Archlich took the map and gave it a cursory look over before turning back to robot.
"How did the information regarding the incident come to be damaged?" he asked.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
The map would show four buildings, all spaced out along the property. The main mansion was near the center of the whole enclosure but slightly south, the banquet hall which was north east of the main household and separating the two was a golf course(among other things), the laboratory building which was farthest north and sharply west from the front gate was the guest house.
That information is unknown as it has been lost or damaged. Is there anything else I can help you with? the robot inquired.
~~
Linn looked up toward the stairs that Ian had just taken then back to Hallucinogen and Essex. Although his emotionless face didnt show it, Linn was quite annoyed by these guests. I know just as much about this as the magitech robot who just answered that gentleman over there, Linn answered as he adjusted his box-frame glasses. I did not witness nor was I anywhere near the banquet hall during the incident. I was in the library, checking on the collected data on the cleaning droids, which must be done every four hours. They were acting peculiar...not taking orders like they were programmed to, just as they are now. Although the robots were happy to answer any questions or give directions, they continued their duties of tending to the estate over anything else.
Now, I suggest you talk to Ian, Linn continued matter-of-factly, Perhaps hed be able to sincerely apologize for your unnecessary journey here and for your abrupt departure.
~~
[EDIT] The magitech robot that was helping Archlich turned to the gentleman at the door. "Greetings sir. Is there something I can assist you with?" the thing asked Experiment 2.0((Almost forgot to say something to him...))
". . . Okay,' said Hal. "Come on, Essex. . . let's go talk to Ian. I mean. . . if you want to. . ." He felt like a jerk leading her around by the hand. He hoped she didn't mind. . . he felt it was very disrespectful.
((It was the Butler in the Ball Room with the Candlestick! 
And yes, I'm just waiting for thenopportune moment... 
))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Experiment almost struck out at the bot as it neared him. "Uh... Yes... I got a..." 2.0 rubbed his right ear in pain, "Message to come here. Something about some kind of magically powered, technologically made drone thing?"
2.0 glanced around, sighing. "However, from the looks of things, there is no presentation, and something went wrong..."
"Yes, the demonstration has been canceled but you are welcome to stay inside while the issue is resolved," the robot monotonously stated. The robot hovered aside so 2.0 could enter the lobby with what was left of the group.
Looking up at Hal, Essex hesitated.
"Thank you, sir." she said to Linn, ducking her head, before turning back to her friend.
"...I think...Ian may need a little time. Personally, I am curious about the cleaning droids. Perhaps I could interface with a few of them and glean some more information..."
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
2.0 simply sighed. "Thanks..." he stepped in, admiring the area. "...Okay, this is much more impressive."
John looked around the area, catching a glance at something orange. "...Who wears orange? Most likely a girl... She is pretty short thou- Oh." 2.0 smacked his head. "Duh."
". . .Okay," said Hal, relieved that he was not expected to make all the decisions. "Ah. . . Shall we go?" He tugged at her hand tentatively, leading her down the hallway to the right. . . or that was what he intended, anyway. He was torn between wanting to hold her hand, and not wanting to drag her around like some large orange doll.
No matter, Linn commented to Hal and Es. If youd rather not see him before you leave is not an issue of mine. You must excuse me now, I must attend to other important matters. With that said, Linn walked down the hall toward the library fully expecting the group to go home.
"Well, he sure looked like Mr. Pleasant-chirpy, didn't he?" commented 2.0, who had proceeded to stalk up behind the others. "So, uh... What exactly is going on?"
"There has been a murder and a kidnapping," Archlich said coldly. "And apparently we are not wanted."
Glaring at Experiment from behind his visored helmet, the lich gestured to the map that he held in his hand.
"I would suggest we each take a building to investigate," he began. "Although the Maltans already seem ahead of themselves. I shall take the laboratory. You others may dispense the remainder as you wish."
Spinning around in a perfect about-face, Archlich made a bee-line for the doors leading out. Once outside, he would teleport directly to the front of the lab. Looking at the map had given him enough of an idea of its location to teleport accurately.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
"Oh no you don't! Get back here!" 2.0 started off after the map-holder, but thought better of it. However, on the way back, 2.0 was muttering something about him being the one wanting to go to the lab.
OOC: In case you didn't read previous posts, Archlich is disguised as a hero wearing silver knight armor.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
((...It is easy to tell who Archlich is because of how he acts? Kidding, editing.))
Around the laboratory building was tall fencing with a pair of magitech robots gaurding the gate. At least it appeared that is what they were there for, except they were deactivated. The gate was still locked electronically as well as the door leading inside but that shouldnt be a problem for Archlich. As he approached the gate, a few feathers could be seen scattered along the grassy lawn. Large brown and grey feathers, too large to be from a bird that naturally lives around.
"Psh...dammit." The TacOps muttered, and he started off for the darker building.
---
The library TacOps finished up and moved on.
---
Curtis eyed Linn steadily. "How long ya been workin' here?"
Archlich's jaw clicked together as he bent down and picked up one of the feathers. He twirled it in front of his face and examined it for a moment before tucking it in small brown dimensional pouch at his waist. The pouch could hold volume equal to that of a small car and was only about half full at the moment.
"Deplorable," Archlich said as he looked at the deactivated magitech robots. He longed to destroy the unnatural things but resisted the urge as it was too soon to blow his cover. Instead, he approached the gate and cast a powerful opening spell on it. Since he wouldn't put it past the owners of this place to have established some magical wards, Archlich used one of the stronger spells in his aresenal to unlock the gate.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
As the doors opened, Archlich heard a faint whirr from one of the boxes.
((Yes, I can do that. Me and Leo talked it over.))
As the TacOp passed near the well lit building on his way to the shadier building, he could see a dozen PPD cars and a couple of ambulances. Chances are maltans toting rifles among other weapons wouldnt be welcome there. Soon he was close enough to his destination to see a silvery figure, Archlich, just in time to see the knight weave a spell that opened the gate.
There was nothing peculiar about the feather except it was big(about two feet long and a few inches wide). The spell easily opened the gate but the single reenforced metal door leading into the lab might not be as easy. And yes, not very far inside was a metalic box where a hum could be heard.
~~
Linn didnt answer Curtis and continued on his way to an office. On his way, Linn passed the TacOp that was searching around the library.
Archlich gave the humming box a wary eye and incased it in a block of ice, just to be safe. He then approached the lab gate and looked it over. He quickly cast the same spell he had used to open the gate with. If that failed he would have to try a more powerful spell, perhaps a dimensional gate, which would require time and items from his pouch.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
The TacOps nearest Archlich hid in some bushes, watching.
---
"Hey!" The TacOps in the library exclaimed, "Stop there!"
Curtis was soon on their heels, setting up to teleport Essex to the area.
((Actually, if Archlich incased the box in ice, he's already inside because the box was inside. So we'll just say you already opened the door and incased the box in ice.))
"What do you think you're doing?" Linn exclaimed, turning to the two following him.
"Ya failed to answer my question." Curtis said with a snarl. "How long ya been workin' here?"
"Okay. . ." Hallucinogen said. He walked over to Linn, leading Essex by the hand, which made him feel rather dizzy.
Ugh. . . he had no idea how to do this sort of thing. . . He wished Essex wasn't watching, so he didn't have to worry about messing up. . . eh, but she would probably not really care.
"Uh, excuse me. . ." Hal said, "but could you tell me any more about the scene of the crime. . . please?"