Unclassifiable The Omniversal Holy Order - The Realm of the Patriarch

IC: Darth Manticore
En Route to the Matrix


He listened to Aeneas and ignored those who were still bickering. The ring settled on his palm and he regarded it curiously. So, they were venturing to a humanocentric world. Manticore mentally scoffed at the perceived hubris and for a moment, was tempted not to wear the ring- but success depended on blending in. He was not one to skulk about, yet the disguise was a small price to pay in order to achieve the greater prize. Smoothly, the zabrak slipped the ring into a finger on his left hand. He could feel the energies rushing inside him, into his mind, searching for an image.

During his time in the underworld on Nar Shaddaa, Manticore did not hold many humans in high esteem, however there was one he did regard with respect. His former Master of Teras Kasi. A smirk crossed the zabrak’s lips as he brought forth the image of the warrior monk and Master who had mentored him in the Martial Arts. Yes, he would honor this fierce warrior in this new world. Soong-Li Khan

It was then that two newcomers were introduced. Manticore assessed them in silence and returned what greetings were offered with a simple nod. The one called Kruger would be going with them into the Matrix world.

Kardis. Kaiser. Kruger. Interesting…..

A golden portal appeared, indicating it was time to go, and just as well. Manticore felt eager to begin this quest, to test himself, to rid himself of these new…limitations.

Pascale bid adieu to the others, Manticore did not even bother as he stepped through the portal.

He was leaving all that he knew behind for something completely new.


Tag: @Shadowsun, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @Sinrebirth, @Mitth_Fisto, @Darth Cocytus

 

IC: Soliloquy - A Combo with Shadowsun!
Meeting of new beginnings

There would just be Anguish and Soliloquy, the room empty and quiet as the portals closed behind the last members to leave. The movements of shifting rooms and sounds of people scurrying around the immense city flowed through the room as in time the set of double doors opened. In walked a being that shined with a metallic quality, long trailing attachments flowed around it as it was surrounded by a series of attendants.

"Hello, Soliloquy, Anguish... I'm sure you are both wondering why you are not accompanying the others. Though the paths we are going to present to you both are quite different," began the droid-like being his voice seemingly human, but with the edge of a robotic quality to it. A deep, almost raspy voice that seemed to carry age and experience with it. "I'm Cognito so-called 'Upper Sentinel Six'" He being paused for a moment. "I am head of all technological discoveries and research, barring that of Titan Research itself, of OHO,"

Soliloquy gave a differential nod of acknowledgement. They had no such lack of foreknowledge in this situation for why they were being held back, but it was telling that the other likely did not have that knowledge. The horned metallic being then tilted his head toward Anguish.

"I offer you a chance Anguish, you who should be dead. In fact, technically you are dead... An opportunity for you and you alone. We can give you a chance to be reincarnated. Your body will be stripped of its soul, taken to be forged in a new body, in a new world..."

Cognito then moved his horned head to Soliloquy.

"Soliloquy, I offer you an accord, but before I speak on what I offer I would like to show you something," Cognito turned holding, pulling out a key with winged serpents coiled around it as he tilted his head back towards Anguish.

"My attendants will be able to work through any questions you may have," There was a twist of the key and the same golden portal opened itself as Cognito stepped through, the portal hanging open waiting for Soliloquy to step through.

With a turn he nodded to Anguish in a parting turn before stepping through the golden portal. Curious to see what waited for them on the other side.

The two beings would find themselves along a walkway hundreds of floating bookcases surrounding them. Scholars and researchers clad in faint green robes worked and floated alongside the bookcases, pulling off books, reorganizing, recategorizing them. A constant flow of work and knowledge.


"Here a near-endless well of knowledge, that of countless worlds. An entire human life trying to read all this information I doubt would make it through a one-millionth of a percent of the knowledge that is gathered here."

He then fell silent allowing Soliloquy to take it all in.

"One-millionth." Soliloquy quietly whispered as he looked about. "Gotta hand it to you for guessing my penchant for libraries. You probably could loose me here for a few hundred years without even trying. Of course this is a way point and time as always is of the essence I'm sure with the hunting teams out and about."

Nodding as he did a slow spin he looked at the man or thing or whatever that had led him here. Softly he tugged at his gloves. "I know methods of using machines that can render human and alien minds into an easily and rapidly digestible forms. I also know how to drain knowledge with the Force from another and pioneered my own form of data to brain information transference system that was fine tuned while working with various computer and droid systems over the span of a few thousand years." Rubbing the hidden scars under his left glove he stopped turning to look at the horned guide. "So what's the plan then? You had one before I spoke up, how does bringing me here serve the path that my private audience has granted me?"

"Yes... we do have a digitized version, but The Patriarch prefers everything in physical form. He is a bit of a luddite even if he ultimately sees the value in technology..." the being then turned to Soliloquy, away from the eclectic display of books swirling around them.

"It is quite simple Soliloquy, I offer an accord... to become my student, though perhaps research assistant would be a more apt term. As such you would have access to this treasure trove of lore, and more all within your reach. And you will be able to undertake any research project that suits your fancy with support from the Holy Order,"

Nodding a moment he ruminated on the offer and the possibilities. Ultimately it was a last glance at the books that sealed the choice. "Very well, it's been a few decades since I was a research assistant. Methodologies can't be that hard to adapt to. I accept the job for as long as it serves us three well. Which if your estimation is anything to go by well be a very long time coming. Especially if I crack a simpler immortality and memory enhancement methods." Sticking a gloved hand out into the void between them he waited for whatever response yet awaited them.

Cognito did not immediately accept Soliloquy's hand, giving a gesture as his two right hands came up each with a single finger raised.

"There is a caveat Soliloquy, this is not merely a blank check...." he paused for a moment as his hand moved downward back by his side.

"We will expect you, as time moves forward for you to assist in more general matters and interest of The Holy Order," The being then outstretched its front-most right hand.

"Do you find this agreeable, Soliloquy?"

Clasping his hands behind him, Soliloquy nodded along at the added terms. It was a blanket gift of services expected for the benefit of the aid of growing as Soliloquy had requested. A tit for tat of knowledge offered for future services rendered.

“You know the vague cuts either way. I was really expecting a few hundred pages contract.” Giving a solemn nod he accepted. “With the caveat that if requested aid will disrupt any projects that I have going able aid will be provided to either keep them progressing or to help re-establish them.” Reaching forward again he held his hand next to other’s, letting it decide if this minor addendum was acceptable.

"Naturally," spoke Cognito. "The finer details we can come to an agreement at some later date, but the broad strokes are what we have spoken on now,"

“Then i am satisfied, with the broad strokes.” Soliloquy stated with only a slightly cheeky grin. Taking the hand he shook to ‘seal the deal’ as it were.

TAG: @Shadowsun

 

IC: Vy’ndall Tremyr
Anguish’s End

Upper Sentinel Six, was it now? The nagai gazed at the being in wonder for a moment, before he was able to gather his wits. Never before had he beheld such a wondrous creature, such magnificence. For the briefest moment, Vy’ndall did wonder if Cognito presented himself as a bipedal humanoid for the ease of those he appeared before, not unlike the manner in which protocol droids did in order to reflect their makers.

An interesting thought, but not one that was all important, for Cognito was right. Vy’ndall was dead. As long as Manticore existed, this, his former apprentice and the monster he had created, the zabrak Sith Lord would hunt him to the very end of the universe and kill him anew, over and over, time and again. Living was a death sentence. Plain and simple.

One could argue if the Lord of Hate was justified in his singular mission to put down his former Master an infinite number of times. However, here and now, OHO through Cognito, was offering him a second chance at life; an escape from endless death - far from the overly powerful hate-driven zabrak. Perhaps, in his new life, he would become overly powerful himself, powerful enough to withstand his former apprentice, should the fates bring them together once again. Be that as it may, one thing was certain:

This was the End of Anguish.

“Reincarnated you say? My soul stripped from my body, forged into a new one, in a new world?” The nagai mused aloud.

“I guess I wouldn’t be remembering any of this, will I?"

Vy’ndall considered his previous conversation with ‘The Balance’ and wondered if he would recall that encounter at all, if he would still be one of his agents.

“Nothing to lose and everything to gain, except remembering my past? I’d say that’s a bargain I can’t afford to refuse.”

A nod is given to Cognito and Soliloquy as they depart, before the nagai turns to one of the remaining attendants.

“Lord Anguish is dead. Long Live Lord Anguish, now, where do I sign?”

This Vy'ndall intoned with a small smile and a hint of long awaited relief.

Tag: @Shadowsun

 

IC: Cognito
Pressing Forward

Cognito gave a nod as the being stood tall. "Excellent Soliloquy... now time is of the essence I have much I would like to show you..." The figure then moved, drifting in its way as it gave a turn of the same key as they traveled to a new place. It was a large open and white space, completely barren save for four of the same orange circle-headed attendants from before as well as three types of a new droid.

​

"These servants will follow your every instruction unless, of course, you command it against that of our Order." he gave a gesture to a short table with two items upon it.

The first was a silver key with winged serpents on either side, identical to that of Cognito's gold key. The second was a thin data disk akin to that of a Holocron.

Cognito then gestured to the key.

"This will give you medium level access to the facilities of the Holy Order which include the Grand Library that you have just seen and the Omnimatrix which is a digital collection of a certain nature. The Titan Research Labs, The Patriarch's, and Sentinel's quarters are the main areas the key will not grant access to, though if you have a reason to travel to an out-of-bounds location all you have to do is ask..." Cognito paused for a moment.

"We are not Sith, Soliloquy, we do not punish mistakes or failure they are a natural part of the path towards knowledge and perfection, carelessness and disloyalty are not met with the same understanding,"

He then looked to the data disk. "It should bear mentioning that you as a research assistant rank just below that of a Lower Sentinel, so those of that and above I would caution not to disobey or disregard. They are mostly reasonable and if you do end up having a complaint regarding one of them, I am always available to look into the matter..."

A gesture of his hand. "Upon this disk, we have collected a large file of scientists and researchers from across the Omniverse I would suggest a team of three to five, to begin with, depending on what you wish your research project to be, which is another item we can discuss..."

"Take a look, select your team,"

TAG: @Mitth_Fisto

Note: You may select 3-5 scientists/mages/researchers from across fiction or if you prefer I can select them. I expect this will pan out to be a discussion as I ask you to send me your choices first for approval.

TAG: @darthbernael combo to continue

 

IC: Soliloquy
Moving Forward

Soliloquy was whisked away from the books, but a research of a few millennia of knowledge was not without a touch of long looks. Soon he was in a new place and seeing an array of droids, several of a new configuration. Floating arms, now that could have interesting implications and raised many questions and application theories. That had to be set aside for what had been set aside for him.

Stepping forward he accepted the key, replying in his mind how the gold key so far had functioned he was curious if it was merely an internal signal, or raw decryption of will, or a somatic component in how one held the key when turning it to activate. That would of course come in time. Tutorials were for after all the gifts were given. Next was a data stick that looked to have a resemblance to a holocron. Well that was some technology he could easily adapt to.

Cognito of course was blathering on about their local conceptualizations of work ethics and how they might differ from what Soliloquy was used to. "That sounds all perfectly reasonable. Honestly I don't know how many times I have the will to state it, so I shall for you just this once. I am not a Sith. Affiliated, and they like to claim me as their own, but that is merely their sycophantic drive to claim power as their own. If not in actual then by relation, breed, or creed." Tucking the data disk into his mouth he maneuvered his black holocron inside his head so that the two would interact as he internally viewed the rapid trigger and flash of a cascading personal files. A lot of information was present and perhaps there were those that had better skills or aptitude in some situations, but he decided to take things in the direction of the hero syndrome route. Take those that had a drive to get things done and a persistence even perhaps to their own detriment.

"Broad strokes then." He spoke clearly despite the full mouth of data disk. Honestly if you thought this was impressive you should see him with marbles. "Then research would be into the very nature of the Omni-verse with an eye into how the unique variation of powers and expressions of magic might have correlation to that deeper meaning. Not all that different than understanding plants, one has green leaf one has brown, figure out what that has to do with the situation of the plant and so understand plants better. I'm sure you have plenty working the issue directly and of course there might be overlap with several departments including Titans eventually, but it will be interesting to see where such a rabbit hole goes. Yes?"

Nodding he removed the data disk from his mouth. Which with a small flash of light had finished it's speed run. "As for staff - oh, welllllll. . .Doctor Samantha Carter of the SGC later in her career when she has plenty of knowledge would be helpful. A raw scientific mind with the rabid traits of a short lived species. This. . .Holographic Doctor originally from a U.S.S. Voyager with his 'mobile emitter' would be a nice balance and could definitely help with the diversity of the variations of the subatomic and biological in relation to the research as well as the harmonics of the multiverse. Longevity will come in handy even if some adaptations to his memory capacity are required as the studies progress. Senku Ishigami, an affected with a gift for improvisation is always useful. A class clown often sees the obvious solution the genius might miss by invigoratingly using a coaster to stabilize a table. Not to mention a good memory on that one. The Elric brothers, they have a unique relation to magic and the laws thereof that seems to be more lent to the scientific method of study and rationalization. Their knowledge and experience would be a boon to the whole." Not to mention a unique skill Soliloquy would not mind appropriating. "Lastly, someone that incorporates a good mind, a dash of medical knowledge, and good starting to understanding the multiverse as well as magic systems across multiverses would Doctor Stephen Strange." With a firm nod Soliloquy set the data disk down back in its place exactly on the little table. That would be my choice for a rogues gallery to get my research started."

TAG: @Shadowsun

 

IC: Cognito
Well then

The being gave a nod of his head...

"Oh did I ever call you a Sith?" he murmured, sensing the agitation of the man. He played back in his mind of what he had said. It mattered little to his overall point. He then contemplated the proposed research of Soliloquy and that of his selected research associates.

"Yes, that would work quite well, I look forward to seeing your journey through knowledge..." he then lifted his own key. "These keys are imbued with the power of Souls, to create a temporary tear in the fabric of a realm allowing one to travel through. As such, they can be depleted over time and have to be recharged with the power of further Souls..."

Cognito took his key and plunged it into the air. "It requires the intent of the user, linking your Soul to the Souls trapped within, and a clear image of where and when you wish to travel to... it is easier if you have traveled there before though not a requirement,"

He looked over at the rest of the empty lab that was there waiting for Soliloquy and his team to fashion into his own liking.

"I suppose you best travel across the Omniverse and gather your team first then Soliloquy , I do hope you will be able to convince them to work for you,"

The being hovered patiently waiting for potential questions.

TAG: @Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Soliloquy
Well now

That was an interesting turn of events with those descriptions. "Lovely. I would love to learn the recharging principle just in case I stuck somewhere and need to do so myself for the Key if I need to gather my own research team." That was a gear wrench in his plans right there, he was expecting to simply put in a request, get started, and wait for them to arrive. Having to go get them was another issue entirely. One that would require more thought and, other pointless questions he didn't think he would have to concern himself with up to this point.

"Secondly, I noted that someone that was in the party before they dispersed was cloned and the duplicate kept. Is that an option with my research team? Can I simply go there, trigger a duplicated and take one with me and leave the other to keep that timeline sound? Third, what sort of incentivization does OHO use or not permit when poaching staff like this. Any common themes or methods? Have a handbook of do's and don't's? Lastly, for now. How competent are these droids and my access to resources. Can I show them a model and let them revitalize the work space while I'm gone, or is this a make do and they can hold stuff but need micromanaged situation?" Soliloquy was once more in a position that he loathed but oddly also desired, he was in charge of something, but at the same time wasn't. It was a weird place and suited him fine, so far at least. Now he just had to get some work done. Literally and figuratively. Apparently he needed to do prep work the hard way when it came to intelligence, hopefully not so with resources as well.

TAG: @Shadowsun