Murder Mystery: Log 1

[Zami Wahye <wahye@yahoo.com>]

Iason, Kirc, Ela, and Crayn are the witness to a victim known only as "Hannick".  He is the first of our victims.

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Congressional Circle -- Central District (Kaitain)(#203Rnt)

Players:
 Ela                                                Kirc 
 Crayn                                              Iason

Ela half nods at one of Kirc's comments, splitting her attention to her 
  surroundings.

Crayn looks to Iason. "Forgive me sir, I was wondering if you could help 
  me..."

Kirc nods absently to Iason, then returns to his conversation with Ela. 
  "No, we must reconsider that approach."

A gentleman is perhaps the only way to describe Hannick as he strolls 
  down the street. His outfit is all frills and fluff from the lace at 
  his throat to the shine of his boots. It is midday, and the gentleman 
  moves slowly through the crowd.

Ela frowns momentarily, replying in a quiet even voice."True enough..... 
  but what else can you expect from an Aom follower?"

Ela dodges a servant, striding to keep with Kirc's pace.

Kirc halts in midgesture, eyes straying to glance at the bedecked 
  gentleman momentarily, then finishes his sentence. "OK, get me more 
  information then. I need more input before adjusting our stance."

Iason nods to the others as he looks around, stepping down the stairs.

Crayn sees the Atredies and snaps to attention. "Sir, I was wondering if 
  you could help me."

Iason looks over at Crayn. "Yes?"

Hannick stops his motion forward near the statue of Ladislaus. He looks 
  upwards, shading his eyes from the noon day sun. Then he reaches for a 
  handkerchief from within of the cuffs of his sleeve and lightly dabs 
  at his face, a face that is nearly as white as the kerchief itself.

Crayn says, "I am to report to Duke Prax Atreides, only I haven't found 
  an Atreides representative as of yet.."

Iason nods to Crayn, as he steps down off the stairs. "Have you commed 
  the Duke?"

Ela nods, silently absorbing the implications "Well and good." she 
  adresses Kirc somewhat reluctanly.

Crayn says, "Not as of yet I'm afraid."

With handkerchief still in hand, Hannick strolls towards the two, Kirc 
  and Ela, that stands nearby. He waves the limp kerchief like some 
  defeated white flag upon the battlefield, "Um... excuse me Sirre?" His 
  voice comes out strained and slightly high pitched.

Crayn says, "I did not know if i was to communicate with him directly."

Kirc pauses, nodding politely, "Yes, can I help you sir?"

Iason replies to Crayn, "Calling the Embassy ensures one gets transport 
  there."

Ela clasps her hands casually behind her back, turning to regard the 
  gentleman.

"Ah yes... good." Hannick begins as he is finally recognized. "I was 
  hoping to seek the High Council this day as I was sent by my House to 
  register a complaint." He grins widely, sweat racing down his face in 
  beadlets, "As I am new here on Kaitain... I am not certain of where 
  to.... go?"

Iason glances over towards the gentlemen, brows furrowing a bit as 
  something seems to be off; it's not THAT hot on Kaitain.

Crayn purposely takes a stance between Iason and the stranger..

Ela's gaze wanders over to the stone steps, and back to the gentleman.

Kirc smiles warmly, his hand making a languid gesture towards the west. 
  'Well, I might recommend you start there sir, at the Landsraad 
  Congress building.'

Hannick lifts his handkerchief again to wipe his brow. He uses it to 
  wipe across his face and around the neck. As he removes the 
  handkerchief and holds it out, ready to respond to Kirc, his eyes 
  catch a quick glance at it, "Ah... ye...." His voice nearly drowns 
  away as upon his kerchief is now a thin red stain, freshly made.

Crayn's eyes narrow, looking curiously at the stranger..

Kirc pauses, glancing closer at both the hankerchief as well as its 
  owner. 'Are you alright sir?' he asks, calm but concerned.

Iason curses softly under his breath in Aglicon, as he reaches for his 
  communicator.

Crayn looks back to iason, "Is there anything I can do sir?"

Iason nods to Crayn. "Present yourself at the embassy, and they will 
  handle the presentation to the Duke..."

Hannick lets out a low shiver and seems to take a couple of stumbling 
  steps backwards. His hand clasps at the handkerchief as he holds it 
  before him like some damned talisman that does not let go of its hold 
  on his eyes or his senses.

Crayn nods."Yes sir."

Iason taps his comm as he withdraws it from a pocket.

Kirc takes a half step forward, then stops himself. A glance at Ela, 
  then he says firmly, "Ela, please summon some help please, this man is 
  dreadfully ill."

Crayn keeps Iason at a safe distance from the ill gentleman.

Iason pulls out the com, speaking quietly into it as he coms a code.

Ela fishes a comm from her pocket, handling it and hissing a soft 
  command into it.

Hannick reaches his other, free hand back around his neck and pulls it 
  forward. Another red stain appears, this time threatening to ruin the 
  ruffles at his cuff. Hannick shivers again and finds himself nearly 
  tripping as he backs right into the base of the statue. He looks up at 
  Kirc, his eyes bewildered, "What foulness have you brought upon me 
  Sirre????" His voice shakes as much as his form.

Kirc steps back yet another pace, 'I assure you sir, I had nothing to do 
  with this. Now please calm down, we are summoning help.' An idle 
  adjustment of his clothing accompanies his words.

Iason lowers his comm from his mouth. "The medical personnel will be 
  here at any minut...

Hannick's form sinks like a lifeless sack against the base of the 
  statue. His arms fall uselessly at his side. Already, a small trickle 
  of blood can be seen staining his ruffled collar from a point behind 
  his neck. His eyes nearly roll into the back of his head.

Iason moves over quickly, eluding Crayn as he curses softly.

Kirc strides forward immediately, reaching to prop up the form as he 
  kneels next to the man. "Where are the medical personnel?" he asks 
  frantically.

Crayn says, "Sir, you should stay back.. You never know what could've 
  done this.."

Crayn rushes to Iason's side quickly..."it could be poison."

Kirc shudders almost inperceptibly as he fights to hold the man upright.

Ela snaps another order into the comm and steps towards the three men, 
  pale with frustration.

Hannick responds as good as a sack would... slouching even further as he 
  is being propped upright.

Iason moves quickly to try and get around Crayn. "I know that! It's 
  probably on his handkerchief... where are the damned medical people?

Ela glances over shoulder towards the Mall entrance, frowning 
  momentarily and sets one knee on the ground. Narrowing her eyes to 
  examine Hannick's form.

Iason says, "Don't touch that handkerchief!"

Crayn says, "Or his neck!"

Kirc keeps his hand away from the neck of the prone man. 'OK, I 
  understand.'

The blood continues to trickle, no more, no less, down onto the collar 
  of Hannick's outfit. He does not regain consciousness. His eyes 
  completely roll into his head as his mouth hangs limply open.

Iason nods, as he heads over quickly, the medics arriving.

Ela raises her face towards the atreides and nods. Her hand resting on 
  her knee twitches.

Kirc stands and steps aside as the medical staff arrives. 'Check his 
  neck and hankerchief,' he says tersely.

Ela gets to her feet and takes one step backwards to allow some space 
  for the medics, her gaze glued to the ashen-faced stranger.

Iason's head turns a bit as he scans the area, letting the medics 
  through.

Crayn notices Iason's gaze, and rushes to check the other end of the 
  Circle..

Crayn returns, finding no one of a suspicious nature..

As the medic handles the limp body, the turn Hannick's head. It falls 
  without hesistation. At his side, two streams of blood trickle 
  downward, their origin covered by their own paths.

Kirc leans forward curiously.

Iason walks up to the medic's side, asking softly, "Do you see any 
  injection points? Anything that could have been used to deliver poison 
  subcutaneously?

Ela scowls momentarily, as she cranes her neck to watch the medic's 
  manouvers.

With cautious hand, one of the medics takes out his own cloth and 
  lightly rubs along the side of the neck so as to clear the blood from 
  its path. The action causes a red smear to appear upon the neck. As 
  soon as the cloth is removed, two bubbles of blood form where once 
  there was none.

Iason nods silently to himself. "His status?

Crayn says, "2 injection points. Possibly poison darts."

Eyes narrowing with anger, Kirc begins to scan the area.

The medic shakes his head as he turns to face Iason, "Dead." He places 
  one hand upon Hannick's, "His hands are already cold as if he's been 
  like this for some time."

Ela manages to tear her gaze from the the body to concentrate to the 
  medic's words.

Crayn says, "he could've been hit at anytime before he got here. We'd 
  have to find out what kind of poison it is to figure out when and 
  where he was hit."

Iason nods to Crayn. "That's my guess." he turns to the medic next. 
  "That means he was poisoned some time before he got here. He was 
  already sweating by the time he stepped outside, which seems to 
  indicate that it was already in his bloodstream and affecting him. It 
  does not seem to be a nerve toxin.

Kirc's words are snapped out curtly, 'Anyone know who he is?'

Crayn says, "And for him to fall in front of us.. it's most likely been 
  a measured amount. Someone who knows his physiology perhaps."

Iason asks, "and if you could, could you have the body checked for 
  identification and to have it sent to a medical lab for examination? I 
  will pay the costs of transport.

Crayn says, "He said he was here to file a complaint. i wish we could've 
  found out who against."

The medic nods, "Of course sir." He turns back, already busying himself 
  on preserving what he can of the body in current state.

Iason nods to Crayn.

Another medic, finishing placing the handkerchief into a protective bag, 
  stands and addresses Iason, "To whom should we send this report and 
  bill Sir?"

Ela whispers under her breath "not carrying any ID with him?" she 
  scowls, shaking her head in disgust, and turns towards the medic, the 
  rest of the passerby's.

Iason says, "To me."

Kirc nods to Iason, 'Thank you, you were most efficient.'

The one medic bows slightly towards Iason, "forgive me... Sir... your 
  name please?"

Iason looks up silently. "Comes with the business."

Iason says, "Iason Merx. House Atreides."

"Very good." the medic again bows and then turns towards Ela, "We have 
  not dared to search his body yet for fear of disturbing any evidence. 
  We will look back at the lab M'lady."

Ela folds her arms, her face grave and calm now. She gestures in 
  acknowledgement.

The first medic, who was hunched over the body, has now completed his 
  preparations and begins to move the body onto a suspendor bed. He nods 
  to the second and proceeds off with the body.

Iason scans the area again, cursing softly under his breath once more.

The remaining medic looks at the people about and addresses in a loud 
  voice, "Who among you spotted this man first?" His eyes stop at each 
  person's face as he awaits an answer.

Kirc steps back, giving them plenty of room. "I did," he says.

The medic's eyes peer at Kirc and then nods slowly, "Very good Sir. And 
  you are?" His voice SEEMS friendly enough, though perhaps his question 
  may not be.

Kirc meets his gaze steadily, his voice firm. "Foreign Minister Kirc 
  Skaas'gard, of House Alvstad."

The medic steps towards Kirc, "Minister Skaas'gard. Forgive the 
  intrusion... however I hope you had not planned on leaving Kaitain in 
  the near future." He then quickly adds in, "I'm sure there will be 
  some minor questions that the guards will wish an answer to from 
  you...." he looks about, "... from all of you. So please do not be 
  alarmed... and make yourselves available."
 
Iason looks back over at the medic, silently looking over the medic.

Kirc nods, waving a hand dismissively, 'Of course, I understand. I will 
  be available for any questions.'

Iason nods once.

The medic bows and follows his counterpart.

Ela dodges to let the medics pass and walks over to Kirc, her back half-
  turned to the body.

Kirc turns to Ela, "Please make sure any aspect of this investigation 
  takes highest priority on my schedule."

Ela says, "Of course... ""

Kirc watches the medics leave, frowning. He sighs, then again addresses 
  Ela, "Well, that is most unfortunate, and has ruined my mood for work. 
  Shall we get a drink then?"

Ela smiles humorlessly, or tries to "The drink'd be welcome, yes.".

Iason keeps scanning the area, with a shake of his head, eyes narrowed.

Kirc nods to Iason, 'Good evening sir.' He spins on his heel and moves 
  away, gesturing for Ela to follow.

Ela regards the Atreides gravely for a moment, she bows and turns to 
  stride after Kirc.

Kirc passes the Mall.
Kirc has left.

Ela passes the Mall.
Ela has left.