((That's okay. No matter how much Lonny likes being the center of attention, this thread has more important things to deal with by now. I'll just declare my last post before this thread was moved up here to be about ten seconds or so after your previous post. Potentially further, since I thought Sebak was with the group when he apparently isn't at this point. So, wait, then how is Sebak over at the archery range when there's simultaneously a Sebak sitting in the coffee shop behind the rest of the group? Unless... the coffee-shop Sebak's another body-copy of the % entity! Uh-oh. I'm glad the characters can't hear beyond these double-parentheses.))
On the northwest side of New Caledonia, a cemetery took up an unassuming patch of ground on a low hill. Those living around the hill tended to stay away from it, since for some reason, the presence of numerous tombstones tended to make most humanoid species nervous.
The Yertis had no such reservations. After briefly scanning the area for other minds, it moved to one of the uppermost sections of the hill, stopping next to an unassuming tombstone dedicated to Makes-Things, the famed co-founder of DoSAT. Those agents that have visited DoSAT within the past few years would likely be very confused by its presence, but in truth, the gravestone was only there as a location marker. Makes-Things's body had never been found, for what were in retrospect quite obvious reasons, and the gravestone's value as a memorial site was only a beneficial side effect to its intended function.
The Yertis felt around with its roots close to the base of the gravestone, quickly locating a pressure switch that, if one were judging solely by shape and position, was originally intended to be stepped on. However, as a being possessing no feet, the Yertis instead activated the switch by pressing down on either side with two of its nearest roots until the Flower detected a distant grinding sound. It moved back a few feet as a small section of ground shifted, the gravestone tilting back with it to reveal a passage under the hill. Contracting its branches to keep them from hitting the sides of the corridor, the Yertis descended, pushing another switch on its way down to close the passage behind it.
Even after the tunnels widened out, it kept its branches clustered inward until it reached the central communications room, alerting a few of the technicians monitoring various streams of information from a subspace messaging device. One of those technicians looked up as his Flower superior approached him, the Yertis's ambient telepathy radiating irritation and disapproval as it advanced.
There had better be an extremely good reason for interrupting me during inspection, the Yertis said firmly. The recent instability in Headquarters isn't going to last forever, and I've been given a prime opportunity to see how my officers respond to unusual problems, of which I do not relish wasting a second.
"Actually, sir, what I needed to report may be tied to the instability," the technician replied, turning his swivel chair to face the Flower. "We've had reports of a god-mode Suvian posing as an Agent."
The Deputy of the Department of Internal Affairs was suddenly paying its full attention. Where? What is it? How much damage has it done?
"As of the most recent report, it's only caused acid damage to a few meters of road in Soeur Jeanne Avenue and the nearby buildings. We knew it was god-mode mainly due to its vast power set, which included shapeshifting, self-duplication, and a few other potential high-class threats. I say potential because it claimed to have them, but it also claimed to be a terror of gods and a devourer of worlds, so I doubt we can take anything it says at face value."
Where is it now?
"It's already duplicated at least once, so it could have secondary and tertiary selves anywhere in the area, and right now, all I have to go on is the report from a vacationing DTE Agent on the scene and one of our patrolling officers that reported it as 'a big scary thing that just showed up out of nowhere'. There's good news, though. Two Officers managed to destroy its primary body."
What did they use?
"A black hole."
Ah.
"Pity it wasn't something a little more portable," quipped one of the other technicians sitting near the subspace receiver. "We can't send people out armed with black holes, because we'd do more damage than it's-"
Be quiet, Pearson.
"Sorry, sir."
The Yertis paced about the small amount of free space in the communications room for a moment before turning back to the first technician.
Put the patrol officers on alert. Logically, this thing should hang low after its primary body died in so cinematic a manner, but the day Suvians behave logically is the day the Weeds grow feet, so we should expect anything. I also need Carpenter protocol active. If this thing can shapeshift, we need to make sure it isn't impersonating one of our officers, or one of the Headquarters agents running around the city. If it sends a duplicate into HQ, next thing we know it'll be trying to replace de Sod.
Normally, I'd say I don't want to alarm people, but since this thing's already spooked one of the patrollers and sprayed acid on one of our streets, it's safe to say they're alarmed already, so I just want to make sure the intruder's contained. Run checks on everywhere it might have been, just in case. We don't want to miss anything that could grow a new Suvian.
Oh, and another thing: give me the names of the officers who took out its first body and tell them good job from me; they'll be on the fast track to promotion if they keep that up, and if they're not mine, I'll put in a good word with the Tiger Lily at our next department meeting.
The Yertis shook its berries in satisfaction. That felt good. It's been a while since I had to give that many instructions. It looked down at the technician, who was still staring at the Flower as if anticipating him to speak again. What are you waiting for? I'm done. Get the orders moving.
Nodding, the technician turned back to the communication array, preparing to transmit as the Yertis moved back toward the cemetery entrance.
If I can position myself correctly, it said to itself as it ascended the stairs leading back outside, I might be able to pull off that inspection after all.
((I know, I make the bluntest names for protocols ever. Bluh. Anyway, I thought that we should see the reactions from the New Caledonia DIA to the problem of %, since the combination of Sigma's exonet message and an enormous monster made of snakes, eyes, and grasping appendages would likely get their attention, and thus, this scene was born. I hope it works.
If anyone wants to give a name and species to the unnamed New Caledonia DIA patroller or the unnamed New Caledonia DIA technician, feel free to do so. I deliberately left them without either in case people would want to. Just don't make it anything too silly.))