Machia Veil Timeline
September 6th – Loch Lorian, Scottishland
Ellis Warnock spent hours engaging in intense discussions with Darcy and the code-breaking team from the Solstice Bridge Unit. Every day, they experimented with various configurations of the SBU code. Despite her confidence in their efforts, they were disappointed time and time again.
On that morning, however, a loud shout echoed from the wreckage of the boat. They ran to the boat.
“These lines here. We thought they were just decoration. But they have significance,” said Bern, the head decoder.
“Just a rusty placard,” said Darcy.
“Best to try it to see what we mean,” said Bern.
“To north and south,” read Darcy.
“To east and west reversed.
By my honour hear my v-”
“Verse. Says verse,” said an aide.
“By my honour, hear my verse,
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That I may serve in heart and soul,
With reverence and flow.
As for King Arthur’s code.
My Lady of Grace, my heart embrace.”
“And again. Try it again,” said Bern.
“Let me try,” said Ellis.
“To north and south
to east and west reversed.
By my honour, hear my verse,
That I may serve in heart and soul,” Ellis coughed.
“With reverence and flow.
As for King Arthur’s code … who is King Arthur?” she asked, and they all shrugged. “My Lady of Grace, my heart embrace.”
Nothing happened.
“Wait, wait, now say it again, but with significance!”
Ellis tried again.
“To north and south
to east and west reversed.
By my honour, hear my verse,
That I may serve in heart and soul,” she said.
“With reverence and flow.
As for King Arthur’s code.
My Lady of Grace, my heart embrace.”
The boat lit up.
The senior Archs gasped.
“Okay,” said Darcy. “We’re onto something. Call Kit.”
***
The SBU returned to the text on the rusty placard.
“It’s impossible to get more than a few seconds of light,” said one of the Archs.
“Call everyone to the boat. We will concentrate our efforts here,” said Kit. “We will combine this with the solstice code.”
“But that only works during a solstice!” said an aide.
“Ah-ah-ah ye of little faith, we try both, beginning now!” said Kit.
***
Another failed attempt. “Darn! We are overlooking something. But continue. Let’s try different combinations,” said Darcy as he headed to the offices.
Working around the clock, hundreds of Archs collaborated to crack the code of the Loch Lorian.
Kit Mannon observed the progress from his office.
Darcy entered. Ellis was in a meeting with ten decoders. The clamour of their chatter filled the room as they examined the videos gathered for the mission. They jotted down notes and discussed new Aurial Code combinations.
“Any updates?” asked Darcy.
“Not yet,” said Ellis.