Later, at Dr. Rogere's office....

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The office is crowded with NYPD personnel, frantic patients, a hysterical receptionist, and building security.

Comments

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

The chimp cracks his knuckles and steps to the computer.

"Hey, boss, I got your permission to touch the computer? I may be able to talk to it..."

[jsaboss.livejournal.com]

Fate and Terrific exchange a glance, and with Fate's nod, Terrific expresses his approval.

"Go for it, detective. Let me know if you need anyhting cracked."

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

The chimp hops into the chair facing the computer.

"Hi, computer," he tells it. "I'm Doctor Rogere. What files have I been looking at recently?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Most of the files are very ordinary, dealing with the doctor's patients. His calendar displays a wide array of appointments: therapy sessions, luncheons, phone conferences.

There is an unlocked directory marked "Research." The files in here seem to be related to the papers the psychiatrist was working on. A locked directory is labeled "Research2."

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

"Computer, please unlock directory 'Research2.' I am Dr. Rogere."

He turns to Terrific. "I might not be the most skilled with computers, but one of the side effects of being able to talk to anything... well, computers aren't exactly the smartest devices in the world. All 1s and 0s. I tell it I'm Dr. Rogere, and the odds are good that it'll believe me."

He turns back to the computer.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

A password prompt pops up. Dr. Fate is able to detect an odd, minor ripple in the office, as if a breeze had suddenly sprung up and then died away.

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

"Huh. It's smarter than most computers," Chimp frowns. "Hey, Terrific? You wanna take a crack at this?"

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"One moment," interjects Fate. "I sensed something. Let me check for enchantments."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

There is indeed a magical lock on the files, a strange eclectic lock, as if it has been composed from bits and pieces of protective spells from various disciplines.

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"The magic here is passing strange," says Fate, as he gently tries to undo the binding.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The lock feels frangible, as if it will explode if it is not dismantled correctly. To Dr. Fate's senses, it is rather like picking a razor-edged lock.

Finally it yields to his magic, and the directory opens.

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

"Let's see what we've got..." Chimp says, seeing the directory open.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

There is a subdirectory containing scans of newspaper articles, as well as saved web pages from various news sites. Ibn Head's face predominates, though Mar'i Grayson's face is there as well, particularly the tabloid photos of them together in San Francisco.

Another subdirectory is labeled "history." Here Detective Chimp finds narratives explaining Ibn Head's relationship as Talia Head's half-brother and Mar'i Anders as a cousin of the Titan Starfire, with an additional note relating to her adoption by Dick Grayson as part of her seeking sanctuary on Earth.

Yet another subdirectory, titled "Rituals," contains text and diagrams of spells said to summon various members of the Endless.

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

"HoHO!" Chimp chuckles. "Looks like Spanky had a hobby of trying to summon the Seven..."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Also in the "Rituals" subdirectory are spells designed to drain power from another.

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

Fate absorbs that information somberly.

[onthecase.livejournal.com]

"So, Fate, think you know how to counter a ritual like that?" Chimp asks. "Say, if someone targeted you with such a spell?"

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

Fate thinks hard.

"With preparation? Yes. Taken unawares? Difficult."