25th Devotion: Sabotage Prevention and Recruitment

[favoritetraitor]

The ARTEMIS Organization is still accepting new members to combat the curses that plague our city. We are seeking industrious scientists, doctors, investigators, as well as those skilled in the magical arts. If you are interested please contact me...

[Private to Artemis Members]

Please welcome Mr. Lyle Dylandy, one of our newest members. He'll be joining the department for deity research starting today...

*[ooc: NEW INFORMATION ADDED]* Also, I'm pleased to introduce everyone to Mr. Xemnas. He'll be working in our Dimensional studies as well as investigating the nature of the curses... and Dr. Temperance Brennan who will be working as a field investigator and archivist. She also has an interest in working on our little deity project.

Now on to a pressing issue...

Due to an increase in the severity of curses, I'd like to address the issue of security to protect the work that we have accomplished so far. As many of you may have realized, I myself have been greatly affected, and in my cursed state, was nearly detrimental to one of our projects. Perhaps our probings into the dealings of the so called Deities has come to their attention and they are working against us.

If this is the case, we must be more diligent, and determined to get past such obstacles.

I'm open to any suggestions and wish for each of you to come up with a solution in your own particular fields of expertise. I cannot stress enough the need to set up a series of checks and balances in order to prevent disaster. Please submit your report here as soon as possible. Also, let me know if your own work has suffered likewise. Equipment being damaged, lost, or stolen...

1) progress
2) setbacks
3) ideas to safeguard your work

We are still interested in garnering more support and members for ARTEMIS. Please keep your eyes open to possible new recruits and let me know who they are and what their skills might be... we will have new introductions here as we acquire new people. Please be sure to welcome them to our fold.

[Private to Jezebel Disraeli]

Jezebel, I've grown increasingly more concerned over the situation with the curses and how it will affect us. I think it would be prudent to add security to our group. Specified personnel to step in when needed to prevent this kind of sabotage. As for myself, I'm afraid that I'd require special care to stop me, so am taking it upon myself to find someone suitable.

But that still leaves the matter for our other dear members of ARTEMIS. Do you have any input on this matter?

[Private to Mr. Zexion]

Mr. Zexion, you are well I hope? We have a creature for your project. It's smaller than I'd originally intended, so I hope that won't set you back as far as having to resize the implanted electronics. Have you been successful in designing a device to control it's movements?

On a side note, I feel the need to increase security in the various labs where we are holding some of our more delicate projects. Something that would prevent a cursed member of ARTEMIS from sabotaging our progress. Do you have any ideas of how to achieve this goal?

Comments

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

Hmm, that will definitely take some creativity. There are of course the usual wards and things, but not keeping secrets seems to be the only thing that works against curses. It's probably best to assume that word will get out and be ready to do damage control at a moment's notice.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Would there be some sort of magical spell to prevent any of its members from saying things they shouldn't?

[ARTEMIS filter]

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, but I can't imagine something like that not having unintended consequences. It might prove too restrictive of people's speech or prevent communication between members, or else be incredibly complicated.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I see...

Well then, are you aware of any magical spell that would alter someone's memories? Or to affect time itself so that any damage done can be reversed?

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

Both are possible, although they do carry consequences. Whether or not they're really worth it depends on the nature of the information leaked.

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Of course, I trust your judgment completely when it comes to such matters. It was but a thought... Perhaps some of our other members will have an idea that would be more suitable.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

I apologize if this was intended to be a more private conversation, but it is possible in theory to alter someone's memories. Sadly, the most preferable method I know of is not likely to be of much use in this city.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

It would be a problem taking this course of action, I'd think. If they transmitted information over the network, we'd have to track down an untold of number of people to correct the situation. This would be a waste of time and energy, and might prove impossible if they'd told others we didn't know about. I'd hate for the deities to be tipped off as to our progress...

On the other hand... perhaps we should look into setting up some filters on all of our members City devices. That way at least we could assure ourselves that any information that would leak would be limited.

But then that still leaves the dilemma of how to prevent us from destroying our own research...

[ARTEMIS filter]

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

Very true, and the methods I know for altering memory work best to overwrite or erase what was already there; not as a preventative measure. In addition, I am not even sure that they would serve their intended purpose here.

Sadly, I do not know if there is a method that would keep up us from destroying our own research; any passwords would presumably also be known to our cursed selves as well, and requiring a second person to 'speak for' the uncursed nature of any member could easily be sidestepped as well, should a similarly cursed person be willing to vouch for the cursed individual.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

... this is most troublesome.

[ARTEMIS filter]

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

I quite agree. I do not doubt that there is a solution to this problem but what it may be I cannot say just yet.

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

I would be willing to offer up my skills as both a scientist and a researcher, should either be of particular use.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Why yes, we would be quite interested in your skills. Do you have any particular areas of expertise?

I'm Solomon Goldsmith. One of the founders of the ARTEMIS Organization. And who might I be addressing?

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

The majority of what I spent my time on was - and still is, to an extent - focused on the workings of the human heart, and the darkness and light therein. This occasionally included research into the nature of the metaphysical heart as well as its effect on memories and vice versa.

I am Xemnas, first and leader of Organization XIII.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Perhaps we should meet then, Mr. Xemnas, so that I can go over some of the projects that my organization is working on...

I'm quite interested to hear more of your work...

[ooc: have to run out for 2 hours, but will be back. And of course, backdating is a dear friend of mine.]

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

I would be glad to meet with you; merely name a time and a place and I shall be there.

Sadly, I'm afraid the majority of my notes have not seen fit to follow me here, but I would be perfectly willing to explain about my work all the same.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Why not meet me at the Turnabout Cafe in an hour? I have some free time that we can spend discussing matters...

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

That would do nicely, I believe. I shall see you there.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. I look forward to meeting you Mr. Xemnas.

[letxequalnull.livejournal.com]

As do I.

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

Increased security would indeed help.

Perhaps also introducing measures where the authorization of two or three members is necessary to access certain parts of the research? Though of course this could potentially slow down our work.

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

That could be more problematic in the long run. For example, if someone were the only one not cursed, it would make it impossible for them to work until everyone regained their sanity.

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

True, but a day of work lost is preferable to weeks of research being compromised. Curses rarely last longer than a day. And if it was any two of a group of people who would have access, it would reduce the chances of that happening.

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

... that's true... so far, this is the most reasonable method suggested. I'd like to see what our other members have to say before we make our final decision, however.

As for myself, I've arranged to meet with someone outside of the organization that I believe could stop me if I presented a danger to my own work. An independent contract, you could say... someone I think who has absolutely no interest otherwise in what we do. We shall see if he will be helpful...

Have you met our two new members?

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

Please keep me informed of what is said.

As you are the one most aware of what you are capable of I am sure that it is best that you deal with it in this manner. Hopefully it will stop any future incidents from occurring.

As of yet I have not, I will introduce myself presently.

((ooc: sorry, answered before you edited.))

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I'll do that.

Of course, I consider you to be the last line of defense against my sabotaging ARTEMIS' efforts. If my behavior seemed correct to this outside source, there is still the chance that you might detect that something is wrong. And since you hold keys to things I don't...

We are still awaiting the decision of yet another member... and then there's Lavi. Should I extend an invitation to him as well?

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

When not cursed myself I will make sure to monitor our members' behaviour as best as I can, especially yours as between us we are handling the more delicate aspects of the research.

I will leave it to your discretion whom to invite. We do seem to be approaching a sufficient number of members for now.

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Ah yes... how goes your own studies, my friend?

[ooc: did you get my email? I'm making a list of who's doing what...]

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

Sufficiently well, I am hoping for further progress soon.

((ooc: oops, yes, I need to answer it, I haven't decided exactly what he's doing yet |D))

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I'm love to hear more about what you've been up to. How about if I stop over later?

[ooc: K. Let me know so I can update my list. :) When it's done I'll send you a copy.]

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

I will be at the laboratory if you wish to discuss matters there.

((ooc: sure, thanks ^^ Will try and poke Jez into making up his mind soon >.>))

Private

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. I'll see you shortly then.


[ooc: I'm assuming he's taken over the true death project at least. As for everything else, he can always dabble in different things as suits his taste of course. Solomon's got 3 things he's working on right now, curses, the infernal ticking, and city death (a new category he's added). An attempt to restore them. He can discuss this matter to Jez. (Also, if he hears about the 'heartless' in our organization, he'd be interested in finding out more about that...oh so much to do!]

Private

[deadlyhealing.livejournal.com]

Very well.

((ooc: yes, he's taken over that. I'll come up with a couple more things that would interest him.))

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[irresoluteness.livejournal.com]

I'd be hesitant to say that they're gunning just for you.

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I'm hardly so arrogant that I'd come to that conclusion, Mr. Dylandy. No, I see it as merely our captor's attempts to stop their little 'lab mice' from breaking free. Why go through all this trouble to organize something such as this to have their experiments go awry?

Hopefully, your own research will shed some light on their true intent...

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[irresoluteness.livejournal.com]

I'll be looking into it. Do you have any understanding on how to communicate with the Deities? I'd rather have the information from their mouths.

[ ARTEMIS filter ]

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Please be careful if you choose to take this approach. I'd hate to have something happen to you.

I'd recommend talking to others who have had interactions with these 'deities' first. But... I have heard that it's possible to make requests of them. Perhaps through the network?

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

I would be very interested in participating in any studies done on this place.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Ah, wonderful. And who might this be?

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

My name is Dr. Temperance Brennan. I'm a forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

A pleasure to meet you Dr. Brennan. I'm Solomon Goldsmith, one of the founders of the ARTEMIS Organization. Do you happen to have a resume on hand that you can fax to me? I'd like to see what your skills are in order to see if there is a position that would suit your particular talents...

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

Of course.

a short time later

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Why yes, doctor... I've had a chance to look over your resume. Would you like to meet and discuss a job with our organization? I'd like to see if there are any particular projects that might interest you...

[ooc: we can discuss this thru AIM if you want. :) 'nytemiste' ]

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

That would be wonderful, thank you. Whatever time works for you.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Perhaps tomorrow around lunchtime. I believe I have some time that we can meet and discuss business. Are you familiar with Cafe Juliet?

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

I've heard of it, yes.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Why don't we meet there tomorrow. Say around noon.

I look forward to meeting you, Doctor.

[phdinbones.livejournal.com]

I look forward to meeting you too.