05-18-2008, 05:21 PM
A video screen on the wall activates, split in two between the gaunt face of President Seismos and a worried-looking Dr Honneur.
"Mr President. Doctor," says Bishop, inclining his head towards both images. "Why so urgent?"
"I contacted the President first, as I thought it was important enough to warrant his attention. He told me to make the link to here, with him as mediator," she replies. Seismos shifts in his seat.
"This is no time to procrastinate," he says. "Dr Honneur has finished opening the Exordium Island Object." Bishop looks at the screen, wide-eyed, and casts a glance at his delegation.
"So what's inside, Doctor?" he asks, fighting to keep his voice level.
Her youthful face creases in a frown. "The AREV contains what appears to be an Unseen Masterite Data Module, an unbelievably durable item of great import. They had an enormous storage capacity and could easily hold the fruits of an entire nation's research. THe Unseen Master used them to store sensitive information in an encrypted form." Her face lights up with feverish anticipation. "The Unseen Master, even fifteen years ago, had technology still beyond us! The data in that module could revolutionise the region!"
"Or start a war," says President Seismos gravely. "But the main reason we called isn't because of the Data Module."
"No," agrees Honneur, getting herself under control again. "The AREV also contained a tracking system."
"You mean..." says Bishop slowly.
"We've reviewed its data," she continues. "It received its last transmission on April 19th, a week before it hit the sea. We haven't tried to trace it yet, but we think someone within Ferveo gave that AREV an order to descend near Exordium Island. Evidently it had enough fuel left to set itself on course."
"With the speed and weight of that thing we should be damn happy it didn't hit a city," says Seismos. "One thing's for certain; the splashdown of the Exordium Island Object was no accident. Somebody wanted that thing down."
Bishop stands still as he absorbs the information. The other delegations are in a similar state. Finally he speaks up.
"Can we read the Data Module?"
"No. Not at Site 19," replies Honneur. "These things were specialised. The only remaining machine that could read this is in the Museum of National History, in Ferveo City."
"We're loading it onto a Stratos Armed Transport shortly," President Seismos says, taking over. "Frankly, the less the public knows, the better. Mr Bishop, I want you to make sure the Fervean press doesn't get ahold of this. Particularly that damn Fervean Observer; they've got a knack for finding things out that they shouldn't."
"I presume I can count on Guardian Mikael's and President King's support in this matter?" he asks, looking at the two from the screen.
"Mr President. Doctor," says Bishop, inclining his head towards both images. "Why so urgent?"
"I contacted the President first, as I thought it was important enough to warrant his attention. He told me to make the link to here, with him as mediator," she replies. Seismos shifts in his seat.
"This is no time to procrastinate," he says. "Dr Honneur has finished opening the Exordium Island Object." Bishop looks at the screen, wide-eyed, and casts a glance at his delegation.
"So what's inside, Doctor?" he asks, fighting to keep his voice level.
Her youthful face creases in a frown. "The AREV contains what appears to be an Unseen Masterite Data Module, an unbelievably durable item of great import. They had an enormous storage capacity and could easily hold the fruits of an entire nation's research. THe Unseen Master used them to store sensitive information in an encrypted form." Her face lights up with feverish anticipation. "The Unseen Master, even fifteen years ago, had technology still beyond us! The data in that module could revolutionise the region!"
"Or start a war," says President Seismos gravely. "But the main reason we called isn't because of the Data Module."
"No," agrees Honneur, getting herself under control again. "The AREV also contained a tracking system."
"You mean..." says Bishop slowly.
"We've reviewed its data," she continues. "It received its last transmission on April 19th, a week before it hit the sea. We haven't tried to trace it yet, but we think someone within Ferveo gave that AREV an order to descend near Exordium Island. Evidently it had enough fuel left to set itself on course."
"With the speed and weight of that thing we should be damn happy it didn't hit a city," says Seismos. "One thing's for certain; the splashdown of the Exordium Island Object was no accident. Somebody wanted that thing down."
Bishop stands still as he absorbs the information. The other delegations are in a similar state. Finally he speaks up.
"Can we read the Data Module?"
"No. Not at Site 19," replies Honneur. "These things were specialised. The only remaining machine that could read this is in the Museum of National History, in Ferveo City."
"We're loading it onto a Stratos Armed Transport shortly," President Seismos says, taking over. "Frankly, the less the public knows, the better. Mr Bishop, I want you to make sure the Fervean press doesn't get ahold of this. Particularly that damn Fervean Observer; they've got a knack for finding things out that they shouldn't."
"I presume I can count on Guardian Mikael's and President King's support in this matter?" he asks, looking at the two from the screen.