Planet Genesis -- The Capitol

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She chuckled, "It is, trust me I been there." Softly her face faltered before returning back to normal. "anyway... i uh have no clue what else to ask." Thaila said sheepishly.

Kay frowned, looking to the others in concern. What was that about?

he remembered the tablet, tapping it to bring up the message Dawn had forwarded.

oh no.

He gulped, looking to Matt and shoving the tablet toward him.

Matt read it. "Shit..."

Asher watched the Inquisitors leave, nervous at their obvious concern about whatever they had just been told, looked over at Kay and Matt when he heard Matt swear. "What is it?" he asked quietly.

Ellie frowned at the Inquisitors' hasty exit. Huh. She didn't hear Matt though.

Matt leaned over to whisper to Asher, indicating the others should all kinda huddle in. "Web's collapsed."

Kay took his tablet back. [It means he's had a vision, which is never a good thing.] He chewed his lip anxiously, craning his neck to see where the inquisitors had gone. He was worried this was related.

Starr looked to Kay and Matt after the Inquisitor left, frowning at the outburst then asking what had happened.

Shane was watching Merith with a frown. He really did want to end his life, didn't he? He glanced around, wondering if it would break any rules to go and talk to him.

Asher frowned. He was pretty sure Web didn't normally have happy visions, so presumably that was a sign of bad things to come. And with the Inquisitors gone, well, that made things all the more ominous. "That doesn't sound good," he said quietly. He looked to the door the Inquisitors had left through, hoping they would return soon, and make it clear that these incidents were unrelated.

After a while, the Inquisitors reappeared, taking their places at the front of the room again, but looking deeply concerned. "This trial is being postponed," one Inquisitor said, "It shall be rescheduled for a later date, which has yet to be decided."

"WHY?" Ellie yelled.

The Inquisitor frowned at her, but answered. "An Aketi technology research and development facility has been destroyed. Reports from our Scouts confirm that this attack was carried out by he Family."

Starr raised her chin at that report then looked to Merith and back "Will you allow Merith to fight the Family with us if he chooses to? Our main purpose in coming here was to have a safe place to leave the children so that we could battle the Family without fear for their safety, and I would prefer to do so with Merith with us."

"You can be assured that we will be considering the matter of Merith's place in the war carefully, on the chance that the war may reach us before a verdict has been reached. We will not offer any stance on this issue until we have considered the matter further," the Inquisitor told Starr.

Kay looked worried, he looked to Asher, gulping.

Matt frowned and stood up. "So does that mean we can go?" He was clearly eager to do so. If the family were on their way here, he did NOT want to be this far from Thalia and the rest of his family.

Mourn got up on his chair. "They come here, we need prepare!"

Swarm buzzed in agitation.

Armin ducked his head and prayed hard to his goddess quietly.

Asher looked at Kay and tried to be reassuring. But nope, he just... couldn't quite manage it right now. He looked to the Inquisitors, "Did the Scouts give you any information indicating why the Family targeted the Aketi's research facility?" he asked.

Starr frowned. She did not like the idea of Merith being locked up if it came to a fight here, but she listened for an answer to the questions already asked.

"The Scouts are investigating the situation further. We should have a full press release by the end of the day," the Inquisitor said. "This court session is adjourned."

Ellie stood hastily, looking a bit dizzy.

Asher stood as well. "Let's head back to the ship."

Kay nodded.

Matt didn't wait for anyone else, he stepped backwards and disappeared, leaving only the faint ripple of reality in his wake.

Kay frowned, gathering his things and forcing his way through the crowd as people started to leave en masse.

---

Out in the city people seemed to be getting uneasy, the big screens set up to view the trial had stopped broadcasting, instead showing a statement claiming the trial had been put on hold and everyone should return to their business.

Esk didn't think that boded well. He got up and headed toward the court house to see what was going on.

Shane stayed close to Ellie, he didn't want her getting hurt on the way back with how ugly the people had been before.

Starr closed her eyes then sighed and tried to go to see Merith. If they didn't let her, she would return to Vestia.

The Peacekeepers moved to block Starr's path to Merith. "You may speak to him once he has been returned to his cell," one said. "Sorry, ma'am."

~~
The crowds outside were much less angry now, mostly they were confused by the abrupt halt to the proceedings. Besides which, many had gotten bored and wandered off hours ago. Oops?

Ellie clung to Shane's arm as they walked.

Asher stayed near Kay, and watched the crowd worriedly.

Kay remained close to Asher, walking practically shoulder to shoulder with him. He looked worried.

Mourn was small and didn't much care if he knocked people down, she he raced on ahead.

Armin waited for Star as the peace keepers blocked her path. "He will be alright Miss Starr, have faith." He reached out to touch her shoulder. "We should return to the ship."

Star looked to Armin then sighed and nodded "I hope so" She said softly before turning to walk with him back to the ship

Armin bowed his head. "Perhaps this delay will be advantageous, if they allow him to fight perhaps he can finally atone. " He sounded worried though, he didn't much like the idea of war coming to them.

--

Esk caught up with Mourn who explained what had happened as they walked back to the ship.

(To Vestia?)

(yessh)

(Dawn, Web, Tala, and Asher arrive from Vestia)

The group headed for the official buildings to look for an Inquisitor or two to talk to.

Dawn walked with them, looking around to make sure everything had calmed down a little.

Web kept his eyes focused ahead, ignoring the random locals and refugees.
He dropped effortlessly into politics mode, his expression serious.

They found a guard and Web bowed his head gracefully. "We seek an audience with one of your inquisitors." His tone made it clear he wasn't prepared to argue about this.

The city was quieter now. People were speaking in hushed voices, speculating about the interruption of the meeting. They watched the group from Vestia curiously, but didn't approach them.

The guard looked at Web with a frown. "The Inquisitors are occupied at the moment, they have a few matters to attend to before they can talk to guests."

"yes, i'm well aware they're busy, we're here to lend our assistance. These people have knowledge that may be invaluable to this guild and everyone in it." Okay that might not have been totally true but hey.

The guard looked unconvinced. "Look, I know Asher--you are Asher, right? Not the other one--was at the trial today, but none of you guys are really qualified to be consulting with the Inquisitors at this time. We're very busy handling this situation."

Asher sighed. "We've dealt with the Family twice, and we have a lot of experience with Keepers. Please let us in." He added in almost a whisper, "We have control of all this Universe's dakkon daggers."

The guard's eyes widened at that reminder. "Right this way," he said, and lead them toward one of the buildings.

Web smiled at Asher, yep, that'd do it.

He followed the guard.