a small door. The Guide lit a lantern on one wall and stood to one side of the door.

The Lieutenant glanced around the room. If anything, it looked even less like it had anything to do with the operation of the Foundry. Then he heard the door slam behind him.

A key turned in the lock.

Rather belatedly, the Lieutenant noticed how formidably strong the door looked.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Alone in the small cell, First Lieutenant Stafford considered his situation carefully. It was a most unusual turn of events, and he was beginning to wonder just what was afoot at the Foundry, for surely this was not normal. On the one hand, there was Liason, who had appeared on the island, come aboard ship, and offered an alliance to the Captain. He had acted at all times as proper for a gentleman, and indeed, had seemed most cordial. On the other hand, there were these strange events, including the unexpected appearance of Quickgrip at the Foundry, and the curious behavior of the Guide, who had sought at first to distract or mislead, and then had imprisoned him when pressed further. It seemed unlikely that Liason could not have anticipated such an action from his servant, and yet if he had something to hide, why not simply refuse or make an excuse when asked for a tour? This action seemed both rash and imprudent, unless the aim had been to capture him and the Doctor and use them as hostages. But then, why not do so immediately? Why play along with the investigation?

Stafford shook his head, as if to clear it. For the moment, it would do him no good to speculate - the best course of action was to seek a means of escape, or failing that, communication with the Doctor or the ship. In the dim light of the single lamp, Stafford began to examine the walls and the door of the room, looking for a flaw or weakness that he might exploit.

liason · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject:

Some time passed - perhaps half an hour. Lieutenant Stafford had reluctantly reached the conclusion that the room's weakest point was the wooden beams of its ceiling. As well as being all but unreachable, he had some concerns over the safety of damaging it.

Then he heard a key turning in the lock.

The door was pushed open and a shadowy figure stepped into the cell...

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Having surveyed the room to ascertain what weaknesses he could, Lieutenant Stafford determined that any efforts at the door or walls would prove futile, and quite possibly dangerous. Therefore, he resolved that his escape would have to be effected through a ruse or attack on his jailors. Assuming that they did plan to keep him as a captive, and not leave him to starve, food and water would have to be brought eventually. Then it would be a simple matter of incapacitating the guard, finding the Doctor, and escaping - fighting their way out as necessary. Fortuantely, the Doctor was a good shot. Stafford sat down to wait.

At the sound of the key in the lock, Lieutenant Stafford was on his feet, and moving quickly, took a position in the shadows next to the door. His pistol was ready in hand. As soon as the figure passed him and entered the room, he sprang from his hiding place. Expecting the return of the treacherous Guide, he struck out at once. Wielding the butt of the pistol like a club, he brought it down with great force, hoping to knock his captor unconscious.

liason · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject:

Unexpected as the attack was, Liason's defence was not all it might have been. With great speed, he brought his hand up to grab the Lieutenant's arm. The force of the attack knocked Liason from his feet. As he fell, he rolled away from the door, pulling his attacker's arm round.

The Lieutenant broke his own fall without difficulty. Had they truly been mortal enemies, the two men would now have found themselves wrestling on the ground for possession of the gun. As it was, Liason peered cautiously at the Lieutenant, his fine black hair had fallen across his eyes, making him seem more like some kind of rag puppet than a diplomat as he rose to his feet and offered Stafford his hand.

"May I help you up, Lieutenant ? Whilst great apology is due for your inappropriate confinement, it was not my doing." Liason flicked a glance briefly over his shoulder, "And if you do not wish it repeated we should leave swiftly."

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Lieutenant Stafford allowed himself a moment or two of suspicion at the appearance of Liason and his statements. How could the man not be aware of the doings of his own servants? Or was it perhaps a mutiny of some kind? Nonetheless, it seemed that escape from the cell and the area was necessary, and as the man appeared willing enough to help him, Stafford hesitated only a second before nodding, and accepted the offered hand in getting to his feet.

Replacing the pistol in his belt, the Lieutenant responded. "My thanks for you assistance, sir. And seeing as I have no desire to remain imprisoned, please do lead the way." With his sword at the ready, Stafford prepared to follow the Ambassador out of the room.

liason · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject:

Liason hoped that the discipline and training he had seen aboard the HMS Justice extended to physical fitness. He ran swiftly through the corridors of the Foundry, avoiding a number of stairways which could have reached the customer lounges more swiftly in favour of routes less likely to hold ambushes.

The sounds of pursuers could be heard by both men. Not the footfall of heavy boots, but a scrambling, skittering sound like children playing.

Then Liason stopped suddenly, pulling aside a curtain hanging against one wall. Behind it was an alcove - he stepped quickly inside, then pulled Stafford in close beside him and pulled a short, golden rope. The alcove began to move upwards - like a stone dumb-waiter - until it opened onto a small courtyard. Liason breathed a sigh of relief to find it empty.

"Lieutenant, I will speak with you when chance allows, but for my own peace of mind I would like to escort yourself, Doctor Domenova and the other guests away from the premises until the present disturbance is resolved. The customer lounge lies just around this corner."

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Following where Liason led, Lieutenant Stafford ran through the corridors of the Foundry, trusting his companion to lead them through the mazelike passages and turns. He could barely spare a thought for how swiftly the slender man seemed to move, and had even less chance to contemplate the odd noises made by their pursuers.

Squeezed in close to the Ambassador in the tiny alcove, Stafford caught his breath, and wondered at the noises. Obviously they had been chased, but what could possibly make a sound like the ones he had heard? He did not have time to think on it further, however, as they had reached the courtyard.

"Your concern is much appreciated, and I will of course be certain to assure that Doctor Domeova, Quickgrip, and the girl are safely in the care of our marines before I do anything else. But if this is an attack or a mutiny of some kind, surely you will need assistance? As our Captain considers you an ally, I would not want to do less than my duty in offering aid. I would be more than willing to return once the others are safe."

liason · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:40 am Post subject:

Liason smiled a rather sad smile at the Lieutenant.

"Thankyou for your concern. The reality is that any assistance at this point might only make matters worse. I myself will probably remain unharmed. Any outsiders, however... The difficulty here is perhaps more a political dispute than a mutiny. Brought on by difficult times."

So saying, Liason led the way back into the lounge.

(This thread ends here)