2018.01.06: Honeymoon in Scotland - Answering Badger's Call

2018.01.06: Honeymoon in Scotland - Answering Badger's Call

Honeymoon in Scotland - Answering Badger's Call
Brooke and Michael spend a night in Scotland
IC Date	January 6th, 2018
IC Time	Afternoon/Evening
Players	Brooke, Michael
Location	Glasgow, Scotland
Spheres	Gaian Garou

Sleep overtakes the newlyweds, each tangled up in the arms of the other; the bed sheets tangled up around both of them. For a time, the sleep is warm and peaceful. But then a persistent pinging, like a digital alarm clock, wakes Brooke from her sleep. Or... rather, lifts her into a state of lucid dreaming. She's fully aware, but still deep in the Dreaming. Looking around, can tell the beeping is coming from her laptop, which in the dream, is closed and set upon the dining room table of the hotel room.

Brooke rubs her eyes, and does not want to disturb her husband. She slowly extricates herself from his arms so as not to wake him, and then slips off the bed, gathering a sheet that was mostly on her side of the bed at the moment, and wraps it around her. She goes over to her laptop and opens it up to see what the noise was from.

The computer screen is black, and the amber power light flashes on and off, in time with the beeping. A second look at the black screen finds that it is too black, as if there is in fact no screen at all, and instead, a empty void of cold, wicked emptiness.

Brooke looks at the computer, and takes off the battery. She waits to see if that changes anything.

The beeping stops, the power lights stops flashing, glows solid for a moment, and then winks out. The screen returns to normal. The sound of wind comes through an open window behind her, followed by the fluttering of wings as a Merlin lands on the windowsill behind Brooke.

Brooke hears the wind and thinks to herself, 'When did we open a window?' She turns around and her eyes widen. "Merlin?" What is happening? This honeymoon is going all sorts of odd directions.

"The Kelly's need more of your help than even they realize," Merlin sings, her raptorial voice clear with mining in your mind. "Something insidious has silenced their totem, unknowingly cut them off. They are not fully aware of the threat, and are not equipped to deal with it." The Merlin flies fully into the room and lands on the top of the screen of the laptop computer. "But you are, Hushed Blaze. You can help them."

Brooke replies quite surprised. "Merlin, what can I do? It's just me and Michael here. I trust in you, but what can I alone do to help save their totem. What is there totem? What can you tell me?"

"Their totem Badger is fine," Merlin says. "But something insidious has come between it and their spiritual selves. Something small, unseen, almost undetectable. It has wormed it's way into their world. It is tainting their Sept's soul slowly, imperceptibly. It is focused on the Kelly Clan - their pack unwittingly brought it in somehow. Something to do with this," Merlin taps the screen of Brooke's laptop. "It breeds in this space; stretching it's foul tentacles into their livelihood; into their homes; into their souls. You must find it. An opportunity has opened, and Badger has sensed it. He is unable to help his dedicated directly. So he called to me. And now I call to you. Find the root of this darkness. It is similar to what had the cub you recently rescued." Merlin flies to the window. "Similar, but more subtle; and more deeply entrenched. Do not confront the pack with this yet. The poison will make them distrust you. They won't be able to hear your wisdom until the source of the taint is cleansed."

Brooke nods. "I hear you Merlin. I will do my very best. Thank you for your trust." She puts the battery back into her computer and turns it on, waiting to see what happens.

"The source is at the Duncan Household," Merlin bestows. "The Brother-In-Law of George Kelly. He is not aware of it, but the taint starts with him, in their home." Merlin flies from the windowsill as Brooke fires up her laptop again. The beeping starts up, the power light flashing on and of in time. That inky void reappears in the screen. A glossy, deep, endless pitch black that seems to pulsate with vile and malicious intent. Brooke looks closer, and suddenly the inky darkness explodes from the screen, screaming acerbic vitriol as it splatters onto Brooke's face; forces its way into her mouth and throat, into her nostrils, wrapping about her head, filing her ears, pressing in on her eyes with incredible pressure and pain. "Not your concern!" a dark, insistent voice scream into Brooke's mind. "This is not your concern!" The beeping intensifies; The pressure does too; Brooke feels something pop and her world explodes in pain.

But then she wakes up, safe in the bed with Michael.

Brooke's eyes pop open and she screams suddenly. She clutches to Michael, holding tight to him, her head buried in his chest.

Michael snaps awake, startled by Brooke's scream, and her sudden clamping against him. "What's wrong?" he says, panicked but still sleep-dazed.

Brooke just holds there for a few minutes, collecting her thoughts. "I had a dream. A very real dream. There is trouble. I have to help. Merlin came to me."

Michael sits up in the bed, and pulls Brooke into her arms, giving her some support and comfort. "What is it? What do we need to do?"

Brooke blinks a few times, going over it her head. "The Kelly's. Their totem, Badger, cannot reach them. Something is rotten here...it prevents Badger from contacting his children. Badger sought Merlin's help to come find me, as I was here and I have the ability to help. It is tied into the computers somehow. Some sort of taint. George's Brother-In-Law, last name Duncan - he brought the taint into his home without knowing it. I fear the weaver is involved. I was trying to look at something with my laptop in the dream, and it reached out and attacked me." She looks to Michael's eyes. "It was so real. I was really scared. But I have to help. Merlin asked me. He trusts me. I cannot let him down."

"That's who we're visiting," Michael says. "Connor Duncan - George's brother in law." He considers the issue and says, "So... do we go? I guess we have to. What's your plan? And how can I help."

Brooke considers it all. "I need to research on my computer first. Maybe write something up fast...like a virus checker that specifically can find this and destroy it within. I'm not really sure where to start. I can put together something on a couple of flash drives. One for you, one for me. That way, if we find it, either of us can plug it in and it will auto play and do the work." She kisses him tenderly. "Thank you for being here for me and being so supportive. I got to get to my laptop now." She slides out of the bed, and finds Michael's shirt and throws it on her. Her laptop is out swiftly and she gets it going.

Michael gets dressed, and then gathers an outfit for Brooke, letting her focus on the work. He gets everything together so that once she is done with her program, she can get dressed and they can head out for Dinner with Connor Duncan and his family... and find out just hat is going on.

Brooke gets her computer going, and starts hacking away at code. She types quite fast and while it all compiles, she starts some online searches through GlassWalker.net, and sees if she can find any more information to help make this code. Finally she finishes the program, puts it onto 2 flash drives, and sits back a moment while it all copies in.

"Done?" Michael asks, as Brooke copies the programs onto flash drives. "We should get going soon. I have an outfit set out."

Brooke looks to Michael and smiles. "You mean, I shouldn't go in this lovely ensemble?" She stands up a pulls at Michael's shirt she has on...and nothing else.

"Ummm..." Michael responds... uncertainly. "No?"

Brooke giggles. "Yeah, it is comfy, but probably not a look I should repeat again. Sorry about that." She turns back to her computer to pack it up, now that the program is done and flash drives ready to go.

Michael laughs in relief. "I thought... for a moment, I thought you were serious. Maybe thought you would use it as a distraction or something. Sorry!" He laughs again. "This is unexpected and... you'll be ok? What do we need to do when we get there?"

Brooke turns back to Michael, discarding the shirt that clearly is not the interesting tease she thought it would be. She walks over to find the clothes he laid out for her and begins to get dressed. "We can do this. Be on the lookout for any tech. I can kind of scan things and see what is going on. Especially if there are any computers, anything with a USB port. I'm bringing along some cords with me that will allow the flash drive to plug into a number of various types of devices. So we should be good there."

Michael smiles, enjoying it more when the shirt comes of than when she was teasing to wear it to the party. "Okay. So.. the plan is to go in for dinner, as we were invited. Act like everything is normal. While you... scan round for infected devices?"

Brooke finishes getting dressed, "Better?" She turns around for him, and walks up to give him a kiss. "Yes, go along just like you had planned. I will excuse myself at some point to check things. You keep them distracted."

Michael nods. He looks a little nervous - mostly because he feels like this is a mission, and he has not been trained for it, really. But he trust Brooke and says, "Sounds good. I'll talk about something I know. Jets and flying. Ok... so, ready?" He looks her over again, and is struck by how lovely she is. "You look beautiful" he tells her. Because she should know these things.

Brooke blushes and smiles to him. "Don't be nervous. Just think of how much we can celebrate...again...when we get this over with." She puts her hand on his cheek, "You are handsome. I love you." She kisses him softly.

Michael returns that kiss, an then the two newlyweds are on their way to the Duncan Household. They take a taxi, and soon find themselves just outside the urban center of Glasgow, where the city starts to give away to the countryside. There is a large wealthy suburbia, and next to a wooded parcel of land sits the Duncan Home distillery. It serves as both home for Connor and Rowena Duncan. The are allowed through the gate, and greeted at the door by the handsome couple. Connor is a huge, broad shouldered man with a well kept beard and short cropped hair, all salt and pepper now at his age. Rowena is tall and regal, her brunet hair silky and kept long. "You must be Michael," Connor says, shaking hands firmly, jovially. "And you must be Brooke." He takes her hand and offers a kiss to the back of it. "I'm Connor, and this is my wife, Rowena. George's Sister. We hear you helped our niece. Sounded like quite an adventure. Come in! Tell us about it over drinks?"

Brooke bows her head to Connor and Rowena as they are introduced. "Thank you for allowing us in your home. It is an honor to meet you both. We were the humble servants Gaia placed on the path to do what was needed. I do hope that Clara is doing well now that she is home."

"I just talked to Cousin Paul earlier today, and they are very grateful," Rowena says as she opens the door and invites their guests in. "We were delighted when we heard about your side trip to Scotland. Getting a special bottle of Scotch for your father, is it?" Rowena offers Brooke a friendly smile. "Well, we have our own label of course, but we also collect wide variety of fine Scotch. So we thought it'd be nice to sample some Scotch before dinner. If there is one you like in particular, we'd be happy to send a bottle along with you." The house is large, but rustically appointed. They are shown to a large sitting room, where company can be entertained for a time before moving to the dining room.

Brooke walks inside, keeping hold of Michael's hand. "You have a lovely home." She looks around, smiling as she admires all they have here. "Sampling some Scotch would be wonderful. I must admit, my father has the appreciation for it, more than I, but I certain we can enjoy trying it with you all." She follows them and finds a place to sit with Michael. "What else do you both enjoy, outside of Scotch? Do you have a specific role within the Sept here?"

Once inside, and seated, Connor gives their full introductions. He is Kinfolk; she is Garou: Homid Philodox Fianna elder that keeps check of the various packs within their Sept, as well as their extended family throughout the UK and the rest of Ireland. "My Brother, George, helps with getting information and materials back and forth by way of the Gliders I hear you used? They are very discrete way to move assets about without detection. And of course, we send our extended family bottles of our finest. Helps with our Solidarity, and keeps arguments and quarrels to minimum. We have a local custom of always coming to gather over Scotch as a first step to resolve any Family Disputes. They are most often conducted here on these grounds." They are in large, comfy chair with a low table between them. There are several bottles of Scotch open. While Rowena talks, Connor pours out small shot of the fine alcohol.

Brooke listens with rapt attention to all she shares with them. "Yes, the Glider was an amazing adventure. I had never flown in a plane or anything until after I met my flyboy here." She squeezes Michael's hand and winks to him. "He opened up a whole new world of adventure for me. I'm so lucky he saw me that day in the coffee shop." She takes a moment to beam with love to her husband before she looks to see Connor with the shots of Scotch.

"I'm the lucky one," Michael gently protests. "I saw her there, and I knew my life would never be the same. And it hasn't. We've had a wonderful adventure so far."

"That's right, you're a pilot," Rowena says. "Paul mentioned something about it. US Airforce?"

"No, Ma'am," Michael says politely, "I'm a Marine Airman. We're the Iron Belly of the Arial Combat Units."

"And what do you do, Misses Farman?"

Brooke replies, "I what they call a 'White Hat' Hacker mainly. I have various clients that I take care of their computer systems, make sure their security is top notch and kept up to date. If they have a hacker attack them, I swoop him, fix the problem, find the hacker, and try to get the authorities all the proof they need to arrest and prosecute them."

"That's fascinating," Connor says. "I don't follow it much, but one of my nephews is very much into computers. He built out a whole system here, and at our were house. A way to receive and fulfill orders, set out shipments, receives product for production, all of that. I thought it was foolish at first," Connor says, taking a small sip of his Scotch. "But we've increased productivity over thirty percent in those two years. It's been impressive."

Brooke hmms. "Really? Good for him, and you all. I would love to take a glance at it. Make sure your security is all up to par. Assuming your nephew would not mind." She reaches for her glass and takes a sip.

"Sure, I suppose," Connor says. "The ... what's it called... the servant? The main computer is in the distillery office. I can show you before we eat?"

Brooke smiles, "That sounds wonderful. I have a way with computers. Partly the Glass Walker side of me, partly natural talents. They bring me much peace and happiness." She takes her hand and rubs Michael's knee. "My loving husband here understands he has to share me with them at times." She grins to Michael.

"Well," Michael amends, "Her skills with computers are part of the reason I love her so much. She's nothing less than a genius. I work with a lot of smart tech's in the military. She makes them all look like idiots."

Rowena smiles and looks at Brooke, "I like your husband. He's very complimentary."

Brooke squeezes her husband with her arms around his torso. "He does know just what to say. But he certainly speaks the truth. I am a genius. I even told him that the day we met. And I do not let him forget it. Some may think of it as boasting. I see it as the truth. There are some things though that I do not know yet, but I strive to learn them. And some things he already knows, and thus compliments me well. We make a great team." She kisses Michael's cheek.

Rowena smiles, looking to her husband. "Taking notes, dear?" She is teasing.

Connor chuckles deeply and says, "Yes, my love. I will strive to be more complimentary." He looks her up and down, and then says. "Nice shoes." This makes Rowena laugh out loud for some reason. Far longer and harder than the jest alone would suggest. There must be a story there. But whatever it is, it is kept between the two. Connor looks at Brooke with a smile. "Drink up Lass, gotta choose which Scotch to send back to your father."

For his part, Michael just smiles and sips from his glass of Scotch. He looks surprised - it's far better than he expected. He's used to cheaper alcohol than what is being served here.

Brooke finishes up her shot of Scotch and shakes her red hair. "Woah! I should be more careful with that. It is good. Really good." She grins. "Before I have too much and Michael has to carry me home, I'd love to see that server of yours."

"The server!" Connor says. "That's what it's called. Sure. Come this way." He stands up, bringing his glass of Scotch with him. He looks at Michael and asks, "Mind keeping Rowena company a moment? She likes good compliments."

Rowena laughs again and says, "Oh, hush, Connor. We'll be fine here." She looks at Michael and says, "I know nothing of computers, so I can show you around the grounds while they pay with the machines?" Michael stands and says, "Of course. I'd be honored."

Brooke stands up, and winks to Michael, "I promise I will not stay too long. Just enough time to make sure our new extended family is protected as they should be." She kisses his forehead and walks off with Connor.

Connor leads Brook to the far end of their estate, and out a back door. They cross a short path to a smaller structure that serves as the offices for the distillery. Connor goes on and on about the history of the distillery, the property, and his clan. All details MichaelPlayer has yet to figure out. But once they are in the main office, he waves to the server in the office. "That's the one. That's where our data is stored, and all the ... computer stuff happens." He phone rings and he mutters, "Excuse me a moment, please." He steps just outside the door to take the call.

Brooke walks right up to the server, and looks into the system. She finds a place to insert the flash drive she so cleverly hid in her cleavage, and puts it in the port. She can see it start to do it's magic.

The program starts in right away, downloading itself and scanning the systems. It makes a link, traces files, digs through data. Once it has established itself, the software uses the system assets to ping Brooke's phone:

Protocol CleanSlate enabled....
1234 files scanned....
Anomoly detected...

Scanning...
Anomoly isolated...
Inserting derivative procedure....
Anomaly obliterated....
Careful - something is coming your way.

Brooke looks up and can see a black, inky tentacle writing it's way out o the frame of the server - no thicker than a pencil, but it is now several feet long. It looks to be blindly seeking out refuge in another device.

Brooke blinks. "Oh damn!" She steps away from it, deciding what she needs to do. This thing needs killed. Maybe...yes! She sees a tablet sitting on the desk, and she quickly pulls it to her. She hits some things on the screen and buttons on the side, and wipes it of all memory back to factory settings. She sees this thing coming further out, and she slides the tablet over to it so maybe it will take the bait. In the meantime, she pushes things out of the way in case she needs to shift. She will at some point so she can destroy this thing - hopefully within the tablet now that has no ability to reach the internet.

It does take the bait, the spindly tendril drilling itself into the port and downloading itself into the devices memory.

Brooke's phone chirps again:

System scan complete...
No Viruses or Malware detected
Sending activity log...

Brooke will later find out what the insidious little spirit was doing. For one, it had put up very clever barriers to block out the Clan's totem spirit, so the Wyrm Spirit could emulate it in its absence without the Garou noticing. On top of that, it was importing Wyrm tainted ingredients that, over time, would make the Garou and Kinfolk easy to track, infiltrate and spiritually dominate.

But for now, Brooke needs to act fast. Once inside the device, the nasty little spirit is recoding the device, trying to get access to the wireless functionality so it can escape.

Brooke grabs the tablet and heads outside of the room. Once out the door, she throws the tablet up and away from her like a frisbee, and suddenly, in a ripple effect, she shifts into hispo form! Hushed Blaze lunges up like a dog jumping to catch a frisbee. Her jaw them CRUNCH onto the tablet and she comes down on all fours, mangling the device and everything within it.

The teeth and claws of Hushed Blaze dig into the device, and a sickening smell and test erupts from the electronic guts of the ruined tablet. You sense a furious wailing, and then it dies a way. Something has been lifted from this place, erased. And instantly, in it's place, a Badger totem spirit appears. "Tenacious," it says. "That small Wyrmtaint is no more. I know your name, Hushed Blaze. You have Honored this place." The totem looks around and says, "Speak nothing of this. There is still a taint in their blood. It will pass in time, now that I am back. But I fear my Children will not yet understand if you confront them with this."

Hushed Blaze nods her furry head, and says, <<I will set it up so I keep updates and keep tabs on their systems. Be sure nothing lingers. They are my family here now too. I will protect them. Watch over them and if I can do anything further, or you get blocked again, seek Merlin and she will find me.>>

"You do us Honor, Hushed Blaze. Your deeds will not be forgotten." Badger approaches, holds its paw over a spot on the ground and says, "Take this as our Pack's thanks. A small gift to remember us by, and a gift we will always keep giving." A bottle of Glenlivit appears. "Once empty, place out of doors under a full moon, and it will refill itself by morning. I think a fine gift for your Father?"

Hushed Blaze smiles with her wolfy grin and teeth showing. <<I am your humble servant, Badger. I will take this to my father and tell the tale of your generosity to my pack, and my Sept. Thank you deeply.>>

Badger withdraws and vanishes, leaving the bottle as the only evidence of it's presence. From inside the office house, Brooke can hear Connor calling out, "Misses Farman? Misses Farman?" And edge of worry on his voice, fearing he has lost his honored guest.

Hushed Blaze shifts quickly back into Homid form. She tosses the wreckage of the tablet into the bushes for now, and picks up the bottle. She walks back toward the building she ran out of, and into the office. "I'm here Mr. Duncan! I thought I saw something strange outside. A badger prowling around. I just had to see it."

Connor looks relieved when Brooke appears, and then smiles. "The Badger is my our Pack's totem. That you saw him here is a good sign." He motions to the computer and asks, "So, everything look secure?"

Brooke walks over to the computer and withdraws her flash drive, and picks up her phone she left behind. "Yes, tip top shape. I always bring this little flash drive with me so I can run the proper diagnostics and make sure systems have no holes in them. I found one loop hole that could effect your purchasing system, and closed it so no one could tamper with it. If you do not mind, I'll make sure to contact your nephew and offer my services for free to make sure you are always safe."