Change is afoot on The Maid of Orléans. New Governor Farax Bigel cares little for allegiances, treaties, and even peace. His inauguration bodes ominously for all of Barnard's Star…
Level: 14
Start: Gaspard Kieren, Government Center, The Maid of Orléans
Introduction
Near to the Government Center, a stressed-looking administrator is shushing passersby in the corridor.
Gaspard whispers: Shhhhh. Quiet pleeeeese! We've started!
You soften your footsteps to comply as a sudden burst of applause draws your attention to the Government Center's ceremonial plaza, where an event is underway. Even from afar you can see that the cavernous circular chamber is full of people standing around a central, raised stage. On it, smartly-dressed dignitaries stand in orderly rows. One of them ascends an elevated pulpit in the middle, directly below a pink granite-sculpted arch. The applause fades as he begins to speak.
You have accepted the "Fanning the Flames" mission.
- Go in. Join the audience.
- Walk on.
Walk on:
The animated speaker holds the crowd in his sway, but it's of little interest to you. With a shrug you walk on to pursue the day's errands.
You have failed the "Fanning the Flames" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Go in:
You pass Gaspard and a pair of patrolling guards before finding a vantage point among the crowd. Somewhat tacky lighting effects dance across the ornately carved ceiling, hewn from splendid rose-tinted rock. On stage, the pulpit rotates, facing its impassioned speaker to all sections of the crowd in turn.
He shouts: Fellow citizens, I bring good news. With my appointment, Paris accepts what many of you already know… The Protectorate needs to toughen up! For too long we have been the doormat of Barnard's Star, used by others for their own ends… But no more! The Protectorate's eyes are finally open!
As the pulpit turns to face your direction you see Farax Bigel, the Maid's new Governor.
Next NPC: Farax Bigel, Government Center, The Maid of Orléans
- Listen to Farax's speech
Farax's tone is firm, implying authority and power with unsmiling efficacy.
Farax says: Important lessons are being learned in Barnard's Star. We didn't need THEIR Bakker inquest to tell us what our OWN intel has shown. The Consortium cannot be trusted! Finally, we can say it openly!
From behind him, three rows of variously-adorned dignitaries and public figures watch on. You notice Ava Dusol is among them, grimacing as she listens.
Farax continues: Under my watch, we enter a new dawn. No more grovelling to the Consortium, to Freebooters, and anyone else that comes calling. Enough with the lie that we're all friends in the Big Black!
Farax pauses briefly, probing his audience for a reaction. You wonder how receptive they really are to this divisive message.
- Cheer loudly.
- Boo loudly.
- Continue observing quietly.
Boo:
You emit a throaty jeer, watching and listening for the response around you. To your surprise, nobody joins in. For a moment your voice is totally alone in the hall, until a sudden rush of whooping and clapping drowns it out. Farax grins broadly.
Cheer:
You emit a moderate cheer, watching and listening for the response around you. To your surprise, others join in, whooping and clapping as Farax grins broadly.
Observe:
You watch intently as a smattering of applause ripples through some sections of the crowd and Farax Bigel grins, lapping it up.
All choices continue:
It seems that many welcome his message. But on stage Ava seems unable to take any more. She steps forward, shouting something at Farax. His expression hardens swiftly and the amplified voice now creeps with menace.
Farax seethes: Madame Dusol, we've listened to your like for long enough. It's time to grow up! Do you dispute the Catastrophe timeline at the Jump Gate?
The crowd is silent now, rapt by the dispute. A few jeers ring out as Ava replies. But her voice is inaudible, and Farax resumes.
He spits: Do you deny that passage 420.C from Sol was sabotaged while a Gaule diplomatic vessel was in transit?! Or that the Consortium's Gate Defense Vessel attacked our waiting escort, the Mistral? When will you admit THEY tried to use the Catastrophe to destroy us?!
A few cheers ripple through the crowd. Farax Bigel nods triumphantly as, at the foot of his podium, Ava seems to give up. She turns and walks quickly off the stage, prompting a few further cheers from the crowd.
- Find Ava.
- Continue listening to Farax Bigel's address.
- Walk away from the inauguration.
Continue:
Clearly buoyed by the outcome of his dispute with Ava, Farax steps up his rhetoric.
He blusters: Brothers and sisters, mark my words… Those who blur the line between us and them, do the enemy's work! As your new Governor, I won't tolerate it any longer. The Protectorate knows what it's here for. We will protect you!
There's another ripple of applause, during which you feel a hand on your shoulder. You turn to see a familiar face.
Next NPC: Ava Dusol, Government Center, The Maid of Orléans
- Talk to Ava.
Ava looks relieved to see you, sighing wearily as she speaks.
Ava says: Nice to see a friendly face at last… Decent people are in short supply on Orléans right now.
You can't help but notice her fidgeting with the 200-Cycle commemorative pin on her breast pocket as she talks. Looking around, it seems few others are wearing theirs today.
- "Has everyone forgotten the 200-cycle commemoration already?"
- "You don't seem keen on Farax Bigel?"
200-cycle:
Me: What happened to Unity and Togetherness? The 200-cycle commemoration wasn't that long ago…
You nod at her commemorative pin as you speak. Ava gestures in frustration towards the man on the stage.
She says: He happened. That's what… Our intel on the Cat timeline at the Jump Gate was full of questions and holes. Bigel filled 'em in with his catchphrase: blame the Consortium… Somehow convinced the Consul on Paris Spatiale that we needed a tougher position in this system. And got himself a new job in the process.
Ava visibly shakes with anger as she speaks.
- "You don't seem keen on Farax Bigel?"
- "Are Consortium citizens safe here now?"
Don't seem keen:
Me: You don't seem keen on the new Governor?
Ava snorts derisively.
She says: You could say that. He's been here five segments and he's already pissed all over everything my Unity foundation worked for in the past few cycles. Just listen to him! He'd have us at war within the tenspan if he could…
She shakes her head as Farax's voice continues to blare from the speakers. He seems to be repeating the same message over and over, using the words 'us' and 'them' a lot. But the crowd haven't tired of it yet.
- "Are Consortium citizens safe here now?"
Me: Are Consortium citizens safe here now?
Ava looks at you and shrugs. Your question lingers unanswered. Suddenly, you regard the surrounding crowd quite differently, wondering about people's affiliations. Surely you can't be the only Consortium citizen here? You cast a glance about you, looking at people's fashion choices and body language. Those cheering Farax's words are Gaule: of that much you can be sure.
Ava finally replies: What can I say? You're not in danger. But you're probably not as welcome as before…
Looking around, you also see another familiar face by the stage: Max Marchand, the Security officer who'd been so incensed by rebellious graffiti last time you saw him. He watches the crowd with one hand on his holstered weapon, clearly taking his security duties very seriously. Ava pats your shoulder trying to reassure you, but the mood feels different now. You can't help but feel a little vulnerable. On stage, Farax drones on, pausing only to bask in the crowd's sporadic adulation. Somewhere to your left, a woman hustles through the crowd, calling someone's name. Everything about the Maid is suddenly strange and unsettling.
- Leave Ava. Look around the crowd some more.
- "Farax Bigel seems to have plenty of fans here. Why do they support him?"
Why support:
Me: Farax Bigel seems to have plenty of fans here. Why do they support him?
Ava pauses to think, mulling your question. It's clearly something she's pondered before.
Ava replies: He offers clarity. With Bigel, they know who the enemy is and what should be done about it. Things are less scary if you know where the danger lies—
But Ava's words suddenly become inaudible. From the stage, there's a short burst of what sounds like SMG fire, followed by the sound of a single Gauss rifle discharge; then shouting. Everything seems to happen all at once: a panicked stampede ensues as the mass of people shunts and shoves towards the exits. Up ahead, Max Marchand's voice is audible, barking orders at somebody.
- Go towards the stage.
- Flee. Run away from the stage.
Flee:
The firing seems to have stopped but the ceremonial plaza is a swirl of throbbing chaos now. You follow the rush towards the exits, mindful not to knock anybody over as you go. It takes a short while to get out but, finally, back in the main Government Center entry area, the atmosphere seems calmer. Security guards funnel the flow and restore some semblance of order. You glance back into the plaza and can just about make out Max Marchand directing medics to a pair of bodies on the stage. You turn and leave this unsettling scene behind you.
You have failed the "Fanning the Flames" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Towards the stage:
The firing has stopped now but the plaza is a chaotic sight. People rush past toward the exits as you head in the opposite direction. Max Marchand's voice is audible above the commotion.
Max shouts: Calmez-vous! Everything is under control!
You move forward until you're close enough to survey the grisly scene. Farax Bigel lies at the foot of his pulpit, groaning loudly and clutching a bloodied shoulder while a medic tends to him. Off to the side is another bloodied body, lying perfectly still: a young woman with a mushy gored wound in the middle of her chest. A light SMG sits discarded on the floor; a few meters from her outstretched hand. All around, a phalanx of Security guards stand by with weapons raised in case of further attack.
Max continues: Calm please! We're in control… Another Consortium plot to undermine the Protectorate has been foiled! The suspect, Valou Beauciel, was on our watchlist… Now, please vacate the area and let us work!
You look closer and now recognize the young woman's striking Beauciel eyes; same as that of Adrien, her father. In the background, frozen still, is the same woman who'd passed you just now in the crowd, calling after someone. She looks just like Valou, only a little older and wearier. Marchand again bellows for everyone to clear the area, this time with a hint of threat.
- Comply with Marchand's order. Move away from the scene.
- Take a closer look at Valou's body.
Closer look:
You take one last look at Valou's prone body, but it doesn't quite seem real. What's happened to this young woman? There's no med tech in the system that can fix up a chest wound from a Gauss round. Only someone with a clone back-up survives this, and you doubt the Beauciels had the means for something like that. Few onlookers remain now, apart from Ava, watching from a few meters back, and the motionless woman in front.
The woman says: Val— Valou… V-
Clearly in a state of shock, she now slumps to the floor. Noticing her, Marchand beckons a guard to assist.
Max says: Madame Beauciel, we have questions for you. Go with my colleague.
One guard escorts the woman away, while another motions for you to also leave. His expression is stern, with one hand resting on his rifle butt.
- Comply with Marchand's order. Move away from the scene.
As you turn, Farax curses loudly while the medic tries to calm him.
Farax shouts: At it again! They'll try anything to get rid of me… Consortium scum!
The medic says: Please Ser, be still. Everything is under control, just a bit of hot metal, that's all… But your clones are on standby, just in case. Someone tried to take them offline but they didn't get far…
Farax swears again as you move away. Ava reappears at your side, also clearing the area under Marchand's watchful eye. She seems keen to talk to you.
- Speak with Ava.
- Walk away from this horrible affair.
Ava:
Beyond the main plaza, the scene is gradually calming. Guards take statements and shepherd people into orderly queues. Ava motions for you to join her in a secluded corner, against a bulkhead covered in air-scrubber vines.
She whispers: This isn't good, <name>. The Maid is in trouble. Just imagine how Bigel's going to respond… It'll be another excuse to up the Consy-bashing. I refuse to believe that clumsy kid was working for Consortium secret services? Of course, Bigel and Marchand are already saying it…
Ava seems agitated, twitchy as she rattles out her sentences.
- "I doubt it. She was just a kid."
- "Valou Beauciel was a troubled kid. Anything is possible."
Troubled:
Me: Hard to say… Valou Beauciel was a troubled kid, I know that much.
Ava says: Fine. But you don't think the Consortium could do a little better than this, if they really wanted Bigel dead? And why would they risk ramping tensions like this, it doesn't make sense! Maybe Bigel talks tough, but his Consy counterparts aren't idiot enough to fall for his baiting!
Ava seems genuinely distressed, her expression an odd mix of shock, fury, and confusion.
She says: We have to act. Now. You've helped us once. The Maid needs you again. Can you dig around? Find out who put Valou Beauciel up to this. Before Bigel can exploit it… I'm willing to pay you from my Unity foundation budget. 2500 credits. Please, <name>…
The blend of hope and desperation in Ava's voice is evident. You consider her offer.
- Accept Ava's offer.
- Reject Ava's offer.
Accept:
Me: OK. I'll do it.
The tension from Ava's face dissipates in relief at your response.
She says: Thank you, <name>. I don't know where you'd begin. Valou's residence, maybe? If it's not crawling with Security already… Report back when you have something. I'll be here. My unity foundation has a small office in the basement of the Government Center.
As you shake Ava's hand and contemplate the investigation, your CORETECHS bleeps with a station alert: all Consortium citizens on The Maid are to contact Security immediately and in person. You presume it relates in some way to this ghastly episode. It sounds serious in any case. You ponder your next move.
You have two options. You can either comply with the order and report to Security, or ignore it and head to the Residences instead.
Next NPC: Aline Lucas, Security, The Maid of Orléans
- Report to Aline for questioning.
OR
Next area: Residences, The Maid of Orléans
- Find Valou's Residence
Security:
You arrive at Security somewhat nervous about the pending interview, but also hopeful you may pick up something useful for your own investigation. A few others are here for the same reason it seems. After a short wait, Aline Lucas beckons you forward as she loads your details on her desk-slate.
Aline says: Don't look so nervous, <name>. We don't bite… unless you deserve it! Haha. No seriously, relax; we know you're a nobody. If you were Consy secret service, you'd be getting questioned in the Brig right now… For you, we have a proposition instead.
Aline smiles with little warmth, then leans forward as she continues.
She says: You may be a civvy; but you're a Consortium civvy. And that means you might hear things every now and then that would be of interest to us. Or maybe you're the curious type, and you wanna do a little digging of your own? Find some answers to that mess at the inauguration…
Aline's tone is deadly serious now. She stares you dead in the eyes as she speaks.
Aline says: So here's the deal. That psycho-kid, Valou Beauciel, was in touch with Consy undercover ops. Everyone knows it. Any accurate info as to how, and we pay 3500 credits. You're not so patriotic as to turn down that sorta money are you?
- "But I don't know anything."
- "OK. I'll think about it."
- "No way. I'd never help the Protectorate."
- Bluff. Fabricate some information.
Think about it:
Me: OK. I'll think about it.
Aline says: You do that, <name>… NEXT!
With that, the short encounter is over, with Aline swiveling on her chair to call the next Consortium citizen in the queue. You wonder if she's making the same offer to everyone. Either way, it's clear that the Maid's Security and Ava Dusol want info about Valou for very different reasons. You glance about the waiting area, occupied by a few anxious-clusters of Consortium citizens. One girl looks young, not far off Valou's age. You wonder about the best way to proceed.
- Ask the young girl about Valou.
- Ignore the girl. Visit Valou's residence instead.
Young girl:
You approach casually, careful to avoid attracting any more of Aline's attention. The girl sits up, responding to your greeting with a meek mumble but avoiding your eye. She fidgets with a shock of bright pink hair and shudders visibly at the mention of Valou's name.
She whimpers: Please— I… hardly knew her. I— it's all so horrible, what happened-
You wonder if she saw the inauguration. She seems fragile, but you're keen to find out more.
- Take the gentle approach. Persuade her to share what she knows.
- Try to intimidate her to tell you more.
Gentle:
(Social check)
Me: Please… I'm just trying to find out what happened to Valou, you can trust me. I'm not with the Protectorate. Look.
You show your ID data on a pocket slate, pointing to the Consortium affiliation marker. It seems to help. The girl finally makes eye contact.
She speaks quietly: Valou only liked me 'cos I'm Consy. But I live here, mum works in citizen relations at the Marie or whatever they call it…
She trails off, momentarily losing her train of thought as if distracted by a recollection.
She continues: Valou was into graff. We used to do stuff together. Like, activism, y'know? But then she got spooked, few tenspans back. Didn't wanna do it any more… Hardly saw her since.
- "Do you know what Valou was up to lately?"
Me: Do you know what Valou was up to lately?
The girl shakes her head, pink frizz bouncing over her eyes.
She says: Na. One day she just decided, no more political stuff. Stopped meeting us. Did stuff on her own after, in the Shipyard mostly. Non-political though… Kinda boring really…
You're about to ask her something else when Aline calls another name loudly. The girl rises to her feet and wanders to the front desk. You've got all you can from the Security office; it's time to move on.
New goals: You have two options. You can either go to the Shipyard to investigate Valou's recent graffiti, or go to the Residences to visit her home.
Next area: Shipyard, The Maid of Orléans
- Explore the Shipyard.
OR
Next area: Residences, The Maid of Orléans
- Find Valou's Residence.
Shipyard:
The BlomVoss shipyard teems with activity today. Soldiers and technicians scurry to and fro, tending to their various duties. Wealthy private ship owners look on as their vessels undergo meticulous service and repair. Amid the bustle, you set off in search of Valou's graffiti.
- Search the Shipyard for clues about Valou's activities.
(Stamina check)
Leaving the busy hive of the Shipyard's lower decks behind, you head for the upper levels which overlook the vast service hangar below. There are fewer people here and it's not long before you come across what you're looking for: a series of corridor bulkheads covered in chaotic and colorful spray-paint scribbles.
Me: Bingo…
One panel features an ornate and abstract circular pattern, with the letters 'VB' in the bottom corner. The differences with Valou's previously political sloganeering are puzzling. These squiggles look like the doodles of a typical stoned teenager. It's hard to imagine their creator as a would-be political assassin.
- Keep searching. Find more of Valou's graffiti.
A few corridors along, you find another elaborate design of overlapping shapes in differing colors, accompanied with the initials 'VB' once more. One thing seems sure: Valou had given up on the Security-baiting slogans she'd been busy with before your last intervention. As you progress, you find others; sometimes spanning the length of an entire corridor. Suddenly, a whimpering voice from the next corridor becomes audible.
The voice sobs: Valou, stop this nonsense… No more silly games!
You peek around the corner to see the woman from Farax Bigel's inauguration; Madame Beauciel, walking alone down the corridor, carrying an odd item in her hands which she tries to keep concealed with her cloak. It looks like some sort of notepad or book. She stops every few meters to mutter reprimands at the wall, before resuming her strange march. Every now and again she sways erratically towards the other edge of the corridor, bordered by a low handrail and a high drop down to the Shipyard hangar floor below.
Next NPC: Matilde Beauciel, Shipyard, The Maid of Orléans
- Follow her from a distance.
- Approach her.
From a distance:
The woman seems entirely oblivious to your presence, and is clearly in the same shell-shocked state she'd been in prior to being taken for questioning with Security. As she passes another of the designs tagged 'VB' she again becomes animated, barking reprimands at the severely-defaced wall panel.
She mumbles through tears: Final warning, Valou… This is serious! Do you want to end up in trouble again, like last time?
The woman glances down at the book in her hand, then emits short howl of frustration, before punching the metal bulkhead with her fist, again and again. A reddening mark appears, before she tires and slumps to the floor, sobbing.
- Approach her.
Your approach startles her and she momentarily freezes, before hurriedly making an attempt to conceal the book in her hand.
She blathers nervously: Why are you following me? I— I told Security everything I know… What do you want from me?!
- "Are you Valou Beauciel's mother?"
- Explain that you aren't with Gaule Security.
Not Security:
(Social check)
It's not easy, but you manage to persuade her to trust your ID profile and the Consortium affiliation info it displays. She seems to relax in your company somewhat, notably less twitchy that she seemed earlier.
- "Are you Valou Beauciel's mother?"
- Explain your motives to Matilde.
Mother:
Me: Are you Valou Beauciel's mother?
The woman emits a ghastly shriek at the mention of Valou's name; then recomposes herself.
She replies: Oui, c'est moi. Matilde Beauciel. What's Valou done now? She's a good kid, oui? You'll see…
There's an erratic twitch about Matilde as she speaks and her eyes fix on some undefined spot over your shoulder. She regards you nervously.
- Explain your motives to Matilde.
You explain your motives to Matilde and reassure her that you're working for Ava Dusol, who just wants to keep everyone safe. Matilde seems receptive, but appears to have no recollection of earlier events.
Matilde says: Yes! That's exactly what I want as well… Find out what's going on with my Valou, before something bad happens, oui?
You're puzzled about how to handle this.
- Matilde seems confused. Remind her what happened to Valou.
- Speak to Matilde as if Valou were still alive.
Remind her:
Me: Matilde… Unless you had er-… a back-up… Valou is dead. You saw it, remember?
The woman's eyes widen in horror at your utterance.
She shrieks: You're just like them! Spreading LIES about my Valou… Leave me alone!
Then, it all happens in a flash. Before you can reply, Matilde straightens herself and charges for the handrail at the opposite side of the corridor. She's going to jump!
- Stop her!
(Agility check)
You lunge at Matilde and manage to grab her before she reaches the edge, holding her firmly in your grasp. You need to calm her down!
- Speak to Matilde as if Valou were still alive.
It feels odd but you proceed as if nothing had happened at the Government Center earlier.
Me: Maybe I can help you keep Valou safe? What can you tell me about her recent activities?
Matilde seems to calm down now, her breathing slowing as she replies.
Matilde says: Valou doesn't tell me anything! I thought she was done with making trouble but now I'm not so sure. She's spends more time on these paintings than talking to her own mother…
- Ask Matilde about the book she's carrying.
- "Do you think Valou is in danger?"
Book:
You ask Matilde about the object in her hand. She hesitates briefly before answering.
Matilde says: It's V- … Valou's book. She uses it to plan her designs. But there's more to it than that I think…
Matilde shows you the book. It has large synthetic paper pages, covered in hand-drawn sketches resembling those on the Shipyard walls. Every other page also features some sort of table, filled with unusual symbols and markings.
Matilde continues: I th- think Valou has some new friends and they're talking her into doing something silly… Security were monitoring all her electronic devices, they told me earlier… But I don't think they knew about this. I think it was how she communicated with her friends… Some sort of code, maybe? If I can work it out, maybe I can stop Valou doing something stupid!
The stress on Matilde's face is evident as she speaks. Clearly she's managed to keep Valou's sketchbook away from the evidence teams working the case. You wonder if Matilde's theory could be right. Or is it simply grief-triggered delusion? Could these scribbles really be a secret communication code? Max had been pretty sure Consortium ops were involved here, but you need a more trustworthy opinion. You recall an old ally who may be able to confirm or disprove the accusation: Yolanda Harris, the ex-spy on Barnard's Star Jump Gate who owes you a favor after that sub-derm job.
- Tell Matilde you know someone who can help.
- "Do you think Valou is in danger?"
Danger:
Me: Do you think Valou is in danger?
Matilde nods vehemently.
She says: Yes! Don't ask me how; a mother just knows! A while back she stopped with her provocations and Security left her alone, but lately she's been obsessed with painting these designs. Look! She can't even fix her own breakfast, but she's covered half the Shipyard in these paintings in the last few tenspans! I'm worried it's not as innocent as it seems…
Matilde sighs, sick with apparent worry for a daughter who has already suffered a terrible fate.
- Tell Matilde you know someone who can help.
You explain to Matilde that you have a friend who might be able to help. After all; Yolanda worked on the Maid for Consy intel until she was caught. If the Consortium really did put Valou up to this, Yolanda might know. Whether she'd tell you is another matter.
Matilde says: Oh thank you! Please, I'll do anything to keep my Valou safe… We need to find out who's manipulating her! Before things get out of hand…
Matilde thrusts the book into your hand and then turns back to the the graffiti-addled corridor wall, muttering once more to her daughter.
She says: Don't worry, Valou! We'll work out who's doing this to you… We'll stop all this before anything happens…
- Find a way to contact Yolanda Harris about Valou's designs.
You wonder how best to discuss this with Yolanda. She's banned from the Maid due to her espionage activities and normal station-routed comms are too open for this kind of thing. You could try an encrypted message, but that's not easy to slip past the Maid's comms filters. You wonder whether your coding skills are up to it. It seems the cheaper alternative to visiting Yolanda in person over on Barnard's Star Jump Gate.
- Visit Yolanda in person.
- Try to send Yolanda an encrypted message.
Message:
(Intelligence check)
You prepare the message using your CORETECHS explaining everything to Yolanda and including various images of Valou's graffiti and the designs in her sketchpad; apply a secure encryption layer to the whole thing, then exploit a vulnerability in the Maid's Mesh configurations to get it passed the filters. Within less than a segment, the reply comes back.
Y. HARRIS: I need time. Go get yourself a drink. I'll be in touch.
Go to the Moulin Rouge Bar to wait for Yolanda's response.
Next area: Bar, The Maid of Orléans
- Take a seat. Wait for Yolanda's response.
You take a seat in the busy Bar, pondering developments. The longer you wait, the more the doubt creeps in. What if Yolanda isn't as keen to help as you'd assumed? Segments pass and nothing happens. Then a passing bar attendant inexplicably places something on your table. It looks like a datacard! You load its content using your CORETECHS. Finally, when you confirm your ID, the content is encryption layer falls away to reveal a message!
- Open it.
You glance around to make sure you're not being watched, then open the message. It's a voice recording from Yolanda.
The recording plays: You're right, <name>. They might look ordinary, but these designs aren't so innocent… Check out the attachment.
An attached file from Yolanda seems to transpose Valou's sketchbook tables into a more legible form, linking each of her graffiti shapes to a certain type of information. Some layers seem to relate to times, others to people and places. What appeared to be a teenager's aimless scribbles is actually a rudimentary communication system!
The recording continues: Each mural is basically a chat log. The images you sent mention a 'ceremonial plaza' of some sort. I'm hoping this isn't anything to do with that Bigel incident earlier?! If so, you may wanna assume this communication isn't private… Sorry, I'm speculating. To answer your question; YES, this is sometimes how Consy covert ops talks to local agents. Used it myself throughout my career, just not with graffiti or anyone called Beauciel.
- Keep listening to the message.
The recording goes on.
Yolanda says: Listen, this whole thing stinks to me. No way Consortium would try to have Bigel killed, if that's what this is about. It's a pointless risk. The whole thing serves Bigel's goals more than anyone else's… I don't know what you're doing in all this, <name>, but my advice is to get out. I can't protect you. I'm just a retired low-grade intel op who's already done more than she should for a friend. Good luck. And be careful.
The recording ends. You glance at the attachment Yolanda sent and contemplate going back to the Shipyard to decipher more of Valou's graffiti.
Return to the Shipyard to decipher Valou's secret messages.
Next area: Shipyard, The Maid of Orléans
- Decipher more of Valou's murals using the code Yolanda gave you.
You explore the Shipyard for more of Valou's designs, suddenly wary of passersby. Whoever put her up to this act must have visited this area many times. You're careful not be seen looking at the graffiti within sight of anyone else. It's now certain Valou didn't act alone, but who is her mysterious partner? You transpose the first set of mural scribbles to reveal instructions for obtaining a weapon for some sort of attack. Your heart pounds as you search for another, such that you only notice at the last that someone is following you!
Next NPC: Matilde Beauciel, Shipyard, The Maid of Orléans
- Explore Valou's other graffiti with Matilde.
You relax when you see that it's only Matilde. She's similarly relieved to see you again, excitedly looking at the additional scribbles added to Valou's sketchbook pages. She nods along as she absorbs the implications.
Matilde says: I knew it! Somebody is manipulating my poor Valou! We have to stop them before it's too late!
Matilde scurries off and you follow, moving from one bulkhead to another and examining her daughter's frantic artworks. Each one contains an exchange of simple messages, detailing some practical arrangement for the attack on Farax. One thing is clear: whoever was communicating with Valou certainly wanted her to think she was working for Consortium undercover ops.
Matilde mutters: Who are you, eh? We'll find out, won't we?
You turn to see Matilde using one of Valou's old paint cans to spray a few abstract shapes onto a bulkhead, using the code from the sketchbook. Using the abstract shapes, it says "WHO ARE YOU?" After finishing the design, Matilde slumps to the ground in a sobbing heap. She seems to take little notice of you now.
- Try to console Matilde.
- Ignore Matilde. Go to report your findings.
Console:
You try to console Matilde but she seems unresponsive. After all, there's little you can say that will bring Valou back.
Me: We'll get justice for Valou one day, Matilde… Rest assured…
It looks like she can no longer keep the painful reality of recent events away from her mind. You leave her alone in the corridor, the echo of her quiet sobs following you as you walk away. It feels like time to share your findings.
You have two options; share your findings about Valou with Ava Dusol in the Government Center or with Aline Lucas in the Security office.
Next NPC: Aline Lucas, Security, The Maid of Orléans
- Report your findings to Aline.
OR
Next NPC: Ava Dusol, Government Center, The Maid of Orléans
- Report your findings to Ava.
Goverment Center:
You return to the Government Center and seek out the small office belonging to Ava's Unity Foundation. Inside, you explain your findings to Ava, revealing that Valou was guided by someone else in planning her attack: someone who presented themselves as Consortium undercover ops.
Ava says: I don't like this, <name>. Things are getting unstable on the Maid. All this stuff about the Cat timeline at the gate… Then Bigel comes in, and now this. I fear for the future…
Ava looks inconsolable as the implications of what's happened run through her mind.
Ava says: Thanks for your efforts. I wished so hard this was just a misguided kid lashing out, acting alone… But the truth seems scarier. Someone's fomenting conflict here, and Valou Beauciel is the first casualty of it… We have to find out who is stirring this trouble. Our next move is vital. Give me time to think. I'll be in touch when I have a way forward.
Ava shakes your hand and thanks you again, paying you for your services. You're left wondering about Matilde's scribbled question on the bulkhead wall. Will you ever get a response?
You have received 2500.00 credits.
You have completed the "Fanning the Flames" mission.