General Information
Name: Cal Tiberius Devali
Pronouns: Unknown
Aliases: Cal, the Vacillated
Affiliations: Aeternus Center, The Seekers of True Enlightenment, The Eternals
Email: retnec.sunretea|lac#retnec.sunretea|lac
Status: Killed by the Percussor? on April 27, 2021
About
Was part of Project Morphic for Aeternus, was also a member of the Seekers of True Enlightenment.
Spire warned players: "CAL HELP dont trust cal" before being eradicated
Was back in contact with Players, now claiming to be part of a subsect of the Seekers known as "The Eternals".
Timeline/Puzzles
to be added to
February 10, 2020, orca received an email from Cal
Some Cool Information Seen Clearly Online
(do not reply)You might some things of interest by investigating anomalies RCKM102020 and WMTN032017.
-Cal
March 28, 2021, conversation with Cal in Lunar Aeternus Center
ORCA: Yo Cal
thelostbrineinthewoods: hello?
rysonbran: Hi there?
InsaneScots: Oh hi
Ah hello, there was going to be this whole complicated thing to try getting some help dealing with some pesky roadblocks. But it seems like things here are fairly quiet, so it wasn't too much trouble. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take down the help request before it got published.
How are you all on this fine Sunday/Monday?
InsaneScots: Mostly ok tbh, things have been busy as per usual
rysonbran: Relatively quiet for me
ORCA: I'm making some pizzas, nothing more
ORCA: so, what is this Lunar AC about?
Hopefully its good pizza, and not something like the Hawaiian?
InsaneScots: moon pizza
rysonbran: Hawaiian pizza is a crime
ORCA: in my country we put anything on the pizza, from beans to pineapples
Well, there was originally going to be this whole thing to try getting into AC to put some order into the chaos there, before the Seekers got involved, but it seems like events arranged themselves so things were quiet when trying to enter AC, so the help isn't really needed.
Not that I'm complaining.
rysonbran: Order into chaos? What chaos?
ORCA: things are never too easy, you know that(edited)
InsaneScots: probably what spier did
Yeah, apparently the interim person in charge of AC left a mess when they left.
Doors left wide open, files left unencrypted, bills left unpaid, dangerous compounds leaving unattended.
Would've been a field day if some nefarious organization got in during the chaos.
ORCA: luckily it's just you, right?
InsaneScots: So who's in charge of AC now?
rysonbran: Have the doors been closed?
Working on cleaning up physical security, but that will be done in the next week, the virtual/computer security story is a mess, apparently magus got eradicated, which means that's going to be a massive project to clean up.
Starling: I'm sorry I'm late but what's this about the help request and trying to stop it before being published? Was that you or someone else
ORCA: do you think you can clean everything yourself?
Was going to ask for help to do a bunch of stuff to get into AC, but since apparently the folks at Aeternus all voted on taking the weekend off/a quiet weekend, it really wasn't much trouble. Was trying to cancel the help request but didn't get to it in time.
There's not really much help to be provided here, mostly just trying to batten down the hatches and get physical security up and running before the Seekers realize that AC's security is a mess.
ORCA: we could send someone to help you if needed
rysonbran: May I ask why you're so concerned with AC's security?
InsaneScots: And forgive my bluntness here by why should we trust that you have best interests in mind?
InsaneScots: We haven't been given much reason to trust you, and those who have asked our trust in recent memory have betrayed our good nature
Frankly, the idea that there are global 'best interests' is faulty. You have your own best interests, I have mine.
And really, it turns out I don't need you to trust me.
Who you do and do not trust, is up to you. Though it sounds like your track record hasn't been the best in recent history.
InsaneScots: Fair enough
ORCA: well, I have my reasons to trust you, a bit of your interest aligns with mine so..
rysonbran: If you don't need us, why entertain our questions and get defensive in response?
If you're going to ask blunt questions, I'm going to give blunt responses.
But speaking of interests, it sounds like you're interested in taking out the Seekers?
Those interests do align with mine.
They're treading blasphemous grounds, trying to control and manipulate forces beyond their comprehension for their own personal goals.
Starling: One could argue we're doing the same
ORCA: well Cal if your goal is to free Eater, count on me
rysonbran: How do you know if those are in fact our interests?
Starling: Cal, what is your goal? What are you hoping to do? You obviously seem to know what we're up to, so I would appreciate some communication in that regard. I also know you have no reason to answer me, so don't feel like you have to.(edited)
I don't know what your exact interests are, but if the short-term goal of stopping the Seekers and their goals of bringing forth the ☉ and controlling the Eater, then our short-term goals would be aligned.
I'd guess our longer term goals are not aligned, but if we can agree on stopping the Seekers in the short-term, there's a lot of things we can do together.
rysonbran: What's the catch, Cal?
The catch is that this is short-term, we're aligned on getting rid of the Seekers, but beyond that we may be at odds.
ORCA: my enemy's enemy is my friend, that's the idea
Starling: I appreciate the honesty, Cal.
Basically, what @ORCA said. In this, the Seekers are both our enemies. Once they're out of the way, who knows what side of things we will all fall on.
Starling: How would this short-term partnership work?
I'm still trying to figure out what the strategy here would be.
My initial plans had been to draw the Seekers out with the two anomalies and have you all imprison them/get them out of the way, but it appears they might have gotten the upper hand there.
Unfortunately they were a bit more careful about sec ops and never let Spire into their systems, so that was a dead end too.
Starling: Oh, were you friends with Spire?(edited)
Now that I'm in charge of Aeternus, hopefully I can use some of the resources here along with your help to lure them into another trap, hopefully one that works this time. Unfortunately they have a bit of an upper hand in knowing all the Eternals.
Luckily it appears while they're gathering the resources necessary to enact their dastardly plans, they're not quite there with the knowledge necessary to carry it out, so there's still time.
In a sense, yes. Though friends probably instills too much humanity to Spire.
Starling: I have so many questions about everything you've said.
InsaneScots: Yeaaaaaah
rysonbran: What happened to spier?
There weren't enough free resources to sustain it after it served its purpose.
InsaneScots: May I ask for further explanation of "The Eternals"?
A faction of the Seekers that is actually focused on carrying out the Seekers mission in an ethical and just manner.
InsaneScots: And you are/were one?
Yes.
Before another faction took over the Seekers resources and started taking us out.
Starling: Another faction? I'm not surprised the Seekers are split into divisions. A group needs some form of organization after all…
Starling: Did you lose the popularity vote or something?
Something like that.
Starling: So they like to remove opposition just by straight up murder huh? That's… multiple people now that the Seekers have killed or attempted to kill in the past couple months alone(edited)
The Hunter may have gotten a bit excessive, yes.
InsaneScots: The Hunter is entirely excessive
Starling: The Hunter's existence is excessive
InsaneScots: many good people gone because of them
Starling: like who the heck needs an actual hitman?
ORCA: nah, they were just following their own nature(edited)
Now the Seekers are off trying to reprogram the Hunter, who knows what might result.
Starling: Reprogram the Hunter?
InsaneScots: reprogram?
Establish more control over, bend them to their will.
Effectively, to try changing their nature.
ORCA: now you made me feel bad for them
If you help take down the Seekers, we can free the Hunter, and get them back on their natural path.
InsaneScots: Which is?
Only the Hunter can really answer that.
InsaneScots: Fair enough, I suppose
Starling: Can we know the name of the opposing faction?
They don't really have a name, beyond the Seekers.
Their leader is the Witness, so maybe something based on that?
Starling: … ah. Yeah. Okay
InsaneScots: We know them
InsaneScots: well, know of them
Well, I need to go shortly. But in the great battle of Good vs Evil, Aeternus Center vs the Seekers, can I count on Taskforce Earth working with us?
ORCA: Well I have no problem helping, but this is not just up to me
We can't let the Seekers succeed in their plans, can you imagine if they're able to control the Eater, getting knowledge without cost.
rysonbran: It's not that simple, Cal. We'll see what happens.
Starling: There's a bunch of us. And we try to decide on vote.
Starling: Please give us some time to get people's responses.
Well, let me know soon. I'm off to deal with the security at the Center, need to try getting more resources in to safeguard the place. Speak with you later.
InsaneScots: also Cal, what are your pronouns. These things are important
April 6, 2021, conversation with Cal in LAC
InsaneScots: cal sorry we take forever frankly its a wonder we get anything done quickly We've decided that for the time being, while our goals align that we will work with you until such a time as our goals no longer align. Let's hope this partnership is fruitful eh?
Excellent.
Unfortunately an unfortunate series of events transpired last week that affects both Aeternus and Taskforce Earth. A former employee was reportedly involved in the removal of some valuable objects from the Aeternus Center facility, tracking the individual down and reacquiring control of those items is of the utmost importance.
I'll have someone assemble the information we have and potential avenues of research in the next couple days to provide you some leads to investigate. We're not sure of the intent behind the actions, but its possible this was a mole for the Seekers trying to thwart our plans.
InsaneScots: May we ask what object(s) were taken
An old box of documents. We're not entirely sure of the contents, as it hadn't been fully cataloged when it was stolen.
InsaneScots: and which employee is suspected?
InsaneScots: but yes, we will examine whatever you can give us and proceed from there
Tim Malor, recent Aeternus Center recruit.
InsaneScots: huh, interesting
Actually, given your particular skillsets, perhaps the most useful thing to do now is track down where Tim is/will be so he can be apprehended and questioned.
A starting point is his username TMalor90 which might be a good lead to try contacting him and getting information out of him. Hopefully since you're not Aeternus employees he will be more likely to open up.
Hopefully that will be a good lead to follow, let me know if you get any useful intel. I'll follow up later on further leads we have worth pursuing.
April 12, 2021, conversation with Cal in Lunar Aeternus Center
Any luck finding information regarding TMalor90?
In the meantime, trying to get access to a stash that was hidden by a Seekers acolyte. Intercepted the following note:
John Carr
William Fricke
Walter Gale
Theodore Pappas
Guy Smith
Edward WallerS. 47,20,377,392,58,327 - 113
Any ideas?
Scots: We are working some angles but he's stopped being very obvious by broadcasting his location on twitter. So its slow goings, will take a look at what you just gave us though and get back to you
Scots: Got any clues to go off of other than the note?
Apologies, there was a transcription error (apparently our OCR software doesn't like random periods):
John Carr
William Fricke
Walter Gale
N. Hagan
Theodore Pappas
Guy Smith
Edward Waller
S. 47,20,204.1,377,392,58,327 - 113
Scots: Cheers, we'll get right on it
Scots: @cal Are you just trying to find the location of it or how to get in?
Just the location is good enough for now.
rysonbran: Any idea what's in the stash? Why is it important?
Nope, just a lead to see what information the Seekers have.
ORCA: @cal bro we got Chicago
Any particular location in Chicago?
Scots: Specifically the Rookery Building lobby
Scots: probably
Thank you. That's very helpful.
Scots: Let us know what you find yes?
As a supplemental, looking into messages in the Chicago area, any information you can glean from the following intersections? Might not be usable information since its just a partial message, working on getting the full intercept:
Adams and Wells
Jackson and Dearborn
Lake and Wabash
Lake and Dearborn
Madison and Wabash
Scots: @cal We've discovered a common denominator, and you're gonna love it
?
Scots: drumroll please
Joda: :drum:
Joda: :roll_of_paper:
Scots: It's Dunkin' Donuts
Scots: They all have a Dunkin'
Ah.
Joda: Not much of a coffee fan?
Not Dunkin' Donuts. But it seems reasonable that the person who transmitted that message would be a Dunkin' fan.
Good work.
Will hopefully have more soon.
Scots: Who's the message from?
April 17, 2021, conversation with Cal in Lunar Aeternus Center
Any luck with the Tim problem?
Also, you wouldn't happen to have any active assets in the Boston area?
Scots: We know someone in the Boston area but they’re a little unreliable. What would this be about?
I need to recover something before others get to it, but don't have assets in the area this weekend. But if they're unreliable I can keep shaking other trees.
Scots: We can probably get them this weekend, what's the "something"
A letter from an acquaintance.
Unfortunately timing and other interference had it land in a slightly inconvenient location.
Scots: Alright what are the deets, I'll get a message out rn.
Based on the message I received, it is located near Lowell Street and Vernon Street in Somerville, MA.
If you can get your asset to retrieve it, that would be great. If they can mail it in to the Aeternus Center mailbox, that would be wonderful. If necessary, have them send me a message with their mailing address and I can send them a prepaid envelope.
Joda: our asset is particularly privacy concerned so i don't know that a mailing address is possible
Joda: but we'll pass on the message and let you know how it goes
Sounds good, it should be able to be mailed as a normal letter, but if it gets expensive to send it in, can try finding another way of getting the item.
Joda: we can play it by ear
Joda: thanks homie
Scots: How does a letter "land" at a place like that btw? I didn't realize the postal service was that bad but yeah
Joda: they've just let us know they're not worried about it so things should go pretty smoothly if they're able to locate the drop
Joda: and yeah yikes i thought my postie was bad
Spatiotemporal postal service, but apparently some interference. Hopefully benign, but its critical the Seekers don't get the letter, has some important information to counteract some of the threat they pose with their control over the Hunter.
Scots: Oh damn, ok. Well fingers crossed we get there first, I'll let them know to be quick as they can about it.
As a separate/related matter, have you come across any information about other methods of rejuvenation/immortality in your research?
Scots: None that springs to mind but I'll go poke through notes, at a cursory recollection I dont think so. May I ask why the interest?
Just looking for alternative research paths.(edited) in case I can’t secure it from the contract
Good to be prepared in case the Seekers decide to use the Hunter.
Scots: You think they won't let the Hunter play their game like last time?
Scots: Probably not…
I'll let you know if I turn anything up
That game usually ends up with people opposed to that side dying…
Scots: Yeah, we are well aware
Like the Scouts say, preparation.
Joda: do you have any other research on it?
Joda: just curious because you say "other" methods
There's the PLACEBOS founders, but that's only a form of biological immortality which proved useless against the Hunter.
Scots: You want like, Captain Jack Harkness immortality
Who?
Joda: also, apologies. i ask a lot of questions. think of me like an intern. i can do hella coffee runs but i'm still getting to grips with everything else
Joda: oh captain jack is the leader of this other group, torchwood
rysonbran: he's pretty great
Joda: he's a fun guy, you might like him if you ever met
Oh, you're talking about a TV show.
Couldn't get into Doctor Who, too unrealistic and british.
Joda: i hear ya
rysonbran: the brits are superior
Scots: Ouch, my feelings.
Joda: as a scot, i'm not super fond of the british either
Scots: Though I guess if you deal with morphic crap that can happen
rysonbran: the Scots and the brits are the same thing to americans sldfjjfdg
Joda: which is why i also side-eye the americans
rysonbran: thats valid
Joda: i mean if you're into immortality then doctor who is a hell of a show
Scots: Dude gets a new body every time he dies, its pretty tight
Joda: right? we just get funerals and decomposition
ORCA: bro I know how to get almost immortal, do you want to know?
Joda: also, @cal, sorry for the questions and stuff but like i said i'm still learning all this. are you at the top of the food chain with your organisation?
How?
ORCA: https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/nutrition/article/8-foods-that-help-you-live-longer/ here
Helpful…
ORCA: anything for you
With that, I have some business to attend to. Let me know when your asset has recovered the letter, or if you make any progress on the Tim issue.
April 18, 2021, conversation with Cal in Lunar Aeternus Center
Has your asset had a chance to investigate the location? I've got another mistranslocated item in the area I'm looking for help with.
rysonbran: We haven't heard back about the first yet, may I ask where this new item is? Perhaps the asset can grab both in one go
I believe roughly at 42.38416974741504, -71.11209778574649. Based on transmissions, its a 9.5 by 11 board.
Its possibly been detected by other organizations, so if the recovery could be prioritized, that would be appreciated. I am trying to get other assets setup to recover it in the next few days, I'll let you know if they end up recovering it first.
rysonbran: Good to know, we'll give a shout if our asset recovers it and let's us know
Understood.
Is your asset going to be able to recover it in the next couple hours? If not, I've found another asset to recover it shortly.
Simulations indicate that the information there is a small window of opportunity to use the information inside it.
Joda: there's no word yet, our asset is busy and isnt in constant contact with us. do what you need to recover it if it's time sensitive.
Very well, I've gotten word that the Seekers are trying to bruteforce the commands so its imperative its recovered before they succeed (~1.5-3 hours based on their progress) and use it on their system. I may need some help in an hour or two when its recovered in case its encoded in some manner. Will any of you be around?
Scots: Commands? What do you mean?
The drop should have a single-use command that can be used in spatiotemporal interfaces to link up to a morphic system. Consider it like one of those 1 month free AOL CDs you get in the mail. Trying to get the command to use on the Aeternus Center systems to increase our capabilities, but my inside scoop says the Seekers have jury rigged their own interface and are also trying to crack this command.
Also, if you happen to hear about any sort of morphic interference, it would be really nice to figure out why all these morphic drops are getting sent to incorrect locations.
While we're waiting for my asset to recover it, maybe you can help with the transmission I received along with it:
1951420
-.—
SENT
I don't know if its a self contained message, or a key. Hopefully it will make more sense once we have the object.
Joda: fingers crossed. do you know where/who it came from?
Joda: may help us decode it
No. I'll see if I can find out more.
Oh, there was also:
1=A, 1=H
26=Z, 26=FE
Sorry, hard to filter out messages from the spatiotemporal noise.
Joda: no worries. anything you have, we'll pass on to our solving team and see what they make of it
Might make more sense when we get the actual item, so I wouldn't spend too much trying to figure it out until then.
Scots: We'll await further then
Though do let me know if you have any ideas from those messages.
Scots: well its clearly a encoding method but without something to compare it to to decode its guesswork
Joda: yeah. all i have is that -.— is Y in morse code
Hopefully we'll know something more soon.
Hmm, here's where I do an evil villain monologue, but I'm not really feeling it.
Thank you for your help.
Joda: oh go on
Joda: pls
Fascinating questions you've been asking.
Joda: i know right
Joda: you're really not gonna monologue?
Joda: this was your big moment bro i was so hype for you
I mean, I'm sure you've figured it all out.
Clearly I know you've been working with Tim.
Joda: i'm just saying what's the point in being a villain if you don't have any flair
Clearly you somehow alerted Tim about the trap I set at the bridge.
I do have to admit, I got a bit lazy there at the end. I didn't have time to find another droppoint for the 'board'.
But it seems like you didn't get a chance to put two and two together about why something would be there of all places.
Joda: do you at least have on a cool costume
Does a lab coat work?
Joda: eh
Joda: if that's all you have then i guess
Joda: lab safety isnt very badass tho
Scots: Well, if you go with the lab coat at least you'll match the other two of you we found dead in a ditch
Joda: this is true
Joda: keep your right hand close, cal. but your enemies closer.
Hmm, that wasn't very nice.
Joda: sorry bro it's been a long day so we're feeling a little short
What could you want with the Magician. Hmm….
Joda: idk about the others but i have a kid's party coming up soon
Well, we'll have to see about keeping your hands off that warehouse.
Joda: we'll have to see about keeping your hands off it too(edited)
It belongs to Aeternus, so I'm not sure why you'd want to do that.
Joda: fun, mostly
Joda: and vibes(edited)
Joda: etc
Joda: also, why do you care who it belongs to? you're not known for your loyalty
Its my company, I like to keep my things where I know where they are.
Joda: fair
Joda: u have that right ig
rysonbran: It's not your company, you just happened to move in
Joda: can we ask you a quick question tho callypoo?
ORCA: Bro I have a question, what happened to the previous employees of the AC?
Joda: knowing who we are, what we're about…
Joda: you ever feel bad about all this?
Joda: of course that assumes u have feelings
Joda: u might not
Joda: do you?
Joda: i have feelings
Joda: cant say im not a little hurt by this
Joda: knew you sucked but wow
Joda: breaks my heart a lil bit homie
Joda: anyway
Joda: guess we'll never know