Conspiracy Parties

It would seem that I can't stay away from trouble for any long period of time. *chuckles* I returned to the city of New Babbage one more to find it only slightly changed from how it had been when I last left, but one of the changes was not for the better, unfortunately. The Steamweaver company, led by one Mr. Steamweaver, of course, in a twisted vision of 'progress' had built a building known as the Atheum, containing a large machine, the purpose of which was to read the information on a large quantity of books and convert and input it into punch card format. While this on its own was rather harmless, the primary method of fueling this machine was to burn the books after it was done reading them.

Naturally, this raised moral objections in several Babbagers, led by Ms. Bookworm Hienrichs, decided to take action. With diplomatic avenues for attempting to convince Mr. Steamweaver to shut down, or at least alter, the Atheum having been exhausted, Ms Hienrichs decided to organize a more direct approach. A group of citizens (accompanied by myself) kept watch outside the building while one of her associates proceeded to sabotage the machine. During the operation, I helped Ms. Hienrichs rescue some of the more rarer tomes by replacing them with more common books, and then rearranging the orderly shelves enough that it would take them some time to discover the...removal, if they did at all.

Unfortunately, it seemed that despite the sabotage, Mr. Steamweaver would not give up so easily...



Since it seemed he was determined to keep the Atheum running, it followed that we may have to try again. However, I am not sure how far any planning went or if more peaceful methods were employed, because the next I heard, Steamweaver had issued a challenge! If Ms. Hienrichs could managed to raise L$10,000 for the local charity before the end of the weekend (the challenge was issued on a Friday I believe), he would not only suspend Atheum operations, but would MATCH the amount raised out of his own pockets!

Now I believe he thought that she would be unable to meet this challenge...he was VERY wrong I am pleased to say...



Throwing an impromptu street party outside the building in question, our little group, as well as many others, not only matched the amount specified, but, as of the final report, more than TRIPLED it. Needless to say, Mr. Steamweaver was probably not very happy about this, considering he would be forced to match the amount, and shutdown the Atheum, hopefully once and for all.

Continued Investigations

I may have made a small error... I returned to New Babbage today only to walk right into a group of rather violent people who claimed to work for Doctor Olbolensky (Luckily the 85's perception filter was working so they didn't see it materialize). Also luckily, I was able to talk my way out of their plan to rob me, and thus was able to not only gain information, but even an invite back to the doctor's lair.

I didn't immediately follow, counting my good luck, but talking to several townspeople brought up suspicions, namely the Doctor's advanced age yet good health, as well as some advanced forms of technology. This of course gave rise to the possibility that Obolensky might possibly be a time lord himself, or at least have access to time travel. This in mind, I decided to take up the earlier offer to again visit the lair. A conversation with the henchmen in attendance didn't reveal anything more than I already knew. However the doctor himself arrived a while later, allowing me to interview him directly. Though I cannot be entirely sure how accurate his answers were, what he gave leave me to conclude, for the moment, that he is but a human, though a gifted one, or 'Spark' as some would call him.

Dr. Obolensky

However until I can be totally sure, I will continue to monitor the situation in New Babbage...and maybe even see if I can work against some of the doctor's plans. Subtly, of course.