Find the Missing Brother

Find the Missing Brother was a virtual representation of one of Basim ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.

Description

Basim goes to investigate Ahmad ibn Musa's workshop.

Dialogue

Basim spoke to the kahraman in the House of Wisdom's central courtyard.

• Basim: Greetings, ya 'amm (uncle). If I may, where is the scholar Ahmad ibn Musa?
• Kahraman: Ah, yes, the most adventurous of the Banu Musa. His workshop is right behind me.
• Basim: Thank you, ya 'amm (uncle).

Basim headed to the room that the kahraman mentioned. When he was about to enter, Nehal called out to him from behind a pillar.

• Nehal: Basim! Hey, Nine-Fingers! Over here!
• Basim: Nehal. What do you have there, Sneak-Thief?

Nehal handing Basim a book she recovered

Nehal handed a book to Basim.

• Nehal: A book, I managed to save at least one from the fire.
• Basim: If they catch you stealing...
• Nehal: They cut off a finger. No, wait. A whole hand!
• Basim: That is not funny.
• Nehal: Then don't laugh.
• Basim: All right, you are in a mood, and I have things to do. Nothing that concerns you.
• Nehal: Oh, secret Hidden Ones stuff! What are you doing this time? Stabbing? Stealing? Stabbing and then stealing?
• Basim: That is your specialty, Nehal..
• Nehal: Just because you lost a finger does not mean you've lost your touch!

Basim entered the workshop, filled with a myriad of works, books, and tools.

• Basim: All these tools and books, looks like Ahmad's room. But where is he?

Basim read a letter next to a pile of books on the table.

• Basim: The letter says these books are for Ahmad.

He observed another book on a table.

Basim investigating the books on the table

• Basim: Another book of poetry by Arib. Tabid would love this.

He investigated a bag of tools on another.

• Basim: Measuring tools, like my father used to own. But these are Ahmad's.

Basim went to a corner and looked at a manuscript with Ahmad's signature.

• Basim: Ahmad always signs his work. This is definitely his doing.

Basim investigating a diagram design of Ahmad's

He looked at another diagram of Ahmad's.

• Basim: Ahmad seems to be working on something new. But what?

Basim concluded his investigation.

• Basim: Diagrams, machine tools, and other oddities. This is definitely Ahmad's workshop. But where can he be?

Basim asking the man for Ahmad's whereabouts

Just then, a man entered the room.

• Hamid Al-Haleem: Pardon me, may I help you?
• Basim: I am looking for Ahmad ibn Musa. Do you know where I can find him?
• Hamid Al-Haleem: I may be able to help you. Follow me.

Basim followed Hamid out of the workshop.

• Hamid Al-Haleem: Is this your first visit to the House of Wisdom?
• Basim: No, a friend and I used to sneak in as kids. We taught ourselves to read in your library.
• Hamid Al-Haleem: All young people should follow your worthy example.

Basim following Hamid out of the library

• Basim: The caretakers who chased us out of the stacks everyday did not think so.
• Hamid Al-Haleem: Merely doing their jobs. And what did you study in the House of Wisdom?
• Basim: I loved poetry and heroic tales. My friend... preferred pagan gods and dark magic.
• Hamid Al-Haleem: Interesting. And did you follow your youthful passion and become a scholar?
• Basim: When the whole world awaits? No, you might say I am a man on a mission.
• Hamid Al-Haleem: Ah. Well, what about your friend?
• Basim: No, no, she... still searches for something, though what that is, I do not know.
• Hamid Al-Haleem: A shame! It's not far now. Hurry, hurry.

Basim followed Hamid to an outer courtyard, where he screamed.

• Hamid Al-Haleem: Guards, help! I'm under attack!
• Basim: What? You lie!

Basim fending off the guards

Guards suddenly arrived, surrounding and attacking Basim, However, the Hidden One managed to take them down.

• Hamid Al-Haleem: Please, don't hurt me.
• Basim: You led me into a trap! I should slay you where you stand.

Basim took out his dagger and threatened Hamid, who stood up in fear.

• Hamid Al-Haleem: Spare kindly Hamid!
• Basim: Then tell me, where is Ahmad ibn Musa?
• Hamid Al-Haleem: Please, sir! I don't know where he is. Truly, I do not!
• Basim: Then why lead me into an ambush?
• Hamid Al-Haleem: He... he made me do it!
• Basim: Who is he? Not Ahmad, surely.

Hamid pleading for his life

• Hamid Al-Haleem: I don't know his name, for he always wears a mask.
• Basim: And what does this masked man want?
• Hamid Al-Haleem: He commands me to keep everyone away from the House of Wisdom's dig site. Or else...
• Basim: Or else what?
• Hamid Al-Haleem: He will hurt my head! Like with the others. Please, spare humble Hamid.
• Basim: Where is this dig site?
• Hamid Al-Haleem: It's in the wilderness, outside of the city. Here, let me draw you a map.

Hamid drawing the map for Basim

Hamid drew the map's location to Basim.

• Basim: The map should lead me to the dig site.

Basim followed the map's drawing and it led him to an open dig site guarded by the Caliphate guards.

• Basim: Such a massive dig. What are they up to?

Basim talking to a worker

Basim spoke to a worker.

• Basim: Impressive work, my friend. Are you digging up something for the Caliph?
• Digger: Never you mind all that.
• Basim: The remains of past empires intrigues me. Do you mind if I take a look around?
• Digger: Look at the old rocks all you want, but don't touch our tools and chests.
• Basim: I would not dream of it.
• Civilian: This heat makes me ill. I want to vomit.
• Digger 2: What ever you do, don't ask for Doctor Hassan.
• Civilian: I know, I know. I'd disappear, just like the others.

Basim found a group of soldiers overlooking the site.

• Basim: Mercenaries guarding the site. They must have found something important.
• Mercenary 1: When do we get paid, captain?
• Mercenary 2: We will get paid. One way or the other.
• Mercenary 1: They don't have much to steal. But it's something.

Basim talking to the mercenary leader

Basim approached one of them.

• Basim: Are you the leader of this battle-scarred band of war dogs? You must get paid well.
• Mercenary 2: Not as much as we want to get paid, I tell you that.
• Basim: Care to do a little work for me?
• Mercenary 2: Maybe. What's this job then?
• Basim: See those fancy Caliph's men over there? I might need a hand.
• Mercenary 2: Hmm. Let's work something out.

(Offer token to Hire)Never mind.

• Basim: Spoken like a true mercenary. Here is a token of my appreciation.
• Mercenary 2: Hey, it's honest work.

Basim looking for clues in the dig site

Basim sneaked into the dig site, trying his best to stay low with mercenaries waiting to give a helping hand if he was discovered.

• Soldier 1: Why does that fool of a scholar travel with so many chests?
• Soldier 2: They are so heavy, I swear they are stuffed with rocks.
• Soldier 1: I only need my blade, my waterskin, and my bedroll. Fool of a scholar.

He looked into one of the big chests.

• Basim: Hmm, nothing. I should see if there are any more chests around.

He looked into another.

• Basim: This chest has Ahmad's signature seal on it. Must be his.

He found a note inside.

Doctor's Note

Brother Ahmad,

Exciting news! The artifact you helped us uncover at the ruins hums with remarkable power!

I have conceived of a device to repair it, but I am no engineer and require your assistance.

Find me at the Bimaristan. Hurry, history awaits!

- Doctor Hassan

• Basim: Interesting. A letter to Ahmad from a Doctor Hassan. Ahmad must be at the hospital, working with this doctor. But what is a famous inventor doing with a doctor? It must all link together somehow.

Basim at the Great Bimaristan

Basim left the dig site and returned to Baghdad, making his way to the Great Bimaristan.

• Basim: The Bimaristan, where the best healers in Baghdad gather. Finding Doctor Hassan should lead me to Ahmad.

Basim eavesdropped on a conversations about the dig site workers.

• Nurse 1: Another one from the dig site. This time with a broken finger.
• Nurse 2: It is best never to speak of these things.

Basim came across a locked room door, with a note next to it.

Doctor Hassan's Office

No admittance without proper authorization. Please look for the head nurse if you need any help.

• Basim: I need to find a way into Doctor Hassan's office.

Basim finding a mask worn by Order members

Basim managed to obtain the key from the head nurse. He returned to office and unlocked it, gaining him access inside. He found a suspicious looking mask on a cabinet.

• Basim: The symbol of the Order. This all but proves that Doctor Hassan is one of them.

He read a note on a table.

The Efficacy of Our Discovery

My dear Al-Rabisu,

Work on the device progresses wonderfully. The engineer will unwittingly provide us the key to unlock its infinite potential.

The new parts I mentioned last time are en route to the House of Wisdom. The Hour of our Order is at hand.

- Al-Azhdaha

• Basim: This letter proves it! Hassan is neck-deep in the Order.

Basim eavesdropping for Hassan's whereabouts

Basim left the room and sat at a nearby bench, eavesdropping on a group of doctors nearby.

• Doctor: I have some burned scholars here. Some scholars from the House of Wisdom got burned trying to save the books. We need that room for the patients.
• Doctor 2: No, that's Doctor Hassan's private laboratory. It's locked, no one must go inside.
• Doctor 1: So we just leave the burn victims outside? Will someone answer me?
• Doctor 2: Please, use your indoor voice. You're upsetting the patients.
• Basim: Doctor Hassan keeps his laboratory locked up. I wonder why.

Basim headed upstairs, which was tightly guarded. He found Doctor Hassan's office, again locked behind a door, and read a note pinned to the doorframe.

Window Repairs

I demand immediate attention to the broken window above my laboratory! There are adequate material in the storeroom to effect the repair immediately.

If I catch a fatal chill due to your negligence, you shall answer to the Caliph. Personally.

- Doctor Hassan

• Basim: A broken window. Could be a way in.

Basim in Hassan's laboratory

Basim navigated around the laboratory building, finding the mentioned broken window fixed with only some wood. He took it down and entered the laboratory, stationing himself on the chandelier above where Hassan worked at a table.

• Doctor Hassan: There is nothing wrong with my methods, only the mechanism itself. It needs more subjects. More work. I certainly do not need some useless inventor meddling with the Great Work. Am I not the great and dreadful Al-Azhdaha? Maybe I should not say that out loud. Focus, Hassan. Focus.

Basim leaped down and killed him.

• Basim: The doctor is dead. Now to find Ahmad and solve this bloody mystery.

Ahmad entering to room, finding Basim and the dead doctor

As Basim looked around, Ahmad entered and saw the scene.

• Ahmad: Basim, what happened here?
• Basim: Where were you, Ahmad?
• Ahmad: I was around. I'm always around. Would you tell me what happened?
• Basim: Are you aware this man works for the Order?
• Ahmad: He called on me a few weeks ago, after they found something in the desert. An ancient mechanism of some sort. They needed me to—
• Basim: And you asked no questions?
• Ahmad: I never ask questions when it comes to work. Do you?
• Basim: Tell me about this mechanism.

Ahmad explaining his involvement

• Ahmad: It opens a path. In the mind. A path to the ancient world. This mechanism, somehow, seems to open... the doors of perception.
• Basim: Have you seen this for yourself?
• Ahmad: No, but I heard the stories of those who have. They are lost, Basim. Because they think what they saw is reality. They think they belong to this ancient world. I knew nothing about the Order being involved. If I did, I would have come to you. I just... I got caught up. You know me. You know me, Basim...

Ahmad expressing his regret for how knowledge was used

• Basim: You will leave this place and return to the Bureau. I will not tell a soul if you do not.
• Ahmad: How shameful it is that knowledge always ends up in the wrong hands. Isn't it, Basim?

Ahmad took his leave and returned to the Hidden Ones bureau. Basim inspected the covered corpse that Hassan had studied.

• Basim: A bloody mess. Head bandages. But this is a hospital, after all.

(If Follow the Fiery Trail was not completed)

• Basim: I should continue investigating the library.

Outcome

Basim tracked down Ahmad, managing to also deal with an Order member in the process.

Gallery

• 
  Basim finds Nehal at the library
• 
  Basim entering Ahmad's workshop
• 
  One of Ahmad's designs.
• 
  Basim finding a bag of tools
• 
  Basim threatening Hamid with his dagger
• 
  Basim at the dig site
• 
  Basim finding some mercenaries overlooking the dig site
• 
  Hassan conducting his experiments
• 
  Basim questioning Ahmad's involvement with Hassan
• 
  Basim telling Ahmad to return to the bureau