Cell 317

Cell 317 is one of the pre‑assigned dispersal cells formed during the emergency evacuation at the Concent of Saunt Tredegarh. It exemplifies the planned scheme to scatter personnel into small, coordinated groups while maintaining communication via embedded Ita.

Composition and Leadership

• On‑the‑ground lead: Lio; Valers observe formal courtesies toward him during movements.
• Core avout observed: Fraa Erasmas, Fraa Jesry, Fraa Arsibalt, and Fraa Jad.
• Vale cohort: several Valers from the Ringing Vale, including Fraa Osa, Suur Vay, Suur Esma, and Fraa Gratho (identified at muster). See Valers.
• Ita support: Sammann handles communications and Reticulum messaging for the group.
• Guest: Jules Verne Durand, a Laterran linguist, is attached to the cell and participates in planning and training.
• Technical preparation: Jesry leads space‑suit familiarization and operations drills; Suur Vay and Fraa Gratho assist.

Context and Role

• Formation and muster: When dispersal is ordered, badges route members to a designated coach where the driver confirms assignment as “Cell 317.” Rucksacks are staged for quick embarkation (“quick on, quick off”).
• Affiliation: The cell structure is part of the broader Tredegarh dispersal plan overseen by Suur Ala; each cell is intended to function autonomously yet remain coordinated through Ita.
• Movement: After assembling on a commandeered coach, Cell 317 transfers under escort to a military aerocraft and departs Tredegarh. While airborne, wireless access to the Reticulum is jammed; the Ita can re‑establish connectivity via landlines and other means once the cell stops moving.

Staging at Elkhazg and Mission Preparation

• The cell is received at the caravansery of Elkhazg by Heritor Magnath Foral and quartered in the Old Cloister. Elkhazg’s historic focus on tilings provides both context and a training environment.
• Notable moment: In Elkhazg’s Decagon court, Fraa Jad produces a complete new solution to The Teglon overnight, laid on top of earlier solutions—prompting respectful recognition from both Valers and hosts.
• Prepositioned pallets at Elkhazg contain equipment that makes clear the cell’s next phase will be orbital. Members inventory supplies and change to lightweight coveralls for training.

Equipment and Training

• Each member is allotted a black, long‑duration space suit with integrated life support, designed centuries earlier and recently manufactured. Suits interface to an open‑frame upper stage (nicknamed “monyafeek” by the Laterran guest) via a triangular array of attachment points.
• A ground “tender” device regenerates oxygen/hydrogen consumables and bakes out CO₂ scrubbers; crews practice swap‑outs and sanitation cycles.
• Three simulator cells with wraparound displays allow hands‑on drills for rotating and translating in microgravity and for suit‑mounted thruster control. Jesry conducts instruction; others rotate through until proficient.

Orders and Mission Outline (as briefed)

• Lio states the immediate orders are to “go to ground,” then train on prepositioned equipment. The stated objective is to reach the Daban Urnud.
• Launch concept: mobile ballistic launchers, dispersed and hard to surveil, will fire within a tight window; eleven upper stages are allotted to this cell, with additional launches carrying equipment and consumables. Remaining launches serve as decoys and chaff.
• On orbit, the plan calls for consolidating other payloads into a thrust platform to inject the group into a rendezvous trajectory.
• Strategic context: In discussion, Lio suggests the cell may act as a diversion while other means deliver so‑called Everything Killers; he notes he could be wrong, and no such tasking is issued to the cell.

Communications and Intelligence

• The cell experiences intentional jamming while in transit; once stationary, Ita regain access to the Reticulum via terrestrial links.
• Sammann analyzes captured timestamps against known events to estimate long‑range chronology relevant to the visitors, informing team discussions.

Status

• Consolidating and training at Elkhazg under Lio’s direction, with a launch window specified to occur three days after staging. After intensive preparation, the team is collected by truck for transfer to an airfield, with orders to proceed toward rendezvous operations.