Infinity PbP - Sunz of VaudeVille

That was understandable. For all their preaching Kenn knew Tohaa were not a equality species. Coming up with excuses for other species not being on the same level as them. Unless the aliens were more advanced than themselves.
Though it did sting a bit to be compared to his erstwhile brethren. But he was a stranger so how else was this creature going to view him besides the same light as other Tohaa?

 

That news was very worrysome and Father Beretta wondered if it was something related to their quarry at large (frankly the bothering of "Escaped Pan-O Spoiled Brat" started to seem "Galaxy Wide Spy Chase" as complexity and deepening of issues were) or if it was related to the past of one or more of the Squad Agents of Sunz (when You draw Talents from ALL the Human Sphere, and Beyond, the "Baggage" become rather. . . . .interesting !!) or if it was just a "Mothership / Module / Local Crime" manner of treating suspicious groups of strangers. . .

Written message, taken with smart angles to avoid even Long-Range Digital Lasercams could be a solution to avoid eavesdroppers, but maybe a further "Level Of Encryption" could be useful too, even if the Tohaa Squadmember could not communicate easily Complex Messages with their weird Pheromonal Language there were other options. . .

Quickly the Blackfriar Inquisitor scribbled (on a Synthpaper Napkin to be soon incinerated by one of the Maui Candles on all tables, everpresent to reinforce the "Hawaian Feeling" of the Module Beach) a quick Numerological Cyphered Code based on the most basic Kabbalah Numerology Rules; the fascination with the "Number Three" that the Racial Culture of Kenn-Taal showed and their tendence to categorize everything in Holy References made incredibly similitudes with the Bibliological Studies that Father Pietro Beretta has done and so could offer a potential "Secret Language" that would be incredibly difficult to crack for the Outsiders spying on. . .

 

Watching Void flip off some random stranger, Saito chuckles and asks the crabbot if it would like to share?

Getting another drink and ordering one for Material as well, he raises his glass and continues talking, trying to make a contact out of the duo and see if he can't get anymore insight into the missing girl business. Trusting in his team to deal with the intrusion. If Saito was worried about the hack.... and he was. He expertly didn't let it show. Even though he was too paranoid to not think about just how long the hacker had been in their network.

 

Father Pietro Beretta was psychically exhausted but spiritually elated to have worked a functional Cypher based on Esotherism and Shared "Holy Numerology" between two Species, and Culture, so distant as Humans and Tohaas; while it was far from a complete and exhaustive Comparative Theological Essay on Kabbalah and Neebab similarities, it was a robust work that resonated deeply to the fact that the Italian Priest was not only a Black Friar, a Domenican Inquisitor, a Private Cop and a Street Detective, but also a Teacher and a Researcher. . .

The more pressing need was to ensure Security against Quantronic Eavesdroppers, but in the near Future, when that weird mission on "Mad Carnival Mothership" was finally terminated, could be a good basic footing for a Shared Cultural Essay written two-handedly by both of them, as what was sure was that Kenn-Taal was EXTREMELY Eager to find Shared Commonalities and Spiritual Comparatives between "Hairless Apes" and "Artichoke Heads" (a Joke that the Father had heard was common Slur amongst the Basest of the Combined Army Troops, a Xenocivilization that instead was not interested in "Gentle Bonding Through Communion" but only in "Forceful Military Assimilation"). . .

Just to test a little the New Encrypted Comms then Pietro Beretta asked to Samira how to proceed with that Avenue of Exploration; as a Nomad Citizen of the Mothership and an Enhanced Genemodded Physique then Taisa would be the perfect choice to meet this Seek-Fish Fellow in a Non-Humanoid Friendly Environment, but at least One or Two Investigators should escort Her to be sure. . .

Happenstance of an Opportunistic Criminal Hacker or Direct Attack of a Mercenary Netrunner, the Invasive Data-Mining from an Hostile Force was a sure signal that this specific Habitat could be considered "Moderately Hostile" both in Analog Reality and Digital Quantronic Realm; better be safe than sorry. . . . .!!!

 

"Dont say anything about that. Its not easy to get accustomed to his companion. Standing still, watching, waiting. It can get to you if you sit with them alone in a room, but Kenny? I dont know why but he seems to not get along with his own species but still an interesting travel companion.
Getting a view of someone that isnt human opens intersting conversations and opinions."

 

Kenn thought about going into the reasons he was ostracized by his kind as "the weird/cringe one" but reneged on that decision. He might say too much and these were strangers after all. Best not to spout too much details out loud & outside the Sunz group.

The Padre had been congratulatory to Kenn for his effort in making the new esoteric security code for the Sunz personal use. It might the Artichoke feel "belonging" more so than his past endeavors with group dynamics. Be they Tohaa or Human. The Sunz was shaping up to be a family for him to stay with. A sentiment that he hope would become reality depending on what course events transpired in. And since the priest hinted at wanting to talk to Kenn after this Bakunin Bungaloo to converse about topics of interest the dream seemed to entrench itself deeper in the Tohaa's mind.

 

"None taken," came the Japanese man's reply. "I understand that people on Bakunin are.... Unique."

Having Shadow deliver a message to Padre Pietro Beretta and Kenn thanking them for the code in said code they just wonderfully came up with, he also asked in said message if there was anything they needed of him? Otherwise he would continue to chat with his 'new friend.'

 

The Blackfriar Inquisitor demuredly diverted Saito's Praise on the Tohaa Biotech Scientist-Physician, as the Neebab Numerology of that Millennias Old Alien Civilization was so nuanced and deeply complex to be almost unfathomable, and the Italian Priest just found some Basic Arithmetical "Prime Numbers" Cypher-Significations, employing some rather antiquated Hebrew Kabbalah Mathemathical Esotherism that hailed from His "Old Testament" Studies during a Sabbatical on the Dead Sea Excavations on Ancient Earth. . .

Then used the newly hashed out Cypher-Code to express a multiple-queried question about their actual predicament. . .

Perhaps Kenn-Tal was the best "Ambassadors Of The Suns" for speaking with this Seek-Fish Uplifted Cephalopod; seemed that was a Sentient rather ideologically hostile, albeit in a veiled manner, against "Ground Dweller Hairless Apes" so the Extremely Complex Xenocivilization and Biomethabolism of the Tohaas could be an "Icebreaker Starting Opener" about Nonhumans in a Human-Centric Sphere. . .??

Maybe the Chaksa could be left with the other Detectives on the Beach, to provide some "Muscles" should some mishap happens; before, in a lull moment of the Investigative Efforts, Pietro and Kenn mused if Hyperbasic Commands would allow other of the Investigative Group, rather than the "Designated Master", be able to effectively direct in a tactically sound manner the "Vat-Cloned Manservant", should the need arise. . .??

In that case, to escort the Tohaa Biotechnician the best Choices would be Saito, extremely athletical and well trained in counter-ambush, along with Taisa, whose enhanced Gene-Modded Physique and Experience in Bakunite Weirdness, were serious assets in whatever circumstances would happen; also both were the most aptly trained Close-Combat Unarmed Experts of the Sunz Detectives, as the actual circumstances constrained their roster of Strategical Avenues. . .??

 

Welcoming was not the word Kenn would describe the experience. Granted he was breathing but the sight of water flooding in covering the room at the sight of water replacing all of the precious oxygen filled air caused his body to be on edge. Which was natural considering Tohaa can't breathe underwater. Plus the warning that nanomachines, his only line of defense between life & death, possibly running out didn't help matters either. Now he had that possible outcome nagging in the back of his mind.

After getting past the fright of being surrounded by liquid death, Kenn could see why land-lovers would dare to submerge themselves into the sea. The sights were memorable but he could easily just see these things on a Mayacast program without the danger associated with diving deep. Let the crazy humans who enjoy this extreme sport gather visuals to view later or better yet a Helot as mankind called the fish people of Varuna. If it wasn't for this need to gather information Kenn could safely say that he'd never want to enter a water logged area again. Regardless if it was the oceans below or the oceans above called outer space.

 

And now he had lost contact with outside help. It was getting worse as time went on. Oh the fish took the words out of Kenn's shut mouth. Lets get this over with.
Kenn "I'm looking for a Human female named Loren Dixon. She is a PanOceanian runaway of 17-18 years of age. Sources say that you might know of where she is or at least an idea of where she could be. You might have also come into contact with her under an alias she might be using. Besides any modifications she has done to distance herself from her past life. If you could expound on any details of people who match that I'll be leaving you be."

 

Still making polite chit chat with his new friend, Saito suddenly loses contact with Kenn. Turning to take in the surrounding once more, Saito looks at the others to gauge their response to the situation.

 

That was easy. Kenn did not feel any attachment to his species at large so revealing some dirty secrets that he knew or heard of was no problem for him.
Kenn "Well there is many secrets or rumors that pertain to the Tohaa. One I know from personal experience is that the ascension or my species version of the uplifting process has some shadiness to it. Only one alien species complained about being ascended. They accused the Tohaa of manipulating their genetics & mind to become subservient to their new allies. These accusations lead to some Tohaa forces to seize the planet. After that there was no more talk about negative impacts on being exalted. But the whole situation never sat right with me. While the majority of my peers believed the government's take that a minority of the alien's population was spreading falsehoods against us. Then again perhaps more my species didn't believe the story but since it was socially acceptable to go along with it they didn't say anything. Peer pressure. All species have some form of it in their societal makeup."
Kenn "I also know form personal experience that that whole triad system of the Tohaa is not what it is cracked up to be. If a Tohaa is kicked out or has to move out due to a couple bringing forth a baby they feel as though it is imperative that they must join another triad. My personal example included me being kicked out by my parents due to another child being born. Plus they saw me as weird or undesirable much like most of the Tohaa I met in life. I was not in-sync with what was considered Tohaa societal norms. Including the concept of triads sharing their sexual experiences together. As I don't see the need for sexual procreation for fun instead of advancing a species' population. Along with the concept of a bisexual lifestyle being promoted and holding to a one child policy per families. These however were cast aside when the population needed a boost. Then hetero opposite sex couples & multiple child propaganda was promoted in times of war where the planet or system was besieged. Of course you would hear of rumors of the higher ups in society not following these rules at all. Among other less savory things..."

 

The loss of contact with Kenn was alarming, but unfortunately not unforeseen on Father Beretta hindsight; while open and welcoming "Tourist Honeytrap Attitude" was prevalent on the Vaudeville Mindset, they were skirting the Praxis Black Labs unsavory limits of "Heavily Limited Access" structure in that Ocean Module; simply it was that instead of Armed Guards, Unbreakable Bureaucratic Layers or Quantronic Limitators it was the very phyisical impossibility of Air-Breathers to act efficaciously in an Underwater Environment to form a permeable, but problematic Barrier bewteen Fixers and Prospective Clients. . .

Awaiting if Samira, Taisa or Saito had something on the issue at hand, then the Black-Friar Inquisitor rapidly checked on Igor available Biomonitor Logs; without prior foreknowledge if a Uplifted Chaksa was liable to act as a Robotic Drone Remote or instead as a "Trained Attack Pet" the Italian Priest deferred to prudence and fact-checking. . .

But as Kenn hinted that Peripherals are controlled by Tohaas with Pheromonal Commands was reminding Father Pietro of the very dangerous manner of Ariadnan Military Handlers to issue commands to half-trained, half-domesticated Antipode Warbands and so better to be erring on the cautious side. . .

 

Arching an eyebrow at the image sent his way threw Saito for a loop. It can only mean that the intruder really was in their system longer than he wanted. Material certainly noticed the sudden change in Saito, for which Saito chatted briefly before saying his goodbyes and that business calls.

Looking at the message again, Saito has shadow scan it for hidden bugs before making a copy. In an uncharacteristic move, Saito replies straight away with a simple hook. "I wasn't aware I was... Fucking with your business."

Standing up and glancing around the area just to double check, the Japanese man makes his way over to the inquisitor and pulling him up and with him, Saito makes some half hearted excuse to walk the beach and enjoy the scenery. But in reality he informs Pietro about the message and shows him the copy of the picture. "Father, I believe we really need to check up on BPG. And what's your take on working together? Or should we expect to make an enemy of this group and we will need to deal with them? Should we release the Christian dog of war?"

 

"This is a very worrying problem, my Good Friend Saito! We need to understand if this Nitkin really means that by just searching for Lauren Dixon we are interfering with the Business of this Criminal Goodfather-Oyabun, or if it is just We mucking around those earlier zones that We somehow inadvertendly stirred some problems, when We released Obnoxious Punkette Lady Heartbreaker from the Moderators Juve-Cubes, or offered to broker peace with those harassed shopkeepers. . .!!"

"Those last issue specifically resonate with Me, as I'm from Italy, and here is Centuries that We have to cope with Extortion Rackets (called "U Pizzu Della Cosa Nostra" in Sicilian Mobsters Mafia jargon) imposed by some half-hassed self-styled "Padrino Della Mafia" Gangleader-Goodfather; but is NOT to solve Street-Crime Racketeering with Bakunin Shopkeepers that We are on this Mad Carnival Circus Mothership. . .!!"

"On top of this also Tunguska (our "Home Turf") has "Criminal Law Directives" that are clearly defined, with Compensations and Fines that are precisely labeled; here on Extravaganza-Jokerland I don't even know if they pay Bribes with those absurd Social-Energy-Money-Not-Money that they have, rather than with REAL Skender-Credits Currency. . .!!"

"Best to quietly share those infos also with the rest of the Team; Taisa especially will counsel Us all what will pertain an apparently powerful Chimera Pitfighter like that Brandy so easily vanquished, captured and apprehended. . .!!"

"While we gather Intelligence and plan whatever Counter-Measeures will be most appropriated (considering that We are on Potentially Hostile Territory, Unarmed and Unarmoured, in this very moment !!) best also to let Kenn-Taal obtain the much needed infos on Carmen Sandieg. . . . .eeerrm Lauren Dixon, to finally narrow down the Location of the escapee Rich Spoiled Brat. . .!!"

"With the hope that REALLY that Varunian Glitterati Beaverchild is JUST a Runaway Estranged Teen; maybe is just the fact that Black-Friar Inquisitors are trained to see Panoceanian Conspirations everywhere, but something stink overmuch of Hexaedron False-Flag Operation there, maybe to locate, and neutralize Helots Sympathizers of the Liberto Guerrilla Movement. . .!!"

. . . . .

While quietly conferring with the Undercover Shinobi, then the Dominican Order Knight-Priest casually looked the Holovistas around, to locate the Probable High % Avenues of Attack; in His informed opinion, a so heavily Remote-Operated Module, Weapon-Restricted Place, like this Fake Oceanic Beach would means that a potential assault would need proficient Hackers commandeering some dangerous Crab-Like Industrial Heavy Drone or similar issues. . .

Far less probable was the unlikely option of seeing screaming Combat-Drug Frenzon-Hopped Morlocks charging from a Module Door, with Assault Pistols firing and swoshing Mono-Cleavers, maybe in a Pincer Maneuver with Amphibian Varunan Natives emerging from the shallow waters with Submachineguns and Light Shotguns. . . . .!!!