Varuna

Linden pauses for a moment, taking in what has been said. He knows it must seem strange to the captured Templar, that this odd older gentleman has been mumbling to himself as he studies and prods the fallen armor. You've been very helpful and I appreciate that. He seems to be speaking to the air, addressing the entire room. Oh, one last thing. How likely is it that the Templars will make another attempt on this location anytime soon? Having asked his questions and gotten his answers, he leaves the room and goes to find the others. He'll fill them in on all he has learned so far and see where the group stands.

I think Linden has about come to the end of his questions. Unless someone else wants to remind him of something he might have missed? If not, I'll wrap it up in another post and try to dovetail in to what the rest of the team is doing.

Linden thinks for a moment, before asking the armor one more thing. Is there a way to defeat the flying vehicles' stealth device? Something like that must be very complicated and difficult to keep in top working order.

Truly your capabilities are without equal! Linden tells the suit. It sounds like you are the pinnacle of Templar technology. Tell me, how do you compare to that flying vehicle that delivered you here? I'm sure that machine is quick remarkable!

Linden looks over the suit admiringly. Well, you certainly seem very competent and powerful. I must imagine you are the top of the line armor the Templars can create. Surely there is nothing larger nor more capable than you, right? To the captive he says, Escaped? There were Nephilim in your Sovereign City base being held captive? Who were they, and what were their abilities? Is it usual practice to keep captives in your bases?

Ah, Linden replies sympathetically, it's difficult to consider every eventuality. He appears to be talking to himself as he inspects and goes over the armor carefully. I'm sure you did your best. Where were you built? Also, I understand you don't carry your own power source? Is that correct? What can you tell me about that? Since your large transport vehicle has left, I wonder if you aren't in a bit of trouble right now. After interacting with the armor for a bit another question for Karl comes to Linden's mind. He returns to the captive and asks, How will the Templars attempt to recover their base in this city? Surely the meteor site is too visible now? It's not like you can recapture it and go back to secrecy. The cat is out of that particular bag. You wouldn't do anything drastic, like blowing it up, would you?

Linden follows Aria into the place where the prisoner and the suit of armor are being held. He stands there a moment, perhaps a few longer moments than most people would, as if he were taking in the atmosphere. In truth, that is exactly what he is doing. A few deep breaths... Hello, he begins. I know much about you already, but I'd like you to tell me more. Specifically: Where is the Essence Sniffer you used to find this place? What Nephilim are you aware of in Sovereign City? Where did your transport craft go after leaving you here? Does your group know your mission was a failure, and what will their next steps be? Linden takes a bit of a break while the Templar is answering the questions and wanders near to the armor. This is fascinating, such a technologically sophisticated thing, right here in front of me. Almost absentmindedly he says, I wonder who built this? And how? It almost seems more advanced than anything anyone else has. It couldn't possible be... aliens? No, certainly not...

Linden flinches as Kennedy punches the wall, then flinches again as he expects to hear from the poor thing. That went... well, it went. As he watches her head down the corridor he answers Tom. I think you should call me Babel. I'd rather keep my identity secret for as long as I can. I'll probably need a mask or something, now that I think about it. Will she be OK? Do I need to apologize to her? He waits a moment or two, then asks, Where is your prisoner, and the suit of armor? Maybe the armor first? I'll see what I can learn from them.

Linden tries to focus on what is going on around him, the various conversations, the people and robots moving around, the knowledge there are captured enemies very near by, but he just can't. At first it was just a bit of side eye in Kennedy's direction, then a longer stolen glance, then the occasional head tilt, and finally his lips moving subtly but nothing being said. He has a pained expression on his face, almost like he ate something very sour. His eyes, darting around the room but always coming back to Kennedy, are clear. Oddly enough, he very rarely looks at her face, if at all. He is trying to hide it, but his attention gravitates to her clothing, or rather, the holes in it. Um... he begins tentatively, Kennedy? He has moved closer to her so he doesn't have to shout over all the noise he hears. Do you have a change of clothes? Your current outfit is... in distress. Your... your pants are in fear of another fight and your shirt really thinks its barely hanging on. Your... modesty... is in peril and your clothes are terrified. They've been beat up pretty badly and they're suffering. Linden looks distinctly uncomfortable. I hate to ask this, but could you maybe take a bit better care of them? They think there's a pretty good chance they're going to be torn right off you in the next fight, and that has them all upset. Some nice, tight stitching and a few patches would do them wonders. It's hard to tell what Linden is thinking at the moment. He's trying hard to not come across as a complete lunatic, but the look on his face is difficult to read. Is it embarrassment? Is it concern? Concern for clothes?

Information is beginning to fly fast and furiously, and Linden pays rapt attention. Yes, I... know things. And I can learn things. I'm really pretty awful at anything combat related, to be honest. However, things have a habit of speaking to me, figuratively, and quite literally. I'll be happy to talk with this captured Templar. The dead fellow, well, he's dead. His armor though, that could tell me a lot. The Templars came in a vehicle of some kind, right? It was described to me as being like a spaceship? I don't suppose you have any parts or pieces from it? As for a code name, hmmm... Call me Babel. Linden smiles quite broadly at that. Linden will follow whoever leads him to the captured Templar, or the suit of armor. He's happy to try his tricks on whichever one they get to first. OOC Linden hasn't tried speaking to a dead body, so I'm going with he doesn't know he can do it. It could be quite a surprise if the body starts answering instead of/alongside the armor!

Yes, I'm Linden, he says to Aria as she leads him inside. Quite the place you have here... As he gets to see the others he offers a friendly wave. Nice to meet you all. I'm Linden. He gets right to the point. Much like you all, I am... enhanced, I guess you could say. I've been trying to help, from the sidelines as it were, but recent events have forced me to become more... active. He takes a pause for some breath, then launches into his explanation. I think you know you were visited by some Templars tonight. You might not know, they have ways of detecting enhanced people like us. They used to use specially bred creatures for this, but they now have some kind of technology to do it. I'm not sure what it looks like, it could be very small like a hand– held device, but they can track us down. What range does it have, how sensitive is it, how does it work and can it be blocked — I don't know that either. They have no compunctions about killing enhanced people, either. That part is pretty disturbing to me. He takes a quick look around the room. I think this next part could be very useful. The Templar bases and vehicles emit some kind of field that powers their general technology. Maybe that can be shut down when they get near? They had a base in Sovereign City, it was hit by that meteorite, and they are intent on claiming it back from the military. I'm not sure how they'll go about that, but it'll likely be... violent. OOC I don't believe Kennedy knows Linden. Tom, I think, has met him before since he bought an item from Linden's shop. I'll have to look that up to be sure, though. Intuition Check Intuition (EX): Roll

Linden lets out a deep breath as he gets Aria's response. Good, it seems they're OK. Right, let's go meet the neighbors. He quickly gathers a few things, including his fighting baton. Not that he thinks it'll help much given what he's seen so far, but it does make him feel better. He tucks it into his courier's bag, along with a few assorted things. Then a thought comes to him. Do I still have a tail on me? Discretely, he goes to a window a pulls back a shade, ever so slightly. He gives the street a good look, wondering if that FBI van is still out there. Or anyone else, for that matter. Once he's convinced he's in the clear, he heads out to his car, starts it up, and drives off. He's seen enough TV shows to know, you can spot a tail if you're careful. Especially at this time of night, the traffic is likely to be sparse. He doesn't think surveillance of him would warrant a helicopter, so if anyone actually is following him, it'll be by vehicle. He takes his time, making turns and watching for cars that might follow him, or turn away only to be replaced by another. Sometimes, I think I might be a bit too paranoid for my own good. But then again, a legendary mercenary group is out to get me, so... Yeah, warranted. It will take some time, but Linden eventually makes his way to the location Aria gave him. He parks his car a block or so away, walks about with purpose but in random directions, then finds himself at the base. How do I do this? Just knock? That might be strange, and get me shot by some self– defense system. Aria, he says, as he reaches out with his power once more. I'll be at your business door in three minutes.

Linden sits in his chair, nervously. His hands rub the side of his head, near the temples. He's been doing that more often these days. I hope everything is OK over there. I hope no one got hurt. Or, worse... After waiting a few minutes that felt more like hours, Linden finally decides to take action. He reaches out with his powers again: Aria, hello? Is everything OK over there? Has anyone been hurt? If the situation is well in hand, perhaps we should make that meeting happen? Where would you like to meet? Pretty much anywhere in the city works for me. He then relaxes, ever so slightly, and awaits a response. I hope she's OK...

Yes, I agree. It's high time we meet each other properly. Oh, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but if your robot is correct with his sensors, the Templars arrived in some kind of spaceship.

Linden rocks back in his chair. A spaceship? A spaceship?!? Can that be right? Well, I'll get to that later. Right now, there are other priorities. Three, he addresses the robot again, I think friend Tom– Hawk is right. A missile launch in an indoor location could have disastrous effects on the people there with you. Can you describe the power armor? Where is it in relation to you right now?