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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 30, 2015 13:40:49 GMT -6
Before Eric could prompt Joe to elaborate on what he was referring to, the drell mercenary glided up to their seats. "You wanted to see mine?" he said to Eric as he placed an older model pistol on the table in front of them and then took a seat beside the N7s and the mercenary in black, noting the weapon’s heritage and reliability.
The drell introduced himself to them, shaking Joe’s hand first and offering a precautionary apology for his manner. "I am Lekuhn."
The younger N7 pointed out more details about Lekhun’s pistol as Eric sat there looking puzzled that the newcomer took his opening jibe literally.
I was kidding, pal… I said I was kidding, didn’t I?
Joe finished scrutinizing Lekuhn’s pistol and carefully handed it back to him. “Can’t do much about the outdated part,” he said. “But if you want, I can minimize that overheating problem. No need to answer right now, think it over. What’s that you’re drinking?”
Suddenly Esteban called the gathering to order, gesturing to them to take seats. "I believe we waited long enough. If everyone would have a seat so we can get started...."
Esteban tapped some commands on his omni-tool, switched it off and began.
"I will get right to the point. After the last mission, everyone who participated on that mission, or the Barce one, was targeted by an unknown assassin. Some survived... and some did not. I have suspicions on who is behind it, as we all do. But I do not deal with suspicions. I deal in facts."
Esteban took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders to try to loosen up a little bit before continuing.
"The next mission is to find proof of the people behind the assassination attempts. But before I go on... do you have any questions?"
Maelstrom wished to know if his employer had a suspect in mind. Joe confessed to not having any facts to go on regarding the assassination attempts. Karn merely wanted to know who it was that made an attempt on him while Izham wanted to know if he could bring his personal shuttle along for the mission.
“A second dropship could come in handy,” said Eric, sitting up in his seat. “I’ve gotta coupla questions, Fearless Leader; one for you and one for our rovin’ reporter over there. How’s your company been fieldin’ comms n’ emails ‘bout the Barce dig n' stuff? Assassins aren’t the only ones after us. Cronauer was able to sniff up quite a bit on our … extracurricular activities before he took one for king n’ country. If any other busybody at Alliance Intelligence picks up where he left off it could make it that much harder to move around unless we can keep ‘em in a holdin’ pattern.”
[Esteban answers]
Eric nodded and looked at Izham.
“As for you… what’s your angle in this? Pulitzer? Murrow Award? Cronkite Citation? Or are you gonna do your journalistic duty n’ let th’ galaxy know that somethin’ wicked this way comes and it better be ready for it?”
“Either way” Eric swallowed the last bit of brandy in his glass. “You’re in fer th’ scoop to end all scoops… and you can quote me on that!”
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 17:55:07 GMT -6
Naetilia stepped forward from the bar.
“I agree with Mr. Bridges,” she said. “Facts are required, not guesses. As a doctor, when I receive a patient, I do not treat what is immediately in front of me. I scan the patient, get a medical history if possible and then, if necessary, consult with other doctors. This gives me the highest chance of treating the patient correctly. To do otherwise could lead to…undesirable results.”
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Post by spartan560 on Apr 30, 2015 18:32:16 GMT -6
"I am in this not for any of those but for the money and information," Izahm says, "Bridges told me I was not to publish anything without his express permission. And as to the Barce information I had to sift through several months worth of relay traffic and cargo manifests to figure out it had been attacked then reopened. It took me a week and a half even with my considerable information gathering abilities," he then sips his drink awaiting Erics reply.
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Apr 30, 2015 21:16:34 GMT -6
“A second dropship could come in handy,” said Eric, sitting up in his seat. “I’ve gotta coupla questions, Fearless Leader; one for you and one for our rovin’ reporter over there. How’s your company been fieldin’ comms n’ emails ‘bout the Barce dig n' stuff? Assassins aren’t the only ones after us. Cronauer was able to sniff up quite a bit on our … extracurricular activities before he took one for king n’ country. If any other busybody at Alliance Intelligence picks up where he left off it could make it that much harder to move around unless we can keep ‘em in a holdin’ pattern.”
Esteban looked over at the former N7 with a slightly grim look. He took a sip from his drink before answering. "As part of the original agreement to secure the rights to dig, I was required to report findings to Udina. There is no way to know what he did with it. As for the data with my company, it is as secure as I can make it. The artifacts are consistently on the move in an undocumented freighter. The data is partitioned using several programs that I created. It can only be interpreted based off of the logarithms within those programs. They are as secure as I can make them.
Eric nodded and looked at Izham. Esteban listened calmly to the exchange, taking the moment to sneak over to the bar to refresh his drink.
"..... half even with my considerable information gathering abilities."
"I'm counting on those abilities to help with the research." Esteban chimed in, heading back over with a full drink. "The team is top heavy with firepower. We needed more balance. I could not be the only one to do research and fact checking."
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Post by spartan560 on Apr 30, 2015 23:11:50 GMT -6
"Glad to be of assistance," Izahm says raising his glass in Bridges direction, finally somebody besides Hadashi who wants to use my knowledge not my guns, "Like I said before though it took me awhile to correlate all the data and I had to use some very high level but dangerous contacts and methods to obtain the data as well. And no I've never worked been approached by or otherwise affiliated with Udina, the guy's a roach and I hate politicians like him. Anyway I will be happy to answer any further questions from all of you if you have them."
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Post by Maelstrom on May 1, 2015 0:16:01 GMT -6
He poured himself a bit more of the copper-colored liquid and took another sip, listening intently the whole time.
The prospect of working alongside a reporter was somewhat alarming to Maelstrom. His life and the lives of anyone close to him relied on his movements being kept secret. The man could offer whatever assurances he wanted, but Maelstrom did not know or trust him, especially after his earlier actions. The wrong choice of words in any articles the man might publish could bring the wrath of Cerberus down on Bridges' crew. Even with the absence of several of its original members, Maelstrom felt oddly protective of the group. Following the repairs to his ship, he even felt an unexpected... respect for Bridges himself. He was at least a man of his word, a rare thing left in the galaxy.
The opportunity to add another drop ship the group's arsenal was intriguing, and Maelstrom assumed it meant there had been modifications made to the Valiant. There was no way any craft large enough to be considered a drop ship could have been carried before alongside his own shuttle. It did present complications, though, such as how to properly secure his own craft. On a less self-interested note, there was the matter of how a second craft would be utilized in conjunction with his own. Though it's stealth technology was not perfect, it could fool most sensors unless they were looking for enemies, which they most certainly would be once another drop ship was detected.
As for his own question, he took Bridges neglecting to address it as an answer in and of itself. Were the team facing a previously unknown foe, such as Cerberus, a rival information broker, or some other entity, Bridges would have noted it for everyone's benefit. That meant he believed it was Udina or the Collectors. That was somehow comforting. After the attempt on his life, he was unsure just how much more complicated his life had become than before.
"The team is top heavy with firepower. We needed more balance. I could not be the only one to do research and fact checking."
Maelstrom smirked at Bridges words. Another man might have been insulted to be part of the group that was just said to be excessive, but he knew Bridges better. The boss needed help on the technical front, but he also knew he needed every bit of muscle he had as well. After the Praetorian on Barce and the elcor abomination at the Collector Base, he was sure the engineer could not question that fact.
He wondered just how much more muscle the three new recruits represented. The doctor, he had no doubt of. Turians were all trained for military service, and he had yet to hear of a turian who could not hold their own in a firefight. The drell he also expected a decent show from, though, again, this was based mostly on species reputation, backed up by his appraisal of the man's weapons and armor. This reporter was the one he most doubted. Though the man had the gear of an expert, he had thus-far not comported himself as such. Then again, such things could be deceiving, and he could have been misjudging them all.
For the moment, all he could do was sit back and keep watching and listening.
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 1, 2015 8:07:48 GMT -6
"The team is top heavy with firepower. We needed more balance. I could not be the only one to do research and fact checking." Izham signified his approval of Esteban’s assessment.
“Money and information,” Eric followed up. “… you’re gonna end up quite the wealthy man! Ya might even give B-Man here some competition. Information is money, some folks’ll tell ya. The Shadow Broker’s livin’ proof o’that.”
Eric then offered “Speakin’ of information, facts and findin’ out who wants us all dead, unless anyone else has somethin’ I got one lead we could track down: a salarian named Piot – could be an alias o’his. Real snooty lookin’. Slipped me a mickey coupla months back. C-Sec couldn’t find him but then they’re only limited to the Citadel. He didn’t seem too concerned that I managed a decent look at him; I wasn’t sposta live to ID him anyways. Somebody hadda tap him for the job. Even if this Piot guy didn’t see ‘em there should be somethin’ ta go on. Where they met, comm frequencies, credit transfers…”
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 1, 2015 8:32:51 GMT -6
"I just discovered opposable thumbs, so maybe I'm just feeling a little cocky, but that sounds like a clue to me," Joe said.
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Post by spartan560 on May 1, 2015 13:41:31 GMT -6
"If I can bring my shuttle give me a few days and I'll see what I can dig up," Izahm says sipping at his drink, "of course that is if Bridges will allow my shuttle inside the Valiant, " he then glances over at him waiting for his response, "Anyone else have questions for me?"
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 1, 2015 19:11:29 GMT -6
"Here's another question, boss, and it's probably a silly one," Joe said. "Did you find anything in the data we got from the last mission? You hacked the core of a Collector base, there's got to be something in there we can use."
He grinned.
"Or did you spend the past two months on the beach, drinking mai tais and flirting with every good-looking girl that came along?" he said.
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Post by Esteban Bridges on May 3, 2015 5:02:32 GMT -6
Did I find anything in the data?
Esteban repeated the question in his head. Did I find anything useful? He gave Joseph a humorless smile, and responded...
Only the answer to Fermi's paradox.
"So far, I uncovered maps, blueprints, currently unknown coding, 1.3 trillion unknown documents, names of possible collaborators with the Collectors. Genetic coding, documents of biological markers, theories on biotics.. but for this current mission?"
Esteban shook his head.
"Unfortunately nothing. This mission should help reveal who was behind the assassinations. If it does not.." Esteban gestured towards Eric. "It sounds like we have another lead. It is always good to have a back up."
Esteban took short sip from his drink, making sure his throat did not go dry before continuing on.
"This mission is another data retrieval. There is a non-profit technology development corporation called Curb Seer Industries. I am not sure if anyone here would have heard of them. They develop low-cost technologies that is needed for colonization and settlement. The corporation is fairly low key. No galactic government pays close attention to them.
I was given credible information that shows data feeds from bugs and other espionage devices flow through a server in their corporate headquarters on Noveria. All evidence that I have seen suggests they are unaware that this is happening. And security on Noveria would prevent any sort of infiltration without one hell of a distraction. Fortunately, the mission's financier has an idea for the distraction. It is simple.
He hires a mercenary team to attack the corporate headquarters. We go in, dressed as Noveria security. I can create forgeries of security badges. All everyone would have to do is protect the employees and clear the way so I can get to the server and extract the needed data. Straightforward and simple.
Any questions, comments, suggestions?"
He looked around, expectantly.
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 3, 2015 9:27:58 GMT -6
"Ah, Noveria," Joe said. "The place where corporations can do all sorts of 'research' without those all of pesky 'laws' getting in the way. I'm in, but I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of suggestions, seeing as how this involves doing sneaky stuff."
He looked over at his krogan teammate and said, "Looks like we're going to be pretty bored on this one, Karn."
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Post by Maelstrom on May 3, 2015 12:30:27 GMT -6
"One question," Maelstrom said. "I know Noveria by reputation but little else. About their security forces, are we going to have to use some sort of standard issue weaponry, or is their security force mercenary enough for us to use our own unique talents?"
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 3, 2015 15:25:40 GMT -6
Joe inquired of the data Esteban was able to pull from the Collector base. Apart from various bits of scientific research, schematics and lists of contributors and collaborators, nothing that could shed light on who the assassins were. Esteban then outlined the new mission: head to the planet Noveria to access and retrieve data from one of the servers belonging to a non-profit company based there. From his investigation it seemed that the server was used without their knowledge to order the hits on him and his teammates. But there was one parameter that had Eric concerned. Another mercenary group would be staging an attack to divert attention away from Esteban's team who would be disguised as security officers. After Maelstrom asked about what level of firepower would be suitable for such postings Eric spoke up.
"Hey, ah, B-Man. If it's not a corporate secret itself, just who is this other merc unit? Blue Suns? Eclipse? CAT6 or another ragtag like us? We know what they'll be doin' there; do they know 'bout us? What story did they feed them to agree to carry out the attack? And what happens if they should catch on to what we're doin'? Gunfire may not be enough to keep 'em from snoopin'. But if their pay's good enough... we might be okay..."
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 8:40:57 GMT -6
“I have a question as well, Mr. Bridges,” Naetilia said. “I cannot speak for the other…potential employees…but I require some context for this mission. According to Izahm, you battled pirates and Fischer just stated you attacked a Collector base. Why is this team now engaging in what appears to be corporate espionage?”
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Post by Esteban Bridges on May 5, 2015 5:33:16 GMT -6
Esteban listened to each question in turn, making eye contact to show that he heard them all. After Naetilla's final inquiry, he turned to address each in turn. First, to Maelstrom.
"Noveria has standard issue equipment, for the most part," Esteban answered. "Though according to their policy, as long as the appropriate badges are clearly displayed, low level security personal are allowed to wear their own armor and use their own equipment at their own risk. I can fabricate their armor fairly easily, if that is a concern. It would be simple plating over your existing armor."
He turned to Lysander next, nodding towards the former N7. "As for the mercenary group... they go by the name Grim Skulls. I heard they were mostly wiped out by former Spectre Arterius, but some of them probably survived and are still around. It is either that or a new group is baring the old name. Either way, the group has not made any waves. Ever. They are small time. Their jobs consist of hit and runs or petty theft. This job they have will be their first chance to make a name for themselves."
Satisfied that he answered Lysander's question, he finally turned to the female Turian to address her concerns.
"And to answer your question," he responded to her grimly, mostly to hide his annoyance since what he said already answered this question. "As I said, most of the members of this unit who participated in the Collector base strike or the original mission on Barce was targeted by unknown assassins. Whoever hired them covered their tracks very well. I have suspicions, as well as the financier, who hired the assassins. But we need solid proof. This proof is on a server within Curb Seer Industries' server. The data stream is routed through there and would be saved there as well. To get the proof, we must go to the server. I said nothing of corporate espionage, Naetillia. This is information gathering dealing with threats on our lives. Information we need for our next steps."
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Post by spartan560 on May 5, 2015 7:44:15 GMT -6
"Curb Seer huh," Izahm says recognizing the name, "I know that name from my time on Noveria, they were in cooperation with six other manufacturing company's all under the name of Colonial Fabrications. Colonial Fabrications has several contracts with the Alliance to establish more and more colonies along the Traverse, in return the Alliance would provide security from pirates and whatever else may come along. And if we do go to Noveria I have a few high level contacts I picked up from a job I once did there that still stay connected and I'm on good terms with the security chief, that should help in gaining any information while there." When he hears about the Collector data Bridges had he has a question he wants to ask but he wants to ask it in private with just Bridges, I'll ask him on the Valiant Izahm thinks as he waits for the others to say their piece, I'm pretty sure Azrael and I can help with the decoding and maybe make more sense of the blueprints and other data, he then takes a sip of his drink waiting for the others to say their piece content to have said all he intended to.
Izahm faces Maelstrom as he says, "The guards use standard issue Avenger assault rifles and Predator pistols with the occasional Scimitar shotgun, all pretty standard in many many militaries and mercenary groups. They also have a few highly ranked officers that are biotics. Armor wise it's standard issue for military contarctors so cheap but effective."
Then as Bridges answered Naetilia a thought struck him, "Mr. Bridges if you can get a secure link to my shuttle during the data retrieval my VI could filter out all non essential information and get us just the data we need on the assassins without compromising Noverian laws, well anymore laws than we already are if we get caught." he pauses letting him think it over, "Either way a full data retrieval or my targeted retrieval will get the job done."
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Post by Weyrloc Karn on May 5, 2015 8:41:04 GMT -6
"Looks like we're going to be pretty bored on this one, Karn.", Fischer would state to the krogan.
Upon his statement, the krogan watches the female turian across the way. Bored? Hardly. If the turian could dare to pull a weapon on him, he wondered what kind of ability she had in a combat situation. She was a cabal, he could guess that as much. And if she wasn't in shackles, or followed by a turian agent, she definitely wasn't here under a legal pretence. Clearly the whole situation was going to be more then boring for the krogan, all the explosive tempers of the crew were more then enough to bring enough enjoyment. Though he supposed he could get away with some collateral with the situation, smashing a few salarian science projects would be fun, albeit on.. 'Accident'.
Regardless, the krogan finds himself smirking as he watches the turian for a moment. Maybe if she didn't end up trying to kill him by the end of all this, maybe he could find himself a dangerous ally to work with. Outside of the rest of the crew of haphazard mercenaries.
The krogan would give the human a big pat on his back, laughing a little with Fischer. "Oh, you and I both know we'll break something durin' all this."
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 5, 2015 12:49:40 GMT -6
"Well, if that gets boring, we can always find some scientists doing some bad stuff," he said. "And then we can play a round of 'Let's See How High They Bounce When We Throw Them Off A Mountain'."
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Post by Esteban Bridges on May 5, 2015 22:39:50 GMT -6
"Establishing a link shouldn't be a problem," Esteban replied to the reporter, trying to ignore the sidebar between the brothers of destruction. "I just need to know the type of omnitool you use so I can activate my compatibility mode. I created and programmed my omnitool. One of a kind."
He tapped his wrist casually and held his arm out as the neon hard light consumed his arm. For those who are experts with omnitools, there are subtle differences to the display with his omnitool compared to others. The angles to the display are sharper. The circles have much more depth. The processing speed is faster. Much, much faster.
"The Collectors could not hack it," he said with a hint of pride before tapping his wrist again, deactivating it. "The data feed that I can create is virtually impossible to hack because it is incompatible with known machine coding. It requires me to activate a compatibility mode in order to connect with any other machine or omnitool. So your plan is workable."
Esteban took one more look around.
"If there are no other questions, there are other issues that we need to address...."
He waited, just in case there was anything else.
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