Theatrics and Espionage

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Theatrics and Espionage was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

On Darius' suggestion, Kassandra looked for the engineer responsible for creating the Chimera's Breath.

Dialogue

Kassandra spoke to Darius in his ship hideout in Patrai.

• Kassandra: Getting ready for something?
• Darius: Good, you're finally here.
• Kassandra: You mentioned something big is about to happen in Achaia.
• Darius: I've heard that the Tempest's chief engineer is developing a new weapon.
• Kassandra: Natakas and I saw her try the weapon at the docks. It's not working yet, but it'll be a problem when it does.
• Darius: He's trying to flee Achaia.
• Kassandra: If he does want to escape, maybe we can convince him to help us defeat the Tempest.
• Darius: He's attending the shipbuilding symposium at the amphitheater here in Achaia.
• Kassandra: I can head over to the amphitheater now.
• Darius: There seems to be a discussion about a plan - a secret weapon for the Tempest. The chief engineer should have more information about it.
• Kassandra: Sounds easy enough.
• Darius: They answer to the code word "I am Poseidon's Chosen."
• Kassandra: Sure.
• Darius: The chief engineer is amongst the attendees, seek him out.

(If players choose "What's with that blade?") Kassandra looked at Darius' Hidden Blade.

• Kassandra: That blade means a lot to you. Where does it come from?
• Darius: I forged it myself. But it's more than a blade to me. It's a choice.
• Kassandra: It takes skill to get so close to a target...
• Darius: That's the point.

(If players choose "What do you know about the Tempest?")

• Kassandra: What do you know about the Tempest? She must have been planted by Amorges.
• Darius: I'm not familiar with the Tempest, but I wouldn't put anything past Amorges. He's only ever had one thing on his mind. Last prosperity for Persia.
• Kassandra: No matter the price.

(If players choose "Why get involved in all of this?")

• Kassandra: What convinced you to help the stranded people, Darius?
• Darius: Natakas's heart is in the right place, and I want to... encourage that. But the moment we're done, we're leaving the Greek world for good.

(If players choose "I'll go find the chief engineer.")

• Kassandra: I'll head to the amphitheater now and find the chief engineer.

Kassandra headed to the amphitheater. Along the way, she thought about what Darius had said.

• Kassandra: The chief engineer is here, but I don't know exactly who it is... Should be easy enough. The code word is "I am Poseidon's Chosen."

She arrived at the amphitheater, where a woman was giving a speech.

• Kassandra: This looks like the place Darius mentioned.
• Parmys: My friends, we have come a long way. I do not speak of the paths you have all traveled to be here, though I thank you for coming. I speak of the noble history of Greek shipbuilding. In this wonderful historic amphitheater set within prosperous Achaia, I think it appropriate to reflect upon that ancient duty of which, with all modesty, we have become masters. It is we, the Greeks, who took the world from the humble monoxylon to the papyrella, through the penteconter and bireme, and finally to the unconquerable trireme. We have piled the graces of patient Poseidon as the oceans slowly relinquished their secrets. And now the entire Greek world enjoys the benefits of our toil. Admittedly, we have been less successful in that respect with Zeus and Ares. So where do we go from here? Where can we go from here? Can we improve upon the mighty trireme, that conqueror of the tides? I say to you, yes! It would be a beave soul who limits the scope of Greek innovation. Could we not one day bear witness to the construction of vessels rivaling those of the gods? Imageine the magnificence of the ships not 130 feet long, but 400! Carrying not 200, but 2000! With not three rows of oars, but 20! And broad secks bearing catapults with which to vanquish enemies from afar! Why stop there? For the nobles, gymnasiums and gardens! All crowned with a temple to beloved Aphrodite! Imagine such worlds on the water. What would it take to build them? Who could do it? Come now brethren! I say to you, our gods-given Greek genius has never known human limitation. Our own Pythagoras discovered the secrets of angles, did he not? Another like him will rise to achieve these glorious constructions. Imagine a child of Pythagoras! What wonders might that child perform, as it would upon its father's shoulders? In the light of such exalted heritage, I say to you. It is not a question of "if" we do it, but of "when"! Welcome, then, to the Achaia shipbuilding symposium. And to the glory of the future of Greek shipbuilding.
• Kassandra: Malaka! I'll bet he couldn't calculate the chances of that.
• Parmys: This brand new innovation is called an oar lock. As you can see, it holds the oar in place and prevents it from sliding around. Notice how it affords unrestricted movement without inducing undue wear on the ear or on the rail. It's already improved the effectiveness of those vessels to which it has been applied. Captains report greater speeds from their crews, who are able to row harder and longer. Which is something, I venture, that would gain the approval even of Aphrodite herself. But what about sails? We already use the best linen available. Our ropes and pulleys are the finest ever made.

Kassandra approached a spectator.

• Kassandra: I am Poseidon's Chosen.
• Civilian: Right, and I'm Hera's Harlot.
• Kassandra: What?
• Civilian: What do you mean, what? Go away, I'm trying to pay attention here.
• Parmys: In fact, they recently discovered that by "squeezing down" one side of the sail, the amount of wind captured can be increased. That means more speed, especially in critical moments of battle. Of course, these techniques will never replace a crew of strong slaves. But they are useful nonetheless.

Kassandra sat down next to another spectator, who clapped for the talker.

• Kassandra: I am Poseidon's-
• Civilian: Idiot.
• Kassandra: What?
• Civilian: You're not his Chosen, you're his idiot. I could hear you from here pestering people. Who told you about me?

A friend sent me.The gods sent me.

• Kassandra: A friend of mine has been asking around about you. We heard you want to flee Achaia, and we can help with that.

• Civilian: Such freely offered help often comes with a hidden cost.
• Kassandea: Not this time, I promise.
• Civilian: Well... if the Tempest had sent you, I'd be dead by now.

Elsewhere, a man stood near the amphitheater, overhearing the conversation.

• Kassandra: I need a way to defeat her. Like this weapon I've heard about.

The man walked away.

• Civilian: The Chimera's Breath. My greatest creation, but also my greatest regret. I left before they could force me to complete it. Without my finishing touches, it will never work as intended.

(If players choose "What is the Chimera's Breath, exactly?")

• Kassandra: Tell me more about this secret weapon. What does it do?
• Civilian: It's meant to engulf enemy ships in a torrent of flames. And it works extremely well. Installation is the tricky part though. If done incorrectly, it backfires. Horribly.

(If players choose "What do you know about the Tempest?")

• Kassandra: You worked with the Tempest. What can you tell me about her?
• Civilian: She's a ruthless, emotionless creature. But the scariest part about her is her strategic brilliance. You'd be hard pressed to find a more perfect commander.

(If players choose "How do you plan to leave?")

• Kassandra: You said you want out of Achaia. Do you have a plan?
• Civilian: The only way out is through the Tempest. Trust me, I've exhausted every other option I can think of.

The engineer looked up at the woman on the stage.

• Civilian: That's my wife up there, and now I've put her life at risk, too.

(If players choose "Defying the Tempest is risky.")

• Kassandra: You're taking a big risk by sharing your secrets with me.
• Civilian: No, I'm betting on you to destroy the Tempest for me. Get your hands on the plans, and I can install the Chimera's Breath on your ship. With it, you can destroy her entire fleet. I must do something to right this wrong.

My ship is already unstoppable.I could use the help.

• Kassandra: If the Chimera's Breath is as powerful as you say it is, it would be helpful.
• Civilian: Once I'm done with your ship, it will crush the Skylla.

• Kassandra: So how do I get the plans?
• Civilian: The Tempest's fleet commander has them. He's manning the naval blockade. While you're gone, I'll get to work. The plans are written in a code that only I can read, so even when we have them, it'll take some time.
• Kassandra: I'll meet you back here when I'm done.

The man walked away. Elsewhere, Darius sat by the stairs behind Kassandra, overhearing everything.

• Darius: Good. I was wondering how we would clear the blockade.

Kassandra turned around.

• Kassandra: Ill take care of-

However, Darius has left the area before she could locate him. Kassandra travelled to the Temple of Artemis Laphria, where the fleet commander was located. She killed the commander and her guards, looting the plans from the former's body.

• Kassandra: The weapon plans for the Chimera's Breath. Time to head back to the amphitheater.

Kassandra returned to the amphitheater, only to find the engineer lying on the ground, dead.

• Kassandra: No! No. They must have the engineer. Only he could decipher the weapon plans.

Kassandra inspected his body. A man arrived with his guards.

• Megakreon: Look, boys! First the runaway engineer and now the Eagle Bearer. Aren't we lucky?

Darius arrived, assassinating one of the guards from behind.

• Darius: "Lucky" isn' the word I'd use.
• Kassandra: Oh, look who decided to show up just in time.
• Megakreon: Kill them! Kill them both!

Kassandra Darius killed Megakreon and his guards. The engineer's wife came over and mourned his death. Kassandra turned to Darius.

• Darius: The Tempest is more shrewd and careful than we expected.
• Kassandra: We should warn the others. They might be in danger, too. I'll have Barnabas take a look at the plans. In any case, we shouldn't linger here.
• Darius: Back to the shadows then.

Outcome

Kassandra met with the engineer responsible for the weapon, who tasked Kassandra to recover the weapon's plans. However, he was murdered by Megakreon who discovered his treachery. Kassandra and Darius were able to gain revenge and eliminate him.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Legacy of the First Blade