Cal T. Devali

The Eternals

## About

Cal was part of Project Morphic for Aeternus Center, and was also a member of the Seekers of True Enlightenment.

He later became part of a subsection of The Seekers, known as The Eternals.

Cal T Devali is an anagram of The Vacillated.

He was killed by The Percussor on 27 April 2021, a decision that was spearheaded by Starling and ultimately decided by a majority of those active in Taskforce Earth. It was awesome.

He was a dick.

## Timeline/Puzzles

### 10 February 2021

Player Orca received an email from Cal.

> **Some Cool Information Seen Clearly Online**
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> (do not reply)
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> You might find some things of interest by investigating anomalies RCKM102020 and WMTN032017.
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> -Cal

### 28 March 2021

 Conversation with Cal in Lunar Aeternus Center.
Cal discusses a breach of Aeternus security, and proposes a temporary alliance between Cal and Taskforce Earth.

> **ORCA et al**Hello**Cal**Ah hello, there was going to be this whole complicated thing to try getting some help dealing with some pesky roadblocks. But it seems like things here are fairly quiet, so it wasn't too much trouble. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take down the help request before it got published.
> How are you all on this fine Sunday/Monday?**InsaneScots**InsaneScots: Mostly ok tbh, things have been busy as per usual**rysonbran**Relatively quiet for me**ORCA**I'm making some pizzas, nothing more.
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> So, what is this Lunar AC about?**Cal**Hopefully its good pizza, and not something like the Hawaiian?**InsaneScots**moon pizza**rysonbran**Hawaiian pizza is a crime**ORCA**in my country we put anything on the pizza, from beans to pineapples**Cal**Well, there was originally going to be this whole thing to try getting into AC to put some order into the chaos there, before the Seekers got involved, but it seems like events arranged themselves so things were quiet when trying to enter AC, so the help isn't really needed.
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> Not that I'm complaining.**rysonbran**Order into chaos? What chaos?**ORCA**things are never too easy, you know that**InsaneScots**probably what spier did**Cal**Yeah, apparently the interim person in charge of AC left a mess when they left.
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> Doors left wide open, files left unencrypted, bills left unpaid, dangerous compounds leaving unattended.
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> Would've been a field day if some nefarious organization got in during the chaos.**ORCA**luckily it's just you, right?**InsaneScots**So who's in charge of AC now?**rysonbran**Have the doors been closed?**Cal**Working on cleaning up physical security, but that will be done in the next week, the virtual/computer security story is a mess, apparently Magus got eradicated, which means that's going to be a massive project to clean up.**Starling**I'm sorry I'm late but what's this about the help request and trying to stop it before being published? Was that you or someone else?**ORCA**do you think you can clean everything yourself?**Cal**Was going to ask for help to do a bunch of stuff to get into AC, but since apparently the folks at Aeternus all voted on taking the weekend off/a quiet weekend, it really wasn't much trouble. Was trying to cancel the help request but didn't get to it in time.
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> There's not really much help to be provided here, mostly just trying to batten down the hatches and get physical security up and running before The Seekers realize that AC's security is a mess.**ORCA**we could send someone to help you if needed**rysonbran**May I ask why you're so concerned with AC's security?**InsaneScots**And forgive my bluntness here by why should we trust that you have best interests in mind? We haven't been given much reason to trust you, and those who have asked our trust in recent memory have betrayed our good nature.**Cal**Frankly, the idea that there are global 'best interests' is faulty. You have your own best interests, I have mine.
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> And really, it turns out I don't need you to trust me.
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> Who you do and do not trust, is up to you. Though it sounds like your track record hasn't been the best in recent history.**InsaneScots**Fair enough**ORCA**well, I have my reasons to trust you, a bit of your interest aligns with mine so..**rysonbran**If you don't need us, why entertain our questions and get defensive in response?**Cal**If you're going to ask blunt questions, I'm going to give blunt responses.
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> But speaking of interests, it sounds like you're interested in taking out The Seekers?
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> Those interests do align with mine.
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> They're treading blasphemous grounds, trying to control and manipulate forces beyond their comprehension for their own personal goals.**Starling**One could argue we're doing the same**ORCA**well Cal if your goal is to free The Eater, count on me**rysonbran**How do you know if those are in fact our interests?**Starling**Cal, what is your goal? What are you hoping to do? You obviously seem to know what we're up to, so I would appreciate some communication in that regard. I also know you have no reason to answer me, so don't feel like you have to.**Cal**I don't know what your exact interests are, but if the short-term goal of stopping The Seekers and their goals of bringing forth the ☉ and controlling The Eater, then our short-term goals would be aligned.
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> I'd guess our longer term goals are not aligned, but if we can agree on stopping the Seekers in the short-term, there's a lot of things we can do together.**rysonbran**What's the catch, Cal?**Cal**The catch is that this is short-term, we're aligned on getting rid of the Seekers, but beyond that we may be at odds.**ORCA**my enemy's enemy is my friend, that's the idea**Starling**I appreciate the honesty, Cal.**Cal**Basically, what @ORCA said. In this, The Seekers are both our enemies. Once they're out of the way, who knows what side of things we will all fall on.**Starling**How would this short-term partnership work?**Cal**I'm still trying to figure out what the strategy here would be.
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> My initial plans had been to draw the Seekers out with the two anomalies and have you all imprison them/get them out of the way, but it appears they might have gotten the upper hand there.
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> Unfortunately they were a bit more careful about sec ops and never let Spire into their systems, so that was a dead end too.**Starling**Oh, were you friends with Spire?**Cal**Now that I'm in charge of Aeternus, hopefully I can use some of the resources here along with your help to lure them into another trap, hopefully one that works this time. Unfortunately they have a bit of an upper hand in knowing all The Eternals.
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> Luckily it appears while they're gathering the resources necessary to enact their dastardly plans, they're not quite there with the knowledge necessary to carry it out, so there's still time.
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> In a sense, yes. Though friends probably instills too much humanity to Spire.**Starling**I have so many questions about everything you've said.**InsaneScots**Yeaaaaaah**rysonbran**What happened to spier?**Cal**There weren't enough free resources to sustain it after it served its purpose.**InsaneScots**May I ask for further explanation of "The Eternals"?**Cal**A faction of the Seekers that is actually focused on carrying out the Seekers mission in an ethical and just manner.**InsaneScots**And you are/were one?**Cal**Yes.
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> Before another faction took over the Seekers resources and started taking us out.**Starling**Another faction? I'm not surprised the Seekers are split into divisions. A group needs some form of organization after all…
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> Did you lose the popularity vote or something?**Cal**Something like that.**Starling**So they like to remove opposition just by straight up murder huh? That's… multiple people now that the Seekers have killed or attempted to kill in the past couple months alone**Cal**The Hunter may have gotten a bit excessive, yes.**InsaneScots**The Hunter is entirely excessive**Starling**The Hunter's existence is excessive**InsaneScots**many good people gone because of them
> Starling: like who the heck needs an actual hitman?**ORCA**nah, they were just following their own nature**Cal**Now the Seekers are off trying to reprogram the Hunter, who knows what might result.**Starling**Reprogram the Hunter?**Cal**Establish more control over, bend them to their will.
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> Effectively, to try changing their nature.**ORCA**now you made me feel bad for them**Cal**If you help take down the Seekers, we can free the Hunter, and get them back on their natural path.**InsaneScots**Which is?**Cal**Only the Hunter can really answer that.**InsaneScots**Fair enough, I suppose**Starling**Can we know the name of the opposing faction?**Cal**They don't really have a name, beyond the Seekers.
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> Their leader is The Witness, so maybe something based on that?**Starling**… ah. Yeah. Okay**InsaneScots**We know them.
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> well, know of them**Cal**Well, I need to go shortly. But in the great battle of Good vs Evil, Aeternus Center vs the Seekers, can I count on Taskforce Earth working with us?**ORCA**Well I have no problem helping, but this is not just up to me**Cal**We can't let the Seekers succeed in their plans, can you imagine if they're able to control the Eater, getting knowledge without cost.**rysonbran**It's not that simple, Cal. We'll see what happens.**Starling**There's a bunch of us. And we try to decide on vote. Please give us some time to get people's responses.**Cal**Well, let me know soon. I'm off to deal with the security at the Center, need to try getting more resources in to safeguard the place. Speak with you later.**InsaneScots**also Cal, what are your pronouns. These things are important

Cal did not answer the pronouns question.

Cal did not answer the pronouns question.

Following this conversation, Taskforce Earth deliberated for some time on whether to enter a duplicitous partnership with Cal, given that our end goals were polar opposites.

### 6 April 2021

Conversation with Cal in LAC.
Taskforce Earth agrees to a temporary partnership with Cal.

> **InsaneScots**cal sorry we take forever frankly it's a wonder we get anything done quickly
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> We've decided that for the time being, while our goals align, that we will work with you until such a time as our goals no longer align. Let's hope this partnership is fruitful eh?**Cal**Excellent.
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> Unfortunately, an unfortunate series of events transpired last week that affects both Aeternus and Taskforce Earth. A former employee was reportedly involved in the removal of some valuable objects from the Aeternus Center facility, tracking the individual down and reacquiring control of those items is of the utmost importance.
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> I'll have someone assemble the information we have and potential avenues of research in the next couple days to provide you some leads to investigate. We're not sure of the intent behind the actions, but it's possible this was a mole for The Seekers trying to thwart our plans.**InsaneScots**May we ask what object(s) were taken**Cal**An old box of documents. We're not entirely sure of the contents, as it hadn't been fully cataloged when it was stolen**InsaneScots**and which employee is suspected?
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> but yes, we will examine whatever you can give us and proceed from there**Cal**Tim Malor, recent Aeternus Center recruit.**InsaneScots**huh, interesting**Cal**Actually, given your particular skillsets, perhaps the most useful thing to do now is track down where Tim is/will be so he can be apprehended and questioned.
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> A starting point is his username TMalor90 which might be a good lead to try contacting him and getting information out of him. Hopefully since you're not Aeternus employees he will be more likely to open up.
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> Hopefully that will be a good lead to follow, let me know if you get any useful intel. I'll follow up later on further leads we have worth pursuing.

The stolen box was indeed taken by Tim, as part of a coordinated heist between Tim and Taskforce Earth. We were actively deciphering its contents at this point.

Taskforce Earth then deliberated on how to keep Tim safe, while maintaining this new partnership with Cal.

### 12 April 2021

Conversation with Cal in LAC

> **Cal**Any luck finding information regarding TMalor90?
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> In the meantime, trying to get access to a stash that was hidden by a Seekers acolyte.
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> Intercepted the following note:
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> John Carr
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> William Fricke
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> Walter Gale
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> Theodore Pappas
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> Guy Smith
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> Edward Waller
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> S. 47,20,377,392,58,327 - 113
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> Any ideas?**InsaneScots**We are working some angles but he's stopped being very obvious by broadcasting his location on twitter. So its slow goings, will take a look at what you just gave us though and get back to you
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> Got any clues to go off of other than the note?**Cal**Apologies, there was a transcription error (apparently our OCR software doesn't like random periods):
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> John Carr
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> William Fricke
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> Walter Gale
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> N. Hagan
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> Theodore Pappas
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> Guy Smith
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> Edward Waller
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> S. 47,20,204.1,377,392,58,327 - 113**InsaneScots**Cheers, we'll get right on it
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> Are you just trying to find the location of it or how to get in?**Cal**Just the location is good enough for now.**rysonbran**Any idea what's in the stash? Why is it important?**Cal**Nope, just a lead to see what information the Seekers have.**ORCA**bro we got Chicago**Cal**Any particular location in Chicago?**InsaneScots**Specifically the Rookery Building lobby. probably.**Cal**Thank you. That's very helpful.**InsaneScots**Let us know what you find yes?**Cal**As a supplemental, looking into messages in the Chicago area, any information you can glean from the following intersections?
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> Might not be usable information since its just a partial message, working on getting the full intercept:
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> Adams and Wells
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> Jackson and Dearborn
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> Lake and Wabash
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> Lake and Dearborn
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> Madison and Wabash**InsaneScots**We've discovered a common denominator, and you're gonna love it**Cal**?**InsaneScots**drumroll please**Joda**🥁🧻**InsaneScots**It's Dunkin' Donuts. They all have a Dunkin'**Cal**Ah.**Joda**Not much of a coffee fan?**Cal**Not Dunkin' Donuts. But it seems reasonable that the person who transmitted that message would be a Dunkin' fan.
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> Good work.
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> Will hopefully have more soon.**InsaneScots**Who's the message from?

#### Solutions

The first puzzle was a reference to Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, and the numbers were Storrer numbers, which directed us to specific buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Each name given corresponded with a Storrer number, eg #47 corresponded to the Edward C Waller House in Illinois. The middle initial of the names of the buildings spelled out Chicago (Kentuck Knob’s building was built for I.N. Hagan). The only number without a corresponding name was 113, which left the Rookery Building lobby in Chicago, Illinois as the answer.

The second puzzle was a list of intersections in the Chicago area. Every intersection had a Dunkin Donuts. As we know, Tim Malor is a big fan of Dunkin Donuts coffee.

It seems likely that this interference lead to the interception of the drop point we used with Tim, putting him in danger (sorry). A couple of days later, we had the infamous 15 April conversation with Tim, where Starling had to prove their identity.

This conversation brought about the beginning of the end of TE’s interactions with Cal.

### 12 April 2021

Conversation with Cal in LAC

> **Cal**Any luck with the Tim problem?
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> Also, you wouldn't happen to have any active assets in the Boston area?**InsaneScots**We know someone in the Boston area but they’re a little unreliable. What would this be about?**Cal**I need to recover something before others get to it, but don't have assets in the area this weekend. But if they're unreliable I can keep shaking other trees.**InsaneScots**We can probably get them this weekend, what's the "something"?**Cal**A letter from an acquaintance.
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> Unfortunately timing and other interference had it land in a slightly inconvenient location.**InsaneScots**Alright what are the deets, I'll get a message out rn.**Cal**Based on the message I received, it is located near Lowell Street and Vernon Street in Somerville, MA.

> **Cal**If you can get your asset to retrieve it, that would be great. If they can mail it in to the Aeternus Center mailbox, that would be wonderful. If necessary, have them send me a message with their mailing address and I can send them a prepaid envelope.**Joda**our asset is particularly privacy concerned so i don't know that a mailing address is possible, but we'll pass on the message and let you know how it goes**Cal**Sounds good, it should be able to be mailed as a normal letter, but if it gets expensive to send it in, can try finding another way of getting the item.**Joda**we can play it by ear. thanks homie**InsaneScots**How does a letter "land" at a place like that btw? I didn't realize the postal service was that bad but yeah**Joda**they've just let us know they're not worried about it so things should go pretty smoothly if they're able to locate the drop.
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> and yeah yikes i thought my postie was bad**Cal**Spatiotemporal postal service, but apparently some interference. Hopefully benign, but it’s critical the Seekers don't get the letter, has some important information to counteract some of the threat they pose with their control over the Hunter.**InsaneScots**Oh damn, ok. Well fingers crossed we get there first, I'll let them know to be quick as they can about it.**Cal**As a separate/related matter, have you come across any information about other methods of rejuvenation/immortality in your research?**InsaneScots**None that springs to mind but I'll go poke through notes, at a cursory recollection I dont think so. May I ask why the interest?**Cal**Just looking for alternative research paths (message edited to remove: in case I can’t secure it from the contract)
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> Good to be prepared in case the Seekers decide to use the Hunter.**InsaneScots**You think they won't let the Hunter play their game like last time? Probably not…
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> I'll let you know if I turn anything up**Cal**That game usually ends up with people opposed to that side dying…**InsaneScots**Yeah, we are well aware**Cal**Like the Scouts say, preparation.**Joda**do you have any other research on it? just curious because you say "other" methods**Cal**There's the PLACEBOS founders, but that's only a form of biological immortality which proved useless against the Hunter.**InsaneScots**You want like, Captain Jack Harkness immortality**Cal**Who?**Joda**also, apologies. i ask a lot of questions. think of me like an intern. i can do hella coffee runs but i'm still getting to grips with everything else
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> oh captain jack is the leader of this other group, torchwood**rysonbran**he's pretty great**Joda**he's a fun guy, you might like him if you ever met**Cal**Oh, you're talking about a TV show.
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> Couldn't get into Doctor Who, too unrealistic and british.**Joda**i hear ya**rysonbran**the brits are superior**InsaneScots**Ouch, my feelings**Joda**as a scot, i'm not super fond of the british either**InsaneScots**Though I guess if you deal with morphic crap that can happen**rysonbran**the Scots and the brits are the same thing to americans sldfjjfdg**Joda**which is why i also side-eye the americans**rysonbran**thats valid**Joda**i mean if you're into immortality then doctor who is a hell of a show**InsaneScots**Dude gets a new body every time he dies, its pretty tight**Joda**right? we just get funerals and decomposition**ORCA**bro I know how to get almost immortal, do you want to know?**Cal**How?**ORCA**https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/nutrition/article/8-foods-that-help-you-live-longer/
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> here**Cal**Helpful…**ORCA**anything for you**Cal**With that, I have some business to attend to. Let me know when your asset has recovered the letter, or if you make any progress on the Tim issue.

#### Solutions

The image lead us to a drop containing a letter from The Procuress/Percussor, sealed with a black wax ‘C’. The letter had four NFC tags, each with a unique code.