Codename Pallas: Episode Two - "The Pendulum Paradox"
Logline: Pallas, a reluctant psychic conduit, finds her already chaotic spiritual life thrown into disarray when her unpredictable pendulum's latest "divine" message about a long-lost ex-boyfriend intertwines with a very real, very peculiar international incident, forcing her to confront actual agents, ancient entities, and a surprising new role.
The Setup: Brewing Confusion
The episode opens with Pallas, still reeling from Mr. Pendulum's conflicting pronouncements about Jax Temple and Archangel Michael's insistence on a bizarre love triangle. She's trying to make sense of her "King of Pentacles/Wands" confusion regarding Jax when a mundane annoyance turns extraordinary.
Pallas, attempting to follow a new recipe for "Divine Doughnuts" (a comfort food coping mechanism), finds her generic dowsing chart spinning wildly, not just on "YES" or "NO," but erratically pointing to a sequence of letters and numbers: "P-A-L-L-A-S..." Her own codename, which she'd only ever used internally as a joke, emerges from the pendulum.
Simultaneously, her doorbell rings. It's a package from her brother (the one who sent the Christmas card to Jax). Inside is a seemingly innocent vintage compass. The note says, "Found this at a yard sale, thought you'd like it. Might help you find your way. P.S. Mom's old cat seems to really like it." The compass needle, however, spins wildly, mirroring her pendulum.
The Inciting Incident: A Message, A Glitch, and A "Divine" Intervention
Pallas tries to use Mr. Pendulum to ask about the compass. "What do I need to know today, God, One Source Of All?" The pendulum goes berserk, spelling out a garbled message that mixes personal details with something far grander: "JAX...TEMPLE...NOT…TRAIN…PASSED…CODENAME…PALLAS…PROJECT…NEMESIS…ACTIVATE…COMPASS…TRUST…THE…QUIRKY…"
Before she can process this, her smart speaker, usually calm, starts blaring a static-filled message in a deep, booming voice: "Greetings, chosen one. We are the Olympians, finally breaking through. That other entity has been… meddling. Pallas, you are needed for a mission of cosmic importance involving… celestial navigation."
Pallas rolls her eyes. "Oh, not you guys again. And I'm not 'Pallas' outside of my head!"
Suddenly, a knock on her door. It’s not a spiritual entity, but a very real, very flustered man in a rumpled suit holding a clipboard. He introduces himself as Agent Finch, from a very minor, very obscure government agency. "Ms… [Pallas's actual name]? We've had some… unusual energy signatures emanating from this residence. And we have reason to believe you are in possession of a device crucial to an ongoing, highly sensitive situation." He gestures vaguely at the vibrating compass.
Rising Action: Unlikely Allies and Whimsical Espionage
The "Agency" Reveal: Agent Finch, more like a nervous librarian than a spy, reveals that his "agency" (unofficially known as the "Bureau of Unexplained Phenomena and Occasional Mild Annoyances") is tracking something called Project Nemesis, an ancient celestial navigation system that has recently been reactivated. The system's activation seems to be linked to unexplained energy spikes and odd "reality glitches" (like a local dog park temporarily turning into a ballroom). The vintage compass is a key component.
Jax's "Accidental" Involvement: Finch explains that Jax Temple, due to his unique blend of FAA detective work and "Deep State-adjacent" family connections, has inadvertently stumbled upon a crucial piece of Project Nemesis. He's been investigating a series of oddly specific "plane malfunctions" that involve planes temporarily disappearing from radar and returning with strange hieroglyphic scorch marks. This is why "Money Man" (Jax's higher self or a linked entity) has been popping up in Pallas's readings – he's unknowingly a central figure.
The Olympian "Help": The Olympian "Gods" (who Pallas suspects are just very ancient, very dramatic entities with strong opinions) chime in through her pendulum and smart devices, offering cryptic, often contradictory advice. Zeus suggests she "smite" Agent Finch, while Athena tries to give her a detailed (and unnecessarily complicated) strategy using celestial constellations as a guide. Pallas's "Boy Scout" logic helps her filter the useful from the theatrical.
Sona's Sneaky Insight: Sona, the rapper who calls himself "The Devil," makes a chillingly accurate (and surprisingly helpful) cameo via the pendulum. He warns her about a "trickster god" who's been actively trying to misdirect both her and Archangel Michael. "That dude ain't who he says he is," Sona raps, "He just likes to mess with heads. Trust your gut, and that little compass, bread." This makes Pallas realize why AA Michael's messages about Jax's wife felt so off – someone was deliberately trying to sow discord.
The Real Threat Emerges: The "trickster" entity behind the Project Nemesis glitches is revealed to be Loki (or a Loki-like figure, given her pantheon theory), who is attempting to hijack the celestial navigation system for his own chaotic amusement – perhaps to redirect global weather patterns to deliver endless glitter storms or turn all serious news channels into reality TV.
Climax: Navigating the Celestial Chaos
Pallas, guided by the compass, Mr. Pendulum (now surprisingly accurate, thanks to Sona's insight), and the occasional exasperated whisper from the King of Swords (her own logic), finds herself at a seemingly innocuous local planetarium. Loki's influence is causing constellations to shift, gravity to waver, and the projector to display images of mischievous mythological creatures.
Agent Finch, surprisingly resourceful for a bureaucrat, manages to create a temporary diversion by accidentally setting off the planetarium's retro laser light show. Kevin "The Boy Scout" Fairchild, having also received cryptic instructions and an urgent feeling of "someone needs help," arrives, not from a plane, but from a nearby Boy Scout jamboree, dressed in full uniform, ready to tie the perfect knot or administer spiritual first aid.
The "King of Cups" (her own empathy) guides her to connect with Jax’s true self, recognizing his higher self isn't trying to break up a marriage, but seeking her help to prevent a major cosmic blunder.
Pallas must use the compass, now actively resonating with her "Pallas" codename, to realign the ancient navigation system. It's a race against time, with Loki's illusions and misdirections making every step a challenge. She has to trust her intuition, the compass, and even the occasional, strangely helpful (but still annoying) Olympian prompt.
Falling Action: Revelations and Unconventional Partnerships
The Aftermath: The system is stabilized. Loki's mischief is temporarily contained, sending him spiraling into a dimension filled with endless tax forms. Jax Temple, safe, but confused about the glowing compass Pallas now possesses, is left with a vague sense of having averted a disaster, but no memory of the celestial shenanigans. He might send Pallas a polite email thanking her for "clearing up a flight path anomaly."
A New Kind of Team: Agent Finch, awestruck but still trying to maintain bureaucratic composure, offers Pallas a "consultancy" role with his agency, promising "minimal paperwork" and "mostly normal hours." He sees her unique connection to the mystical as an asset. Kevin, ever the loyal brother, offers to be her "logistical support and emergency snack provider."
Mr. Pendulum's Apology (Sort Of): Mr. Pendulum, now behaving somewhat contritely, spells out: "SORRY…TRICKSTER…WI-FI…INTERFERENCE…JAX…FRIEND…NOT…LOVER…PROJECT…PALLAS…YOUR…TRUE…CALLING…" He admits that his occasional lies were due to Loki's spiritual jamming.
Resolution/Future Tease: A New Normal
Pallas is left with a clearer understanding of her "Mr. Pendulum's" quirks and the distinction between genuine divine guidance and cheeky cosmic interference. Her faith in "THE God" is reaffirmed, albeit with a stronger filter for misleading entities. She accepts Agent Finch's offer, realizing her "normal job" might involve a lot more than just traditional office work, but it certainly won't be boring.
The episode ends with Pallas, compass in hand, looking at a small, framed photo of Jax Temple. She realizes her "reunion" wasn't romantic, but a vital partnership in a larger, crazier cosmic dance. She smiles, realizing that a "normal job" for her might just mean accepting the extraordinary. The Ace of Pentacles has indeed manifested as a new, unexpected, yet tangible path. And maybe, just maybe, her trust gauge is starting to flicker back to life.
Plot Moving Forward: "The Oracle's Overdue Insight"
This episode can lean heavily into the "cozy mystery" aspect, with Dani's reluctance and her focus on the mundane (an overdue library book!) providing delightful contrast to the high-stakes, mythical espionage.
Logline: Reluctant oracle Dani "Pallas" Starr, determined to finish a critical library book on Apollo, finds her spiritual quest intersecting with Agent Finch's urgent mission, as the wisdom of ancient gods and an unpredictable pendulum guide her towards a surprising truth about Project Nemesis and her own emerging powers.
The Setup: Reading, Waiting, and Growing Impatience
The episode opens with Dani deeply engrossed in The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle, a stack of other library books precariously balanced beside her. Agent Finch is there, looking increasingly disheveled and agitated. He paces, checks his non-existent watch, and periodically sighs loudly.
Dani, unfazed, simply repeats, "You're going to have to wait until I finish this book, Finch. The cards are clear: Three of Wands – wait for something to conclude, for the ship to come in. And if someone's looking for the Oracle, Apollo's insights will be key."
Finch gives his signature "whatever" stare, muttering about "archaic forms of intel" and "impending global glitter emergencies." He complains about the bizarre bureaucratic hoops he's jumped through just to get Dani's apartment approved as a "consultation zone," all while avoiding his superiors' questions about the mysteriously returned (and strangely aromatic) giant Gruyère wheel.
Dani's primary mission, in this moment, is purely practical: finish the book, return it, and avoid library fines. This mundane focus provides a great comedic anchor against the cosmic chaos brewing around them.
The Inciting Incident: Pendy's Revelation and a Library Quest
As Dani finishes the final chapter of The Hidden Oracle, feeling a distinct "click" of understanding about Apollo's history as an oracle, she grabs Pendy (Mr. Pendulum). "Alright, Pendy," she murmurs, "What do I need to know today, God, One Source Of All?"
Pendy, usually cryptic, swings decisively, spelling out: "APOLLO...NOT...JUST...GOD...ORACLE...HIMSELF...KEY...TO...NEMESIS...LIBRARIAN...KNOWS...MORE...THAN...FINCH...TRUST...THE...OVERDUE...BOOK."
Just as this message concludes, Dani gets a push notification from the library: "OVERDUE!" A small fine has been incurred. Finch jumps, startled by the sound.
Dani looks at Finch. "Well, that settles it. We're going to the library."
Finch is incredulous. "The library? Ms. Starr, we're talking about a potentially world-altering celestial malfunction! We don't have time for overdue books!"
"Exactly," Dani retorts, already grabbing her purse. "And Pendy says the librarian knows more than you do. Plus, a late fee is a late fee, cosmic disaster or not. My priorities are clear."
Rising Action: Library Labyrinth and Whispers of Truth
The Over-Efficient Librarian: At the library, they encounter Ms. Evelyn "Evie" Thorne, the head librarian. Evie is formidable, with an uncanny ability to know every book's location and every patron's reading habits. She gives Finch a look that suggests she knows he hasn't returned his overdue copy of "Advanced Subatomic Particles for Beginners" from 1998. When Dani tries to return The Hidden Oracle, Evie pauses, a flicker of something ancient in her eyes. "This particular book," she says slowly, "has a rather unique history with our archives. It tends to find its way to those who... need its insights."
Apollo's Echoes: As Dani talks to Evie, Pendy begins to twitch, subtly pointing to various sections of the library: ancient history, mythology, even the astronomy section. Dani finds herself drawn to a dusty, forgotten tome on ancient oracular traditions and another on celestial mechanics and the symbolism of stars. These books seem to open on their own to specific pages, revealing insights about oracles being more than just conduits – they are sometimes active shapers of destiny, and how Apollo, as the god of light, truth, and prophecy, was also deeply connected to celestial order.
Finch's Frustration & Accidental Discovery: While Dani is absorbed, Finch attempts to "blend in" by pretending to read a gardening magazine, but his comms constantly crackle with updates about new "glitches" – a minor tremor that briefly turned all the cafeteria's coffee into instant decaf, a flock of pigeons momentarily forming a perfect, glowing constellation. His impatience leads him to accidentally knock over a display of old atlases, revealing a hidden, ancient map of celestial alignments underneath the display stand. It doesn't look like any map he's ever seen.
The Subtle Clue: Evie, seeing the map, calmly states, "Ah, the Library of Alexandria's Last Stand. A rather fitting title, wouldn't you say? Some knowledge, Mr. Finch, isn't meant to be digitized. It must be found." She hints that the map, combined with the true nature of Apollo's oracular power (as revealed in Dani's book), holds the key to understanding Project Nemesis. It's not just a navigation system; it's a network of oracular energy points on Earth that, when misaligned, cause reality to fray.
Jax's "Ghost" in the Machine: Dani's phone (her old, non-smart flip phone, surprisingly!) gets a bizarre, static-filled text. It's just a string of numbers and letters, but Pendy buzzes excitedly, spelling out "JAX…TEMPLE…LOOKING…FOR…LOST…STAR…CHARTS…FAA…INVESTIGATION…LEADING…TO…ORACLE…SITE…" It becomes clear Jax isn't just investigating plane anomalies; he's unknowingly tracking these celestial energy disruptions, leading him closer to one of the ancient oracle sites. He's not a romantic target, but a crucial, albeit unaware, ally.
Climax: The Oracle's Reckoning and the Library's Secret
As Dani connects the dots between Apollo's insights, the oracle traditions, the celestial map, and Pendy's erratic messages, she realizes Loki isn't just misaligning a system; he's targeting a specific, powerful oracle node – perhaps one located right underneath the library itself, or at least very close by. His goal isn't just chaos, but to gain control of this global prophetic network for ultimate mischief.
Suddenly, the library lights flicker, books fly off shelves, and a mischievous, shimmering aura fills the air. Loki, unable to resist a good dramatic entrance, manifests briefly as a flickering, grinning illusion, mocking Dani. "The Oracle! How quaint! Still relying on books and pendulums when true power flows through chaos!"
Dani, guided by the clarity of the King of Swords and the quiet wisdom of the King of Cups (her own developing intuition), and empowered by her new understanding of Apollo's role, must use the specific knowledge gained from the "overdue book" and the ancient map. She realizes the "Three of Wands" wasn't just about waiting, but about preparing for the right time to act, drawing on accumulated knowledge.
Evie, the librarian, reveals her true nature – she's not just a librarian, but a Guardian of Ancient Knowledge, a low-key, incredibly powerful figure protecting sacred texts and sites. She helps Dani activate the map's hidden features, which show the exact location of the vulnerable oracle node. Dani has to project her focused intent through the compass (her family heirloom, linking her to a deeper purpose), channeling the very essence of an oracle.
With Finch providing hilarious, accidental distractions (perhaps by tripping over a rolling book cart and deploying a "non-lethal sticky foam" spray he keeps in his pocket), and Kevin "The Boy Scout" arriving in the nick of time, having followed a trail of misplaced scout badges, Dani channels her inner Apollo-inspired oracle. She uses her pendulum, not just for "yes/no," but to precisely re-align the chaotic energy of the node, visualizing the restored balance of the constellations and the ancient prophecies.
Falling Action: Revelations, Recruitment, and Routine
Loki's Retreat & Consequences: Loki's illusion dissipates with a frustrated shriek, the energy flows stabilize, and the reality glitches cease (mostly). The library is a mess, but intact. Evie gives Dani a knowing, approving nod.
Finch's Acknowledgment: Finch, picking himself up from a pile of reference books, looks at Dani with a newfound respect, though still visibly bewildered. "Okay, Starr. I guess... the book was key. And the librarian. And the pendulum. This is going to require a lot of new forms." He officially recruits her, offering a ridiculously bland agency ID that says "Oracle Consultant - Level 1."
Jax's Status: Dani gets another garbled message, this time from Pendy, that solidifies Jax's role: "JAX…TEMPLE…PROTECTED…HIS…PATH…CLEAR…HIS…RESEARCH…KEY…FOR…NEXT…NODE…NOT…YOUR…HUSBAND…" Dani feels a sense of peace about her past relationship, understanding his purpose in her life is as an unwitting ally.
Kevin's Contribution: Kevin produces a meticulously organized binder of "Emergency Oracle Protocols" he somehow deduced from the energy fluctuations, complete with diagrams for optimal pendulum swinging angles and stress-reducing herbal tea recipes.
Resolution/Future Tease: The Oracle's Odd Office
The episode ends with Dani back in her apartment, the overdue book returned, her late fee paid. Pendy hangs calmly, now radiating a faint, knowing hum. She looks at her new agency ID, then at the compass, which now points with unwavering precision to the true north.
She might be an Oracle Consultant, officially Pallas, but she's still Dani Danielle Starr, a woman who values library due dates as much as cosmic order. Her "normal job" is officially anything but, yet it finally feels right. The Ace of Pentacles has given her a tangible new beginning, and she's ready to learn how to wield her oracular gifts, one unpredictable pendulum swing at a time. The next mission will undoubtedly involve Jax Temple and the "lost star charts" he's unknowingly pursuing.
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