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Object Class: Beta-White
Hazards: Grouped, Sapient
Additional Properties: Animated, Aquatic
Containment Protocols: As per the established agreement between the Authority and instances of RPC-413, the anomaly is required to surface at a minimum of once per week at an agreed location fifteen kilometers away from the coast of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Upon surfacing, troupe members (Designated as RPC-413-01 through -19) are to wait for the arrival of an Authority vessel for an hour.1 RPC-413 can return to its regular route after the meeting is finished, a one hour mark without any Authority ships appearing has passed or if a non-Authority vessel attempts to approach RPC-413.
The third week of each month, a group of 50 to 150 civilians will accompany the Authority staff on the vessel. The civilians are to be gathered by a front company called “The Cursed Cruise of Captain Calamari”, through the retail of tickets for a horror-themed weekend cruise. Whilst being accompanied by civilians, the vessel will use a different signal to notify RPC-413’s troupe of their presence.
Troupe members are premitted and encouraged to interact with the civilians through entertainment methods such as singing, attempting to frighten the civilians and taking pictures with them. RPC-413-01 through 19 are also allowed to board the Authority vessel should it be necessary, but are required to return to its own ship should the effort prove too exhausting or the end of the session approach.
An interview is to be conducted the following day, as that is when instances have proven to be more cooperative and open with interviewers.
Should the troupe members prove uncooperative or even show aggression at any moment, Authority Nautical Vessels “Leslie V. Dawson” and “Victor Carmen” are to be deployed to capture it. Upon capture, the anomaly is to be dragged onto dry land as a method of preventing it from escaping into the sea, and covertly transported to Site-095.
Investigation into the origins and identity of RPC-413-Thaumiel2 is still underway.
Description: RPC-413 is a heavily decayed and modified three story luxury yacht that is crewed by nineteen unique humanoid anomalies, designated as RPC-413-1 through 19.
The ship is covered in a wide variety of aquatic stationary organisms such as kelp, seaweed and barnacles. The ship, despite being of modern making, appears to have a number of extraneous pieces made of driftwood attached to the length of its hull; the most prominent of these is a large mast, positioned at the center of the vessel, the top of which holds a black and white flag. The flag itself contains a pyctogram that portrays, according to the aforementioned humanoid anomalies, a “cybernetically enhanced skull with vampiric/werewolf3 fangs, holding a ritual knife in its teeth”.
These pieces hold no functional purpose to the locomotion of RPC-413, but rather serve a cosmetic one to aid in both morale and “help act out the part for the show”, as admitted by RPC-413-04. Carbon dating identified the debris to vary from piece to piece, which corroborates with Instance 04’s claims of salvaging parts from various different ships they have found whilst sailing underneath the surface.
The way the vessel operates is inexplainable by both Authority researchers as well as the instances. The decay and modifications do not affect the ship's ability for locomotion in any visible way, and it is capable of easily travelling above and below the ocean’s surface. Additionally, instances claim water will not continuously flood into the interior of the ship whilst it is underwater unless a portal, such as a window or door, is left open. This results in the interior remaining dry for the majority of the time it is submerged
Locomotion of the vessel is presumed to be attained through the collective will of the instances. The ship will surface, submerge and move whenever the humanoids concentrate on those concepts. A group of three to five instances will be periodically designated as "navigators", during which they will be in charge of directing RPC-413 whilst the other instances are occupied with different activities.
Questioning the instances on the absence of a regular ship crew has lead to further confusion. Each one claimed that a crew was picked and known by RPC-413-T before the cruise began and that they have seen its members during it. But upon requesting details such as names, appearances and descriptions of their activities lead to varying, contradictory and imprecise answers. The instances seem to be unable to remember any precise detail relating to the crew and do not know whether they were victims as well to the anomalous event.
The anomalous vessel at the moment of writing has nineteen anomalous humanoids, which have been identified as members of the filk group4 “Stola’s Sonneteers” who have been reported missing as of November 1st, 2000. The group had previously departed from a public dock on the 28th of October for a 3-day holiday themed cruise, paid for by their producer, during which it is believed they were victims to an anomalous event.
The troupe members are not human anymore due to the effects of the anomalous event. The instances currently all appear to have the costumes they were wearing during the celebration incorporated to their physiology. Despite aspects of their novel physiology that would impede them from performing certain actions (i.e. speaking, walking, etc.), they remain equally capable to baseline human beings.
The only exception is RPC-413-T, who is suspected to have had a direct connection to the anomalous event5 and was not wearing a costume at the moment of it occurring. This is assumed to be the cause for its current state; the subject has partially fused to the exterior wall of the second floor, rendering him immobile and mute. It is unknown how the subject remains alive, as its lungs and vocal cords were destroyed or rendered nonfunctional as a result.
Initially presumed dead, other members of the troupe discovered that the subject remained alive and capable of moving his eyes and responding to exposure to light. Troupe members are sympathetic toward the subject, attempting to include him in group activities such as practicing songs, discussing or playing tabletop games on the floor he is situated in. Members claim that he enjoys these activities and the feeling of inclusion.
Of note should be the unorthodox reaction to their current state, which is being exhibited by the troupe members. Instead of exhibiting extreme stress, anxiety or even trauma associated with the sudden exposure to anomalous influence, passengers had shown content and even enthusiasm, believing this to be a “blessing in disguise” and a way of being able to commit fully to their chosen genre of performance. The current containment procedures were built around this attitude, as a way of avoiding unnecessary costs and staying in good relations with the troupe members since they have proven to be a valuable source of clues and insight regarding RPC-413-T's practices, as well as a slowly growing profit from the front company service.
The risk of instances leaving the ship is minimal, as doing so causes increased level of fatigue and pain the longer and further affected members stay away from the ship. Instances have expressed repulsion to the feeling, preferring to stay aboard as much as they can, leaving the vessel only during the weekly interviews and performances.
Discovery: On 2.10 2004, Authority web-crawlers discovered a lead on possible anomalous activity on an amateur cryptid tracker forum. A thread dedicated to cursed nautical vessels was suddenly flowing with activity after one of the forum members claimed he had filmed a ghost ship near the coast of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. The forum-goer corroborated his claims further with amateur footage of the ship sailing, as well as sinking beneath the surface. This resulted in a sudden influx of activity within the thread, which allowed for the web-crawlers take notice and receive enough information to attempt to track the anomaly by deploying Authority Naval Vessels6 to the area of the sighting.
Soon after arriving at the approximate location of the sightings, the ANVs managed to locate the vessel through the singing of the troupe members. The vessels quickly surrounded RPC-413, with ANV "Leslie V. Dawson" soon attempting to board it. Troupe members, likely mistaking the ANV for a civilian vessel, attempted to scare it off through screeches and roars, in response of which ASF personnel opened warning fire.
After a short panic and the troupe surrendering, Containment Officers boarded RPC-413 and began investigation of the vessel. One team, accompanied by a small number of instances, entered the ship insides to investigate it. Another conducted interviews with the remaining instances within the ANVs, the most relevant of which are available below.
Date: 4.10.2004.
Interviewer: Cpt. Christian
Interviewed: Instance 04/19, Ludwig Facemire
[Begin interview]
[413-04 is attempting to seat himself on the chair provided to him as he is waiting for Cpt. Christian to arrive. This is proven a difficulty due to the shape of his body.]
[As he finally manages to position himself in the chair by holding onto the edge of the table as a way of not falling off, Cpt. Christian enters the room]
Cpt. Christian: Good eve-
[413-04 suddenly uprights himself in response to Cpt. Christian’s greeting in its seat, causing him to lose balance and fall onto the floor. He uprights himself quickly before beginning to extend his arm towards the Captain, presumably to shake hands.]
[Before Cpt. Christian can react, 413-04 pulls back his hand and turns around to put the chair back on its legs. After that, he goes through a motion that is presumed to be the beginning of offering a handshake again, pulling the hand back into what resembles a salute, standing in the pose for a few moments before lowering the hand quickly and then putting it behind his back]
[This last motion manages to hit the chair, prompting it to fall onto the floor. 413-04 attempts to upright it unsuccessfully before giving up and returning his arms behind his back, looking at Cpt. Christian]
413-04: [Clears his throat and continues to stand in silence]
Cpt. Christian: …Good evening. Mr. Facemire, correct?
413-04: Yea- Yes, sir. Good evening.
Cpt. Christian: [Seats himself at the table] According to the other members of the crew, you are the leader of the group. Is this correct?
413-04: Yes sir. Leader and founder.
Cpt. Christian: Could you please explain what is your exact origin, as well as the cause of this behavior?
413-04: Oh, I’m from Portstmouth, and - uh - out of fun. Mostly out of fun. We started doing it first because we didn’t really know what else to do, and at some point it just went from boredom to a full-time gig.
Cpt. Christian: I meant- Never mind. What do you gain from acting in this way?
413-04: Mostly attention from the nightly beach-goers. If I heard correctly from the others, we became some sort of urban legend?
Cpt. Christian: Yes, that is how we were able to track you down.
413-04: [Laughs, with the skull’s teeth clacking in unison.] Oh man, that is fantastic! What do they say, are we scary enough? Are our songs good? Maybe some of them even attempted to get close? Honestly, we were expecting that’s what you guys were doing when we saw you heading for us and-
Cpt. Christian: Sorry for interrupting, but I need you to concentrate.
413-04: Oh yeah, sorry, sorry.
Cpt. Christian: What exactly caused you to come to your current state?
[413-04 pulls back and pauses for a moment. In a less excited tone, he replies.]
413-04: I… We don’t know. It was the third night of the party, and we were all in our costumes, singing songs and making jokes. When we gathered for the last song, there was this flash of light, and a burning sensation all over our bodies. When we woke up, we were scattered around the deck. It was only when I tried getting closer to one of my friends that I realized that our ship had also sunk.
Cpt. Christian: You were at the bottom of the sea?
413-04: [Nods] For a second I was so shocked I haven’t even noticed what I’d become. I remember sitting there, thinking whether I was supposed to be drowning, but it just felt like my lungs weren’t even there anymore. I tried swimming upwards, to get help, but then I just started getting tired and the burning feeling returned. I sunk back to the ship surface, and just kind of curled up, hoping that we get back to the surface.
Cpt. Christian: What happened then?
413-04: It was the shifting of water. It began slowly, but soon it increased enough that I realized that we were slowly rising. When we broke surface, I started trying to wake up the others. I tried taking off their masks but it was like I was tugging at their real faces. The ones without masks I couldn’t help either: I kept trying to breathe life into their lungs, but it felt like I was just making blowing noises. Luckily, they started to wake up soon by themselves.
Cpt. Christian: What were their reactions?
413-04: Somewhat better than mine. They were still scared and wet, trying to get out of their suits with no avail. When we were all up, I managed to calm them down enough to start looking around the ship for clues. That was when we found Herbert.7
[413-04 pauses again]
413-04: The first few weeks were tough. We didn’t need to eat, drink, sleep or even breathe, but we all felt like we were starving. We would surface from time to time, to see the stars, but we usually kept to our cabins. I knew I had to do something. So one night when we surfaced, I just started singing “The window through which the stars doth shine”. It wasn’t thematic to our situation, heck it wasn’t even that good of a song. But after some time, my voice was accompanied by the others.
Cpt. Christian: Is this when you began your activities?
413-04: Yes. We slowly got more and more used to our situations, some slower than the others. But I made sure to always have my troupe doing something, be it just talking with each other, playing games or participating in the search for parts for our ghost ship. I can’t see the faces of many of them, but I always felt their smiles.
Cpt. Christian: I see. Have you ever tried leaving the ship and accessing land?
413-04: Some of us tried leaving the ship. But after a couple of tries, we all realized we couldn’t really do it, from the pain. It wasn’t something we enjoyed, but we got used to it sooner than later. After some time, I started hearing laughter and conversations starting again around the ship. The frequency and intensity grew as time passed, and soon we were back in action! We knew we couldn’t sit around and do nothing, so we got to work, and continued making our songs and building a reputation as a cursed ship, one straight out of the folk tales!
Cpt. Christian: Understandable. I think we are done, at least for now.
413-04: Yeah… So, what now? Do you just let us go, or…?
Cpt. Christian: I’m sorry, we can’t. We still need to investigate what exactly happened, as well as hiding you from the general public.
413-04: You mustn’t!
Cpt. Christian: I understand your disagreement, but please-
413-04: I beg of you, don’t cut us away! This is the only thing that is keeping us together, you can’t just take it away from us, there must be some other way! Can’t we make some sort of deal?
Cpt. Christian: Well… I would have to check with my superiors, and I can’t guarantee anything but-
413-04: Oh thank you!
[413-04 jumps from his place and presumably attempts to embrace Cpt. Christian, before quickly pulling back as the present guards raise and cock their rifles.]
413-04: Uh. E-excuse me, sir. I didn’t mean to cause anything.
Cpt. Christian: It’s fine, but I would recommend you don’t do that again, at least not without a warning. The other officers are sometimes not as lax as their superiors!
[Cpt. Christian laughs, joined by 413-04 at a quieter scale, as he looks at the equipment of the present ASF officers]
Cpt. Christian: What did you have in mind?
413-04: I think we could-
[The door to the cabin is suddenly opened, with an ASF agent peering in]
ASF-B1: Sir, we got a problem. One of the instances is refusing to cooperate.
Cpt. Christian: Which one?
ASF-B1: The ghost one, sir.
Cpt. Christian: What does it want?
ASF-B1: She's refuses to speak to the other officers, requesting she talk to the highest ranking official. Says she won’t have it any other way.
Cpt. Christian: I must apologize mister Facemire, it seems I am needed elsewhere. Would you be willing to wait until I am done, so we may discuss your proposition?
[413-04 clacks his teeth in short succession, presumably in amusement]
413-04: My good captain, something tells me that you’ll get to discuss my idea sooner than you think!
[413-04 raises himself and approaches the door. As he does, it gets flung open by RPC-413-12, hitting him in the visage, sending him sprawling onto the floor.]
[413-12 storms past ASF-B1, and directs her attention towards Cpt. Christian.]
413-12: You must be Captain Christian? I am Dušica Kočić, manager of the troupe that is “Stola’s sonneteers”, I need to speak to you immediately about-
[413-04 groans from the floor, as he pushes himself up]
413-12: Oh my God, Ludwig! Are you alright? What are you doing there?
[End log]
Note: After 413-04 left, 413-12 and Cpt. Christian created the basics of the agreement that would be later approved, and become the Containment protocols. 413-12 would later evolve to become an official diplomatic representative and ambassador for the troupe, through which requests, deals and negotiations are conducted. The instance has proven to be cooperative and understanding of the methodology of the Authority, which allowed for an easier communication between the rest of the instances and the Authority agents.
As a way to further prevent suspicion of the anomalous nature of RPC-413, as well as avoiding the use of amnestics, the footage that appeared within the forum mentioned in the Discovery section was “confirmed” by the created front company to be an ARG8 used as a way of promoting the new service.
Date: 4.10.2004.
Interviewer: Cpt. Christian
Interviewed: Instance 019/19, Claude Gans
[Upon entering the room, 413-19 immediately rises from his seat]
413-19: I ain’t talking.
Cpt. Christian: [Under breath] God I don’t need this today… [Regular tone] Good evening. You are Claude Gans, correct?
413-19: Who told you that?
Cpt. Christian: Going by the physi-
413-19: Was it Ludwig? He never could keep his mouth shut.
Cpt. Christian: Sir, I would ask of you to please calm down.
413-19: Make me, copper.
Cpt. Christian: God’s sake- Charlie, could you please cuff him to the chair so we can talk?
413-19: You what?
[An ASF Officer begins approaching 413-19 with a pair of handcuffs.]
413-19: Oi, keep that away from me!
Cpt. Christian: Unless you want to continue your behavior, I’d be more than happy to tell Officer Charles to retreat.
413-19: Fine, fine. Damn, can’t you take a joke?
[Cpt. Christian signals for the ASF member to return to his position. As he does, 413-19 seats himself at the table.]
Cpt. Christian: Now that we got that out of the way: Could you please explain the relation between your group and Mr. LaVey?
413-19: Just that? Nothing like where are we from, our powers, whether we are gods or-
Cpt. Christian: The others already gave appropriate information relating to that, answer the question.
413-19: Of course they did, the cowards. There isn’t much to say about him really. He gave us money, and we used it to fund our efforts, or at least what Ludwig wanted to spend it on.
Cpt. Christian: Only that?
413-19: What did you expect, I’m not the guy’s mother.
Cpt. Christian: We were informed that you were closest to him.
[413-19 pauses and leans closer]
413-19: They did?
Cpt. Christian: Yes, were they wrong? I was told Ludwig as well seemed to be closer to him as well, maybe I should have another interview with him to-
413-19: No! I’m the guy you’re looking for, not that hack! What was the relation between us, that was the question, right? That one is easy. He is a filk enthusiast from Europe, who heard about us through one of our albums. He wanted to meet us in person, and when he saw that we were in the dumps with money, decided to give us a hand.
Cpt. Christian: Did he ever tell any of you the source of his funding?
413-19: No, why would he? He probably had it left over from his pension, or from something else, I dunno. I never wanted to pry, because I respected his privacy. That’s probably why he always chose me to give him a hand with various tasks, because he knew I was reliable, unlike Ludwig.
Cpt. Christian: You seem to hold a grudge against him.
413-19: You wouldn’t? The guy is in charge of a troupe of monsters, and what does he do? Sail around the coast, scaring sailors and beach party-goers. If I was in charge, we would be doing much bigger things, and actually use our problem to our advantage.
Cpt. Christian: In what way?
413-19: Shit man, do they breed dunces like you somewhere? I’m talking about… uhh.
Cpt. Christian: No, please continue, I am very interested in how you would utilize your anomalous properties in a different way.
413-19: Uh. Wait, you wanted to know more about Herbert, right? Did anyone tell you yet what happened before the party?
Cpt. Christian: Not to me personally, but do tell.
413-19: I think his money or his time was running out. He told me that the celebration would be the last time we would do something together, in private.
Cpt. Christian: Do you have any proof of this?
413-19: My own word, take it or leave it. Actually wait, wait, wait… He used to have a booklet he carried around. I think it was his diary or something, looked like one, and I saw him putting it in his pocket when he boarded the ship. The thing should still be in his cabin somewhere, or on him. Or in him. Shit, that’s gross.
Cpt. Christian: We will make sure to investigate it. Anything else?
413-19: Whatever it was, it probably was something bad. It seemed like he was slowly withering away. It was probably the big C.
Cpt. Christian: Cancer?
413-19: No, what are you talking about? I’m talking about cervicitis.
Cpt. Christian: But-
413-19: That shit is crazy man. I almost dodged it at a party once when some chick told me she had it, and didn’t want to risk it giving it to me, because it could possibly kill me.
Cpt. Christian: I… Oh, will you look at that, the interview is almost done. Do you have anything else to say about your producer?
413-19: I like to think that he enjoyed our time together more than he let on. I mean, he enjoys it now, but he probably did the same when he wasn’t part of the ship.
[ End interview ]
Note: After the interview, the booklet mentioned by 413-19 was found while investigating the sleeping cabin of RPC-413-T locked within a waterproof case underneath the mattress of the bed. Although locked, Researchers were able to break it open and take out he booklet alongside a small number of pencils, diagrams and as of yet unidentified talismans.
The booklet itself is written in an Anglo-Saxon dialect, as well as part of it being coded. It should be noted that as the code becomes less complex as the entries are written. This allows for Authority cryptographers to attempt to decode the entries, from end to beginning. As they are decoded, relevant entries will be added to the file, such as the one below.
Note: Documentation attained through recovered diary of 413-T. Due to the diary being codified increasingly from end to beginning, archiving will begin from the last relevant entry to the first.
28. 10. 2000.
I gave myself the pleasure of having a glass of one of my oldest wines today, for I am finally getting to murder the troupe of clowns that call themselves bards.
I have tortured myself for long enough, playing the role of a half-senile upbeat patron, forcing myself to listen to the mating call-like noises they call music. They ask me, ME, to tell them what I think of the songs. Half of it is either incomprehensible gibberish about ships in the skies or love blooming between moon elves and human rangers, with the other half being just historically inaccurate tales of supposed valor or embarrassment. How they came upon such information is still beyond me, even after this much time with them. But, as I looked at their faces, sheepishly smiling in delight as I told them of the cruise that would unknowingly become the place where they will spend their afterlife, I could not help but grin myself as I imagined their looks of horror as their souls get ripped out of their husky bodies.
Some of them are able to see the effects of the last ritual perishing from me. I played coy, like an old king pretending he was not dying. Let them make their own answers: With the number of people on that vessel, I will be able to return to an age I thought I would never reach again.
All I need to do is act surprised as they begin the incantation. By the time they realize what they are doing, it will be too late, and they will finally answer for the iniquity they had posed to me. As much as this ritual has grown repetitive through the many times I had cast it, this one I will take immense pleasure in.
I won’t bother going through the hassle of writing this section on a paper first, and coding it within this diary. I am in to much of a good mood.
Damn it all, I’ll have another glass. If all goes according to plan, I might as well finish the bottle afterwards. Who knows when a next cause for celebration will come?
Date: 15.12.2005.
Interviewer: Cpt. Christian
Interviewed: Instance 12/19, Ludwig Facemire
[Log begins post-discourse, after the submitting of item requests and discussing finer points in the agreement between the two parties.]
Cpt. Christian: I’ll be sure to send over these requests to the higher ups.
413-12: Please do, if I am forced to play that water-clogged board game again, I swear I will throw myself off-board.
Cpt. Christian: [laughs] Oh, don’t be like that Miss Kočić. I am sure that it isn’t that bad.
413-12: Oh, but it is. Trust me, there is nothing worse than spending moths, no, years being to forced to play the same games and sing the same songs.
Cpt. Christian: You don’t get along with the other performers?
413-12: It’s not that I don’t get along with them, I just don’t share their interests.
Cpt. Christian: But aren’t you one of the original members of the troupe?
413-12: They needed someone to help with finances and organization, and I was the only one that seemed to fit the bill
Cpt. Christian: But with your skills, which I had myself experienced, you could have landed a much better paying job. Were you not interested in the slightest in experiencing the process of creating performances and music?
413-12: No, you don’t get it, I was never interested in filk in any way, shape or form.
Cpt. Christian: Then why did you stay? Was it because of easy money, coming from Herbert?
413-12: No, it wasn’t because if that. You wouldn’t get it, it was-
[A short knock on the door is heard, with Ludwig peaking inside of the room]
413-12: Ludwig!
413-04: Oh, sorry, are you guys not done yet?
413-12: We, um, we are almost done. We must have talked a bit more than I tho- How much have we talked?
Cpt. Christian: We are near the end of the session.
413-04: Oh, then I am just being early, my mistake.
[413-04 continues standing in the doorway]
413-12: Uhm, Lud?
413-04: Yeah?
413-12: Could you close the door?
413-04: Oh, yeah! Sorry!
[Ludwig enters the room and closes the door.]
[Before 413-12 or Officer can react, he realizes his mistake and quickly exits the room, shutting the door.]
Cpt. Christian: …Really?
413-12: Shut up.
Cpt. Christian: I mean-
413-12: Shut up, shut up, shut up.
Cpt. Christian: OK, I won’t say any-
413-12: He’s just the nicest guy I have met, he just seems to be physically incapable of being an asshole. The entire troupe just looks up to him, and he always tries to hide both the fact how much that means to him or how much it stresses him out hoping he won’t disappoint, I just… Ugh!
Cpt. Christian: Well-
413-12: By God, he can be daft sometimes, or can’t ask for my help even though I have been literally years by his side, helping him with the troupe and organizing, when I could have gone to any firm I wanted. You’d think he would get a hint, but no, he just stresses about others constantly, without taking care of himself and his own wishes-
Cpt. Christian: Du-
413-12: And if some people actually gave him the respect he deserves instead of trying to undermine him, God knows what wonders he could achieve. And for what reason would you undermine him? Just to try and win a pissing contest, which he is losing although the other guy doesn’t even know it is happening?
Cpt. Christian: Are you talking about-
413-12: But the biggest stooge on this ship? Me! Years alongside him, and I can’t even muster up the courage to ask him anything! If I had done it before we gut stuck on this tub, then I could have just left, no problem, but now what if he rejects me? How can I stay on the ship with him? Why hasn’t he noticed anything? Is it really just the amount of pressure he puts on himself, maybe he is scared of admitting it himself, maybe he noticed it and is trying to avoid me through work, oh God do you think he might be-?
Cpt. Christian: [Raising his voice, interrupting 413-12.] Miss Kočić!
[413-12 ceases speaking, and stares at Cpt. Christian, presumably in shock]
Cpt. Christian: I am sorry for interrupting you, but I need you to be more specific on the undermining detail.
413-12: The under- what? What are you- oh. Oh. I should not have said that. Do I really have to talk about it?
Cpt. Christian: It would be preferable if you did.
413-12: Fine. Gans - The robot guy to you guys - has been acting weirdly lately. Well, more weirdly than usual. I think you already noticed his heavy critique of how Ludwig should operate. While he doesn’t have many that agree with him, that it doesn’t make it that less of a problem. Most probably would not even think about fighting him, which lets him continue his rants about how Lud is incompetent. He sows doubt among the troupe even though the man’s work is literally surrounding them.
Cpt. Christian: Do you think he would be a better leader?
413-12: That bootlicker? Absolutely not.
Cpt. Christian: You do have a bias with both, though.
413-12: Shut it. As much as I lo- prefer! Prefer Ludwig, I can see his qualities as well. I am just an outsider, and wouldn’t be that much of a good leader, but Ludwig? He gets what his guys want. He can talk with them, they trust him. Even if it is fight about the specifics of a rule in one of their boardgames, or anxiety before a performance, Lud knew what to say to reduce the tension.
Cpt. Christian: So why would 413-19 want to cause trouble?
413-12: Who? Oh, because he is an asshole.
Cpt. Christian: You already made that point.
413-12: Fine. I think he was doing something behind the troupe’s back with LaVey. He was always sucking up to him whenever he was near, and trying to get on his good side. He seemed that he was hit harder than Ludwig when he found the state the man was after the party.
Cpt. Christian: Do you believe he was somehow else involved with him, apart from the patron-performer relationship?
413-12: No, I am pretty sure he likes women. But I wouldn’t be surprised he was trying to become his favorite, and muscling his way into being troupe leader through whatever means necessary.
Cpt. Christian: Hm. Thank you for sharing this with us, Miss Kočić. I will make sure we investigate further into this.
413-12: Thank you.
[413-12 rises from the seat and heads for the door. As she puts her hand on the knob, she turns towards Cpt. Christian]
413-12: Could you promise me one thing? Please don’t tell Ludwig. I can’t imagine how much something like this would hurt him. He looks up to Herbert as his father.
Cpt. Christian: I cannot give you that promise, sadly. But I can guarantee you I will not bring the topic up unless it proves necessary to our investigation.
413-12: Thank you.
[413-12 exits the room.]
[ End interview ]
Date: 3.3.2006.
Interviewer: Cpt. Christian
Interviewed: Instance 04/19, Ludwig Facemire
[ Begin interview ]
[Cpt. Christian is waiting within the interview room, expecting the arrival of 413-04. A short knock is heard accompanied by a pause.]
[Soon after, another series of knocks is heard, incomprehensible muttering heard from the other side]
Cpt. Christian: Come in.
[The door opens, with 413-04 peeking inside of the room.]
413-04: Oh you are already here!
[413-04 enters the room, greeting with a nod each of the present guards and Cpt. Christian. He seats himself with a momentary effort, directing his attention towards the Captain.]
413-04: So, what are we talking about today?
Cpt. Christian: I was thinking if it would be possible if we discussed about your colleagues.
[413-04 uprights himself suddenly, but manages to remain on his seat. After regaining balance, he replies.]
413-04: Oh, I couldn’t willingly talk about my friends behind their backs, that would be just plain rude!
Cpt. Christian: Do not worry, this isn’t slander, just a simple discussion to see how things are doing. Think of it as a talk between patient and doctor, with all the confidentiality included.
[413-04 stays silent for a few moments, uncertain. He then slowly nods his head]
413-04: OK. Alright. But you promise you won’t tell anyone?
Cpt. Christian: Not a soul.
413-04: Great. To start off…
[Irrelevant information omitted, log continues after fifty-six minutes of extraneous information]
413-04: …And lastly, the four of them are still complaining they don’t have anything to play.
Cpt. Christian: But weren’t they satisfied with manuals we had gave you? It was even the most recent edition.
413-04: Oh that, they uh… They didn’t react to it very well.
[Slight pause]
413-04: They may have burned it after reading the rules, saying that it is an atrocity to the original works. I was honestly too scared to ask them what was the problem.
Cpt. Christian: That is a lot of work you have to deal with. Do you just go around helping in any way you can?
413-04: I mean, yeah? Aren’t I supposed to do that? I am the leader of the troupe; they look up to me and I can’t disappoint them. I am not just a simple judge, deciding what they can and shouldn’t do, I am their friend. We are all scared, even after all this time and we show it through all sorts of different ways which seem strange to others. I need to be by their side to show someone is willing to listen to them.
Cpt. Christian: What about getting help from someone else in that endeavor?
413-04: Well, uh, khm. Promise you won’t tell?
Cpt. Christian: Unless it proves necessary, no.
413-04: That’s fair, yeah. I know that one of my friends is helping me behind my back.
Cpt. Christian: Do you know which one?
413-04: Yeah, but I can’t tell you her name. I hope that isn’t a problem.
Cpt. Christian: No, I don’t think it is.
413-04: I know what my friend is doing. And I appreciate it, but I cannot willingly ask her to help directly, that just won’t be good.
Cpt. Christian: Do you fear that this friend might try to replace you as a troupe leader?
413-04: What? No! No one in the troupe would try and do that especially not her! It’s because I know that she will overwork herself if I ask her to. I know my friend, and I know what she would do.
Cpt. Christian: How long have you known your friend?
413-04: Since one of the group’s first performances. She was actually the one that told us to leave after two and a half songs, when her father realized that the band playing in his club weren’t folk singers, but filkers. Oh man, how we felt bad: We actually offered to help with the cleaning after closing hours as an apology for the inconvenience. I did, at least. The others just left after I made that proposition. But it felt good cleaning the club. I managed to chat up the father and the friend, and we had a laugh about the created confusion.
They just recently arrived with the help of a family contact to Portstmouth, running from an armed struggle in their country. The club wasn’t even theirs: It was a charter, which they were hoping to pay off and even buy the location. I helped them get the hang around with the new surroundings, and they were genuinely grateful for doing so. My group was invited a couple of times after that night to play when business was better, and I still remember the night we played after they finally managed to buy the club.
Cpt. Christian: When did she join the group?
[413-04 stays silent.]
Cpt. Christian: Mr. Facemire?
413-04: …After her father passed away.
Cpt. Christian: Oh. I’m sorry.
413-04: No, there is no need to be. Unless your bosses had to do something with the break-in, right?
[413-04 attempts to laugh, but fails to do so.]
413-04: Sorry, that was rude of me.
Cpt. Christian: What happened next?
413-04: She inherited the club, but didn’t want to do anything with it anymore. She sold it shortly after the funeral, and to my surprise came up to me and told me she wanted to join the group. I… I never had a dad. He left some time after I was born, so I didn’t really know how something like that could have felt. But I knew that it hurt, so I did what I do best. I helped. I made sure to make every penny count, to see her smile again like she did before.
It was fine for a while, after that. Our fantasy-themed album, “A Wizard’s Trove of Anecdotes” was a smash hit with our audience at the time. Even when it started going topside up, we were lucky enough to have had Herb to come and help. I am truly… grateful for him. I wanted to see him happy, too.
Cpt. Christian: Thank you for sharing this, Ludwig.
413-04: Yeah, no. No problem.
Cpt. Christian: If I can give you some advice. It is alright to care about others, but you need to think about yourself from time to time. It is like your performances: You can sing all the time, but your voice will just start becoming weaker as you tire yourself out. You need to take a break from time to time, and rest yourself so you can continue helping people reliably instead of overworking yourself.
413-04: Wouldn’t I be passing someone else that responsibility?
Cpt. Christian: Not if you work together, and help each other help others. And I have a feeling that it wouldn’t be too scary to ask.
[413-04 remains silent, before nodding and heading towards the door.]
413-04: I’ll… I’ll think about it. Thank you.
Cpt. Christian: You’re welcome. Oh, and Mr. Facemire?
413-04: Yeah?
Cpt. Christian: Your troupe is very lucky to have someone like you. Don’t let anything dissuade you from that.
413-04: …Thank you.
[ End interview ]
3.12.1999.
I keep staring at his face, and keep thinking to myself: How can a man be so gullible.
It has been around two years now, and I am still dumbfounded by the members of this troupe. A clack of my gold, and they fawn over me like pigeons over a bag of crumbs. Some more than others, which I intend to use to my own advantage. For the ritual to work, I need these dimwits to sing a specific incantation. But I can’t give them the song by myself. It is not that I worry about the actors themselves noticing the significance of the vocals and rhythm of this ancient song, but I worry the girl might realize something is amiss.
I doubt she knows my true motivations, and I wish to keep it that way. The world now has many prying ears, and the less middlemen there are, the better. The dumbest of the lot will serve nicely as a medium. I know they would wish to perform a song in my honor should I ever raise a banquet. All I need to do is give the song to the buffoon, and promise him currency should he convince his kin of singing it. It will be money well spent.
Nothing will make me happier than seeing these jesters die so I can live, and nothing will be more gratifying than hearing the death throes of the insolent whelp that is Ludwig Facemire.
Date: 21.3.2006.
Interviewer: Cpt. Christian
Interviewed: Instances 12/19, Dušica Kočić and 19/19 Claude Gans
[Begin interview]
413-19: How long do I have to wait? This is absolute bullsh-
Cpt. Christian: I have told you once, and I am telling you again: We are waiting for another participant.
413-19: Who the Hell is supposed to come, one of your bosses? Jesus, I hope it’s a chick that walks through that door to make this more bearable, I swear to-
[A short knock on the cabin door is heard, and 413-12 enters the room.]
413-19: Hell no. I am not doing this.
413-12: I’m as happy as you are about this, Goose.
413-19: I fucking told you not to fucking call me that!
413-12: Oh what are you going to do, go running to Herbert as you always do? Or attempt to turn the guys against me?
Cpt. Christian: People, please-
413-19: Oh, look at missis hypocratical, acting all proud as she works behind her boss’ back. And you call me a mutineer.
413-12: Someone needs to take care of the mess you make, Goose.
413-19: YOU LITTLE BI-
Cpt. Christian: ENOUGH!
[The two instances cease bickering and direct their attention towards Cpt. Christian.]
Cpt. Christian: I didn’t call you here to host a slap fight, I called you because there has been a development in our investigation.
413-19: What do you need our help for?
Cpt. Christian: What was the exact relationship between Mr. Facemire and your benefactor?
413-19: Wait, are you saying that Ludwig had something to do with this?
Cpt. Christian: No, I-
413-12: Something like that wouldn’t be possible, he would never do such a thing, I mean how would he even be able to do all of… this?
Cpt. Christian: That is something we are trying to understand as well. We do not think that he was directly involved with the incident, but we believe that the connection between him and LaVey might be a possible lead. I have been interviewing your group for some time, and I know that both of you have the closest relationship to the two of them. I am fully aware of your difference in views, but I need you to work together.
413-12: …Fine. If it’s for Ludwig.
413-19: [mockingly] If it’s for- You should hear yourself, God da-
[413-19 pauses after he realizes that both Cpt. Christian and 413-12 are staring at him.]
413-19: Alright, whatever. What do you want to know?
Cpt. Christian: Firstly, what was there any animosity between the two of them?
413-12: No, not at all. Ludwig always looked up to LaVey, I couldn’t imagine him even getting into an argument with him.
413-19: Animosity? If only. Herbert always seemed to direct his attention towards him. In the meantime, I was forced to prove my worth through actual work, and not some lucky first impression.
Cpt. Christian: Do you think one would to inflict harm upon the other?
413-19: Why would Herbert ever do such a thing? He seemed to enjoy himself, not to mention he even gave a personal request for a song to be performed during the… Oh, fuck.
413-12: Wait, weren’t you the one who insisted we choose the song?
413-19: Uhhh, uhh, no? I mean yes, I gave the song, but because I thought it would be fitting and- I mean I wanted to make the old man happy?
413-12: Yeah, sure you suck-up. God, we should have just chosen an actual song-
Cpt. Christian: Wait, so you received this song directly from Mr. LaVey? Did you notice anything strange about it?
413-19: Nah, not really. I just skimmed it a bit when I got it, and got it to be chosen as the surprise song for Herbert during the party, like he asked.
Cpt. Christian: And you made no modifications to it?
413-19: No, I just told you, I just skimmed it. I gave it to Ludwig, and we began practicing after a-
413-12: Are the modifications important to the case?
[413-19 and Cpt. Christian turn towards 413-12.]
Cpt. Christian: Yes. They might actually solve it.
413-12: I… Oh God. Ludwig made modifications to the song.
Cpt. Christian: In what way?
413-12: He said it was too sad, that this was a celebration, that it could use a more upbeat tune and a few change of words… You don’t think that might have somehow-?
[413-19 jumps from his seat. Cpt. Christian attempts to tackle him as he runs out of the cabin, failing to do so. The instance manages to run by the present guard in front of the door, and returns aboard RPC-413]
[ End interview ]
[ Begin log ]
[After exiting the ANV, 413-19 returned to RPC-413, and began yelling]
413-19: LUDWIG! LUDWIG YOU SORRY FUCK, COME UP HERE!
[As Cpt. Christian and 413-12 board RPC-413, they are joined by the other instances that begin forming a semi-circle around 413-19, allowing for 413-04 to enter it as he exits the interior of the ship.]
413-04: Gans? Is everything alright?
413-19: Just peachy, Ludwig, absolutely fantastic! Why, today is a great day, for our friends over there-
[413-19 points toward the ANV and Cpt. Christian]
413-19: -Just came to a great discovery! They finally found out what made us into this!
413-04: That’s fantastic! What is it?
413-19: It’s you, Ludwig! You screwed us over! You changed the words to the song!
413-04: I… what?
413-19: If it wasn’t for your constant attempts at trying to act nice towards everyone, we wouldn’t be where we are! And you!
[413-19 turns towards the rest of the instances, beginning to walk around.]
413-19: Are you willing to continue following this man, who turned you into monsters, cut off the chances to ever see your families just because he thought something would be a nice gesture? I do not!
[413-19 points his finger towards 413-04]
413-19: So I say, throw him into the sea! Let us get rid of the tumor that has been slowly killing us! What do you say, my friends?!
[The instances remain in place for a few moments before slowly starting to distance themselves from 413-19]
[413-19 stares at the other instances as they do so, confused.]
413-04: Gans, are you feeling well? You aren’t making a lot of sense.
413-03: Yeah, what are you talking about? Why are you saying we should throw Lud off the ship because he changed a few words in a song?
413-19: But, captain Christian said-
413-12: He said that there might have been a connection between Ludwig and Herbert, not that he caused all of this.
413-04: Do you need to lie down for a bit? Gans, are you feeling all-
[413-19 suddenly punches 413-04 in the face, prompting him to stagger back.]
[Cpt. Christian begins attempting to mobilize the ASF units present on the ship as the two instances begin circling each other.]
413-19: Years… Years! Years of acting like an absoulte dumbass, and what for! Getting stuck on a ship with a bunch of wannabe cryptids, while the only guy that had an ounce of sense on him is glued to the cabin!
413-04: Gans, please, I don't want to do this, let's just talk it out!
413-19: No! I am sick of talking, it's finally time to actually do something!
[413-19 attempts to hit 413-04 again, but misses. He continues following after his target, with the rest of the instances continuing to form a ring around the two.]
[ASF units finally arrive, but as they begin approaching the ridge of RPC-413, the vessel suddenly distances itself from the ANV, making it impossible for the Officers to board it.]
Cpt. Christian: Enough! Equip rubber ammo, get a good angle, and open fire!
[413-19 manages to pin 413-04 to the mast of RPC-413]
413-19: Constantly the same ritual over and over again, for years on end. The same words, the same songs, the same people in an endless cycle of repetition. And for what? For money, which we ain't getting? For fame, which is taken by those fucks? For what, Ludwig? ANSWER ME!
[ASF opens the first salvo, managing to hit 413-19 to which the instance shows no great reaction. The surrounding instances scatter aside in a panic.]
Cpt. Christian: Goddamn- Switch to live ammo!
413-12: NO!
[As ASF units begin to load live ammo, the two remaining instances continue fighting at the mast, the old structure beginning to creak from the impacts.]
[413-04 manages to push away from 413-19, and begins walking backwards towards the edge of the ship and nearer to the lined ASF units, with 413-19 approaching with the same speed]
413-04: Gans, I get your frustration- This situation has been immensely difficult for everyone, but we can’t let it get to us! Please, before someone gets hurt. Calm down.
[413-04 bumps into the edge of the ship, and 413-19 stops walking, only a few meters away from him. The ASF all stand with rifles raised, accompanied by Cpt. Christian and 413-12 on the ship.]
[After a few moments of silence during which a slight drizzle begins, 413-19 speaks.]
413-19: …I’m not wasting my life on this ship because of your incompetence.
[413-19 charges at 413-04, and Cpt. Christian reacts immediately.]
Cpt. Christian: Fire!
413-12: LUDWIG!
[As the ASF unit discharges its weapons, 413-12 throws herself in front of them, before Cpt. Christian can stop her, in an attempt to shield 413-04 from the shooting.]
[Most shots miss due to the disturbance, but some hit 413-12 directly, the bullet holes visibly standing out on her sheet. 413-19 halted his charging, looking at the unfolding scene.]
[413-04 looks behind him, just as he sees 413-12 lose balance and fall overboard into the sea below, slowly sinking under the waves.]
[413-04 yells out incoherently, and attempts to jump into the water below after 413-12. He is prevented by 413-19, who manages to grab him by his shoulder fur, turns him around and strikes him in the head.]
[ASF begin to raise their weapons, but are stopped by Cpt. Christian, in fear of hitting 413-04. As he does so, 413-19 continues striking 413-04, holding him by his shoulder.]
[413-04, firstly silently then escalating to ear-piercing strength, lets out a guttural roar, and manages to shove off the hand holding him and grab 413-19 by his throat. Before the instance can react, he is punched full force in the face, sending him backwards onto the deck.]
[413-04 quickly follows, grabbing his target by the bicep, forcing him to stand, pushing him into the mast, and begins heavily flailing at him. The mast once again creaks from the much more intense force than before.]
[After a few moments, 413-04 stops and lets 413-19 slump onto the deck. He turns around, sprints towards the edge and jumps into the water.]
[Shortly after, 413-19 manages to get himself up on his feet, and get to the edge of the boat. He looks into the sea, and begins chuckling, which quickly elevates into a loud chortle.]
[As 413-19 is laughing, he fails to notice the mast behind him begin leaning, and then falling towards him. The other instances cry out, allowing 413-19 to turn around just as the mast descends on him, breaking in two pieces and shoving him off-board. With one half atop of him, 413-19 falls into the water and quickly plummets into the depths of the ocean.]
[Cpt. Christian orders for the ship to turn on all available signal lights and begin searching the water for the instances. As the ANV crew prepares the equipment, 413-013 begins diving underneath the surface attempting to assist staff with locating the missing troupe members.]
[Minutes pass as the ANV and RPC try to find the three instances, rain continuing to fall.]
[RPC-413 suddenly resurfaces, splashing water onto the ANV’s deck. The vessel manages to get close enough for Cpt. Christian and a small number of Containment staff to board the anomaly, weapons ready.]
[All instances are encircled around the broken mast’s base, blocking the view. They part only when they notice Cpt. Christian, allowing him to see the subject of their interest.]
[In the center of the circle, back pressed against the broken part of the ship, sits 413-04 with 413-12 in his arms. 04 rocks back and forth with 12 in his embrace, limp and no moving.]
[413-04 notices the Authority staff present, and stops moving, looking directly at Cpt. Christian. Moments pass before he speaks, barely able to be heard from the now heavy rainfall.]
413-04: She’s not breathing.
[ End of Incident log ]
10.11.1997.
A week has passed since my joining, and I still find it ironic how it was me who saved these would-be performers from denouement. At least a financial one. I do not understand how there can be an audience for this kind of gibberish, but it does not matter to me. My goal is set, and all I need to do is wait for a trifling number of years to attain it.
As much as I would be satisfied with simply dealing with Ludwig by himself, and watching the rest of his posse crumble away, it would be too simple a punishment. I need him to see everyone around him affected, their suffering a product of his actions. He needs to be aware that this is all his fault: A man does not create a mockery of a thaumaturgist of my prestige and receive a reward doing so. I spent decades taking care of those that knew of the incident, but I must have missed a harlot or two that is his ancestor. I have no other theory to how he would have told the events with such detail. He spat in the face of my efforts and my honor and destiny judged for me to find out his action and punish his insolence accordingly.
He may have been regarded as a great author by the clown community of would-be knights and princesses, but in the end he will just be another cadaver on the ground, laying with the bodies of the ones closest to him.
Date: 31.10.2006
Interviewer: Cpt. Christian
Interviewed: Instance 04/19, Ludwig Facemire
[ Begin interview ]
[Cpt. Christian is alone in the interview room, looking into the wall opposite of him pensatively. He then checks the time on his watch and redirects his attention to the door.]
[An exchange of greetings, followed by a knock is heard through the door.]
Cpt. Christian: Come in.
[413-04 enter the room, greeting the present guards and exchanging pleasantries with them. He positions the chair in a more accessible position, and seats himself.]
413-04: Good evening, Captain. Are you doing well?
Cpt. Christian: I am, I am. Thank you for asking. Are you doing any better?
413-04: Yeah, yeah, I guess so. It’s been a bit of a turbulent few weeks, but I am managing to push through it. Some of the guys who understand me have helped any way they can, but all of… this is still pretty hard for me to get used to.
Cpt. Christian: Don’t worry. We have all been through it, and it’s always awkward in the beginning. But it’s always gets better in the end.
[413-04 clacks its jaw in agreement.]
413-04: I thought I’d get used to it by now, that Dušica is… You know. And I feel so happy for what I’m going to do, and yet so immensely scared.
[The instance and interviewer stay silent for a few moments, which is broken by Cpt. Christian.]
Cpt. Christian: I am only your assigned interviewer. My actions are only limited with what is within my jurisdiction.
413-04: No worries, I don’t want your bosses to-
Cpt. Christian: But. What is in my jurisdiction is securing the well-being and compliance of the subjects positioned among that vessel. If any of them are experiencing issues that can be solved without utilizing additional official resources, I am allowed to act accordingly. So, should you ever feel the need to express these issues, I am endorsed to let you know that you can expect a guaranteed and appropriate reply from myself.
413-04: …Thank you, Captain.
Cpt. Christian: Additionally, I have finally received a reply from my superiors in regards to your request. It was decided that it would likely not cause any possible problems, as well as serve as further securing yours and the rest’s trust.
413-04: Y-you mean they’ve…?
Cpt. Christian: The higher-ups, as you’ve seen yourself, are willing to utilize, as well as allow for more unorthodox means of assisting their subordinates with their tasks. It took a bit of convincing and asking for favors to be paid back, but in the end…
[Cpt. Christian removes a small box from his person placing it in the middle of the table.]
Cpt. Christian: Congratulations.
[413-04 looks back and forth at Cpt. Christian and the box, before he swipes it off the table and looks inside of it. There is a sharp intake of breath as he opens it.]
413-04: I, I don’t know what to say, it’s perfect I-
[Cpt. Christian turns around and signals the present guards to turn around. The guards salute and face towards the wall. Once they do, the interviewer turns back and opens his arms. The instance pauses for a moment before quickly rushing towards Cpt. Christian, hugging him with the interviewer returning doing so as well.]
[After separating and returning to their seats, Cpt. Christian turns towards the guards and addresses them in an angry tone of voice.]
Cpt. Christian: What the Hell are you two doing? Return to your positions!
[The guards return to their regular positions, with one of them replying.]
ASF-B1: Sorry, sir. We must have misinterpreted a command of yours. I assure you, it won’t happen again.
[A knock is heard on the door.]
Cpt. Christian: Are you ready?
413-04: About as much as I can be.
Cpt. Christian: Let her in.
[One of the present guards approaches and opens the door, allowing for 413-12 to enter.]
413-12: Thank you… Ludwig!
[413-12 runs up to 04, embracing him. After they exchange a kiss, Cpt. Christian begins speaking.]
Cpt. Christian: I am still incapable of understanding how the two of you are capable of doing that.
413-04: Oh that’s easy, you just…
[413-12 interrupts 413-04 with another kiss. They separate, and 04 chuckles.]
413-04: Yeah, exactly like that.
413-12: Best not to think about it… Are the two of you alright?
Cpt. Christian: Hm? Why do you ask?
413-12: You look strange. Did something happen?
413-04: We were just chatting about something. You don’t need to worry about it.
413-12: Oh but I have to worry a bit. You know how you can get overworked. I mean, you don’t really think clearly when you get like that.
[413-12 laughs turning towards Cpt. Christian.]
413-12: ‘She isn’t breathing’, of course I wasn’t! Where does he think we spend half our time?
Cpt. Christian: The holes weren’t really helping him either.
413-12: These things?
[413-12 pushes its finger into a puncture located on the forehead.]
413-12: I barely even notice them any more. I must have been lucky that you guys have missed anything important.
[The instance chuckles, stopping after taking another look at 04 and Cpt. Christian.]
413-12 Is everything really alright? You both look like there is something you’re hiding from me. Oh God don’t tell me-
413-04: Um, Dušice-
413-12: Did you find Gans? Is he back?
Cpt. Christian: No, we haven’t. I think Ludwig is trying to te-
413-12: Then it must have been some clue of him? Part of his costume, a body part? Or wait, those are the same thing, maybe-
413-04: Honey, would you-
Cpt. Christian: Nothing from him is found and he is still presumed missing. Now, Lu-
413-12: Then there must something else? Did you find a cure for us? Did you find something about Herbert? Or did you-
413-04: Dušice!
413-12: What?
413-04: Will you marry me?
413-12:…W-what?
[04 drops on one knee, showing the box he received from Cpt. Christian. He opens it, revealing a ring inside of it.]
413-04: Dušice Kočić, will you make me the happiest I could ever become, and be my loving wife?
[413-12 stands silent, staring at 04. After a few moments, 12 starts wobbling and losing balance. As he begins falling, 04 manages to come to her senses and attempt to catch him as he falls. This only results in herself falling on top of 04, both of them sprawled across the floor.]
413-04: Oh my God, are you alright?
[413-12 begins silently crying.]
413-04: Oh, oh my – I’m – Oh God I’m so – are you – I should have – Oh Go-
413-12: Y-yes.
413-04: …Huh?
[413-12 raises her head, still sniffling. But through them, short chuckles come through.]
413-12: Of course I’ll be your wife. I love you, Ludwig.
[413-04 tightly embraces 12, and they exchange a lengthy kiss. After they are finished, they get off the ground, still embracing one another.]
413-04: I love you too, Dušice.
413-12: B-but how-
413-04: Cpt. Christian helped with obtaining the ring and get this approved in the first place. I probably would’ve gone with my first plan if he didn’t say he will try to talk it out with his bosses.
413-12: What was the first plan?
413-04: Looting one abandoned ship after the other until I find the perfect ring. That, or swiping it off one of those tipsier customers we sometimes get.
413-12: [laughing] Oh, you’re horrible! But how will we even get to a church or a chapel? We can’t leave the ship…
[Cpt. Christian coughs to get the attention of the instances. Once they turn to him, he speaks.]
Cpt. Christian: It sometimes pays off to belong to an organization that must have contacts in every religious branch. It took some time among the representatives to discuss the various details whether something like this is against their practices and finding a volunteer to come. But it was decided in the end that something like this is completely fine, and an Orthodox Christian priest will be coming to marry you. It supposedly took longer to discuss whether a chapel on top of one of our vessels is acceptable than whether it is to marry you.
413-12: Oh my God, Captain… I, I don’t know if there is any way to thank you?
Cpt. Christian: Just keep me updated with what happens, and if there are any other… khrm, new happenings.
413-04: I had another idea…
[413-04 leans towards 12 and whispers into her ear. 12 swings her head towards Cpt. Christian and back to 04, asking if he is sure. He nods his head.]
[413-12 directs her attention towards Cpt. Christian who appears confused as to what is happening.]
413-12: Captain, would you be willing to become our godfather?
Cpt. Christian: I, uh, excuse me?
413-04: Oh wait, I think he might not know how that works in Orthodox Christianity, should we ex - ?
Cpt. Christian: I am aware of the customs, yes, but I am not sure if… I’ll have to check with-
ASF-B1: Don’t worry, sir. We checked it for you.
Cpt. Christian: You what?
ASF-B1: Lud- I mean, instance Oh-Four approached us at one point and asked whether something like that would be possible. The lads managed to forward the question to some of their mates in Administration, who took their sweet time with deciding whether this was alright. When they heard we were sailing a priest and a chapel into the sea to marry two anomalies, they said fu- Excuse me, ‘to Hell with it’ and approved it. They even said it would probably be beneficial in the long run. Sir.
[Cpt. Christian stays silent for a few seconds, staring at ASF-B1. The guard shuffles in discomfort before the Captain sighs, rubbing his eyes.]
Cpt. Christian: Goddammit Charles, you need to tell me you do these things. What if someone not that interested in this heard about it?
ASF-B1: Sorry, Captain. Won’t happen again.
Cpt. Christian: …They said it would be beneficial?
ASF-B1: Yes, sir.
Cpt. Christian: Well, looks like my hands are tied. I accept the offer.
[413-12 squeals in excitement and hugs 04, with him returning the gesture. They kiss once again, and 413-04 puts his hand underneath 12’s cover, placing the ring on her finger.]
413-12: Come on, the rest will want to hear about this.
413-04: They already do know… Listen.
[The people inside of the inside of the interview room quiet themselves. Muffled singing can be heard through the door from the celebrating instances.]
413-04: Let’s go.
[The two instances leave the room, leaving the present staff. Captain Christian sighs.]
Cpt. Christian: We should join them.
ASF-B1: Sir?
Cpt. Christian: Don’t think of nothing, Charlie. We’re just making sure nothing crazy happens.
ASF-B1: If you say so, sir.
[Staff exits the room.]
[ End log ]
9.7.1997
DEATH! Death, plague and damnation to the scum and piles of refuse that are the Sonneteers!
Fifty years of assassinations and subterfuge all for nothing! My hard work shattered in thousands of hundreds of pieces, the gold and resources spent as a way of diverting attention from me and my embarrassment all for naught! And now, they all laugh at me and profit from my misery! I swear to the gods, I will drink their souls and fashion my furniture from their still twitching bones!
When I heard the song playing inside within the bar, it took me all my power not to kill all those present. I could feel my rage rising and boiling within me as the patrons laughed at the retelling. I watched as they finished their performance, paid for my drink and stood out waiting for them to leave. As they did, I shadowed their leader, my fingers twitching in the wish to choke out his life before he notices me, as they’ve done to many before. But I steeled myself, put on my best smile and drew his attention.
The buffoon thought I was an admirer at first, even signing one of many booklets of lyrics he seemed to have carried in the case of his instrument. The act itself almost made me boil his skull on the spot. But I regained control, and put out my ruse: I would be a financial benefactor for their sorry group, and would help them with their advancements. The sod almost brought me to the ground with the tackle he thought would be an embrace. Eugh, I must wash myself once more after finishing this note.
But, one good thing came out of this encounter: I know have more than ten, maybe even twenty souls by the time the ritual is ready, to take. And, more importantly, I have the main offenders name, written by him on paper. His ancestors must have never taught him these bring power to the spells that are used within my circle, helping the winds of magic blow.
I will store the signed name within the cover of this diary, so I may never lose it or forget the insult it has been directed at me. When the time comes, I will have my revenge.
Note: Upon opening the covers of the notebook, it was revealed that there were two pieces of old paper stuck between the cardboard pieces. One of them is a corner ripped from a larger page with 413-04’s signature. The other is presumed to be another part of the aforementioned booklet, only one that seems to contain the lyrics of a song, the content of which is available below.
"The Apprentice's flirt"
Gather round, ye weary guest and lost and tired traveler,
I have a tale to tell you, of an apprentice’s blunder.
This humorous story, many may not know about it,
For rarely does an old wizard have a dry enough wit
To allow for the people around him laugh and wonder,
Whether the scary morose mage was a bit of a nit?
A long time ago, before our fathers were even born,
The old magos you see today was nary a greenhorn
Under the tutelage of an ancient elven master,
When he studied to become a powerful magister.
But as like any other boy through time there comes a morn
When attention shifts from study to someone’s daughter.
Now this young boy had his eye on a particular lass:
The daughter of the captain, with a magnificent mass
Of platinum blonde hair sitting atop of her fine head,
Hazel eyes that were as brown as a well baked loaf of bread
And such a bosom, the young boy would certainly profess,
He would kill for the chance to bury within it his head.
So the apprentice hatched a cunning plan within his mind
To win over the girl’s heart through a magic he had refined,
On his own, without his elden elven master’s support.
But to solitary study you should never resort
As such a foolish thing will always put you in a bind
And every single such attempt you should always abort.
“My time had finally come”, so the excited boy thought:
He sneaked outside his master’s tower without getting caught.
In the dead of night did he silently enter the town
And rose to the position he thought he would get his renown.
When morning came, the townees saw him and became distraught
from him sitting atop the roof of the highest house around.
He waited calmly, eagerly expecting his fancy
With people trying to talk him out of his lunacy.
And suddenly among them, a platinum head did show,
Watching with her hazel brown eyes the boy perched like a crow.
The youngster’s heart skipped a beat, and in a way everyone’d see
Did he jump off the roof, suddenly covered in a glow.
The crowd screamed, expecting that he would messily splatter
But the apprentice instead had begun to flutter.
Flying above their heads, their fear replaced with amazement
The boy reveling in the now smiling girl’s gazement.
As he imagined the night that’d follow, there came a sputter
For the spell he had cast was greater than his untrained wit.
His graceful soaring became more of a fly’s awkward flight
He tried to keep control of his spell and the crowd’s delight
But Destiny blew the winds of magic towards ‘nother way
So the village see the boy as his spell flung him away
To a cart full of fresh manure, making him quite the sight.
As the crowd gathered around, they’d begun to laugh and bray.
The would-be mage dragged himself out of the smelly guano,
The girl’s still-present laugh and smile struck him with a hard blow.
He cursed at the gathered crowd without much finesse,
And went back to the tower without even a caress.
Now you know of the true reason of the wizard’s lack of wit
For no matter of how great your talent is or the amount of it
You can’t get a girl if you are covered head to toe in shit.