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Post by Maricus Caenilus on May 5, 2015 23:47:13 GMT -6
Maricus strode through the reception area of Shaira's without anyone stopping him. Aside from the staff having a passing familiarity with him after his earlier visit with Bridges, he projected an air of a man who did not want to be diverted from his goals, even by good customer service. He wondered, in this particular situation, whether it was his rigid posture, quick strides, and the fact that he was not making eye contact with anyone or his fully-armed and -armored attire which dissuaded the employees more. Only the Cysendra twins, who were at the front desk, even bothered to greet him.
He took a deep breath, as he headed towards the back room. It felt like ages since the last time he had found himself in the company of mercenaries. As a younger man, when he founded Caenilus Expeditions and Salvage, it was fairly routine for him to accompany his men. After his company's merger with Bridges Unlimited, though, he found himself more often surrounded by secretaries, interns, lawyers, and financial rivals. While Bridges got to have his fun flying around the galaxy, Maricus engaged in a different sort of adventure and combat. And he was good at it. Parrying lawsuits, dodging into the blind spots of the law, and relentlessly slashing, thrusting, and feinting with injunctions, suits, exploratory hearings, counteroffers, and any other number of business and legal maneuvers that could ruin a competitors life. It was an art, and he was good at it.
Showing emotion for the first time since he entered the establishment, he allowed himself a smirk, his mandibles twitching in excitement as he thought about the rush he got from cornering any opponent who dared make trouble for the company he and Bridges had invested their lives into. His countenance darkened as he thought again about how someone was playing against the rules. Bridges had almost been killed, a loss which would have devastated their company. That meant it was time for him to fall back to another kind of warfare, a kind he practiced long before he took up life as a businessman.
"Mister Caenilus! Good to see you," Shizzle exclaimed. For some reason, the odd little vorcha seemed to like him. Maybe it was because he never said a thing about her unusual choice of attire. He actually found it rather humorous, much more so than his business partner. It was probably the very fact that she was not his secretary that made it amusing for him. "Everyone else is here. The meeting started."
"Thank you, Shizzle," he said, before stepping through the secret door. Pausing for a moment, he said over his shoulder, "Your dress is especially bright today."
"It is new! I like it very much," she said, her voice beaming with pride.
He allowed himself a small chortle. "You should wear it more often, then." Esteban will love that.
"If Mister Caenilus thinks so, I will!" she agreed enthusiastically.
He continued on his way without another word.
What he saw when he entered the room pleased him greatly. Eight of the mercenaries Bridges had contacted showed up for the meeting, including all the new recruits, as best he was able to tell. The others who were invited, if they were not there, were probably in hiding or dead. Measures were being taken for either eventuality.
"If there are no other questions, there are other issues that we need to address...."
That went more quickly than I expected, Maricus mused, assuming that meant that a basic mission briefing was already finished. I wonder if that means they're professionals who can get straight down to business or if they're reckless fools about to get themselves killed. Looking over the room and recalling what he had read, the dossiers of the new recruits and Bridges' own personal confidential assessments of those who had worked with them before, he thought, Probably some of both represented here.
"Apologies for being late," he said to everyone, as he made his way over to the bar. Just as before, the simple turian brandy was sitting right where he left it, and he poured himself a glass. Leaning against the counter, mindful of the sword which normally mounted to his right gauntlet but was currently sheathed on his back, he added to Bridges in specifically, "The issue with Terminus Explorations is settled in our favor. I'll tell you more later."
To the rest of them, he merely said, "My name is Maricus Caenilus, full partner in Bridges Unlimited."
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 6, 2015 6:34:51 GMT -6
"Well, good for you!" Joe said, giving the turian a double thumbs up. "You coming with us on this little field trip?"
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Post by spartan560 on May 6, 2015 8:06:55 GMT -6
Izahm noticed the difference in display and then says, "I can tell, the edges are sharper and your processor depth is deeper," Izahm then deploys his own Omni-tool, "As you can see I installed three times the normal security drivers and processors hence the increase in size and blue shifting of the display. This thing is really hard to crack so I won't be giving you access to my Omni-tool but to several dummy accounts I use. My VI will know its you and secure the link. That should provide enough security for a secure connection," he then leans back just as another Turian this one a male introduces himself as a partner of Bridges, Interesting company Bridges keeps, Izahm thinks, I wonder if he'll let me write an article about how having such a diverse team means they can go pretty much anywhere and be prepared for anything.
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 6, 2015 10:36:02 GMT -6
"If there are no other questions, there are other issues that we need to address...." Just then another turian entered the Embrace, a middle-aged male in dark blue armor lit in areas with a lighter hue of this color. He looked over everyone in the room as if doing a mental head count.
"Apologies for being late," he said to everyone, as he made his way over to the bar. He poured himself a glass of brandy and leaned against the counter before he spoke again. To Bridges he said "The issue with Terminus Explorations is settled in our favor. I'll tell you more later," and to the mercenaries, "My name is Maricus Caenilus, full partner in Bridges Unlimited."
“Well now. Must be some serious shit we’re in for if our checks are gettin’ co-signed this time,” said Eric of the new arrival. He then said to his human employer “So will he be playin’ dress up with th’ rest of us or is he comin’ along to give us that touch o’class we’re so desperately lacking? It is Noveria. Over there, if you’re stiff it’s either ‘cause you’re an exec or you’re frozen solid.”
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Post by Maricus Caenilus on May 6, 2015 12:54:47 GMT -6
"Well, good for you!" the younger of the N7s- Fischer if he recalled correctly- said. "You coming with us on this little field trip?"
“Well now. Must be some serious shit we’re in for if our checks are gettin’ co-signed this time,” the other N7, Lysander, commented. To Bridges, he added, “So will he be playin’ dress up with th’ rest of us or is he comin’ along to give us that touch o’class we’re so desperately lacking? It is Noveria. Over there, if you’re stiff it’s either ‘cause you’re an exec or you’re frozen solid.”
"The 'shit' as you say, has been serious for some time, as evidenced by the recent attempt on my business partner's life," Maricus replied more gruffly than he intended. He Lysander's remark was meant for Bridges, but as so often happened, he felt the need to reply directly. "I'm going on this mission to guarantee the safe return of one of our company's greatest assets and to familiarize myself with what has become one of our most-invested-in pursuits to-date."
The truth was, after working together for nearly ten years, Maricus was doubtful of whether or not he could successfully run the company without the man who had earned his begrudgingly-given respect all those years ago. In the time since, their enterprise had developed into a truly collaborative endeavor that could not have flourished without either man. That was, he supposed, why he considered bridges to be on his list of friends- a list he could count without using all six of his fingers.
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Post by Maelstrom on May 6, 2015 13:12:55 GMT -6
Maelstrom almost winced when the turian man entered and introduced himself. The team's luck with turian men so far had not been stellar. Thoughts of Malik's seeming duplicity and Artacus' outright betrayal swirled through his mind. After a moment, though, he remembered the turian prisoner who fought alongside Fischer's team against the Vanguard-possessed elcor. He made it a personal habit to give everyone a chance. Everyone except Cerberus, that was.
The two N7s spoke up, and the turian voiced his reply.
Watching the man as he leaned against the bar, sipping at his brandy, Maelstrom thought, Well, he's uptight, but he doesn't seem to have the same stick up his ass as Artacus or Malik. Then he noticed the updated traditional turian sword hanging at the man's side. Ah, no wonder he feels more comfortable. He removed it so he could slice his opponents into bits with it. The alcohol was obviously loosening his inhibitions just a little, and he found himself smirking. A partner of Bridges who's ready to get down and dirty with us to sort this all out. Somehow, I think I'm going to like this guy... so long as he keeps that damned stick where it belongs.
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Lekuhn
N2
"Let me see if I can remember...yeah, I can."
Posts: 27
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Post by Lekuhn on May 6, 2015 21:10:35 GMT -6
"What’s that you’re drinking?” Joe said with a half smile
"My favorite" replied Lekuhn. "Batarian Ale"
I hope Eric knows I was kidding too, thought the Drell, knowing how awkward he could be in social situations.
He was just about to offer Joe and Eric a sip when Bridges called the meeting to order.
"I believe we waited long enough," he said gesturing for the mercs to take a seat.
"The next mission is to find proof of the people behind the assassination attempts. But before I go on... do you have any questions?"
Think I'll just listen for now, he thought.
There were plenty of questions, mostly about retrieving data from Noveria.
Noveria. Things could go badly there if we don't stay focused. Plenty of money floating around to sway loyalties.
Lekuhn knew he would have to keep his wits about him on this mission. According to the report the boss gave, there was someone very powerful watching them. Just the money alone it took to pay for those assassination attempts pointed to a powerful person. Then again, who ever said these assassins were paid? Lekuhn knew knowledge was every bit as powerful as money in this galaxy and it was quite possible the whole job was run on blackmail.
"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?" said Bridges answering a question Eric had posed.
So much information, but none of it makes sense.
The Turian female spoke of espionage, but Bridges elegantly put those thoughts to rest.
...but why? There's the rub. Why would someone go to the trouble?
...and how does one get to "why" when it comes to these types of things?
Behavior. That's how.
The meeting progressed as people commented and questioned. Lekuhn waited, taking in his new team and the puzzle they were faced with.
Jut then, a male Turian walked in as if he was walking into his own house.
"If there are no other questions, there are other issues that we need to address...." he said walking over to the glass of Turian brandy he had obviously left there.
He was here. Talking to bridges. Now this one I am not at all sure of.
"My name is Maricus Caenilus, full partner in Bridges Unlimited."
Well, well...full partner. There's some info I wasn't privy to before I agreed to this mission. No matter. He may turn out to be just what the mission needs.
The N7s added some needed, snarky remarks and Lekuhn waited.
The Turian retorted. Lekuhn waited.
Maelstrom looked on. Lekuhn waited
"Actually" said Lekuhn "I have one more question"
"It is more of a proposition really"
"I propose we take time at some point to profile the mind of who we are up against."
He took a long draught of ale then continued speaking as he watched the suds bubble in the bottom of the glass.
"Not the assassins per say. Although, it would be good to see any links to the mastermind behind the madness."
"Not even all the data we have found is as valuable as the patterns in the person or persons' behavior behind the tangible evidence." said the Drell
"You're all mercs" Lekuhn said addressing the team.
"You all know you have a signature to what you do as do I."
"Identify the signature. Identify the person."
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2015 22:13:11 GMT -6
Naetilia stood by the bar, silently berating herself. Even after her humiliating loss of control in front of the others, even though she had put away her weapon and attempted to make peace with the krogan, its presence was still distracting her, even to the point where she had missed some of Mr. Bridges’ initial briefing and asked for information he had already given.
The others have vouched for the krogan, she thought. But do I really trust them?
So far the only one she thought she could trust was Izahm. He had proven himself even if he was young, Mr. Bridges had conducted himself with a minimum of emotion, and the one calling himself Maelstrom seemed friendly enough.
But they are still just humans, she thought, rubbing a twinge in her right shoulder that had flared up.
Then the turian male showed up.
He was into his middle years, but he still carried himself like someone half his age. He was wearing armor and had a galidus sword slung on his back.
Spirits, I haven’t seen one since I served.
"I'm going on this mission to guarantee the safe return of one of our company's greatest assets and to familiarize myself with what has become one of our most-invested-in pursuits to-date," he said in response to Fischer’s inquiry.
The tension she had felt since entering the room drained away.
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 7, 2015 9:35:10 GMT -6
The turian newcomer took it upon himself to answer on behalf of Esteban.
"The 'shit' as you say, has been serious for some time, as evidenced by the recent attempt on my business partner's life. I'm going on this mission to guarantee the safe return of one of our company's greatest assets and to familiarize myself with what has become one of our most-invested-in pursuits to-date." Eric held up his hands in a semi-yielding fashion. “I’m not doubtin’ your concern or your ability, Mr. C. It's just we’ve been crackin’ heads n’ makin’ holes in stuff so much lately I forget the guy givin’ us our marchin’ orders is an exec himself. Very few choose to get their own hands dirty and of those it’s usually the kind that just wanna play soldier instead o’being one. Esteban Bridges’ been one hell of an exception… I’m guessin’ you’re one too from that pigsticker you’re sportin.”
[Insert responses/comments from Marcius and/or Esteban, if any]
"Actually… I have one more question." Attention turned to Lekuhn. "It is more of a proposition really. I propose we take time at some point to profile the mind of who we are up against."
He took a long sip from his glass and continued.
"Not the assassins per say. Although, it would be good to see any links to the mastermind behind the madness. Not even all the data we have found is as valuable as the patterns in the person or persons' behavior behind the tangible evidence. You're all mercs. You all know you have a signature to what you do as do I. Identify the signature. Identify the person."
Eric leaned forward in his seat, elbows on his knees, eager to indulge in his recently discovered penchant for investigation.
“Okay… Mr. B’s merry band’s been responsible so far for keepin’ the Collectors n’ Reapers from gettin’ their claws on an ancient superweapon and takin’ out one of their bases within their own territory no less. Some higher ups in th’ Alliance and now even the media,” The N7 indicated Izham. “Are takin’ an interest in our handiwork. The officially appointed low foreheads in charge are tryin’ ta keep a lid on this impending Reaper doomsday but some of th' general public see people like Shepard as some kind of outlaw hero goin’ to bat for them when no one else would. At least until Bahak. Shep and Esteban here seem to be the only ones who give a shit ‘bout what the Reapers are up to and do somethin’ about it… I think somebody out there doesn’t want B-Man or us takin up Shep’s mantle. If people rally behind new heroes it’s that much more control lost. People without hope can’t fight and our mystery mastermind wants everybody nice ‘n hopeless. Easy to control.”
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Post by Esteban Bridges on May 7, 2015 20:35:06 GMT -6
Esteban held his hand up to his Turian assistant to signal that he wanted to respond. It was something he wanted to address for awhile now.
"Thank you, Mister Lysander," he said, first looking at the Turian before over towards the former N7. "I think that would be a great idea. It's obvious that there's someone in power that is working with the Collectors. Joseph gave me the name of an Asari from a security video on the base. Matriarch Lidanya, I believe. And there was quite a bit of evidence pointing at Udina. Both of them are very well connected and powerful. Who is to say that it is only one?"
He meant the last part to be light... but what if... Esteban frowned, furrowing his brow. "When all this is done, we will need to take a trip to Earth to see if Shepard's taking appointments. Think you can get us in?"
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Lekuhn
N2
"Let me see if I can remember...yeah, I can."
Posts: 27
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Post by Lekuhn on May 7, 2015 20:52:25 GMT -6
Eric leaned forward in interest. Lekuhn could tell he was itching to respond.
“Okay… Mr. B’s merry band’s been responsible so far for keepin’ the Collectors n’ Reapers from gettin’ their claws on an ancient superweapon and takin’ out one of their bases within their own territory no less. Some higher ups in th’ Alliance and now even the media,” The N7 indicated Izham. “Are takin’ an interest in our handiwork. The officially appointed low foreheads in charge are tryin’ ta keep a lid on this impending Reaper doomsday but some of th' general public see people like Shepard as some kind of outlaw hero goin’ to bat for them when no one else would. At least until Bahak. Shep and Esteban here seem to be the only ones who give a shit ‘bout what the Reapers are up to and do somethin’ about it… I think somebody out there doesn’t want B-Man or us takin up Shep’s mantle. If people rally behind new heroes it’s that much more control lost. People without hope can’t fight and our mystery mastermind wants everybody nice ‘n hopeless. Easy to control.”
Esteban held his hand up to still his Turian partner and responded:
"I think that would be a great idea. It's obvious that there's someone in power that is working with the Collectors. Joseph gave me the name of an Asari from a security video on the base. Matriarch Lidanya, I believe. And there was quite a bit of evidence pointing at Udina. Both of them are very well connected and powerful. Who is to say that it is only one?"
Very good.
"So we've established that most likely there is disinformation and distraction via sources attached to media. I would wager these sources are tied to government and/or information brokerage. You can bet there is more money involved than all of us in this room will ever see combined." said Lekuhn
"But...that is not what concerns me the most."
He held up his empty glass, suds coating the inside as if to examine it.
"This was a good ale. A very fine brew. I like Batarian Ale and when I drink it I tend to think about the taste and nuances of the flavor while anticipating the elating feeling of alcohol entering my blood stream. I focus on the product I am consuming; what makes me feel secure;happy."
He paused a moment to let this thought take purchase in the fertile soil of foreign minds.
"What I don't generally think about is possibly one of the most important parts of the whole process of drinking the ale...the glass."
I wish this one was full again, he thought looking at the finely crafted glass made especially for well brewed ales.
"This glass is made especially for Batarian Ales. The way it is crafted allows the ale to hit the pallet in such a way as to separate flavors while oxidizing the ale for a better delivery of alcohol into the bloodstream."
He paused again setting the glass back down on the table.
"The same is true of the flow of money and information. Though the information and money are the reward, the delivery is tantamount to the end result and much like the glass, is crafted by a skilled artisan."
He motioned towards the glass.
"I'll have another if that is ok."
Now he directed his attention to the mercs in the room.
"We all have a piece of the broken glass." he said in a low tone
"The question is: can we cooperate to put it back together?"
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Post by spartan560 on May 7, 2015 21:52:08 GMT -6
"I myself prefer Asari fruit drinks," Izahm says holding up his multicolored glass, "The choices and blends of flavors means no two drinks are the same, especially if you make them like I do," he sips at his drink, "Yes we may each have a part of that glass but it will be hardest my Drell friend for us that are new to the fold," here he indicates Lekuhn Naetilia and himself, "to gain the trust of these fine fellows," here he indicates the surrounding team members, "I'm not saying we won't gain their trust, what I am saying as we are newcomers, unknowns, a question mark at the end of the equation they do not know if they can trust us." Damn must have grabbed a Kanjai fruit, they're not dangerous just gives you the same inhibitions lowering effect of real aclohol, Izahm thinks taken aback by his own words.
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 7, 2015 23:24:24 GMT -6
Joe leaned forward.
“I won’t speak for any of the other veterans on the team, but the boss here has had a pretty good track record when it comes to recruiting trustworthy people, so I’m willing to give you new people the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
“But know this,” he continued, looking at each new member. “Betray me or the team, you better leave nothing standing, because if you don’t…”
He let the dark thing peer out at them.
“…you better start running.”
He then pushed the dark thing back in its cage.
"And can we knock off all this talk about drinks?" he asked. "I just learned to walk upright, so all these damn metaphors are confusing me. Let's just speak plainly, all right?"
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Post by Maelstrom on May 8, 2015 0:04:14 GMT -6
"Let's just speak plainly, all right?"
"Speaking plainly, he also hired Artacus and Morgan," Maelstrom said, before taking a sip of his drink again. "Mostly good record. But Artacus. And Morgan. Just saying."
Turning to the drell, he said, "I have too many pieces of too many glasses to sort them all out. Someone took a shot at me and hit the wrong guy. Sniper rifle, good shot, just bad timing for the other guy. Then footage was altered to implicate me, I'd guess to get me captured so I'd be an easy target."
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 8, 2015 6:18:23 GMT -6
Joe glanced at the biotic. He certainly had no argument against Artacus being one of his employer's rare recruiting mistakes--he was half a second away from sending the man to the turian afterlife--but Morgan? He made a note to himself to ask about how she did during the mission.
He sighed; he missed her sassy manner and quick mouth.
But then again, when you're hit with a biotic shockwave fired from a Reaperized elcor, suddenly you start looking for simpler job opportunities, he thought.
"As for me, it was a bombing attempt on the place I was staying at the past month," he said. "If I hadn't decided to add another mile to my morning run, I'd be jamming on a harp...or working on my backstroke as I swam through a lake of lava.
"My mom was caught in the blast," he said, and he felt the dark thing rise up like a giant prehistoric shark trying to breach the surface, but he pushed it back down.
He didn't know what else to say, so he helped himself to a large gulp of his drink.
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Post by Maelstrom on May 8, 2015 9:09:14 GMT -6
Maelstrom thought about offering Joe a nuke if one was needed, after hearing about the man's mother. Somehow, though, he imagined his attempt at offering support would be misconstrued as poorly-timed humor, by the new arrivals if not the N7 himself.
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Post by spartan560 on May 8, 2015 9:37:19 GMT -6
"I had heard about that," Izahm says, "Some guy named Croneur high ranking Alliance officer. No culprit was ever found and as it was a private investigation within C-Sec my contact wouldn't tell me more," he then looks at Joe and says, "I am truly sorry about your mother, as to the last part if you have my trust I will not break yours unto pain of death. I've never broken the trust of anybody I've known not about to start now."
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Post by Eric Lysander on May 8, 2015 15:57:45 GMT -6
"Thank you, Mister Lysander," said Esteban, leading into his own theory. "I think that would be a great idea. It's obvious that there's someone in power that is working with the Collectors. Joseph gave me the name of an Asari from a security video on the base. Matriarch Lidanya, I believe. And there was quite a bit of evidence pointing at Udina. Both of them are very well connected and powerful. Who is to say that it is only one?" Then the warrior executive asked of his N7 subordinate "When all this is done, we will need to take a trip to Earth to see if Shepard's taking appointments. Think you can get us in?"
Eric shrugged. “I’m sure I can get us in somewhere, now that my biggest roadblock’s outta th’ way.”
"So we've established that most likely there is disinformation and distraction via sources attached to media,” said Lekuhn . “I would wager these sources are tied to government and/or information brokerage. You can bet there is more money involved than all of us in this room will ever see combined. But...that is not what concerns me the most."
The drell mercenary proceeded to comment on his enjoyment of batarian ale and how even the proper drinking glass can contribute to the experience. He then indicated there was a point to his seeming non sequitur.
"The same is true of the flow of money and information. Though the information and money are the reward, the delivery is tantamount to the end result and much like the glass, is crafted by a skilled artisan."
In a cautious voice he intoned to the gathering of mercenaries "We all have a piece of the broken glass. The question is: can we cooperate to put it back together?"
"I myself prefer Asari fruit drinks," Izahm said, holding up his glass, "The choices and blends of flavors means no two drinks are the same, especially if you make them like I do."
He took a sip. "Yes we may each have a part of that glass but it will be hardest my Drell friend for us that are new to the fold… to gain the trust of these fine fellows… I'm not saying we won't gain their trust, what I am saying as we are newcomers, unknowns, a question mark at the end of the equation they do not know if they can trust us." Joe leaned forward and stated “I won’t speak for any of the other veterans on the team, but the boss here has had a pretty good track record when it comes to recruiting trustworthy people, so I’m willing to give you new people the benefit of the doubt. But know this… betray me or the team, you better leave nothing standing, because if you don’t… you better start running.”
Eric’s eyes dimmed. This was the second instance he had witnessed this change of aspect within his younger counterpart since returning from the Collector base.
“And can we knock off all this talk about drinks?" Joe then asked, returning to normal. "I just learned to walk upright, so all these damn metaphors are confusing me. Let's just speak plainly, all right?"
"Speaking plainly, he also hired Artacus and Morgan," Maelstrom said, before taking a sip of his drink again. "Mostly good record. But Artacus. And Morgan. Just saying."
Turning to the drell he said, "I have too many pieces of too many glasses to sort them all out. Someone took a shot at me and hit the wrong guy. Sniper rifle, good shot, just bad timing for the other guy. Then footage was altered to implicate me, I'd guess to get me captured so I'd be an easy target."
Joseph then brought up the bombing attempt on his life that claimed his mother in the process. Izahm offered his condolences and his assurance that he could be trusted.
“All this talk about glasses - Piot smeared Pale Rider on mine,” interjected Eric. "If I didn’t down a whole flask of olive oil beforehand I woulda been a goner for sure…except for the new folk everyone here was caught with their pants down, so to speak. With our guard dropped in the last place we’d think anyone would try somethin’ on us… just like we did with them. We didn’t get to save all the prisoners or yank all the data but we showed them that they’re not invulnerable or outta reach… bastards were tellin’ us we’re no different… up to now we’ve only been scorin’ pions while they've taken out a coupla our main players… it’s time we nailed us some high value targets. This mission should give us some.”
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Post by Joe Fischer on May 8, 2015 17:17:04 GMT -6
Joe nodded.
"Sounds good to me," he said. "And just to clarify, my mom wasn't killed, just hurt. If she had..."
He throat swelled up and it took all his strength to force it back to normal.
"If she had, Happy Fun Time Joe wouldn't be here," he finished.
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Post by Maricus Caenilus on May 9, 2015 1:08:06 GMT -6
Maricus took another sip of the brandy, listening silently. It had been difficult, but he let Esteban address Lysander's reply to him. His inclination was always to step in and take command of the meeting, but he knew it would be a mistake to do here. Esteban was their boss, even if both partners had equal status within the company employing them. Attempting to assert his authority at the wrong moment could have the exact opposite effect from what he intended.
He was pleased with what he was hearing, though. Of course, being mercenaries, there were subtle displays of dominance here and there, but most everything seemed well-thought-out and professional. In fact, he could not think of a mercenary band he had worked with in the past that operated in anywhere near that organized of a fashion. The drell's line of inquiry in particular surprised him, not having expected that manner of thinking from an assassin. In many ways, he thought, the gathering reminded him almost more of his time with the military, interfacing with special ops teams, than with his previous deals with organizations like the Blue Suns or the Blood Pack for protection. The main difference, aside from diversity, was that there was nowhere near the same sort of clear command chain.
This should be an interesting trip, he thought, taking another sip of his drink.
Looking back to his business partner, Maricus realized that the man's beverage was getting low. He quickly retrieved the appropriate bottle and made his way over to the man. Years ago, it would have been seen as a sign of weakness and submission, but they were past that sort of thing now. Coming up behind the seat, so as not to intrude on the circle of mercs, he held the bottle out just enough that it would be easily spotted and his friend could offer up his glass.
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