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Post by spartan560 on Aug 1, 2017 13:33:09 GMT -6
"Duly noted I was just wondering," Izahm replies giving the biotic a solemn nod then watches the silent exchange out of the corner if his eye, "True enough everyone has a life outside this. Didn't mean to pry."
He then takes another bite of his sandwich before looking up suddenly and says to the bar mech, "Give me your darkest Guinness," he then addresses Maelstroms last comment, "Well considering I was the newcomer then and I'm the newcomer now makes sense. I only have two friends in my life. One is dead the other will be eventually," he pauses as the bar mech comes back with his order.
Izahm takes a long draught then sits back, "Like you friends for me don't come easy or at all. I share a certain level of your distrustful nature but enough about the past. look to the future for there is where our adventure lies."
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Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 1, 2017 19:04:48 GMT -6
Joe threw Thrak's underwear away just in time for the two bottles of ryncol to be served.
He grabbed one and opened it.
"Pussies drink last," he said to the krogan and then chugged the whole bottle, his eyes still locked on Thrak.
*****
Once it was done he belched and threw the bottle away.
"Your order, sir," the mech said, laying his order down on the bar.
"Saved by the bell," he said then strode over to the bar and began eating without bothering to get dressed. "Ladies, if you see anything you like, go for it."
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Post by Geneenh T'Loris on Aug 1, 2017 19:07:09 GMT -6
Geneenh watched the spectacle unfold before her. She wished she could be surprised by his behavior, but she wasn’t. Humans hadn’t been part of the galactic community for long but as a whole she found them to be arrogant, expecting the galaxy to bend to their will and then complaining about racism when they didn’t get their way.
She looked over at Lysander, who had remained dressed.
“Can I expect more behavior like this from Fischer?” she asked him.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 1, 2017 19:45:22 GMT -6
"Strippin' down's a new one for 'im," replied the flummoxed N7. "Who knew he likes ta stretch himself on occasion?"
"Ladies, if you see anything you like, go for it," Joe called out as he headed to the bar to eat, still unclothed. Eric cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Alright - get a room, you two! While you check each other for hernias maybe I can find a chaplain who can join ya in unholy matrimony!"
Turning to Naetalia he asked, not really expecting an answer, "You're a doctor. I mean, is it booze? Post-mission trauma...?"
He glanced back to Joe who had taken a seat.
"Ya know, they're gonna hafta close down th' lounge n' sterilize it after this! And guess whose tab that comes out of? SB just might sell th' footage of you ass-clowns as payback!"
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Post by Naetilia Bolanis on Aug 1, 2017 20:13:52 GMT -6
"Given Thrak has only just joined us, I could not even begin to guess as to the reasons behind his behavior," the turian said. "But with Fischer, I believe it is a matter of a high desire to establish himself as the strongest of a group, combined with an inability to modulate the level of intensity with which he approaches a situation. I wonder if it a byproduct of his N7 training."
She looked over at the large human for a second and then back to Lysander.
"You were an N7 as well, perhaps you can speak to the accuracy of my theory?" she asked.
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Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 1, 2017 20:16:58 GMT -6
Joe glanced back at the senior N7.
"At last, my lifelong dream of becoming an extranet porn star will come true!" he said. "Should I get a stage name?"
He scooped up a handful of fries and shoveled them down.
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Aug 1, 2017 20:19:35 GMT -6
Thrak grinned, wondering how much Jokes would be stumbling around. Unwilling to lose the challenge, he downed the swill and followed it up with the bottle of fine ryncol, setting both empty bottles next to Jokes just as the first several rounds of his impressive fish course were being served.
"Ya know, they're gonna hafta close down th' lounge n' sterilize it after this! And guess whose tab that comes out of? SB just might sell th' footage of you ass-clowns as payback!" Stick said.
"The Broker already has that footage of me," Thrak said, as he walked over to the table to begin eating his dinner. Remembering that his employer was supposed to arrive soon, he started putting his clothes back on, though he left his armor to the side. "Get on the extranet and search 'Bare-assed krogan versus batarian slavers.' Council keeps having it taken down once every month or two, but someone or other keeps getting the video back up. If you can't find it, I've got a copy on my omni-tool somewhere."
Looking down at the fried rings- having no idea what they were called- he popped one in his mouth and began chewing. Looking to the service mech, he added, "I need another bottle of your best ryncol. Didn't take time to savor the last."
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Post by spartan560 on Aug 2, 2017 14:55:54 GMT -6
Izahm noticed the look Thrak gave Fischer and thought, 'Well it'll certainly surprise him when Fischer doesn't drop right away.' He then continues to enjoy his sandwich finishing it quickly and ordering another along with another Guinness beer. He finishes off the one he has and after grabbing the new one returned to the table he was at beforehand having conversed with those he wanted to content to just observe though if someone approached him he would not ignore them. While waiting for his food he sips at his beer having already slaked his initial thirst. Izahm then begins fiddling with the helmet he left at the table fine tuning the HUD and audio receptors for better perception and auditory pickup.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 2, 2017 19:01:55 GMT -6
"The Broker already has that footage of me," dismissed Thrak as he walked over to the table, mentioning keywords to search on the extranet to find said footage before starting on his dinner, what appeared to be one order of everything on the menu.
Joseph added, "At last, my lifelong dream of becoming an extranet porn star will come true!" He then asked in jest, "Should I get a stage name?" before wolfing down a handful of fries.
Eric sighed and shrugged helplessly, slumping backwards into his seat. Naetalia offered her analysis.
"Given Thrak has only just joined us, I could not even begin to guess as to the reasons behind his behavior," the turian said. "But with Fischer, I believe it is a matter of a high desire to establish himself as the strongest of a group, combined with an inability to modulate the level of intensity with which he approaches a situation. I wonder if it a byproduct of his N7 training."
She looked over at Joe for a second and then back to Eric.
"You were an N7 as well, perhaps you can speak to the accuracy of my theory?"
"It can give ya a swelled head, pushing yerself ta accomplish feats above those of mortal men," agreed the senior N7. "I think he mighta been like this before training. I wonder if this was his Roosevelt Challenge when he graduated. It's named for the wife of one of our old, human American presidents, Eleanor Roosevelt. She once said 'do something each day that scares you.' So each new N7 would try to overcome a fear of theirs. Public speaking, singing, dancing. One guy had changin' his kid's diaper. Maybe Joe's was public nudity..."
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Post by Naetilia Bolanis on Aug 3, 2017 15:27:28 GMT -6
"Do not judge Fischer too quickly...or too harshly," Naetilia said to the asari. "Were it not for him, I would be dead. He may be acting rather...uncouthly...at the moment, but when the situation calls for it, he is loyal, brave and compassionate. In fact, when we were on Ilium..."
[For the rest of the story, see the upcoming character story "More Than Just A Pretty Face".]
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 3, 2017 16:54:36 GMT -6
[GM Note- I intend to post Feron's arrival on August 5th.]
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 4, 2017 7:33:46 GMT -6
"...wow..." was all Eric could say after Naetalia finished her story. "Soft heart in thick hide. I don't think I ever coulda done that..."
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Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 5, 2017 5:19:58 GMT -6
Joe drained the mug of root beer and said, "Ladies, I'm impressed by your willpower. If I were any of you, I would've been all over this."
He picked up his clothes and began getting dressed.
"Emily, I get it, you're with Mal, you don't want to drop him in public like that because then he would fight me for you and I'd wipe the floor with him," he said and winked at the couple.
"Doc, you have to maintain a professional demeanor," he said, turning to the alien females sitting with Lysander. "And Geneenh, you just joined, you don't want to get a reputation for being easy--yet."
He finished getting dressed and returned to his seat, then raised his mug and said, "Bartender! Jobu needs a refill!"
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 5, 2017 12:08:00 GMT -6
Maelstrom kept most of his focus on his food, as the spectacle came to a close. He suspected he would have enjoyed the rare treat far better without the show- much less the exchange between he and Emily, but it was still delicious. He was also pleased to consider at least a couple days more of such meals before returning to his usual fare. The additional exercise he would need to offset the extra calories, and he decided it might be a good chance to explore Emily's training.
Maelstrom gave a subdued shake of his head as the exhibitionists finished their performance, grateful that a semblance of professionalism was restored prior to their employer arriving.
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Post by Feron on Aug 5, 2017 15:26:35 GMT -6
A third server mech entered the room, pushing a low hoversled ahead of it. Atop the conveyance was a dome of sensors and circuitry flanked by a generator and transmitter. Once the device was placed in the center of the room, the mech left without ceremony.
A moment later, a bright glow enveloped the room. Everything was briefly overlaid with a blue grid, before the room faded back to its earlier levels of illumination. An orb made of a distorted grid rose from the center of the dome before morphing into a three dimensonal representation of the familiar drell.
Feron stood tall, hands clasped behind his back. "Congratulations on acquiring the Okinawa. I trust you are enjoying the accommodations."
[Insert any replies.]
The drell nodded. "Your rest here should serve you well. Your next mission will be a challenge."
"A group of archaeologists recently uncovered ruins of a civilization apparently pre-dating the protheans by several million years. The technology there is still functional," he said. After allowing a moment for them to absorb the potential importance, he added, "The Shadow Broker would normally obtain this technology discretely. But there have been developments."
"The ruins are in the Terminus systems. Well-armed and -equipped pirates has taken the archaeologists hostage and are occupying the site. The Citadel Council realizes the importance of the find, but for a task force to enter the Terminus is to declare open war. They are not prepared for that. Our sources suggest that a SPECTRE is inbound. But you are closer."
"The work crews have been instructed to complete their work as quickly as possible. You will still have a head start. You should be on your way in thirty six hours, and you will be expected to push the Okinawa's engine's to top capacity."
"The Broker has three objectives for you. Obtain a copy of the database. Rescue the archaeologists. Escape before the SPECTRE can stop you. Any questions?"
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 5, 2017 16:31:47 GMT -6
Fortunately for the mercenaries' unofficial team leader, the exhibitionism of two of it's hardiest members was short lived and decorum was restored. The timing was also fortuitous; shortly after Thrak and Joe were dressed again an unfamiliar server mech entered the room with a dome-topped device. It left the device in the center of the lounge and exited without further fuss or delay. A bright glow emanated from the device followed by a blue grid - perhaps a scanning grid to verify and clear all present - before the dome projected an uneven orb-shaped grid above it. The orb stretched and filled out into the likeness of the Shadow Broker's representative Feron.
Feron stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "Congratulations on acquiring the Okinawa. I trust you are enjoying the accommodations."
Everyone around the room voiced their opinions.
"Not too shabby," was Eric's verdict, still a bit uneasy about the mechs.
Then Feron outlined the new mission at hand: they were to rescue a group of archeologists from pirates holding them hostage on their dig site located on a planet within the Terminus Systems along with a copy of their findings.
Before a Council Spectre arrived.
"Any questions?" Feron asked the group.
"Several," Eric began. "Last time we barely got out from under the Alliance's lidar. Now we might have the Council chasin' after us too if we have to tangle with one o' theirs..."
Inwardly, he was thankful that the Spectre was not going to be his old protege or his team would be well and truly finished.
"Anything on the identity of the Spectre the Council's pegged ta take out the pirates? Also, what's the makeup of the research team? And do you know anything 'bout the pirates holdin' 'em? Have they made any demands yet?"
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Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 5, 2017 16:52:44 GMT -6
"I got a question of my own," Joe said as the service mech refreshed his drink.
"You say we'll have a head start on the SPECTRE, even with the thirty-six hour delay," he said. "Exactly how much of a head start are we going to have? From what I've heard, the Council doesn't exactly sit on its hands when it comes to sending out its errand boys.
"For that matter, why are we bothering with the work on the ship anyway?" he asked. "Let's just paint over the Cerberus logos, head out there and save the day."
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Post by spartan560 on Aug 5, 2017 20:52:52 GMT -6
"Quite enjoyable," Izahms says raising his drink for emphasis, "though next time I could use a heavy bag for martial training." He then leans back as Feron outlines the mission plan. 'Interesting, no wonder they wanted us,' Izahm thinks, 'There's probably something else going on that they don't want the council knowing. And to top it off we have to escape one of the best SpecOps operatives known to the galaxy.' "I agree with Fischer, what's the ident on the Spectre," he voices aloud.
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Post by Feron on Aug 6, 2017 0:02:59 GMT -6
Feron nodded curtly at the questions. Turning to face Lysander, he said, "Information is still being gathered. More refined data should be available prior to your departure."
"Jondum Bau is the SPECTRE assigned. His most recent assignment has been the tracking and arrest of master thief Kasumi Goto- a task he has thus far been able to achieve. He is a salarian whose tactics lean towards stealth, teamwork, and only striking once everything is known. Typical of his species." Turning to Fischer, he added, "Our information leads us to believe you will arrive at least thirty hours prior to his arrival, given his usual methods and habits. Of course, a SPECTRE is not to be underestimated. Assume he will arrive sooner."
Turning back to Lysander, he added, "The research team is made primarily of asari non-combatants. Nine. One hanar, one elcor, and two volus accompanied them- partners from other universities. Two quarians were on-site to oversee the team's equipment. A turian security firm and vorcha work crew were contracted, but initial information suggests these were executed by the pirates during and after the attack."
"The pirates- a group known as Fortune's Hand- have issued no demands. Their objective is the technology, information, and any artifacts present. They are more advanced and sophisticated than the typical pirate band. Their ends more long-term. Their means, while brutal, typically more refined. They are a large organization in the Terminus, so information on the exact makeup of their team has not yet been determined. We do know their raid was made of at least sixty individuals, though there may have been more. They are unique in that their makeup favors no species. They seek out individuals of certain talents rather than ethnicity. It is not uncommon for them to recruit their members from other pirate bands, and their invitations are almost always accepted. We hope to have their exact make-up for you prior to your departure."
Turning back to Fischer, Feron said, "I would have thought that the reason for the work on the Okinawa was obvious. During your hijacking, your team was confronted by a Cerberus AI. We are upgrading certain systems, but the primary purpose of your being there is to make absolutely certain Cerberus has no more traps lying in wait." A self-satisfied smile coming to his face, he added, "One physical system and two software countermeasures have already been found. The technicians here are examining the software at the programming level, and the hardware is being examined at the component level. We don't dare send you on a mission of this importance when all you might do is act as a beacon for Cerberus to send a team of their own, or possibly have the vessel re-transmit the database you acquire to the Illusive Man himself."
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Post by spartan560 on Aug 6, 2017 0:34:37 GMT -6
"Well damn looks like were facing the best of the best of the best," Izahm says, "He's a legend even among the Spectres," he sips at his drink then listens further, 'Glad they're doing that, last thing we need is the only equal to the Shadow Broker getting his hands on this.'
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