The first seal

[srwu_npc]

"It's not usual for me to talk to you directly. Today's circumstances are nothing but usual." In Fort Alhambra, you have a strange announcer. An unassuming middle aged man in a suit, the ESUN inspector - some of you met him before, but for many it's the first contact with the inspector, who usually talked to the commanders only.

"Apollonius Gavin spoke of the voice calling to him. You suspect it's the Lady - so do I. I hope I'm wrong, but we need to prepare for the worst case scenario."

"The Lady told him about the seals, and how breaking them will allow him to change the world as he wishes. That is the truth. The Lady cannot lie, but she may manipulate others with sweet half-truths and not mentioning important details. I'm sure she uses Gavin as a tool for some goal of her own. Preventing Gavin from getting his hands on further seals is Unity Group's priority."

"From the remaining two, one was given to SSR and to the best of my knowledge is still in their headquarters. The second... is in possession of Gavin's uncle. His development labs, to be precise. Lastly, to be broken all three seals need to be brought to the Discovery, where Professor Dupond's research staff is still working. We're going to inform these locations and make sure they are heavily guarded and ready for an attack."

"An attack that's just a matter of time."

Comments

[actuallyselfish]

"How in the hell did Gavin's Uncle get his hands on the second seal?" Dido blurts out. "It's far too shady to be a coincidence!"

[srwu_npc]

"The seals are potent and generate energy. From how conventional physics see it, they are an infinite power source." The inspector shrugs, like it was no big thing.

"Someone high up in ESUN decided to tap that power for betterment of humanity. The laboratories Gavin's uncle worked in were in charge of that."

[a_centered_mind]

The records say that Gavin got his machines from his uncle...

Is there any reason to suspect that the seal may have been involved in the construction of those units? Or did the guy only get his hands on it recently?

[srwu_npc]

"The reasons are plenty. I do not have access to the research records - but considering the track record, it is more than likely."

[a_centered_mind]

Then, that thing about the voice might be this Lady reaching him through whatever influence she has on the unit...

It does seem like only certain people can hear her, at least.

[srwu_npc]

"That is also more than likely. All the pieces are coming together too neatly, I should have realized sooner." Arms behind his back, the inspector turns to the side, frowning.

"Gavin had no contact with the Lady prior to the Lady's Good Men being defeated. Or did he? He's not the kind to keep secrets easily."

[a_centered_mind]

If it's true, I don't believe every single bad decision he's made is because of the Lady.

But in the present, it's making his less desirable qualities worse.

[srwu_npc]

"Definitely. Even with his behaviour at its best, Unity Group members were rarely happy to see Gavin around. There's a reason for that."

[cloningblues]

Loni's uncle... Won't he try to pass the seal to Loni on his own? He already did everything he could for that jerk, and more...

[srwu_npc]

"Yes, this is the reason why his labs are being supervised now." Though still serious, the inspector has a bit of a sly look on his face.

"Even if Gavin's uncle has only his best interests in mind, is the opposite true? I recall Gavin had some choice words to say during his house arrest."

[cloningblues]

As if we needed more proof that Loni's an ingrate...

But at least this means that if he comes to get the seal, he'll do it armed. And we'll learn about it quickly.

[srwu_npc]

"Quickly enough. Gavin has a way of making his entrances conspicuous, so don't worry about early detection. All you have to take care about is make sure he does not get the seal."