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Post by Joe Fischer on May 19, 2014 1:01:48 GMT -6
"Yeah, I, uh, have a question about the pay, Boss," Joe said, shifting uncomfortably. After that pitch he had heard, it felt wrong to be discussing something as trivial as money.
"In your invite, you said it would be 100k with 50k up front, which I took as we're getting 50k upon completion. But in your briefing just now you said it was 150k. So are we now getting 100k upon completion? Don't get me wrong, I'm not in this for the money. Hell, after hearing about those people, I'd pay you to let me come along. I just want to be sure I heard you right...or have all the blows to my head finally started kicking in?"
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 19, 2014 8:23:48 GMT -6
Eric listened to Esteban and the others discuss their needs and the known mission parameters as he examined the hole in his duffel bag and checked its contents for damage.
The only casualty: his lone packet of Iowa Beef Steak.
"In your invite, you said it would be 100k with 50k up front, which I took as we're getting 50k upon completion. But in your briefing just now you said it was 150k. So are we now getting 100k upon completion? Don't get me wrong, I'm not in this for the money. Hell, after hearing about those people, I'd pay you to let me come along. I just want to be sure I heard you right...or have all the blows to my head finally started kicking in?"
Joe’s query had Eric wheeze out a laugh. “… so it is blunt force trauma! Who’s your plastic surgeon? Maybe they can improve my mug... not that it needs much work..."
After settling down he said “Sorry to interrupt but before you answer his question I need a coupla things myself. Need to stop off at the Citadel first to get my stuff. Only came here with the essentials…”
Eric lifted out his Lovecraft book and a random, un-punctured food packet to show the group. “The bare essentials.”
He went on as he replaced the items. “Already replenished my usual repertoire but I could use a half dozen KV-503 seismic survey spikes. With a little after-market modification on my part we’ll have some pretty effective sonic spikes, great for controlled demolitions or gettin’ into places without bringin’ the place down on you. Perfect for jailbreaks.”
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Post by dargene on May 19, 2014 14:00:47 GMT -6
Meldom swallowed the drink with ease and dabbed his mouth with a small napkin before erupting into a small coughing fit, after about 10 seconds he patted his upper body attempting to clear his throat "Goes down well, but probably not better the second time"
He watched as Iskra decloaked next to Maelstrom he had a suspicion it was her that made something happen outside, he looked at Parr who simply sat next to her panting.
Meldom Did a small nod and smile in her direction he knew drawing attention might freak her out.
When the others finished speaking about what they needed Meldom spoke.
"Will need several small canisters.. suit sized filled with Eezo to help with the cloaking" he tapped his chin thinking of anything else "Maybe a well stocked kichen" he smirked "Could do good to fill our bellies with good food before heading into an unknown base filled with an unknown amount of hostiles..".
Inside Meldom chuckled "This is going to be fun" he thinks to himself.
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 19, 2014 15:34:04 GMT -6
Iskra suddenly appeared next to Maelstrom, Parr sitting at her side panting.
There she is. Fairly obvious who else’s on the scout team...
"Could do good to fill our bellies with good food before heading into an unknown base filled with an unknown amount of hostiles," said the stealthy salarian.
Eric chuckled good-naturedly. “Never figured you were a chef, Mel! How are you at grillin’ steak?”
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Post by dargene on May 19, 2014 17:11:56 GMT -6
“Never figured you were a chef, Mel! How are you at grillin’ steak?” he heard Eric say.
"Everyone needs a hobby, some like gambling, others drinking, mine is cooking.. And steak is pretty easy.. I think, have not cooked a steak in awhile" he started to smile "May need to let you be the judge, promise it won't be too bad" he chuckled.
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Post by PaladinKOSP on May 19, 2014 20:57:45 GMT -6
The turian stood back up from the duffle bag, pulling out what seems to be two folded guns. One a shotgun and the other a sniper rifle. "I'd take about the job then about food.." He asserted calmly, placing the two of the weapons on the counter, checking them. "Is this location suited more for close combat or long ranged shooting? Or do we not have enough info yet?"
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Post by Esteban Bridges on May 19, 2014 22:01:18 GMT -6
Esteban was just about to reply to Mr Fischer when Eric spoke up with a biting quip, instead adding to the already growing list of items to ensure the Vengeance is stocked. Thermal clips, food, drinks, alcohol, more food, medical supplies, replacement parts, spare fuel, more medical supplies, and so much more. He wrote dozens of lines, doing everything he could to be as thorough as possible.
"I'd take about the job then about food.." Esteban heard the Turian speak up, inquiring about the mission. "Is this location suited more for close combat or long ranged shooting? Or do we not have enough info yet?"
Esteban cleared his throat, looking up from his omnitool. It deactivated automatically. "According to the information released by Shepard, the Collectors organize themselves close to a hive of insects. The base will resemble a hive, open with odd angles. Anything else would be approximations based off of data provided off the extranet."
He turned his head to look over at Mr. Fischer. He smiled. "I prefer giving payment options," he explained confidently, tapping his wrist to reactivate his omnitool. "If you want the first installment now, it is easily done."
[if anyone wants the 50k down payment, Esteban will transfer, though there's not much of anything worth buying on Cartegena Station. Anything you may purchase will require quite a bit of credits to repair]
"The Vengeance is docked at docking bay 93," Esteban continued. "As always, we will depart in three hours. First to gather the supplies. Then to the base. I trust..." he took a glance around, making eye contact with various members of the team.. he wasn't trying to hold anyone's gaze or challenge. He was doing it to acknowledge they were there. "I trust everyone here. And I would like everyone to participate in planning. It is a lot to ask for, going in blind. So please make plans using everyone's strengths."
"Any additional questions?"
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Post by Game Master on May 19, 2014 22:03:32 GMT -6
[GM Post]
That will conclude the meeting. It's doubtful anyone would be foolish enough to challenge anyone while they leave, but it is possible. As written earlier, anything purchased at the station will require quite a bit of credits to repair. It could make for fun RPing, as it is interesting to find something classic to repair. You know, one of the diamonds in the rough.
The next part will be put up tomorrow evening!
Enjoy.
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Post by The Hunter on May 20, 2014 23:35:15 GMT -6
"I have a question, Mr. Estefan. Andrei'Xen vas Neda, designer and technical genius. I have several VI upgrades to offer, both for combat hardsuits, weapons, and even ships," a male Quarian in grey and black, the crimson cowel around his shoulders and over his helmet the only splash of colour on him, approached the group, swiping through screens on a green omni-tool. He was sure to keep his hands clear of the N7 Eagle on his hip and the Harrier rifle on his back, no need to raise alarm. He panned the device around, scanning equipment and weapons, bypassing lower level security firewalls and upgrading them at the same time.
He paused at the T-5 Battlesuit, "Impressive design. I would love to take a look inside and see what else the best of Humanity's combat technology has to offer." He continued his scan, nodding his head at Maelstrom, the Human's helmet masking any facial expressions as effectively as his own, "Hello again, Maelstrom." Andrei turned back to the well-dressed human, his emerald omni-tool pulsed brightly, sending a tightbeam communicae to Esteban's, "My resume. Take your time reading. Mr. Maelstrom can testify on the Broker part. So now my question is this; Are you interested in what I bring to the table, Mr Estefan?"
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Post by Esteban Bridges on May 21, 2014 14:58:39 GMT -6
Esteban could hear the filtered voice of yet another Quarian. "I have a question, Mr. Estefan. Andrei'Xen vas Neda, designer and technical genius. I have several VI upgrades to offer, both for combat hardsuits, weapons, and even ships."
Outwardly, he allowed himself a smile to show he was pleased that a new mercenary showed up. Internally, he suppressed his stomach from lurching. He wasn't as bad as many in the galaxy, but there was something about Quarians that made him uncomfortable. He always managed to hide it. The businessman within him told him that the Quarians have far more utilitarian value than most other races. Their situation forced them to be masters of improvisation. It was how he managed to look pleasantly surprised when the new Quarian stood before him.
"My resume. Take your time reading. Mr. Maelstrom can testify on the Broker part. So now my question is this; Are you interested in what I bring to the table, Mr Estefan?"
Esteban cocked his head and raised his eyebrows, turning to see how Maelstrom was reacting to this. "I trust you are vouching for this gentleman?" He inquired pleasantly.
[insert answer, assuming a yes]
Esteban extended his hand to the Quarian, nodding his approval. "Of course I am interested. I'm always interested in a fresh perspective in the technological arena. I trust Maelstrom told you what to expect? Any information you may need on this mission can be supplied by him."
His eyes shifted back to Maelstrom, still keeping his smile. "I trust this will not be an issue?"
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Post by Maelstrom on May 21, 2014 16:14:59 GMT -6
Under his helmet, one of his eyebrows raised unconsciously at the arrival of the quarian he had been sent to retrieve. He was not sure whether it was more appropriate to feel angry, amused, or worried. The fact of the matter was that he was simply too surprised to feel a great deal else.
"I trust you are vouching for this gentleman?" Bridges asked.
Maelstrom took a moment, carefully weighing his answer. "I can vouch for his ability to keep himself alive. Definitely saw some advanced hardware on the ship where I picked him up. I can attest to his willingness to shoot a man in the back. Cerberus. No crime if you ask me. Aside from that, there's not too much more I can say, other than that the Broker had an interest in him."
"Of course I am interested," Bridges said. "I'm always interested in a fresh perspective in the technological arena. I trust Maelstrom told you what to expect?"
"I don't discuss details of my employer's plans with outside parties," Maelstrom said, a little insulted.
"Any information you may need on this mission can be supplied by him," Bridges continued, hardly pausing. Keeping his smile, the businessman said, "I trust this will not be an issue?"
Maelstrom shrugged. "No skin off my back." Laughing a little, he added, "Not that we exactly have much to go on at this point."
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 21, 2014 21:58:26 GMT -6
Joe glared at the new arrival, debating whether to fire off his angry remark or keep it to himself.
He didn't hate quarians, but their creation of the geth didn't earn them any points in his book either. He knew they had been roaming the galaxy for almost 300 years in search of a new homeworld, but he had also heard they some of them wanted to retake their original one. As far as he was concerned they needed to shit or get off the pot.
Fuck it, tell him, he thought. Better to get it out and deal with it now.
"Hey, Andrei'Xen vas Needa," he said. "I don't know if scanning someone before talking to them is common among your people, but for me it isn't, and it's damn rude. You need to ask first, okay? Just a little note for future reference."
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 22, 2014 10:39:30 GMT -6
Eric’s omni-tool flashed to life and relayed an alert that his armor was being accessed again. He spun about and spotted a male quarian walking up to and scanning the assembly of mercenaries, introducing himself as Andrei'Xen vas Neda. He acknowledged Maelstrom with a familiar air as he spoke with the group’s employer about his skill set. Eric looked back to his omni-tool again. The countermeasure software reported the intrusion had stopped and then displayed a small list of updates to its protocols. Joe called the newcomer to task for his unauthorized scans.
"Hey, Andrei'Xen vas Needa," he said. "I don't know if scanning someone before talking to them is common among your people, but for me it isn't, and it's damn rude. You need to ask first, okay? Just a little note for future reference."
“Especially if you’re gonna rewrite driver and security software,” added Eric. “In case Mal didn’t clue you in, some of us here have worked together before fighting Collectors. Now we’re about to go kick over one of their nests and I don’t think anyone should have to worry about having their equipment messed with…”
Eric’s thoughts drifted to Shala.
“I know you’re tryin’ ta be helpful ‘n all but it takes more than handing out complimentary mints with a smile to gain our trust. Respect everyone’s space, pitch in, watch everyone’s back when the shootin’ starts and we’ll all do the same for you.”
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Post by The Hunter on May 23, 2014 23:20:37 GMT -6
Esteban extended his hand to the Quarian, nodding his approval. "Of course I am interested. I'm always interested in a fresh perspective in the technological arena. I trust Maelstrom told you what to expect? Any information you may need on this mission can be supplied by him."
Andrei looked at the hand, uncertain what to do with it. He ended up extending his own hand, holding it parallel to Esteban's, hoping this was the custom of Humanity. He hadn't had much experience with them besides watching Turians suppress them from orbit...
"Hey, Andrei'Xen vas Needa,"the T-5 armored Human spoke up. "I don't know if scanning someone before talking to them is common among your people, but for me it isn't, and it's damn rude. You need to ask first, okay? Just a little note for future reference." Apparently he took offense at - “Especially if you’re gonna rewrite driver and security software,” interrupted another Human. “In case Mal didn’t clue you in, some of us here have worked together before fighting Collectors. Now we’re about to go kick over one of their nests and I don’t think anyone should have to worry about having their equipment messed with… I know you’re tryin’ ta be helpful ‘n all but it takes more than handing out complimentary mints with a smile to gain our trust. Respect everyone’s space, pitch in, watch everyone’s back when the shootin’ starts and we’ll all do the same for you.”
"I prefer to know what everyone 'brings to the table'. I have gone in blindly before and have paid dearly for it. As far as your omnitools go, the updates were necessary. My movements are watched, I cannot risk being tracked by my enemies, even by just browsing the extranet without my security runtimes you risk my exposure." Again he activated his omni-tool, swiping through information on the emerald screen, "So we will be fighting Collectors, my sources report that they can and will interfere with your equipment, weapons, and perhaps even your ship. Do not underestimate their capabilities, their technology surpasses the Galactic standard by a wide margin. I look forward to examining their equipment and weapons. Perhaps I can reverse engineer it into my own projects." Hr trailed off, typing information into his omni-tool and muttering technical jargon...
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