Greetings, citizens, and welcome to the second episode of Liberty Vigilance.I'm your host, Marcus Desta.Before we begin today, we'd like to thank everyone who helped fund our recent Kickstarter for the role-playing book, Unnatural Horrors.
With your support and the help of 1,300 other backers, we raised over $77,000 to bring our ideas to life in hardcover. For those of you who are only just now hearing about this, well, you've got a bit to catch up on.
But there's still time to join as a late pledge over on Kickstarter by searching up unnatural horrors.One more brief update as we continue the releases of Vigilance and The White Vault.
We've also launched a new show called That Scares Me Too, which is now available for free however you find podcasts. If you enjoy hearing real-world urban legends, especially those from Taiwan and Asia, our station's writer K.A.
Stats teams up with Dr. Sophie Yang to discuss exactly that on That Scares Me Too.That's That Scares Me T-O-O.
As we continue to edit transcripts of Dark Dice's second and fourth seasons, we hope you'll stay with us and enjoy this next chapter of the investigation taking place within Atreus.And remember, no matter what takes place, Atreus endures.
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Liberty.Vigilance.Episode 2.The Imaginary Child.The journey to Tower 18 was quiet and uneventful. Tower 18 is the first in a cluster of three lofty towers adjacent to the Central City District.
Passing through the bustling activities of the District 4 Marketplace in front of Victory Causeway, it took roughly half an hour to reach Tower 18 after it first came into sight.
From the Tower 18 entrance, the team utilizes their clearance to access the correct elevator to reach the section of Floor 25 where Apartment 14B can be found. Examining numbers as they go, they find themselves before 14B, Hadrian's apartment.
That opened easily enough.All right, let's try this again.Let's see if we can find out the last time he scanned his starving hand.All right.Let's just keep going up to electronic devices, guys.Eventually it'll come up good.
One of them want to talk to you.
Diana Azad temporarily locks herself out of her diagnostics tool by inputting the wrong password too many times.
Equal probability is my butt.
Enthusiastic action is not always precise.
Is there anything else nearby?
Agent Cassius Sogut notes that apartment 14A is the only feature of the sparsely occupied hallway.
Let me try the same.Let me see when the last time he used his mark on the door was, if I may.
Using his hacking tools, investigator Sylvanus Clarehout determines that citizen Hadrian Baker last entered his home a week and a day ago.
Through the door is a small one-bedroom apartment, rank with a stale electrical odor, the distinct smell of a small enclosed space left without conditioned or flowing air for a lengthy stretch of time.
The entrance opens upon a minuscule living room with a budding kitchenette.Inside is a scuffed grey couch and two small blue steel chairs.Shelves are lined with small trinkets.
Dice, cards for architectural spectrum, and dozens of data papers that contain everything from books to personal videos, a curated life on display.
And a kitchen?Was there a kitchen in here?
The kitchenette is part of the main room, and a short step of a hallway leads to both the bedroom and the bathroom.
Um, do they have refrigerators in this world?
Because meal is self-preserving, refrigerators are fairly uncommon, and this apartment is not fitted with one.
I'll just go straight down the hall and investigate the bedroom and the bathroom as well.
The bathroom is dreadfully plain, possessing its own particular brand of stale, wasting odor.The bedroom is sparse, with a bulky desk and a single, neatly made bed that would accommodate one lone citizen.
Azad notes that the desk, which is oddly thick for its build, is made of the same blue-tinted steel as the chairs in the main room. Under a well-strewn layer of DCO data paper reports, the desk has holographic projectors on its top and side surfaces.
However, the side projectors appear to be broken, and the general condition of the desk is worn.
Is there anything I can know from just general knowledge of if the desk is thick because of the hollow projectors, or is there something hidden inside of it?
That would require a successful investigation check.
Pushing up along the cold metal underside of the desk, Klarhoff discovers a false middle section disguised as a broken holographic projector, tucked within the false husk.He discovers an ancient paper journal with an attached graphite pencil.
enclosed in preservative wrap.Can I inspect it before I pick it up, just to be safe?With his unnaturally high investigative skills, Klarhout determines that the book is not trapped.Perfect.
Now I'm comfortable picking it up.
I'm going to examine the entryway, then I'll start looking through the data sheets.I'm going to use investigation to look for signs of a scuffle in the entryway.And I roll a 12.
Agent Sogut can find no signs of a scuffle or anything suspicious in the entryway or primary living space.Everything appears in its appropriate place.
Hmm.I start looking at the book titles, and I roll to investigate for anything anomalous, like a hidden bookshelf?
Agent Sogut's fingers still slow from the lack of caffeine.Slowly examine the pages of data paper.Unlikely to make much headway.
The book titles are Advanced Mathematics, Our Beloved Leader, Home Audio Videos Part 2, A Citizen's Guide to Atreus, various fictional titles, volumes of law and regulations for various departments, one on psychology.
While she's looking at the sheets and he's looking at the physical book, I'll move to turn on the data desk.
Azad discovers that the computer will require a password to be accessed.
All right. No, I'm so scared to try, because my rolls have been horrendous.
I would like to scoff loudly to myself in the corner, if I may.
Klarhoutz scoffs loudly to himself.Smug in success.
All right, I'll try.Wait.The settings for some of the books show that all data papers are full of data, but only sparse fragments of that data are visible.Whatever the extra content is appears to be hidden or locked via password encryption.
I'll take them to the table and start to examine them further.Maybe I can hack my way into them.Rolling a two for computer use.
All right, uh, the book, it seems to be a physical journal of Hadrian's notes, in addition to some translated writings of an almost unpronounceable name, which I will try, uh, Shijo Kawaius Gul-Ian.Who?I don't know if anyone recognizes that name.
The general topic of the writing seems to surround an obscure sect of Fringers known as the Children of Melichor.Apparently an offshoot of the NCO.
I've heard the NCO was an old Fringer gang that was wiped out in the 300s.
No, I remember this.The NCO, or New Collective Order, was formed and controlled by the Great Front Council.In the year 309, a series of coups put it directly under the control of a single individual named Taro.
He attacked Atreus in the Great Siege of 312.
After 10 months, the Archons sent strike teams to destroy Separatist resource manufacturing facilities, and this severe lack of resources led to the rapid loss of political super PACs and alliances and the degradation of the Separatist ethics.
No more meal, no more NCO.Many cite this as the point in history where the individual greed outweighed the bonds of politics, friendship, and even family.
This was the point in history where morality was completely lost and those beyond the wall became known as the Fringers.
Fun fact, in an effort to recover the great loss of life, Archon Reeve would lift the three child limit for 50 years after the great siege.That was one of my ancestors.It later became the two child limit that we have today.
But yeah, guys, that was like in history class.Hey, Clare, how does it say what his password is?
I don't see anything interesting looking in the margins that could be a password.I'm sorry, but check this out. Yes, scribbling plus ten Hmm
It seems to be a map of the sanitation tunnels where Hadrian apparently discovered and marked an entrance to the old tunnels underneath Atreus, which I guess the map claims can be accessed by means of this still existing sanitation tunnels.
The old tunnels under Atreus, those would be the original mining tunnels.So those might link into the fringe.If he found a way into the fringe, he's compromised the security of the inner city.
It's unlikely, but I'm going to do a search and see if I can find a map of the tunnels.Public Records maybe has something?It's probably classified.
Agent Saugart fails to find anything of use.An unsurprising outcome due to the generally classified nature of Atreus's subterranean maps.
All right, and now I'm rolling to try and get into the freaking computer.One attempt made, and it is a... Hey!
20 efforts! Following a few minutes of vigorous typing, Azad is able to use a backdoor to confirm the computer's password.It was altruist1.
Now looking at the desktop screen of Hadrian Baker, Azad scrutinizes the files.
Files and programs visible, including audiovisual communication feature, numerous broadcast channels, some of his art, a poorly hidden pornography folder, which is locked, a home security application, and also a mysterious text-based game program labeled 0101001110.exe.
So if you go to files, sort by most recently edited or most recently opened, go to top five files.What do we have?
Azad confirms that the most recently accessed files are two poorly drawn sketches, the .exe program, and two different channels within the broadcast feature.
Alright, what is 6 through 10?
The security application, a color correction program, and various media files within the locked pornography folder.
You know, I'm simultaneously curious, but I also don't want it described to me.
I don't know how we know it's the porn folder if he says it's locked.
Azad looks at the name of the folder again, and there is simply no doubt in her mind.
Is the folder just called TMI?
All right.The security one that you said was accessed.Can I pull that up?
The security footage from the front door has no timestamp, but every time someone passes by the front door, the motion-activated camera records for a brief period until the motion ceases.
Prior to a short video of the team's arrival, Azad finds separate footage of Hadrian departing the apartment while actively holstering a mini-pistol.
From a quick glance at the footage, Azad can see that he was wearing a privacy hood, gloves, and a heavy coat in the footage.There is no timestamp.
I'm guessing based on the mark of the door that that was one week and one day ago, Diana?
Based on the mark on the door, but do you have to scan the mark to get out?
No, this type of door locks automatically.
All right, so we know the last time he came into his apartment, and we know that this video took place sometime after whenever it is that you found his mark to have been accessed.
Since he has a privacy hood, I'm going to go out into the hallway and run an IP search on his privacy hood signal.
I intimidate the computer.While there's various hacking going on, I'm going to start to draw a copy of this map.
Sylvanus, if you have a privacy hood, you can just take a picture of the map.
Oh, OK.I will do that, and I will send that picture to my three compatriots.
Through the use of Privacy Hood's technologies, the team now all share a copy of the map.
So if I look at those two painting files, If I look at how much data it says the painting files are taking up, does it actually seem the appropriate amount for a paint file?
After scrutinizing the works, Azad concludes that any amount of data consumed by Hadrian's art is a waste, but determines that the images and files do not contain anything hidden.
All right.And the broadcasts, do you mean like radio broadcasting or visual broadcasts?What are we talking?
Azad confirms that Hadrian was listening to audio and audiovisual broadcasts at the time of access.
What are the topics covered?
One of the broadcasts was a general news segment.The other was a show called Tales from the Tower, an evening horror entertainment broadcast.
What news was on?That was a really poor sentence.What news was he listening to?
Though determined, Azad is unable to discern the exact segments he watched, only the names of the general shows that were broadcast on the channels at the time Hadrian was watching them.
but there's no newscaster sitting in front of a headline?
No, it's a streaming application.
By the way, I got distracted with this map, and I'm trying to dodge some rather heretical teachings that are in this journal, but it also seems to claim that the Fringers are the only true free beings, and that through a process called the Awakening, freedom will be brought to Atreus, willing or not, it seems.
It's kind of written without logic,
It sounds as though Baker's gone mad.
This is starting to get a little dark.
But that madness doesn't mean he isn't a security risk if he really did find a tunnel.
It does, however, look like he's just translating some writings of an older... that name you looked up.I don't know who the author of the original script was.
Before it was translated from another language, it was clearly written by someone mentally unstable.
What was the computer password?I'll try it on the books.
What did you find, Cassius?
Have a look for yourself.I'll transfer a list of titles to you via the shortwave.
The Real Data appears to be banned books on fringe psychology, a citizen's guidebook which is only authorized to those within the RAD, Distant Stars and Their Workings, The Sister Wars, A True History, Understanding the Fringer, and Terl's Unauthorized Guide to Advanced Technology and Its Many Applications.
Some of these are just occult shit, but the rest are all highly illegal.He especially shouldn't have the R.A.D.one.It's clearance three.While we're here, we might as well look around his bedroom to see what else might be hidden.
And I roll a 13 for perception.
Agent Sawgut's search reveals a canvas.
Marred by an amateur painting of a naked woman.
Oh, seems he was an artist.A bad one.
Um, can I go into... Which one was the tech advanced technology and it's multiple applications many applications I know that there's he can't dog-ear a page or anything, but did he like Highlight anything that he found interesting.
Is there any particular advanced technology?
He was looking into Azad is unable to find anything relevant to her query.I
Sylvanas rolls for a Sister Wars check.And he got a nat 20.You have all the good rolls.
Apparently I'm stealing all the luck. To spare you with an abridged synopsis, the Sister Wars started around 173 with the Expansion War, when Atreus needed to expand, and ended with the Hydra War in 175 or 176.
The two events are collectively known as the Sister Wars because our expansion indirectly caused the counterattack by the Fringers, but the term is only used by Fringers. Or at least their ancestors, the Separatists.
It's a name that has a fairly negative implication toward Atreus, so it's fairly obvious to me that such a book wouldn't have been written by... well, someone from this side of the wall.
I'm going to take the papers and store them in my lab coat along with my data pad.Because I know he's not supposed to have the RAD edition of the Citizen's Guide.And yeah, I'm gonna store those.
Yeah.Alright, back into the other room with the nude painting.
The nude painting really stands out to me.It's just drawn so poorly.Did you get to check it yet?Um... Sylvanas.Sylvanas.
Well, I know there was a page in the journal with a name.What was it again?The weird one.
Let me check the journal here.It looks like, uh... Shijay?Shijo Kawaias Guleon.
Most fucked up name ever.I'm going to... Was that the role?
Yeah, the role.Natural 20, Nat.
What?Agent Sorgut is positive that this name has never occurred in Atrean history.
This name has never occurred in Adrian history, which means it must either be a Fringer or perhaps made up.I say made up because Fringers are scary, crazy, and disorganized.
I very much doubt they could have acquired this sort of knowledge in the Fringe.
Your confidence is admirable.
Yeah, so I'm going to sit back down at the desk if the chair is still available.And what were the top five things again?The two broadcasts, the two paintings and the security tape.
0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 dot e x e. So binary file.
Everybody OK with me opening this? I have no idea what it is.Pretty sure it's not porn, because the porn folder is that one.
Is it one of his paintings?
Yeah, it's not one of his paintings.
And you're sure it's not his porn folder?
I just said that I'm pretty sure it's not porn.You missed the joke.Never mind.
There's nothing funny about porn.Speaking of which, I'm gonna go check to see if there's anything hidden in the painting.I'll roll for investigation.And it's a 13.
Confirming that there is nothing suspicious or secretive about the located painting.Agent Sogut suspects that Hadrian might have tried painting to relieve stress.It is a disastrously poor painting.
Well, I have important news.The painting is safe.Nothing hidden about it whatsoever.He's just a really amateur artist.Maybe it helps him relieve stress.
Alright, and Sylvanas and Horatius, what do you think?
You know, I'm sorry, I missed some of what you said.What are you asking us?
Should we go ahead and open the binary file on the computer?
Uh, I think that the more leads we can get, the better, especially with the situation becoming as serious as it is.
Do you think it's safe to steal a copy of that file?Not steal, but create a copy of that file just in case something happens?Would it be safe to... How big is the file?
Azad determines that the file is very small, merely a shortcut link directing to a program that relies upon a specific intranet connection to store and receive data.
So I'm going to follow the shortcut without actually opening the file?
Smart thinking.The primary application appears otherwise useless when apart from the computer at a mere 22 megabytes.
In short, the file is somehow tied to the room and transferring it to a different device isn't going to do anything.All right.Double click or whatever it is that you do on a touch screen application desk.
When activated, the program prompts a text-based role-playing game set within Atreus.
The program flickers to life, describing the world of the game as it starts in the hallway just outside Hadrian's apartment, similarly described as how it appears in actuality.
The game text prompts with, you are in the empty hallway of tower 18, floor 25, just in front of the door to apartment 14B.What would you like to do?
The door opens.You step into the living room.In front of you is bedroom.Behind you is door to the hallway.So this doesn't... Command not recognized.
I guess I rudely reach across Azad's whole situation and type in, where is Hadrian Baker?Command not recognized.
AABRIA So this version of the room doesn't actually have the same layout as the apartment we're in currently.
MATT Horatious leans over the keyboard and types in, AABRIA Oh, hello.MATT Look at room.
There is chair, table, bedroom, door to the hallway.
AABRIA Command, flip table.
AABRIA I'm a scientist.I am not here to play games.
MATT The tables have turned. I'm so proud of you guys.You receive a message on your privacy hood.You have one message.We should type in read message.From S.N.Donovan.Are the preparations complete?
Should we say yes?We could say yes.
Are you able to reply to the message, Diana?
Yes.How about we reply underway?
Because that way it doesn't sound... What's the timestamp on the message?How long ago was it sent?
It doesn't have a timestamp.
Can you do something to find out where it came from?
It's digital.It's all digital.It's a digital world.It's text-based.
So... I'll see what I can do.Command not recognized.
All right, so while they're playing the game, I'm going to open up a second instance, and I'm actually going to do... to try and trace, I guess?
What would you... I'm sorry, can you tell me one more time what the message said?I was just looking through the journal here.Are the preparations complete?
I wonder if they're referencing... Natural 1 again.Confused within the layers of the game and programming, Azad fails to discover a way to trace where the message came from.
Beyond the initial connection to the network in Tower 18, the signal could spread across the city or beyond.
So I'm just gonna lean back and let them play the game because I am aggravated at this desk.
So what do you want to reply with, McBride?Well, I don't know.I was just gonna reply with yes.
underway is neither affirmative or so we could say.
Sure, but if we say yes, he might tell us what to do next.
Can we still play the game while we're waiting to respond to this guy?So, if we type something into the game, will it still happen?
The message is in the game.It's somewhat meta.
So, Azad is typing on a keyboard in the real world, typing into a virtual keyboard located inside of Hadrian's virtual privacy hood, inside of his virtual living room in the virtual program located on Hadrian's actual computer, located in Hadrian's actual room.
But are there two text boxes available?One for messages and one for inputs?
No.Azad sees only a single black screen with a prompt of green glowing text.A green block blinks, awaiting input.
Or maybe we could put reply yes.
You reply yes.Response from S. N. Donovan.Who is this?
So should we reply this is Hadrian?
Well, it's worth a shot.I guess if it doesn't work, we can play the game again.
Wait, he says that his na- so our speaker name is Speaker.So should we say we are Speaker?If they are Donovan?
Donovan sounds more like a real name than Speaker does.
Yeah, I know.Do I- do I recognize that name?I have a six, but I have horrendously bad rolls, so you should also roll. What the?What is wrong?What is wrong?Okay, fine.Only thing I can remember, Donovan is a pre-archon leader of Atreus.
That's what I got.That's it.
Maybe this journal is just starting to get to me, but I'm awfully tempted to respond something weird like a servant of the awakening based on what I'm reading here.
What was it?A child of Melichor?
Let me check.That's correct.Yes, obscure sect of fringers known as the Children of Malachor.
All right.Well, it's worth a shot.Azad types, a child of Malachor.I hadn't expected you guys to do this.I'm actually rather excited.So, um, in a flash of white, the computer turns off.Upon investigation, it is found to have formatted itself.
Well, shit.Damn.Wait, why'd you quit out of the game?
because the computer just formatted.
It can.Yeah, it just killed itself.When did it do that?It just happened.
As soon as we typed in a child of Melichor.
Unbelievable.We'll never know what was in that porn folder.
Well, no one will ever have to see those pictures again.
Yeah.Mission accomplished.Atreus is safe.
But I didn't get to walk into the bedroom, which was the other thing I wanted to do in the game.
Well, we should probably get going.There's really nothing left to see here.
Let's see.We've been to the workplace.We've been to that's where we are.We've been to the apartment We've been to the relatives house.We've been to the food the Diner, could you call it a diner cafe cafe?Thank you.
Let me pull out my map to see what the next closest place of interest is Hmm I feel as though the one we're on right now is a very pressing matter.
Yeah, before we move on, let's review what we've already learned.So we know that our charge is into some pretty deep shit involving Fringers.Seems to have a lot of mysterious and illegal literature.Participating in a boring card game.
Nobody knows where he is.Wonder who'd force him to do something like that.
It seems as though no one was forcing him to do anything.He is likely missing because he's up to something.
And are we thinking his painting hobby is to relieve stress, or I'm kind of curious, given the architectural spectrum facet, I'm wondering if maybe he's painting for another reason as well.
I very much doubt it.No one would have such an unconvincing fake hobby.
But he wasn't painting at any recreational center, so it's not as though he could use it as an alibi.You said before that he had a second job, yes?
This map is starting to become like an abstract art masterpiece. I feel like there's gotta be something tying all these pieces together, but I don't know what it is.
Do you think we can find a list of places he was assigned to on sanitation duty?Sure.
I think we should go and see his, uh, overseer at the sanitation department.
Well, that's a good idea.Except that I'm not sure exactly where that is right now.
I am also not sure, but I do know based off of the information searches I pulled earlier that he has a clean bill of attendance at his sanitation job.So unlike his work with the DCO, it seems as though he did very well at the sanitation job.
Never mind, guys.I can see from the record's history that Hadrian actually stopped showing up for work about a month ago, and his employment was terminated from sanitation for attendance issues.
Well, that's unfortunate.
Alright, so he was terminated about a month ago, and if he hasn't been working very well at DCO, he hasn't showed up at DCO, he's not showing up for over a month, He doesn't have any known hobbies that take up a long amount of time.No known vices.
Beyond painting horribly.
No known friends or associates.
He isn't seeing his family, he isn't showing up at his job, and he isn't spending time with anyone. The only time he spends with his family outside of his family's house is trying to convince his sister that he's playing a boring card game.
Sounds to me like he's spending his time doing something else.
Well, of all the things we found at his apartment, I don't doubt that.
I look at the map again that we got from that book.Are there any distinguishing numbers on it that would come out as being like entry points near 1114-4 or anything like that?
Hazad determines that the map assumes a working knowledge of the intricate sewer systems of Atreus.Someone reading it would require familiarity with the sewers to have any hope of understanding what they were examining.
I'm gonna call my sister.So Diana Azad has a sister.Her sister actually works in the sanitation department.Her name is Antia.
I'm gonna ring up or send a message to Antia and see if she has time to talk because she might actually recognize some of the entry points on the sanitation map.
I'm not available.Please leave me a message and I will reply at my earliest convenience.
Hey Antia, do you have time to talk?It's urgent.I'm sending you a map that looks like it might correlate with entry points to sanitations, possibly in District 4.
I'll speak with you in four hours then, Tia.Yep, sounds like I can, Tia.All right.All right, so I'm, I turned the other, sounds like I might get some information that might be helpful in maybe four hours.Family.So what is our best step from here?
Do we wait until other areas open until we get more information and check on someone else?
Well, speaking of, how long has it been since we were at the cafe?Maybe the waitstaff has started to arrive.
Maybe the art store is open.
It's only been about an hour and a half.They seem to have gone missing within the same week.
There are two other cases we could get started on that aren't too far away.At least Trude and Takena isn't too far away.
We could go start another case, just gather some preliminary information while we're waiting for the other one to take its time.
I believe our case file for Hadrian did recommend that we go to Trudon Dakenna's house next, after his apartment.
Yeah, let's go to Trudon's.
Missing person number two, citizen Trudent De Cana, male, student, age 13, healthy fair complexion, athletic build, green eyes, and green and black hair.He has a basic mark and is undergoing the later years of basic education.
He lives in apartment four on the second floor of building 122 on Crucible Avenue in district four.
I doubt these cases are related, but just in case, let's examine the timeline on when each of these individuals went missing.
The next case, Trudent, has been missing for just over two days, while the other citizen, Dr. Dobson, has been missing for about a week.Let's see if I can pull up any additional information on Trudent.
Clarehought determines that Trudent is really young.Even with a high role, there is not much of interest regarding the boy, though available records included his dental records, which are pretty clean.
Apparently, our second missing person, Trudent Dakenna, his mother, according to this, works for the public workstation on night shift maintenance. I wonder if she could be connected to sanitation.Possibly.
Where's the nearest sanitation department that we know of?Like, is that public information?
A small sanitation station is built into almost every tower as a part of the basic functionality.
But what about, like, an actual workstation, access station, like, things like that?
Oh, that wouldn't be public knowledge for obvious security reasons.
Minutes later, the team reaches the entrance to Building 122, the home of Trudent De Cana.Located squarely between Buildings 120 and 124 on Crucible Avenue, the shabby six-story structure was built under one of the weaving overpasses.
Despite slight refurbishment within the past few decades, it's clear that Building 122 suffered heavy damage during the Red War and has never fully recovered.
Metal shutters, barred windows, and the reinforced double doors leading to the building give a foreboding impression.
No sense in stopping here.Let's keep going.
Inside building 122, the team ascends the east staircase to the second floor.The smells of bleach and vaguely familiar cleaning solutions permeate the stagnant air.The only feature of note is an uncommon added security measure.
Each floor now capable of being shut off from the stairwell if the need arises.A short walk through the neglected hallway brings the team before apartment 4.I would like to knock. A bleary-eyed woman in her mid-forties opens the door.
Dressed in sleeping clothes and eyes originally glazed by sleep, she fills with enthusiasm upon recognizing your badges.
By the Archen!Are you the enforcer sent to help me find Trude?
As a matter of fact... Fortune is with me today.Come in.
Inside the door is a small kitchen barely accommodating the group.Clare Hout notes only four chairs are present, as the woman puts on a fresh pot of pumpkin-flavored tea.
Please, sit.You must be tired.Can I offer anyone some pumpkin tea?
I would love some, thank you.Of course.
Is there anyone else home with you today?Yes, my other children.My other children, Decia and Marenikis, are in their room studying. I'm Aurelian Dakenna, Trudin's mother.Okay, here.Would you like some tea, ma'am?Oh, no thank you.
I'm sorry to bring this up, but it is why we're here.When was the last time you saw your son?
We shared dinner two nights ago, but we haven't seen him since.None of our neighbors or friends have seen him either.
Were you the one who reported him missing?
Yes.I'm honestly considering hiring a private investigator, if you're unable to find him or determine what happened.
Ma'am, I happen to be a private investigator, if that's any consolation.
Uh, when... were you home when he went missing?Was he out with friends?
Um, he was home, I believe.Or perhaps he was out... He should have been home, though.I work at night.The night shift, so... You live here with your son?Yes.And the other two as well.
And what are their names?
Decia and Merenicus.You have... you have three children, ma'am?Yes, but all with different fathers, so it's still within the legal limit.I wasn't home when he disappeared. And Merenikis told me that he just wasn't here.
He was studying and... Troop just disappeared.
So he actually disappeared when Merenikis was with him, is that correct?
Yes.I believe Decia was out studying with her friends.
Do you mind calling your children in here?Are they busy?
Certainly.Do you want both of them here at once, or... Yes, please.Merenicus, Decia, please come out here.The Wonderful Enforcers are here to help find your brother, and they would like to speak with us.
A shy young boy with the same light hazel hair as his mother and a visibly tired teenage girl exit their respective rooms.The boy is visibly nervous around Agent Sogut, staring at the ground.
Decia, you look very tired.Yes.I've been helping look for Trude while trying to study and get through classes.Are you in your final year?You must be very busy.What have you found on your brother?We haven't found him yet.
We asked our neighbors, but none of them have seen him.I don't always get along with Trude, but I just want him back.
When was the last time you saw him?
Two days ago?I saw him for our breakfast.
And you were there when he disappeared.
Orenicus, what was your brother wearing the day that he went missing?Did he bring his school bag, his data pad, anything that he usually would bring with him that he didn't bring?
It was night.We were wearing clothes that we would normally wear for school.And I went to my room and studied.What were you studying? Um, maths.Multiplications.The really tough ones.
It must be tough to study your multiplications and look for your brother at the same time.Where have you been searching for him?
I've been here, hoping he'll come back.
I know the situation can be difficult.You're doing well.You have no reason to be afraid.Did your brother ever try to go into the sewers, perhaps? No, why would he do that?Weird question, I know.Oddly specific, but it's just a hunch.
What I meant was, did he perhaps work in sanitation?I didn't see anything on his file that listed which division he was working for.He's 13!
Mr. Kenner shows Agent Saugert a picture of Trudent.
I'm sorry.You'll have to forgive me.I got my cases mixed up.It's been a long day at the end of a long work week.
You'll have to forgive my colleague.She's a little tired.Listen.
So it's Cassius is like, you just keep making these mistakes, like your employees got missing.What?Your child was working in the mines.
Hey, I have a late night.You know, if your son was involved in any extracurricular activities, clubs or anything like that.
Architectural spectrum, perhaps?
You know, Merenikis, I am very, very good at multiplication.Do you need help with anything?And I'm going to, like, start walking him back into the other room because I feel like he's not being truthful in front of his mother.
I'd like to follow, but only to the doorway.
That's a great idea.Why don't you practice maths while I speak with the other enforcers out here?
The boy's room is sparse, but very clean and well kept.Its most noticeable features are a well-tacked fading poster for the DRD and a small bunk bed.
So is, um, is Trude's, like, backpack in the room?Datapad?Is there... Does it look like a, like, really messy?Or did it look like he made his bed before he left?
Both beds are well-made, and Azad is able to spot a datapad, a backpack, and an unopened meal canister.
Um, so I'm going to ask the little kid, is that your brother's backpack?Did he leave it or is that one yours?That's mine.So he took his backpack with him.And his data pad, yeah.
The boy avoids eye contact.
So do you want to tell me what's going on?
That would require a persuasion check.
All right.It's like, I work for the betterment of Atreus.I'm here to help.Hey, there we go.
That's better.16.So I start chatting up the mom, but I'm doing it in such a way that she won't realize that this isn't just multiplication that's being discussed.
Are you with the scary lady?Wait, am I a scary lady?Are you with the scary lady? I am with that lady.
And I point over to Cassius.Is that the scary lady?
No, the scary lady, the one with the metal on her face.
OK, so no, I'm not.Do you want to tell me about her?
No, she told me not to tell anyone anything and I won't break my promise.I'm really sorry.But you know what you could do?
You could help me find your brother.If you don't want to say it, you know what, you know what my little sister always used to do with me?She wouldn't tell my parents the secrets.She would always just write it down.And she said that didn't count.
That would require a persuasion check.
Just be happy I'm talking to a child. Okay.Somebody help me.
Yeah, I'll assist from the other room.Listen to her.Hey, nice.
Fifteen.Yes, I pass him my data pad.Okay.
The child carefully opens an art application on Azad's data pad.His hands shake as he begins to write in crude blue lines.
That's okay.I work with scientists and doctors.I can read it.
I saw her and the others take Trude away while mom was on shift.
So someone took him.He didn't run away.It's good to know.You said she had metal on her face.Did she have a mark?
Can you draw the mark for me?That looks like third tier lethality.
Actually, isn't that pointing the wrong way?
He's drawing it the wrong way.
All right.So this means that she's a very dangerous woman.And I'm gonna like point to the patch on my shoulder that says that I work for the meal improvement division or whatever it is that I work for.
And I'm going to say, did she have anything that looked like this or another patch?Did she have anything that said where she was from?
Nodding, he draws the Special Defense Force emblem.
All right, so I'm just going to close the file up and take it away.And I'll be like, all right, so metal face scary lady with that patch and the three arrows on her hand.
With previously unseen confidence, the boy nods.
All right.Is there anything else that you think is important for me to know to find your brother?
The boy shakes his head no.
Please find him.I won't tell anyone.I didn't tell anyone.
You didn't say a word.You're a good kid.And I'm going to get up and walk straight out of the room.
This is great tea, by the way.
Yeah, I'm gonna look up at Cassius and I'll just like do a little nod sort of thing.
Is that it then?Are you all departing?
Rivendares, ma'am.If we have any more questions, we'll contact you.And should you find any relevant information, here's my information so you can contact us.Thank you again for your hospitality.
Please, bring Druid home.May the Archon watch over you.
And you as well, ma'am. So, what'd you find out?
I pull up the the kid's picture.And like the picture that he drew.
Is that a picture you drew yourself?Or is it a Hadrian Baker original?
No, I'm pulling back up the the data pad picture that the little boy drew on the data pad.And based on it, you guys can see that there's a hand that has third tier lethality marks on it.And there's also the Special Defense Force logo.
And he said that that is what he saw on the metal faced woman who came and took his brother away. which means that this might be outside of our jurisdiction.
Hmm.Well, I suppose we should report that to our superior when we return.
Um... At the very least, we should try to verify that this is, in fact, one of the shadow divisions of the government, if at all possible.
Could we... Could we wait until... Because I have an idea.So you said that this building itself doesn't have... Like, it's pretty ramshackled?
Okay.But the buildings surrounding it look like they were in rather okay condition?I want to go and check on the security cameras of nearby buildings to see if we can find when the child was taken.
Sure, absolutely.Outside the building, a dark-haired woman with two cheekbone dermal piercings and a deep reddened complexion assertively approaches the team.
Armored in tactical gear, she makes direct eye contact with every member of the team as she addresses them.
I was sent to find you.I'm Officer Boont, Special Defense Force.There's been a glitch. It seems that some fragmented data accidentally compiled into a missing persons report.There was no Trudent Dakenna.
And there is no missing persons report in this instance.Enforcer Sergeant Mueller has been notified of your success.Pleasant evening, citizens.
I check her credentials using my privacy hood.
That would require an investigation check.
Azad finds no record on file.
I give her an affirmative nod and wait until she walks away.
Sorry, you rolled extremely well and I didn't see it was that high.
Oh, so you thought it was like the 16 from the beginning?
Something is oftentimes better than nothing.
Okay, so at first he said there was no record on file, and she's wearing gloves so you can't see her mark, and then the next one she's like, oh, this is better, and it's just classified in quotes.
Well, if she's listed as classified, that means she's at least in the system.
Okay.To make sure that we can confirm this with our sergeant at the DCO, I would like to make sure that I have verification of your identification and visual identification of your mark.
You can verify my mark, but for reasons of security, I cannot allow you to verify who I am or which department I work for.
Officer Boont removes her glove, exposing a calloused, scarred hand and third-tier lethality and basic education marks.For point made, she re-gloves her hand.
I'm sorry, but we're trying to... Find some people here and do our jobs.
Is there anything more you can tell us?We just came from the home of a missing boy.You must understand that his family is extremely distraught.What are we going to tell them?
Citizen Aurelien Dequenna is mentally disturbed, and was perhaps responsible for the anomalous data. The matter has been escalated.Your assistance here is no longer required.And as you can see from your own reports, there is no missing citizen.
We've spoken with people who knew him directly.They were mistaken.
If there ever was a Trudent. He would have had to have been blacked out after breaking into a nearby science facility and risking the security of highly classified information.
I suggest that you continue your walk to the Central City District if you're to reach the home of Dr. Dobson before sunset.Is that clear?
Archon watch over you. Can I do a search for nearby science facilities?
That would require an investigation check.With my hood?Clarehout uses his hood's built-in technology to scan the nearby buildings.Building 120, a two-story building surrounded by a fence, is recorded as a secure, restricted-access building.
Years of experience present Clerhout with a distinct impression that the private structure houses secrets, well-protected and perhaps official in nature.I would like to nod towards it to indicate that.
Clerhout also notices that the fence was recently patched to cover up a previous point of devious entry.Anybody interested in taking a walk?
So do we want to go farther into this, even though we were told by a suspicious government official that we shouldn't?
I'm not really out to get into any type of trouble.We have our assignment, and I say we should do it.
This is my volunteer work, and if the government of the Archon tells me that I should not be doing something, then I probably should not be doing it.
That seems reasonable to me.
Metal Face's story seems consistent, so there's no sense in working against our own shadow organizations. Instead, I think we should focus on the other two missing persons.
We still have one person we haven't even looked into yet, so I'd say let's go see if we can find Mr. Dobson.
I agree.The team departs for the Central City District with intent to investigate the final missing citizen, Janice Dobson.
Liberty Vigilance, created and produced by Travis Vengroff, with editing and writing assistance from K.A.Statz.Starring Peter Lewis, Sean Francis, Caitlin Buckley, and Caitlin Statz, with narration by Wayne June.
Guest voices include Tanya Maloyevich, Shannon Bladow, Zoe von Embler, and AudioVerse Award finalist Holly Golding.The music was created by Ryan McQuinn, Stephen Mullin, and Brandon Strader.
Vigilance was mixed and mastered by Brandon Strader with cover art by Dan Stanek.The original game master was Travis Bengroff with assistance by K.A.Stats.
This episode was sponsored by Tee Public, which has some amazing Liberty merch, including meal manufacturing coffee mugs. We're also very thankful for our Patreon team.
If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon or by liking and reviewing our show on iTunes.This broadcast is a creation of Fool and Scholar Productions.
Thank you for listening, and may the Archon watch over you.
If I play you something, will you promise not to tell anyone about it?What is it?
There's a thing in the sky.You've got to get someone down here quick.It's fast.It's moving.It's buzzing your ears.It's getting closer, I think.I need to talk to someone.Sing it.What are you through now?Don't, don't, Poppy.It's getting louder.
I can feel it.I can feel it inside my head.
Listen to Hovering, the latest fiction horror show on Realm's premier horror channel, Undertow.Hovering is available now wherever you get your podcasts.
When San Francisco is rocked by a series of brutal slayings, the case falls to homicide detectives Brian Clauser and his partner Pookie Chang.
It falls to them because Brian is always first on the scene, driven there by dreams that predict the killings in exquisite detail.Meanwhile, a shadowy vigilante, seemingly armed with superhuman powers, is out there killing the killers.
Brian and Pookie's superiors, from the mayor on down, seem strangely eager to keep the detectives from discovering the truth.
Doubting his own sanity and stripped of his badge, Brian begins to suspect that he's stumbled into the crosshairs of a shadow war that has gripped his city for more than a century.
A war waged by a race of killers living in San Francisco's unknown underground ruins, emerging at night to feed on those who will not be missed.
Nocturnal is a complete serialized novel with 45 episodes available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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